The Fake Nerd

Chapter 27

 Mason's lips are soft and gentle as they land over mine. He grunts under his breath and his hand slips into my hair curling around the strands at the base of my skull. He deepens the kiss as my hands land over his chest. My hands tighten around his hoodie balling it into my hands and using it as a balance. He presses me closer to him and i lose my breath heat rising in my chest and flowing through my veins. His other hand reaches the small of my waist and then this perfect moment seemed to shatter before my eyes. I didn't know what registered first the spray of bullets pelting the grass inches from us or Mason's worried cry as he shoved me back behind the patio table shielding me as much as he could. The bullets rang out again turf flying up from impact as i pulled mason closer to me trying to shrink us behind the table. I screamed as a bullet ripped through the top of the table. 

"Ava we have to move" Mason demanded gripping my wrist. He scanned his backyard ducking down as another round exploded.

"Mason" Justin yelled hiding behind the house pillars.

 Another round of bullets exploded near Justin the windows shattering as Justin cursed crouching down. Kendra came through the broken window a sniper rifle in hand and fired randomly into the moutain view behind Mason's house. Mason tucked me into his chest pushing us forward as we ran for the house. Even with Kendra firing another round came and pelted the grass. I pulled Mason by his hoodie shoving him as hard as i could toward his house. He stumbled forward his feet sliding over the broken glass with only a small glance toward him i take off in the other direction. The spray of bullets follows me as i run. I have to save them. Mason and Kendra yell at me to stop, but the mirage of bullets pins them. James must be using two guns. I run as fast as i can. James is after me this is a show, a game. He loves games. I make it towards Ryker's car the sound of the bullets still slices through the night air, but this time it's taking aim at the house. Guilt rises like bile in my stomach as i stifle a sob. Ryker's car sits idle in the driveway the door still open a dried pool of blood coating the floor of the car. I slam the door closed rushing to the driver's side. I didn't have the keys and with trembling hands, I hotwire the car willing for it to start. When the engine finally starts I throw it into drive and peel out of Mason's driveway. A spray of bullets hits the trunk of the car as i lay on the gas. The bullets had come from the mountain that much i knew. If James wants to play a game I'll give him one he'll never forget. I reach into the glovebox keeping one hand on the wheel. I fish out Ryker's gun and lay it on my lap. I didn't have much of a plan, but the anger and ache of guilt led me straight to the mountains. Ryker's car shook with every bump and hard rock that I drove over i slammed on the breaks when i see a busted open yellow gate. I turn the wheel flooring it down the path a curve in the path makes the wheel slip from my hands i slam on the breaks. The car spins in the dirt as i let go of the wheel and pull the emergency brake slowly. The tail end of the car hits the side of the mountain throwing me forward and stopping the car. I hadn't bothered to put on a seatbelt and had ended up jamming my shoulder right into the steering wheel. I hiss and step out Ryker can kill me over ruining his car later. I continue down the path gun in tow Mason's house peeks from the trees a perfect view or rather shot. There's a black van sitting there i suck in a breath slowing my steps and raising the gun with both hands. 

"James" I call out, but the steady beat of my heartbeat is all i can hear. 

"James" Nothing.

 I walk towards the van as slowly as i can. I place my hand on the hood it's ice cold. The gravel tracks my movement a fresh crunch with every step as i make my way to the side of the van. I take a breath my hand on the handle of the door before i rip it open. Two bodies are propped up in the van their eyes wide open with bullet wounds in their forehead. A Sniper rifle and a bigger gun lay between them. A folded white paper clutched in the hand of the body on the right. I couldn't bear to look at their faces. I have enough nightmares. The Paper had Ava spelled out in dried blood. I turned around and threw up. It certainly wasn't the first time I'd seen a dead body, but knowing this was because of me tore me to pieces. The acid burned in my throat as i heaved again. I turned back willing myself to take at least one look at them. The body on the left was a young girl with bright green hair and gray eyes her face was locked in a shocked expression. She never saw it coming. The body next to her clutching the note was a middle-aged man his face was stoic and his eyes were less shocked than the girls. James probably killed him second. I whisper a small apology as I take the note out of his hand. The blood had hardened leaking through the paper and making it difficult to open. 

"Ava i make the rules in our little games and you just broke one. Let this be a reminder, James" The note shook in my hand i was angry. I hit the side of the van with my fist screaming as I beat James' note into the side of it. I have had just about enough of these games and this will be one i win.