Blissful Pain

The group grunted as they all used their strength to pull John B. out of the well. A bullet lodged itself in the wall behind the girls and Sarah let out a scream.

"Shit!" Kiara yelled. The two girls let go of the rope and crouched down to find some shelter from the gun wielder.

"Jesus," JJ groaned.

John B. dropped abruptly, having no idea what was going on. "Pope, JJ, what the hell?!"

Incomprehensible words were yelled from JJ and Pope as they hastily moved to bring their friend back up to the surface. "Climb up! John B., climb up, now."

JJ tied the rope to a beam before he and Pope dove for cover. The zombie-looking old woman bared her teeth as she took small steps towards the loud noises the teens were making.

"She can't aim for shit." Kie panted from behind the wall she and Sarah were positioned at.

"She can't see," Sarah said. "She's blind."

Another gunshot boomed throughout the basement as it aimed for the girls' general direction. The girls made a beeline for the exit. Kiara didn't even feel the bullet hit her on the way out.

"Shit, go! Go!" Kiara cried as she and Sarah zoomed off.

John B. somehow pulled himself up towards the ledge of the well. He looked around for his friends and the old lady.

The old lady fired another shot towards the boys. "Go, go!" Pope screamed.

John B. finally hopped out of the well and ran for dear life, letting out a "woo" of excitement. "JJ, Pope, Kie. Yeah!"

The group hopped into the van one by one. They started the vehicle slowly as they yelled for John B. to hurry up and catch up. Once he made it in, JJ stepped on the gas pedal and drove them away from the Crain residence.

"JJ, drive!" Sarah yelled.

"Go, man!" Pope added.

"Oh my God! Are you okay? Are you shot?" JJ asked looking back at John B.

"You good?" Sarah asked.

"I think I'd know if I was..." Kiara started as she examined her body only to find a red substance staining the sleeve of her shirt, "...shot."

All eyes were on Kiara in a split second. They all saw the blood that was gathering at her shoulder.

"Holy shit," Pope said as he stared at the vibrant color on staining Kie's clothes.

Kiara didn't feel anything until she saw it. She lifted the fabric underneath to see blood flowing freely from her shoulder. As soon as her eyes met the liquid the pain became unbearable. She gasped at the pain.

Sarah removed the black sweatshirt she was wearing and pressed it to Kiara's injury. Kiara winced at the contact.

JJ looked back at Kiara to see pain etched on her face. "Kie?"

"We need to take her to a hospital," Sarah voiced.

"No! No hospitals, my parents will kill me," Kiara responded.

"Well, I'm sorry Kie but none of us are really certified doctors!" Pope cried.

"Kie, are you okay?" JJ asked, concerned laced in his voice. He was watching her from the rear view mirror.

She was breathing heavily now. Of course she knew getting shot hurts but she never imagined it would be this bad. Her eyes were shut tight and her fist was clenching and unclenching.

She almost didn't hear the worry in JJ's voice. The pounding in her ears made it too loud to hear anything.

"I'm fine," she croaked out. She locked eyes with JJ's in the rear view mirror. "I'll be fine."