Unrealistic Reality

Chapter 36: Unrealistic Reality

I opened the door and came face to face with Max. I wanted to spend this day with him because this could be our last. He immediately pulled me in a hug and I smiled.

"It's good to see you too Max." He pulled back and smirked.

"I planned something fun to do. Let's go." He took my hand and pulled me out of my house. I couldn't even say goodbye to Jamie, but oh well, he wouldn't mind.

He was quieter since mom died. I didn't recognize him anymore. He wasn't the same Jamie. He was more determined but quiet at the same time. He didn't express his feelings and bottled everything up. It isn't good. I don't want to lose him too.

Max and I walked over the streets until he pulled me aside in some sort of park. There was no one because it wasn't a really sunny day, but I didn't mind. I noticed there were four bottles standing on a bench and I immediately knew what we were going to do.

"We are going to shoot them, aren't we?" I turned to Max and he confirmed my suspicions. He turned to me and smiled a bit.

"I won't always be there for you to save your ass like I did last time." He began. I shivered at the memory that came into my head, but quickly pushed it aside. "You need to learn how to shoot, then you'll be fine, even without me."

"But we will do lots of more things together Max, I don't really need to learn it. Not when Criminal Minds is gone." I looked at him and noticed the sad glint in his eyes. It was there since yesterday.

"I know." He muttered. "But still. You need to learn to be on your own. We won't be always together Chloe. Someday, I will be gone. And then you need to be able to defend yourself."

Someday. I think that day is sooner than I hope it'll be.

I nodded my head at him and he took out his gun. He handed a small one to me while he took a bigger one himself. He opened his legs a little and made them equal to his shoulders so that his balance was perfect.

He held his hands in front of him, just like fighting, with the gun in between his hands. One finger on the trigger and one hand to hold the grip.

I tried to imitate him and when it worked, I looked at the bottles and shot. It missed. It didn't even come close to the target. Max chuckled at my epic fail and shook his head.

"That was amusing. Now, look how the pro does it." He smirked and I rolled my eyes. Typical Max. His eyes narrowed a bit and it showed he was fully concentrated. He aimed his gun and didn't even hesitate before shooting right through the bottle.

I gaped at him with my mouth wide open. "Now I understand why Nate said you never missed something. It didn't even took you ten seconds! Damn guy." He only grinned at me and held up his shoulders. He nodded at me. "Try again, I know you can do it."

Yeah, no. He was totally wrong. I can't do this. I missed every single one of them and there were ten bullets. I suck.

I sighed and sat down on the ground. "This is hopeless Max. I can't do this, seriously, I suck." He lowered himself next to me and pulled me in his chest.

"You don't suck. You just need some more practicing. I think you are just distracted. You're thinking about other things while shooting, what makes it harder to aim right. You need to focus." I laid my head on his lap and looked up.

"I know. The killer and all the mystery is distracting me. I constantly worry if I am strong enough to kill him when the moment is there. I don't think I can do this Max. I am not strong enough." I lowered my eyes and sighed. Max stroked my hair and began to talk.

"You are strong enough Chloe, you only don't see it yourself. You need to be more confident! I know you can do it, so why don't you believe in yourself?" I looked up in his eyes and they shined with anger and disagreement.

"I just can't. I can't kill people, it's not right." I sighed and looked at him again.

"How come you think it's easy?" He shook his head and looked in front of him.

"It's never easy. You just have to shut down your mind and go. You don't need to think, you need to act. It's kill or be killed, there is no in between. That's how I survive. But I am sick and tired of having to kill people every day, so I want to quit. The moment I walk out of that building tonight, I am a free man. I can finally be happy with my friends and the people I love." He looked me in the eyes and his shining blue eyes were full of emotions.

I don't know how we got so close in such a short time, but I like him. He is like a brother to me, a brother I don't want to lose. I sat up straight and attacked him in a big hug. "I love you Max." I said. I didn't even notice my words until he looked at me with so much intensity and emotions, I was captivated by his eyes. A tear escaped his beautiful eyes and he hugged me again.

"I love you too Chloe." We hugged and sat there in silence until my phone went off. I picked up and Jamie immediately screamed at me.

"Chloe, you have to come to Criminal Minds now! It's almost time!" I sat up straight and my eyes widened.

"Shit, I am coming. Don't worry, I'll be there soon!" I hung up and pulled Max up.

"Max, it's time. We need to go, now!" He stood up and together we ran towards Criminal Minds.

Oh boy, this isn't going to end well.

~

"Okay, if I aren't back in ten minutes, something happened to me. Don't come after me okay? I promise I'll be there." Max looked at me and smiled a bit. I smiled back and hugged him again.

I whispered, "You better come back, or I'll make sure I'll still kill you." The remarkable smirk came onto his face again and he let go of me.

He looked at all of us one last time and walked into the building.

The next minutes were full of nervousness and fear. I desperately wanted him to come back to where we were, to be with his friends.

After ten minutes, I saw nothing. I decided to wait for another five minutes.

I paced around in front of the building and fiddled with my clothes. Charlie didn't even look at me, he only looked at his phone. I looked at my watch again, anxious to see Max coming outside.

But he never came.

After fifteen minutes, I had enough. I couldn't let him die in there and he promised he would be back. I didn't care what he said about following, I am going to get him.

I walked towards the building and when Charlie noticed, he called me back, but I didn't listen. I needed to get my friend.

Without hesitation, I walked into the building. I didn't care about the flames and the smoke. I walked into it, on my way to safe my friend.