Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 14.2 - Survival of the fittest

Sam walked back to Angie, took her hand, pulled her to her feet and hugged her. Angie squeezed him back, crying her heart out on his shoulder.

"Sam? What happened?" Christine put her hand on Sam's shoulder.

Sam let go of Angie and looked at Christine's worried face. "Stay with her. She needs a friend." He kissed her on the forehead and walked away.

"Sam, what should we do with them?" Steve asked tentatively.

Sam stopped for a fraction of a second. "I don't care. Make them disappear." He walked on, letting his legs carry him at random. JT came up behind him and grabbed his shoulder.

"Sam."

Sam jerked around, freeing himself. "You wanna be leader, Johnny? Go right ahead!"

JT stepped back, shaking his head. "No, that's what I wanted to say. I messed up. I..." He hesitated. "I'm really sorry about Tom. You're right. You're better at this than I am."

Yeah, right. Better at what? He waved JT away and walked on. Sam stopped in front of Jerry's tent almost at the same time as Kyle and Jimmy. As if sensing they were there, Jerry came out, blocking their way.

"You're not going in there."

"Jerry, move out of the way," Sam said calmly.

"I said no!"

"Come on Jerry, we're worried. We want to see him—" Jimmy started.

"I can't focus with you there. With anyone there. I have a lot of work to do." Jerry turned around, ready to go back in.

"Please," Angie said, coming up behind them. "You have to let me see him."

Jerry glanced over his shoulder, pain etching on his face as though he hated what he was doing. "No Angie. I can't let you in either. Trust me, you don't want to see him like this. None of you do. I'm doing this for your good as well as mine." His look suddenly turned steely. "I don't want anyone coming in until I say it's okay." He glanced at Kyle as he said this.

The little emotions Sam still had that weren't dread turned into anger. He couldn't believe that Jerry was picking on Kyle now. Instead, Kyle nodded shortly. Jerry entered his tent, seeming much less worried.

Angie grabbed on to Sam's shoulder and dug her fingers in so hard it hurt. Kyle and Jimmy both walked away from the entrance of the tent. Kay squeezed Angie's shoulder, watching her as if she were a bomb about to explode.

"Sam?" Christine slipped her hand in his. "Come on. Let Jerry work. He knows what he's doing. Let's go take a walk or something. Time will pass faster that way."

Sam took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to calm down. She was right. Hovering in front of the tent entrance wasn't doing anyone any good. Maybe a distraction was just what he needed. She put her finger on his cheek to stop him from looking away. Her amber eyes were like pools of sunlight. Sam hadn't looked at her properly in weeks. He'd almost forgotten how beautiful she was.

Some of the tension left him. Christine had the effect of a balm on him. He pulled her against him, resting his head on top of hers.

A scream coming from Jerry's tent made Sam's stomach clench. He let go of Christine and rushed to the entrance. Before he could reach it, Jerry came out, and blocked his way.

"Go, just go. He has to scream. I'm sorry." Jerry disappeared back inside.

Sam remained rooted to the spot, feeling as if he were breaking in half. The screams continued and each one pierced deeper. He could hear Jerry talking and wondered if Tom was conscious. Sam prayed he wasn't.