Fly Before You Fall

Ms Lana

John B pulled up at Ms Lana's house.

Amelia's heart swelled at the memories. The overgrown lawn and trees where she would play. The little house wasn't much but it had been a refuge for her once. And BB even though BB might be too young to remember.

She crouched as she stood up and tried to open the door but it was jammed.

She tried again pulling with all her might but nothing happened.

She checked if it was locked and it definitely wasn't.

She huffed and was just about to swallow her pride and call JJ and John B, who had just exited, for help,

Suddenly the door slid open and JJ stood on the other side.

His blue eyes met hers.

"It gets stuck sometimes." He explained.

He offered his hand for her.

Amelia looked at it but stubbornly ignored it before jumping out herself.

She immediately regretted the action as pain shot through her left ankle reminding her of why she had needed to wear a brace for weeks after the accident.

JJ saw Amelia freeze. "You okay?" He asked in concern.

"I'm fine." Amelia snapped before she continued walking ignoring the pain.

JJ huffed. "Just asking." He muttered to himself.

Sue him for caring.

John B turned to look at him, again he fought the urge to react to Amelia sand JJ's interactions.

Amelia was walking ahead of them trying not to limp.

"Know what this house looks like?" JJ asked aloud.

No one answered.

"Whoever lives here smokes too much weed." He spoke.

Amelia just shook her head and kept walking.

"You'd think she'd be more grateful since we gave her a ride and all." JJ muttered to John B.

Suddenly they heard the sound of clattering and glass smashing.

Amelia froze, not taking another step.

The next sound was of something crashing.

"Bullsh*t!" A man's voice came from the house.

"Maybe we should come back." JJ muttered. "It's a little too soon."

"No, no, shut up. Shut up, JJ." John B spoke holding his arm up.

Amelia felt her heart racing immediately sensing something was wrong.

"Tell me where it is," she heard another man yell, "- or I'll f*ck you up. I'll sink you in the f*cking..."

Amelia flinched when she heard another crash.

Then she heard a scream.

"You're hurting me!"

Amelia's eyes widened.

Ms Lana.

Without a second thought she started running towards the house.

"Are you kidding me?" JJ yelled.

"Amelia." John B hissed, both boys racing after her.

John B was faster and caught Amelia just as she appeared at the side of the house.

He pulled her back by her hand until she crushed into him and placed his hand over her mouth.

"Are you crazy?" He hissed as he pulled both of them down.