Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

67

When we reached the wall I had John B go over first. My eyes watching carefully as he climbed. My right hand securing my pistol back into its holster as I tracked his path up.

"Come on, Xena." He beckoned with a grin as he slipped down the other side.

"I'm right behind you." I called though I let a whimper slip from my lips. I lied, it was equally as bad as getting my ribs broken.

"Wait! Wait!" I heard John B call out as I undid my bandanna and stretched it out. I made quick work of tying the strip around me and adding JJ's hoodie as extra pressure.

As I made a makeshift wrap, I walked backwards. Knowing getting up this wall was going to be painful so I wanted it over with as fast as possible. I peeled my leather gloves off not wanting to leave any visible prints behind.

"Xena is right behind me." John B yelled as I heard the Twinkie tires peel away most likely going to turn around and come back.

I took a deep inhale as I thought of happy things. A treehouse hideaway full of books, a green forest, large oak trees, a fluffy blanket, dogs everywhere, a cozy nook. I exhaled and breathed in once more. The scent of fresh rain and a cool autumn breeze, with a hint of oak. The scent of fresh paper of books. The mist of the ocean and sandalwood. And-

"Mahogany." I whispered, eyes narrowing as I ran at the wall. My feet digging into the dirt as I pumped my arms. Pushing breath out of my lungs as I sprang from the ground, my left leg rising as I pushed up on the rock wall to give myself more leverage. My arms rising as I caught myself on the ledge. My body strained as I held on tightly.

I drove my right foot up and dug around until I found a foothold before driving upward and getting my hands beneath my shoulders.

I rose slowly, a cry escaping my lips as I slung my left foot over the side of the wall. I sat atop the wall and stared as taillights drifted further away.

Pain flared along the left side of my torso and that tugging feeling pulled at me again.

Alone.

I let out a silent cry, one filled with anger and pain and sorrow. It was just air, a scream that matched the silent night as I clung to the stone wall with my legs as if it were a lifeline.

I gave a quick glance toward the house and watch as a light flickered on inside, a candle or so it seemed. Mrs. Crain must have gotten back up. Not entirely sure why she'd light a candle though...

But I wasn't going to risk staying around to ask or see if she had also found her shotgun.

I carefully slid down the wall, my feet landing just in time for headlights to make their way towards me.

The set up looked familiar, the Twinkie's lights large and wide. And with the brights being flicked on and off rapidly as it approached I found myself grinning.

"Full Kook! Full Kook!" The van vibrated from their chants.

My left hand came back over my side as I moved to the far side of the road. My intent to take the passenger seat. As the Twinkie pulled to a stop I caught the excitement as JJ gave me a cheeky grin.

"Someone call for an Uber?"

"I haven't got any money." I played along opening the door, "but perhaps my buddy in the back could spot me? I heard he just found gold!" I shouted my joy covering up my pain as everyone in the van erupted in excitement again.

I carefully pulled off my backpack, JJ's hoodie next as I was left with my bandana that clung to my shirt.

"JJ, I'll take your hoodie and wash it when I get home." I voiced over the cheering in the back. The dark stains on the hoodie and now on my hands as I poke at the bandana. The material soaked through.

"Yeah sure- oh shit! Xena, what happened!" JJ's cry pulled the attention on me. I let out a loud grunt when JJ slammed on the breaks.

"Xena?"

"JJ. What's going on?"

"Xena," the blond turned in his seat to look at me, his hands out but not doing anything as I lifted the bandana slightly so he could see the rips in my shirt and the blood surrounding it.

"Buckshot, JJ, it's buckshot." I whispered, my head leaning backwards as I bit my lip.

"We have to get you to a hospital." Sarah spoke as the mood dropped drastically.

"No." I spat, "no hospitals."

"Xena we have to get you help." I grunted in acknowledgment to Kie. I shakily set a hand on my side crying out as I applied pressure with the bandana again.

"Do you want to call Murphy? Roy?"

"Yes." I whispered pressing my hand tighter over the bandana trying to keep the wound from bleeding out. "My phone is in my bag." JJ leaned over the center pulling my bag with him as he spun it around fumbling through the zippers. He finally found it tossing my bag backwards to clear his lap while I took my phone.

"Go to the gym." I voiced as the Twinkie fell into silence. JJ quick to peel away as I called Roy.

He picked up on the second ring.

"What happened?" I choked down a sob as the reality of the situation just got worse.

"Buckshot. A few pellets rebounded and hit me. Roy. Roy, I'm scared." I whispered the last part. The Twinkie stilling as everyone heard me break. I felt a hand move and cover my left. The warmth comforting as I followed it back to look at JJ whose face grew grave with determination.

"Meet me at the gym. Do you want me to call Murphy?"

"Yes."

"Do I need to call your Ma?" I shook my head even though he couldn't see it.

"No. I can't. I can't have her worrying about this."

"Xena, you got shot. This is a big deal."

"I know. But I just can't. We're ten minutes from the gym. I'll explain there. Roy?"

"I'm here, girlie."

"When I get rich and famous I'm hiring you to be my personal trainer." He let out a laugh, the sound wet as if he was crying.

"Girlie, I'm already your personal trainer. But I'd take a pay raise." I breathed out a laugh, JJ's hand tightening on top of mine.

"Deal."

"Put me on speaker phone please." I didn't hesitate.

"This is Roy, Xena's trainer. I need whoever is with her to keep her awake. Ask her questions. Make her think. When you get to the gym, pull around to the back door and we will carry her in."

"Yes, sir." JJ answered as the others were still in shock when Roy hung up. Leaving us to sit in silence until there was an uproar of questions being thrown my way.