"The damaged ones are dangerous because they know how to handle the pain." ~ Anonymous.

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"Okay." He started panting while running upstairs, desperately trying to find the room his mom is in.

"Okay, what? Are we just going to take your mom and run away?" I asked, running.

"Yes. We can kill them later – that is, if we can escape." He said, panting.

"Are you crazy?! We can't just –"

"Yes I am. And yes, we can." He skidded to a halt in front of the door and barged inside, busting it open.

He hurried inside and tried not to trip over the things on the floor and kept murmuring 'mom' over and over again as if it was the only word he knew. He hurriedly took her wrist and said, "We've got to get you out of here. Run."

"Not so fast, James Bond." I jerked around  to see Alex standing at the door with his arms crossed.

Perfect timing.

I could see a gun hanging on his belt and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't regret using it.

Billy: Don't worry, Chad. This is a cliché scene. And in cliché stories, the good guy always wins.

But this is my life, Billy! Not a cliché story.

Billy: Yeah, I forgot. You can go ahead panicking now.

Very helpful, Billy. Very helpful.

Interrupting my panic, he fired the gun and the next thing I knew, the floor made a thud noise and a high pitched scream was let out.

"Mom, are you alright?" Brad dropped down too, parting his mom's cheek repeatedly.

"Of course not, you dimwit. She just got shot. Carry her down stairs, I'll handle this guy." I said, shoving Brad as I charged at Alex.

"You literally just shot your mom!" I said, trying to snatch the gun away from him. I had beads of sweat on my forehead and I had a feeling this guy isn't going to make it any easier for me.

"It's just her leg, calm down." He said, snatching the gun back so it was pointed at me.

His finger was threateningly on the trigger and I had to intertwine my fingers with it so he doesn't pull it. The best part is that my sweaty hands weren't helping at all.

There was a mini finger war happening on the trigger of the gun – which was now pointed menacingly at me. I waited for his hand to momentarily lose grip and I twisted it the other way, in one jerky movement.

"You're a monster, Alex." I breathed, trying to pull the trigger as his fingers fought against it.

"I'm the monster here? Have you ever been abandoned by your parents, Mr. Perfect?"

"No, because I could never even imagine kidnapping my own parents and shooting my mom." That gave him a distraction and the gun was now shoves at my face scraping my temple and forehead. I winced as I saw the blood on the barrel of the gun from the corner of my eyes.

"I'm going to end this." I said, jerking the gun down and almost breaking his hand.

Billy: Almost? What exactly was that loud crack, then Chad?

Uh, oops?

My ears were jerked awake on listening to his loud monstrous scream.

"WHO'S THE MONSTER NOW?" He yelled, clutching his twisted hand and bringing it closer to his lips and started blowing on it.

"Uh, have you heard your scream?" I asked, sprinting towards the door and rushing downstairs.

"Brad!" I yelled hurrying my eyes over the large room.

"Right here." I whipped around to see Rose, standing with his mom in one hand and Brad user her foot.

"How did this happen?" I asked, confused.

"Uh, it happened because I'm a brown belt in karate." She said, firing a bullet into Brad's shoulder.

His mom either fainted or she was already dead. I'm hoping the former.

"I'm sparing you two because I still need the money. And the mom. Now, get lost and come back after a year." Rose said, throwing the contract at my face as she tried to shoot my leg, in hopes of me not chasing her.

She clicked the trigger thrice but it didn't fire.

"Your gun backfired?" I asked, chuckling.

Billy: There you go again, provoking her. Crack more jokes, Chad. Definitely the best way to survive.

"Whatever." She said, throwing the gun at my leg.

I started rubbing my right leg "That was my move, Rose."

She ignored that comment and ran downstairs with Jenny. I heard a lock sound – probably coming from the basement.

My eyes fell on Brad's pathetic condition. If we try saving her, everybody would die.

I limped over to Brad and helped him up.

Billy: Walk properly, Chad. Your leg is perfectly fine.

"What now?" I asked, ripping my shirt off and using it as a bandage around his shoulder. I winced at the sight of his blood soaking through my shirt.

"Nearest hospital first. Don't worry, we'll get your mom back." I continued, slinging his free arm over my shoulder as I strained myself to walk him out of the door.

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"I'm sorry, sir. Only family members are allowed to see him now."

"Can you not see the resemblance? Chad? Brad? They rhyme?" I tried to reason.

"We will need your ID, sir."

"No, I am his brother. And I'm not carrying any weapons, calm down." I said, putting my hands up.

Billy: He's your brother?

Almost.

Billy: I never thought I'd heard this from you, Chad.

Whatever.

Without waiting for her reply, I went inside the room Brad was in.

"How's the leg?" I asked. 

He tried to sit up straight, but winced as soon as he moved a muscle. "Fine." He croaked out, and then cleared his throat.

"Don't worry, Brad. We'll get your mom back. Somehow." I said.

"With a proper plan and proper training. I'm not going to give them any money." He said.

"Exactly what I meant, bro."

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Author's Note:

yeah, I know. Not the best ending ever BECAUSE. I'm planning to write a sequel!!!

YUSSSJAJSKLWJSJCKAKSJJS.

One problem. Uh, I need suggestions for the title.

AND CHAD FINALLY ADMITTED THAT THEY'RE BROTHERS. UGH, YES.

Stay tuned for the epilogue!

[i can't believe this book is coming to an end]

~Skittolate

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