The Miracle Place

7.

 THEY PULLED INTO the driveway, laughing about a cat litter commercial on the radio. Billy was the first to get out, Jane not long after. She was about to close the door when Billy's smile dropped and he held up a hand. Jane paused. "Jane, get back in the car," he said lowly.

Jane lowered herself back into the car. She knew better than to cross people when they used that tone of authority. She squinted through the windshield, trying to see what the issue was. The door handle had been smashed, dangling from the door. Someone had broken in. Her heart began beating so hard, she could feel it in her head. She could hear it: Bu-bum bu-bum bu-bum.

Billy lifted a cushion off the swing on the porch, grabbing a gun hiding beneath it. Why does he have a gun? She wondered. He pushed the door open slowly, sticking his head inside, gripping the gun at his hip with both hands. He disappeared into the house, and Jane started to worry. Not even thirty seconds passed before she heard gunshots coming from inside. They rang in a scattered pattern - ten or twelve of them - then they stopped. And Jane's heart nearly stopped.

Billy ran out the door, clutching his upper arm. He swung the car door open, getting in and starting the car, driving off in a matter of seconds. "Shit!" he cursed. He took a hand off the wheel to rip his right sleeve off, revealing a large gash, oozing blood in bucketloads. "Tie this around my arm, tight," he instructed.

Jane didn't waste time asking questions, instead, she grabbed the piece of fabric and wrapped it around his arm with shaky hands, securing it tightly, earning a sharp hiss from Billy. The blood was already seeping through the fabric. "Seatbelt," he said.

Jane slumped back in her seat and clicked the belt in. "Who was it?" she asked.

"I actually didn't get the chance to ask for a name before he started shooting at me!" he yelled. Jane flinched, but tried to hide it by raising her fingers to her lips, picking at them nervously. "Sorry. No, I don't know who it was or how they knew about the house."

"Do you think they're looking for me?"

"They could be looking for either of us."

Jane stopped picking at her lips and looked at him. "Why would they be looking for you?" she asked.

"I'll explain later, but right now, we need a plan," he said. He pushed a button on the front controls. "Call Joel Skelton," he said.

"Calling Joel Skelton," said the lady in the car.

It rang a few times before she heard a click and a voice rang through the speakers. "Hey, Billy! It's been a while, how are you?"

"Hey, Joel. Listen, I don't have a lot of time. I need your help. Where are you?"

"I'm home. What do you need?"

"I need you to meet me at the Scuffy Hotel. And bring your hacking stuff or whatever it is you use to work your magic. And a First-Aid kit if you've got one," he said, cursing in pain.

"I- Billy, a First-Aid kit? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine just meet me there."

"Is this going to get me in trouble?"

"I won't lie to you, it might. But it's an emergency. I need you, Joel. Please."

There was a sigh on the other end. "Of course. I'll be there in an hour."

"Thanks, I owe you one."

"Don't worry about it. I'll see you there."

The call ended, washing the car in silence. Jane glanced anxiously at the blood soaked cloth. "Billy, you're losing a lot of blood," she choked.