Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
______________________________________
"Hey, that way. That way." JJ says as Estrella looks around
"No, I think it's this way." She says continuing on without realizing he'd stopped. She runs forward down the stairs and turns. She frowns, "Jay-"
She screams out as someone grabs her and wraps their arms around her torso and throat, "Shh! Quiet, quiet. Shut-"
"Jay!" A few seconds later, JJ rushes in shielding his eyes. He shuts the door and she yells out, "Jay!"
JJ grunts as he turns around. Groff tightens his hold on her, "JJ!"
"JJ!" She says as the knife he held touched her cheek
"You let her go!" JJ yells stepping forward
"Stop right there." Groff says as she whimpers, "Don't move. Shh. You know what I want. Give it to me!"
JJ stares down at the crown before glancing back up at Groff, "Just let her go."
"You could've stuck with me, JJ." Groff says as Estrella struggles against his grip, "Think what you could've had." He chuckles, "But now, you... you're going to get nothing. Nothing."
"No." JJ says shaking his head and looking Estrella in her eyes, "I already have everything. And I have everything I've ever wanted." He says before his eyes flicker to Groff, "Things that you'll never have. You want the crown? Sure, take it. Take it. I don't want it. Just... let her go."
"Perfect. Hold it out." Groff says holding his hand out
"Take it."
"Easy. Hold it out. Come on."
As soon as Groff's fingers touched the crown, JJ yanked Estrella into his arms. Spinning her away from Groff. Estrella lets out a shaky breath as JJ holds her tight, "I got you." Estrella pants as he pulls away and cups her face, "It's okay. You're okay."
"Thank you." She cries softly as he pulls her back in
"JJ." Groff says. JJ slowly releases Estrella and turns to him. Keeping his back against her chest as his hand reached back and held hers, "It's... it's a shame. You and me."
He chuckles softly making JJ tilt his head. Estrella's eyes flicker down to Groff's hand as it tightened around his knife. Her eyes widen and fear floods through her.
"No!" She yells before shoving JJ aside by his shoulders just as Groff shoved the knife forward. She gasps sharply as the knife enters her side and twists.
JJ freezes as Groff looks over at him, "You should have given me... the rope."
He pushes the knife up into her side making her groan before yanking it out. Estrella stumbles back into JJ. He catches her and holds her tightly as Groff runs off.
