Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

94

John B shouted causing my shoulders to tense. I raised the wine bottle ready to jump Topper if he made a move. I stayed hidden, my head shaking at Sarah, my left hand raising to my lips.

"Hey. Just take it easy, man. Just let me-"

"Don't fucking move." John B ground out. I watched Topper raise his hands, pleading almost.

"I just need to talk to Sarah. Please."

John B turned and looked at Sarah who confirmed that it was okay. Sarah stepping forward to be even with John B.

"It's not too smart, is it, meeting up with a fugitive like this? Hey. I'm not..." Topper jumped up, now inside the crows nest of the bell tower. "I'm not gonna do anything, alright?" Topper moved backwards and found my extended hand.

"Don't turn around." I grumbled. Tapping his arm with the wine bottle to show him what would happen if he did.

"Okay. Okay. What? Are you gonna try to kill me too, man?" Topper's breathing accelerated. My hand still on his back as I kept him from coming closer to me. The crows' nest was small. One step backward and I'd be hitting the wall.

"He didn't kill anyone." Sarah spoke now back behind John B as Topper slowly moved away from me. His hands still raised.

"You kidding? He's literally brainwashed you, Sarah." Topper tapped his temples frantically.

"No." The blonde shook her head. John B turning to whisper to her.

"Snap out of it!" I lunged reaching for Topper as he reached forward. The bell ringing as he yanked on it twice. "Hey, everybody! He's up he-" I collided with him. Knocking him to the ground. My knees on either side of his torso.

"You shouldn't have followed Sarah." I spoke the wine bottle still in my hand.

"You're in on this too?" Topper scoffed, "Of course you are." I slammed my palm down beside his head, lowering my voice so only he could hear.

"Topper. This isn't a game anymore. This isn't Kooks vs Pogues. There's a story behind everything. Innocent people can get hurt. Innocent people already are." I glared right into his eyes. Willing the Kook to believe my words. Willing him to trust me.

"I swear, Topper. You need to leave." I pushed off the ground speaking at a normal volume making it appear I'd just been threatening him.

I'd known the consequences of my actions. I'd known there was a 70% fail rate as soon as Topper saw me. He could easily tell Rafe I was helping John B. But I did it anyways, because it was my best shot at keeping everyone I love safe.

"Sarah, I warned you about these Pogues, didn't I?" Topper asked rising from the floor. His eyes lingering on me as I held my glare.

"He's innocent."

"Then who did it, Sarah?" All eyes turned to Sarah. Everyone curious to what she'd say.

"Rafe." The word came out as a breath. My head rearing at the new tie of information I had to weave into my plan.

"What are you talkin' about?" Topper was shocked, rightfully so.

"Why would I say that my own brother did it, if it wasn't true? I was there, Topper." I rose a hand to my neck as she looked at me. The words ready to fall from her lips as I shook my head.

"Don't lie to me, Sarah."

"Sheriff Peterkin was trying to arrest my father, and then Rafe shot her." She explained hoping he'd believe her.

"No."

"That's my brother. Why would I lie about that." Topper fell deep into thought. My eyes carefully watching the scene play out as the sound of sirens drew closer. They were coming.

"Shit." John B turned to face the window.

"No." I whisper feeling my chest cave in.

They were already here.

"We've got to go." John B mumbled to Sarah looking back at me as I nodded.

"Sarah. You realize I'm the one that loves you." Topper started again. Disbelief crossing my mind.

"I don't care right now! Do you understand what's going on? I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry."

"Now really isn't the time for a make-up session." I whispered getting close to John B. "You need to get out of here. Fast. Both of you if she's going."

"But this isn't about you. Okay?" Topper rose a shaking hand to his eyes.

"What does that mean, Sarah?"

"Hey, we've gotta go." John B whispered, pulling Sarah aside. But Topper wasn't having it.

"Whoo!" My head snapped to the floor. The shout drawing my attention as I listened. Dropping to my knees and setting my ear on the floor. The ex couple bickering still.

"He doesn't love you, it's me that does."

"Stop!"

"Get your hands off her."

"He doesn't love you like I do, okay. And I can prove it to you. Sarah, Sarah just look at me, let me prove it to you."

I listened closely. The sirens loud as I tried to hear talking. But all I could hear was an odd crackling noise followed by an occasional pop.

"Oh fuck," I ripped open the trap door and saw exactly what was making that noise. Smoke rising in as if to say thank you for the invitation. "We have to go, like now!"

"Sarah." The whisper shot an idea in my mind. Sarah having a similar one.

"If you really love me. Then you'll let us go. You'll help us because if John B goes I'm going with him." I grabbed the pink jacket from the floor, tossing it up to John B with a nod in Topper's direction.

_______•*•*•*•_______

"Get out of here." I ordered John B, Sarah already trying to pull him along.

"Be careful."

"I think we're past that stage." I laughed, coughing as the flames grew higher. My pants and two layers of long sleeve protecting me but also heating me up.

"Happy birthday, T."

"You get the hell out of dodge and I'll consider it the best birthday gift so far." I brought my hand to his neck and gently tapped our foreheads together before separating. "I'll see you later, B. Keep him out of trouble, Sarah."