Unconditional Love

Chapter Four

I yawned loudly as I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand. I was sitting beside Josh in Jessica's car as he drove it to the body shop. Josh suggested that he drive it in case anything went wrong with it while he was driving, claiming that he was a very experienced driver. I offered to go with him so he wasn't alone, and also because I knew how Jessica's vehicle worked, having driven it myself multiple times. Jackson and Jessica were following behind us in Josh's car.

I looked at Josh as he kept checking his rear view and side mirrors. He shuffled around some, reaching into his pockets. He pulled out his cell phone and handed it to me, speeding up some. I looked at the phone to see it wasn't ringing or anything.

"What do I do with this?" I asked, confused as to why he was handing me his phone.

"The password is 3957. Call Jackson and put it on speakerphone," Josh said.

I quickly put the password in and went to his contacts. I selected Jackson and called him, putting it on speakerphone. It rang for a while before it was finally answered.

"I'm assuming you noticed the people following behind us, too?" Jackson said.

"Not us, me. Rose, add Jason to the call. I'll tell you guys more when they're in," Josh said.

I selected add call and found Jason in his contacts. I selected him and waited as it rang before he answered.

"I'm assuming the car isn't friendly?" Justin said.

"Not at all. Jackson, I'm pulling over. I want to see if they follow behind you in my car or if they know I'm not in that car. I want you to keep driving. If they don't follow you, head straight to the mall. I don't want Jessica to get hurt, understood?" Josh said.

"Yes sir," Jackson said.

"What about me?" Justin asked.

"Keep driving but pull ahead into a parking lot," Josh said.

"That I can do," Justin said.

Josh carefully pulled over as Jackson sped past us. Justin shortly followed behind and I watched as he pulled into a parking lot not too far ahead. I turned around and saw a car pull over behind us. A guy got out and I saw that he had a gun pointed at us.

"Umm, Josh?" I said.

"I'm on it. Jessica, I owe you a new car. There might not be one left after this," Josh said.

"Are you guys okay?" Jackson asked.

"We're great. Keep heading around and when it's safe, take a different path back to the house. We'll meet you there," Josh said.

Josh slammed onto the gas and started driving. I watched as the guy with gun shot at us. There was a loud pop, making me jump. I heard the window behind us shatter.

"It's okay, I won't let you get hurt. Justin, they're driving. When it's safe, follow behind. Jason is going to be the getaway car for Rose and you and I are going to fight," Josh said.

"Josh! You're not fighting without me!" Jackson said.

"I need you there to tell my father what happened. You know Jason is still afraid of him," Josh said.

"Fine," Jackson huffed.

I looked behind to see the car still following us. Josh was speeding around corners, trying to escape. He pulled into a parking lot of an abandoned store front and swerved around so that my door was away from the fast approaching car.

Josh quickly got out of the car and ran to my side prying the door open. I flinched at the sound of bullets hitting the vehicle. Josh pushed me so I was blocked by the vehicle and shielded me with his body. I kept jumping every time I heard another bullet.