Pursuing Nirvana.

t w e l v e

warning: graphic content

A shocked gasp escaped the lips of everyone present. Jack aimed the small handgun shakily at Brayden and clicked the safety off. No one dared to move a muscle out of fear. My heart began to beat out of my chest, this can't be happening. Jack's hand slipped ever so slightly and his aim swayed away from Brayden.

He's nervous, or something else, he won't pull the trigger.

Jack narrowed his eyes menacingly, but something seemed off about them. They seemed glossy.

Why are they glossy?

"You're gonna pay for everything you've done, you bastard," Jack threatens. His voice is laced with something deadly.

Was he slurring?

My mind was racing with questions, so fast I almost didn't notice the change in Jack's facial expression. The corners of his mouth curled up into a toothy grin as he released a cackle similar to that of the super-villain in a superhero movie. Memories of the first time I met Jack flooded back. Something from then reminded me of now, he's drunk, he's got to be. Either that or he's truly gone utterly insane.

Brayden raised his hands parallel to his head in surrender. "Go ahead, pull the trigger, I deserve it after all," Brayden taunted. My jaw dropped, though that was the only thing I dared to move. Brayden had to be completely out of his mind.

Jack nodded, "If you insist."

It seemed as if everything moved in slow motion. I watched in horror as Brayden squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the impact. Jack's finger pulled back hard on the trigger, his hand jolting backwards from shock. The gunshot pierced through every molecule surrounding us, sending me onto my knees and cupping my ears tightly to protect them from the ringing that had already infected them.

Passing seconds felt more like countless centuries when I finally dared to look up at the potentially gruesome scene. Much to my surprise, Brayden was still standing, arms still raised, but completely unscathed. Jack's bullet had missed. I let out a gasp as a wave of relief crashed into me, staggering to my feet and latching onto Brayden.

"Baby, I'm so glad you're okay, I was so worried!"

He opened his mouth to speak but the voice I was hearing didn't quite match his.

"Guys, don't celebrate just yet," Jesse spoke in a somber tone.

I whipped my head around to see Cody on his knees, surrounded by the other three boys. Only the top of his deep blue hair was visible as his head was bowed in pain. He clutched his stomach tightly and his breathing began to grow jagged.

Jack threw his gun to the ground and attempted to sprint down the street in his drunken state. Part of me wanted to chase him and beat him senseless, but I knew I couldn't.

I turned back to Cody, who was still trembling immensely. Everyone watched with wide eyes as he slowly pulled his hands away from his stomach, revealing a large burgundy spot blemishing his gray shirt. His tattooed hands were now dripping in his own blood. Staring down at them, Cody's breathing hitched and he screamed in pain, as if he was just realizing he'd been shot.

The spot began to grow rapidly, further consuming the neat heather gray fabric. Cody's head wobbled slightly before he fell backwards onto his back. That was when it all really clicked, when we all realized exactly what was happening.

Brayden fell onto his knees before Cody's broken body, pressing his hands firmly to the gunshot wound in attempt to stop the bleeding.

"Someone call an ambulance! Now!" Brayden shouted, reaching toward his back pocket in search of his phone. He grasped it and instantly dialed 9-1-1, leaving streaks of blood across the screen from his soaked fingertips.