Breaking point

Jail birds and cab drivers

Cold night wind whipped through my hair for a good long 20 minutes before headlights peeped into the dark night.

I stood up, waving at the cab, it stopped and the back door opened as if by itself.

Circling around the door, I realized that the guy inside had opened the door. no duh Molly, i thought with a sigh, what is this the magic cab? My mind added sarcastically.

I got in and pulled the door shut before buckling my seat belt. Cole's brother had similarly colored hair, dark brown, but Andre's was messy and unkempt, falling slightly into his grayish blue eyes.

We were both silent for a while until a question occurred to me. If he just got out of jail, why did his clothes look brand new?

"How are you clothes in such good condition after jail?" I questioned in a confused tone.

"Stole 'em on the way here." Andre shrugged nonchalantly as I stared at him. He was so causal about theft, that couldn't be a good sign.

Thankfully the cab driver was quite oblivious and didn't hear. Otherwise he may have thrown us out or called the cops thinking we were a couple of no good thieves. Well, Andre may have been but I wasn't.

I was a bit on edge now, chewing my lip in anticipation as my mind went wild with the possibilities of things that could go wrong.

The drive to the hospital was dead silent, Andre seemed to be zoned out and my mind was racing with worry for Cole and worst case scenarios of us being arrested or the cab driver throwing us out.

The engine quieted and I glanced up at the hospital. The cab driver turned around to look at Andre and I, waiting expectantly for payment.

I turned to Andre, nudging his shoulder with a glance at the driver.

"Yeah..." Andre glanced around awkwardly, whispering to me, "I'm broke."

My heart beat quickened as I whispered back, "what do we do?"

"Cab drivers are crooks anyway," he shrugged, "follow my lead."

Cab drivers are thieves? Yeah says the guys who stole the clothes he's wearing! I thought with furrowed brows at the irony of his statement.

Andre carefully placed his hand on the door handle, mouthing, 1,2,3. Then he shoved the door open and ran for it, after recovering quickly from my shock, I jumped out of the cab and ran after him.

The driver yelled after us, abandoning his car and chasing us.

We ran into the hospital, winding through hallways and around corners.

Andre pointed up ahead and motioned for me to hurry up. I sprinted as fast as possible, catching up as he disappeared through a door, grabbing my arm and pulling my with him.

He quickly slammed the door behind us, sealing us out of view. I looked around, we were in a janitors closet.

My breathing slowed as I caught my breath, and thought about what'd just happened. Andre and I locked eyes for a moment before we broke out into fits of laughter.

I gasped for breath between fits of laughter as I thought about our situation. We were running from an old cab driver and hiding in a janitors closet because we were both broke.

"Oh- my- gosh!" I choked out through laughs as I remembered the cab drivers shocked, bewildered and angered look.

Andre was doubled over in laughter, clutching his sides, "I haven't had that much fun in a while!"

I nodded as I tried unsuccessfully to stop laughing. Eventually we regained control and pulled on straight faces as we headed to Cole's room.

My stomach started twisting as we walked there, I didn't want to see Cole all beaten up but I wanted to be there for him.

He was unconscious and covered in scrapes, cuts and bruises. His right arm was wrapped in a sort of cast and his left ankle had medical tape on it; probably sprained.

Tears pricked at my eyes as I sat down next to him, my breath hitching in my throat.

"Cole..." I whispered, running my hand over his hair, as I stared at him with concern.

Andre sat down next to me, "the doctors said he'll be ok."

I nodded distantly as I watched him lay there unconscious and looking lifeless. Sadness stabbed at me, I wanted him to wake up so he could tell him he was ok.

Tears rolled silently down my face as I interlaced my hand with his. The doctor came in, holding a clip board and giving Andre and I a sympathetic look.

"He has a broken arm, sprained ankle and a good deal of bruises and such but nothing life threatening. He should be awake soon." The doctor informed us and almost as if on cue, Cole groaned and blinked his eyes slowly open.

I gasped, "cole!"

"Hey," Cole responded weakly, looking drowsy as he tried to focus on me, "when did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago," I answered, not telling him about Keegan; he didn't need anything else to deal with right now, "Andre came and got me."

"He doesn't have a car." Cole commented, brows furrowing in confusion.

"We took a cab." Andre explained.

Cole looked only more confused, "but you're broke..."

"It's a long story." Andre gave him a fake sarcastic sneer before chuckling and adding, "I'll tell you later."

Nodding, Cole looked back at me then at Andre, "hey bro, can you give us a sec?"

Andre nodded, wiggling his brows suggestively as he left and Cole sneered at him jokingly before rolling his eyes.

Cole squeezed my hand, giving a small smile before his brows knit and he questioned, "did Andre call you?"

I felt my relieved look drop as my day replayed in a blur of betrayal and pain. My dad and whoever that lady was, Keegan trying to trick me and his stupid bet with Wes.

My stomach clenched uncomfortably, Cole gave me a concerned look, noticing my mixed expressions.

"No, not exactly." I answered slowly, looking down at my feet and wishing I could leave it at that.