Don't Stand By Me (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Elvis

August 4th: 08:10

Violet's shrieks were the first thing to wake me the next morning, loud and piercing as if she was yelling right in my ear, despite being on the other side of the RV. I bolted upright, head whipping around the darkened room only to find that I'm all alone.

"Wha?" I muttered, clambering to my feet and shuffling out to the main area of the RV.

Violet had Dixon cornered, standing over and screaming in his face as he cowered away in fear. Pearl and Brent watched from the couch, shoulder to shoulder, eyes wide.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I snapped, moving forward and grabbing Violet's arm, dragging her away, "You're scaring him!"

"He let Kiara and Cassie wander the streets for gas by themselves in the middle of the fucking night!"

"You what?" I exclaimed, whirling around to face him, "Tell me she's exaggerating."

"She's exaggerating!" He held up his hands defensively, "It was completely bright out when they left, they knew exactly where they were going and they texted to say they got there safe and were staying the night. They'll probably be back in an hour or two."

I turned back to Violet, giving her a light smack at the back of her head, "What is your problem? That scared me!"

She glared at me, rubbing her head, "They could have gotten hurt! Or captured by the police!"

I shook my head, turning to Dixon who was still slightly cowering away. I wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him tightly to my side. He shot me a grateful look.

"I'm not a delicate flower, you know."

"I know. I'm just cold."

"Mhm." He smiled gently, snuggling into my side.

"If anything they'd be less likely to be captured considering they're nowhere near the damn corpse." Brent interjected.

"Shush you." Violet hissed, running a hand through her hair.

"Hey, don't tell me to shush!" He snapped, standing up and pointing a finger at her, "I have been nothing but considerate since this trip started and all of you have been treating me like shit!"

"You cheated on me!"

"You cheated on me. We're even."

Well, that was new information.

Dixon and I's heads darted back and forth like we were witnessing an intense match of tennis, with no clue who was winning.

"You're so fucking infuriating!" Violet snapped.

"And you're a child." Brent stepped forward, poking a finger into her chest, "This entire situation is your fault. We went skinny dipping because of you. You filmed Charles, Kiara attacked him to save you. I only stepped in because she's your best friend. You are fucking around with an FBI agent, yet I'm the asshole? This entire fucking trip has been everyone cleaning up your mistakes and tiptoeing around your fucking feelings. I'm sick of it. I could go to prison because of it! Because you make stupid decisions and we have to suffer the consequences!"

Silence fell over the RV save for Brent's heavy breathing and Violet's light sniffles.

"I guess...I never thought of it like that." She said softly, "I'm sorry. I really am."

"That's all well and good." Brent snorted, "I'll keep your apology with me in prison."

"Brent." I snapped, "Enough."