Winning His War

37

Jem's POV

I had blacked out. That was about all I knew as I felt myself begin dragged across the ground.

My mind was working in slow motion as I tried to piece together everything that had happened and when I put together everything I remembered, the searing pain in stomach grew.

I could faintly hear Barrett cursing at me but I didn't pay any mind to it. My head still felt like it was underwater; the fact that I was being dragging didn't help. Every bump or jerk Barrett made only made my stomach hurt more.

My hands dug into the ground in hopes it would stop the pain but when it only made it worse, I gave up.

Barrett's insults only got worse. I think I answered but I couldn't be sure. My head began to swim again as I ripped my legs way from him before rolling over onto my back.

I didn't have to look down at my stomach to know that blood was pouring out of it.

Don't scare Patrick and Andrew, was the only thing that went through my head as I reached for the wire and plucked it off of the shirt.

"Shit," Barrett sighed. He's previously annoyed face turning more understanding as he dropped to his knee beside me. "I thought you were just being dramatic. Sorry."

His hands went to applied pressure but I only waved him off.

"Just help me get to the car then go get Dev. We're going home. Let the others finish this."

Barrett frowned but didn't argue.

"Still think this plan was perfect," he asked rhetorically as he helped me to my feet. Most of my weight leaned on him, my hand applies as much pressure as it could but I could tell it wasn't doing much.

"Admittedly it had it's flaws," I mumbled as the car came into view and my feet all but dragged the floor.

My fingers grew numb when Barrett helped me into the car. I laid flat against the back seat, trying to contain the pained gasp that threatened to leave my mouth.

Don't scare Patrick and Andrew. Don't scare Barrett and Dev either.

"Go get Dev. I'm fine,"

"You look a lot more pale than usual."

"Yes Barrett, that does tend to happen when you're bleeding from your stomach at an alarming rate. Now go get Dev so he can stop the bleeding while you get us home." I forced my voice to come out a lot calmer than I felt as my eyes fought to close.

Stay awake.

I only blinked. My eyes were only closed for a second but when I opened my eyes again Dev was straddling my hips as Barrett sped us around every car on the freeway.

Dev's hands dug into my stomach as he glared down at me.

"It's been a while since we were in this position," I teased weakly. My eyes were already growing tired again and I couldn't feel my toes; whether that was because Devon was sitting on me or because of the blood loss I don't know.

"If I weren't trying to keep you awake I'd tell you to shut up," he grumbled, his hands pushing farther into me.

"How considerate."

"How much farther," Devon asked as he peaked outside the window.

"20 minutes at the most," he sighed. Dev only cursed before demanding he drive us faster. "You think I'm not going as fast as I can already? We haven't gone under 100 since we started!"

"You two are being so dramatic. I'm fine, just don't crash the car."

"Jem," Dev said calmly as he looked me in the eyes. "You're literally bleeding out in the back seat of your own car. You're the farthest thing from fine right now."

"Dramatic," I scoffed. I tried to bring my hand up to wave him off but when I could only managed to moves my fingers I gave up.

Stay awake. The threat's not over yet. The job's not done. Dying won't help Patrick and Andrew.

Dev and Barrett fought fruitlessly. The meaning of their words were lost on me but I forced myself to at least focus on their voices.

"Come on James. Stay awake for me."

"I am awake."

"Then open your eyes. We're almost there."

My eyes twitched with the effort but it felt like they were glued shut. I could feel myself shivering against Dev's hips. The pain in my stomach that once grounded me to reality barely felt like a pinch now.

"Can't."

"Then just keep talking. You don't even have to make sense, just make sounds."

"Okay."

"I need more than just one word answers."

My throat was tired. How did throats even get tired? I guess it doesn't really matter though.

I felt like I was floating. I couldn't feel the seat beneath me. The weight of Devon's hips disappeared. Cold invaded me but the shivering stopped.

The pain was completely gone. The tension in my shoulders relaxed. The stress I'd felt for years was finally gone and the panic I had expected to feel was surprisingly missing.

Relief.

I felt relieved.

At least it was over. Dev and Barrett could run things fine on their own. Andrew and Patrick are safe now that this is over.

I could finally be done with all of this.

I was finally done.

Yes, I am aware that it's been about 11 days since I last updated but let me break down this past week for y'all. I worked 43 hours this week. I cover shifts, stayed late, picked up slack, and helped my boss out since she needed me to. I had one day off last week and I was exhausted so no, I didn't write. 

Summer is going to be bust for me. I work at an ice cream shop. We tend to get busier in the summer so if I don't upbate as often as I usaully do, don;t panic. I'm not discontiuing this story. I'm not putting it on hold. I'm simply working my ass off. Nothing to fret over. 

Last updated March 29, 2022