[*Michael's P.O.V.*]
The paramedics started running down the stairs, but they weren't quick enough. Italy passed out, leaving Jeff putting the 'freak' in 'freaking out'. Everyone was suddenly looking behind Adam, even Adam was looking behind Adam! Jeff slowly looked up too, keeping a firm grip on Italy's wrist. I looked up, and saw something so twisted and evil, and it was like time had frozen.
"Nobody move!" The tan woman said, smirking triumphantly, while one of her goons held Italy's father at gunpoint.
"Ma'am, he has a family. And a severely injured daughter, so please release him." Jody said standing up. Jack absently took the paper towel back from Jody and once he stood up, clearly wanting something else to do other than watching what was inevitably going to happen.
"Oh, I think not." She said, the guy's hand started shaking ever so slightly.
"Jody, I know what's going to happen next, I'm sure we all know what's going to happen next. I'm going to face death, and in a few seconds be in heaven with my savior. So please, Jody, please tell Italy..." He trailed off a little, and continued, "tell Italy, that I love her, and that I'm so proud of her, and that no matter what she chooses to do I'll always be proud of her, and... I don't know what else... I guess that, I'll miss her." Italy's father said, tears started welling in his eyes as he gazed down at his unconscious daughter.
"Blah, blah, blah! Do it Cody!" The tan woman said, the guy named Cody's hand started shaking really badly, and he started to cry.
"I c-can't do it! I can't pull the trigger!" He wailed, he dropped the gun. "I'm so sorry for everything!" He yelled to no one in particular, and ran up the stairs and out the building.
The woman rolled her eyes, "ugh... Good help is so hard to find nowadays."
"Ma'am, what is your name?" I asked,
"Layla." She said simply, "but no time for pleasantries! Viktor! Do it!"
Viktor was an intimidating man, very tall and very muscular. "Vith, all do respect, Layla... I and not going to end zis man's life. Especially since 'e 'as a family. Zis is not vhat I signed up for! Delete my contact and never speak to me again!" He spoke with a thick Russian accent, and stormed out. The paramedics, still stunned moved aside.
"Fine! I'll do it!" Layla said and picked up the gun.
"Layla, please!" Duncan said,
"Don't do it! Please!" Jack said standing up,
"No! He's a father for crying out loud!" Dave pleaded,
"He's probably her family's provider!" Brandon said,
"No please!" Jeff begged,
"He has a daughter!" Jody said,
Finding Favour was also up in arms and begging her not too,
"Ma'am, please put down the gun." I said calmly,
"Look, I know I might have come off a little strong earlier.... Don't kill her father! Please!" Adam said standing up, he bit his lip, knowing what he was about to offer, I tried to catch his eye but he was looking deep into her eyes, "I'll do whatever you want!"
"To late, Adam." She said, smirking.
"I forgive you, Layla." Italy's father said, almost inaudibly.
She barely glanced at him, and her finger started to close around the trigger, "Jesus, I worship you." He said, closing his eyes.
"Layla, think about what you're doing!" Adam said, I could practically hear his thoughts, he hesitated, "and what you're turning down, I'll take you to dinner, anything!"
"It's far to late for that, dearest Adam." She said.
There was a defending bang, and Italy's father fell face down on the ground. As if deciding otherwise, she threw the gun aside and turned it Adam, "now, what were you saying about dinner?"
Adam, like all of us, was frozen gazing at Italy's dead father. He was so shocked he barely noticed that she had put her arms around his neck. I looked from Layla to Italy's father an back again. "Adam." She said, turning his head so that he faced her. "Where do you want to go for a night out?"
He started crying and took hold of her arms, "I'm not going anywhere with you." He said, backing away.
The gunfire must have awakened the paramedics from their trance and continued to run down the stairs. Everyone had already left the building, so it was just us, (the Newsboys), Audio Adrenaline, Finding Favour, and John Tibbs.
"Only four people can come." A female paramedic announced, that's only one of the bands, or one from each band.
"We'll go, I'll text you guys which hospital we're in. Guys don't argue! And plus, if Jeff isn't watching her 24/7 then he'll probably go crazy." Jody said, Jeff gave a nervous laugh and we all went with the paramedics to the ambulance and started the drive to the hospital.
*
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[*Italy's P.O.V.*]
My eyes fluttered open, letting in the very bright light of the sun. "She's alive!" Mr. Phillips joked, I wonder where I am? A hospital?
Once my eyes got used to the light I saw that all the Newsboys were sitting around my bed, "good morning! Afternoon? Evening? Midmorning? Or something like that" I joked.
"Straight back at you! Do you feel up to visitors? The guys from Audio A said they'd come at 9 o'clock sharp." Mr. Tait asked.
I shrugged a little, "I don't care. As long as they bring food." I said, smiling. They all laughed, "where's the button thingy? Oh, never mind, found it." I said, grabbing the small remote control that adjusts my bed position. I pressed it and the top half went up, "weeeeee." I said, until it hit a good elevation.
"According to my atomic watch, it is 8:59 and 23...24...25..26..27 seconds!" Mr. Phillips said,
"We should all count done the seconds until 9!" I suggested.
"Great idea, 32..." we all counted with Mr. Phillips. "45...46...47...48...49...50! 51...52...53...54...55...56...57! 58! 59! 9 o'clock!" We all shouted and after about 30 seconds the guys from Audio Adrenaline entered.
"You're 33 seconds late! Shame on you!" Mr. Phillips said, jokingly.
"I feel the shame!" Mr. Stovall said, jokingly.
"Did you bring food? I mean, hi!" I said,
"Care more about the food than us? I see how it is. No, no! It's fine, I mean if you don't want us to stay we can leave it's cool." Mr. Campbell teased.
"Yes, we brought food." Mr. Agee said smiling.
"Yay, food!"
After we all ate the Duncan Donuts the guys from Audio A brought us we talked for a bit until I noticed my dad wasn't here.
"Hey guys, where's my dad?"
