Backstabber

Chapter 17

"Jason, are you sure you should be doing this?"

Lena nervously rolled the hem of her skirt along her thigh as she watched him vent his rage. He'd spent days beating that old blue punching bag, his face locked in the furious glower she so rarely saw. He whirled, landing a brutal kick that it swinging.

"You heard the doc," he answered briefly, panting. He slammed a fist against the bag, blind to the blood trickling down the duct-taped surface. "I'm fine."

She gulped, he was anything but.

"But he said you should take it easy!"

He finally stopped, snatched a towel and swiped roughly at his face.

"Trust me, I am taking it easy."

She swallowed hard as she got to her feet.

"I was almost killed," he went on, dropping the towel around his neck. His injured fist tightened on the faded green fabric. "And the bastard got off scot-free!"

"We all saw him get run over after the trial," she reminded him. "He's dead now, isn't that enough for you?"

He wiped his forehead, then shoved out a breath.

"I'm not the one I give a shit about," he turned to her, his eyes suddenly shining with fear. "I didn't want to say anything, but everyone who's come after me lately has threatened you, not just that nut at the skatepark."

She went stiff.

"Me? Why?"

He walked over and touched her cheek.

"Because they know hurting you will get to me," he explained. "You're pretty much all I've got left."

She put a hand over his, braiding their fingers together.

"You don't have to go through this alone," she said. "We're all here for you, Jason."

He started to smile, then stopped and shook his head.

"I'm not about to pull you guys into this," he let go and stepped back. "You don't have anything to do with it."

"Yes, we do," she returned firmly, closing the distance between them. "My mom always told me you never leave the people you care about behind, and I'm not about to do that now."

He stared at her, then shook his head again.

"It's not that easy, Lena," he said. "These people won't quit, and I promised myself I'd do whatever it took to protect you, and you should know by now that I never go back on my word."

She put her hands on her hips.

"But do you really think we'd actually let you do this alone? We're staying by your side and helping you fight, Jason, whether you like it or not."

He looked at her, then chuckled.

"I haven't met a lot of girls who can hold their own against me, not for this long."

She grinned, draping her arms over his shoulders.

"Better get used to it, then, because I'm about as stubborn as you are."

He laughed, leaning to kiss her when the door burst open, and two officers rushed inside. The smaller snatched her away. The other twisted Jason's arms sharply behind his back and put him in cuffs. She could only watch as he was forced outside, then collapsed on the floor when she was released, staring blankly at the faded wood planks.

"This can't be happening," she muttered, blocking her ears against the silence. "I-I'm dreaming, I have to be!"

She gasped when the door blew open, crashing against the wall. Autumn staggered slowly inside, her hair wild, her skin pale, her clothes ragged and filthy. Her hands were scabbed, bruised, the very air around her moldy and stale.