The Reaper Prince

Chapter 18

I stood in complete shock as this woman...this Tara, told her story as she cried heavily into Jax's bare chest. Watching her tears stream down his body made my heart race. Jax let her sleep on the couch for the night but remained by her side as she slept. She didn't want to be alone apparently.

Hours later I was laying in our bed, alone. Maybe it was the pregnancy but I felt a wave of different emotions come over me.

Who does she think she is??
This poor woman. The pain she must be enduring.
I hope she isn't trying to get Jax back.
Who would blame him? She's gorgeous.

As much as I wanted to hate Tara, I felt sorry for her even more. I can't imagine what it was like, to be in her shoes during such a violent event.
After letting out a long sigh, I began to flip through channels until I fell asleep to a static, black and white screen accompanied by white noise.

"No, not again. I can't bare it!!"
"Shut up. You brought this on yourself."
The smell of sizzling flesh invaded my senses, I could feel the sweat forming on my forehead.
"Aaahhhhhh..." I let out a blood curdling scream. Laughter from onlookers echoed against the cement walls, as if it was a show to them.
"Pleeeeaaasse!!!" I shrieked at the top of my lungs.

"Max?! Max!!" A familiar voice calls to me from a distance.

I shot straight up in the bed, drenched in sweat but he was there. Almost like I called out his name and he was instantly by my side. But a figure caught my attention from the doorway. Tara. Embarrassment was written on my face as I felt the blood suddenly rushing to my cheeks. But my tears were already there. The look of worry on Jackson's face pulled at my heart. He really does care. As soon as the thought came into my head, his hands cradled my face before he gently kissed the tears away.

"What do you need doll?" He asked with an eager smile. Eager to cheer me up.
"I'm just going to go take a hot shower." I replied after a tiny shake of my head.

The water that poured down my body hit my scar, but this time it began to burn like a fresh wound. Logically I knew it was my brain trying to bring memories up that are long past. That didn't change the sensation of a hot branding iron forcing it's way into your flesh. It also didn't change how everytime you think about it your nose instantly flooded with the smell. I tried steadying my breathing and not focus on the pain but my body reacted either way. I sank to the tile floor, thinking about the day. "Fuuucckk!!" I yelled, hoping the shower walls would confine my screams I didn't want to worry Jax more than he probably already was. But like a moth to the flame, I felt his arms enclose my entire being. Instantly soothing my pain and making it easier to breathe. It must have been an hour of the two of us in the shower. He catered to my every need. Once we were done he wrapped me in a large towel and carried me to bed. There we laid until we fell asleep in each other's arms, never once apart.

The next morning I awoke to the sound of laughter. But my body remained, I had no energy to face the day. I just laid there staring at the plain white ceiling. I heard the two of them leave hours later. He didn't say goodbye. A warm tear streamed down my face as I pondered whether or not to care.

I had planned on staying in bed all day but my stomach had other plans. When I stood to my feet I looked down and noticed the small bump forming in my stomach. Forcing one foot in front of the other I made my way to the kitchen to make a sandwich. To my surprise I found Happy at the table eating cereal and Halfsack playing with Abel in the other room.

"Morning." Happy's word were short and to the point. He never took his focus off the cereal box in his hand. "Morning." I replied halfheartedly. "Where'd Jax go?" Happy didn't reply to my question, only stated what he was told to. "He asked me and 'Sack to stay here for the day. Make sure you are both safe."

Safe?? I didn't know that we were in danger!! What in the world is happening?

Suddenly the front door burst open and in walked in Cameron Hayes, a member of the True IRA. Happy pulled his pistol from his cut but before he could draw Cameron pressed the barrel of a shotgun against his head. "Don't you move." Cameron said to Happy as he slowly backed towards me. After blindly reaching for me arm he pulled me close. "And the baby." He demanded holding a knife to my throat but never moving the shotgun from Happy. He knew Happy's reputation for being extremely deadly. "No!!" I screamed before beginning to struggle against his tight hold. He pressed the knife deeper into my throat, drawing blood and making not only Happy but Halfsacks blood boil as well. "You aren't going anywhere Max." Happy stated in a confident manner, never once fazed but waiting for the right moment. Behind us Halfsack stood guarding Abel, I could hear him reaching for his cut. Cameron heard it as well and quickly turned the two of us to face Halfsack. The moment Happy was waiting for, he instantly drew his weapon and shot Cameron in the head. What Happy didn't anticipate was Cameron falling with the knife still firmly pressed to my neck.

  I saw Cameron's body fall to the floor, knife still in hand. The blade with a thick line of fresh blood. I couldn't swallow, I couldn't breathe, I just began choking. Instinctively I wrap my neck with my own hands, attempting to stop the heavy flow of blood. My vision began to fade in and out, the last thing I remember seeing was Happy, kneeling over me with tears welling in his eyes. The last words were a lot more saddening and for once in his life Happy hadn't sounded so confident.

"You're going to be okay, Max."

                          The End

*I hope you enjoyed Maxine's story. And thank you all for reading and accompanying her through her exciting life. Please feel free to leave any comments. If you have an interesting idea for a story and would like me to write it, please let me know. Again thank you all.*