'Partners forever' // An Upstead Story 🤍

Chapter 55: The decision

Hailey's POV
Jay and I are heading back over to the district after our lunch break. We went out and got something to eat for a change considering the unit was quite today with no cases. We cross the road and walk towards the entrance. Jay starts to walk up the stairs and just as I am about to my phone dings. I stop and take my phone from my pocket. When I open the message I close my eyes, wishing that I hadn't opened it. Really this can not be happening. The message says "Do it now. Before you walk in."

"Hailey you coming?" Jay asks. I look up and I see him looking at me confused. I close the message and put my phone back in my pocket. "Ugh yeah, but can I talk to you for a minute" I say as I look at the ground. He walks down from the step in front of me. "Yeah what's up?" He asks. "I-Ugh...wanted-to" Is all I can mumble. "Hailey what's going on?" He asks more concerned at my nervousness. I look up at him and I know that I can't do this. My heart and brain can form the words because it's not what I want. I want him, forever.

"Never mind. I'll tell you later." I says as I pussy out. "Are you sure?" He asks. "Yeah" I say as I place the best fake smile on my face I can. "Okay" he smiles as he leans in and pecks me before turning around. "Actually I'll be up in a minute I forgot something in the car" I say. He nods and then carries hp walking up the stairs into the district. I turn away as internally curse myself. I walk back over to my car when my phone starts to ring. I pull it from my pocket and I see 'unknown' at the top. I start to walk away from the district before answering it.

"Hello?" "You didn't break it off." The voice says and now I got scared. "l can't do it to Jay. I love him and I would never leave him. I think your bluffing about shooting Will. I will not break it off with Jay thinking that you may be lying about the snipers." I say as I try to sound confident while inside I was terrified. "Princess you really want to question whether I am being truthful?" He asks. I shake my head knowing that I have not made a good decision. "I don't think that you would shoot anyone that I love and how do you even know who my fiancé's brother is?" I question. "Princess if I were you I would stop walking now." He says. I stop where I am and just as I'm about to look around me a shot goes off.

I hear the bullet fly past me and crash into the wall next to me. I start to panic as I look at the wall and I see how close I was to being hit. I feel my breathing start to get heavy as I try to process that everything he is saying is true. "Believe me now? So the shot was about 8 cm away from you. Next time it's in your best friends head." He says sternly. "Okay! I believe you! I'll do it just stay away from them." I say panicked. "Good now go and meet him and break. It. Off." He demands "okay!" I shout back into my phone "good." He says and then hangs up.

I feel myself start to panic as I stand in the street debating whether I should actually go through with breaking Jay's heart or not. It's not an option anymore, I have to do it otherwise someone I love dies, I will not go through that again. I message Jay and tell him that I needed to go see Mrs Mitchel so I won't be back at work for the rest of the day. I rush back to the car park and drive home. I run upstairs and grab my suitcase from under my bed. I start to throw all of my essentials and clothing inside of it. I make sure I have money and all of my personal belongings before heading down stairs. I grab a pen and pad and leave Jay a note.

'I'm gonna stay at a hotel tonight so don't worry about me, not that you would be after what I did to you tonight. Jay again I am so so sorry and I know that probably means nothing to you right now but I need to know that when we go to work we can still be professional. If not I can get a new partner,
I understand if you never want to see my face again. - Hailey'

I fold it up and sit it on the counter before heading out to my car, taking my bags with me. I get inside of my car and just before I'm about to leave my phone dings. It's from an unknown number. I open it up and see the message. "Take him to the bridge that looks upon Chicago later and break up with him there or else." I close my eyes and lean back into my seat. 'I'm gonna kill this son of a bitch" I think to myself. I drive to a hotel and book myself a room. I go upstairs and put of my stuff inside. I put my phone on charge and lay down on the bed. I curly up and close my eyes.