i love you from here

CHAPTER TWO

October 15, 1971.

January 01, 2001.

August 30, 1992.

Gunshots.

"Why are you so keen to fight?"

Blood.

"...of the line."

Longing...

He killed them-

They had families at home-

People that loved them-

February 24, 2007.

July 15, 2010.

He knew most of them-

"...next to dad..."

He had friends.

He killed them.

Rusted...

Jake wakes up with a jolt and a pit bull staring him in the eyes. His breath freezes as the dog rests its head on his chest. Riley's jaws are inches from his throat.

The sun hasn't come up yet- the sky has the grayish color of the time between day and night. It's five forty five A.M.

Music is playing again, this time a song with a distinct beat to it. It sounds like something to dance to. Jake slowly sits up and Riley moves.

"Nightmare?" Charlie asks. She's standing in the kitchen with a bowl of cereal- Frosted Flakes. Jake denies it with a shake of his head. Charlie raises an eyebrow and points at Jake with her spoon.

"That's a lie. Something triggered a high release of adrenaline-" she takes another bite of her cereal. "-because Riley reacted how she does whenever I have a panic attack. Anyway, you were breathing like you just ran a marathon. Still are." Jake forces his breathing to slow down and glares at Charlie.

"How's your leg?" Charlie asks. Jake stands up. It hurts, but he can limp around fine.

"I can't wait to get you out of my hair," Charlie says. Jake clenches his teeth. She's clueless. No witnesses.

Jake has a cramp in his side from laying on one of his guns. He hadn't unpacked all his weapons. He doesn't want Charlie to try and take them, even though he could easily win against her.

Jake limps into the kitchen to find some breakfast. He catches a glimpse of Charlie's phone screen.

This Love, Maroon 5

Jake eats the rest of the jumbo-sized box of Frosted Flakes, three yogurt cups, and half a pound of grapes. Charlie watches him, fascinated at how much food he can put down. She cracks open a can of Coconut-Berry Red Bull, takes a sip, and tosses several pills in her mouth.

Jake frowns at her. Is that why she's so... aggressive? A combination of caffeine and whatever drug that was? Charlie notices Jake's scowl and rolls her eyes.