Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 22.2 - The explosion

Jessie ran as fast as she could, pushing her body to limits it had never been pushed before. She kid herself that is she ran fast enough, she would leave the pain behind. Or better yet, maybe time would turn back and this nightmare would disappear.

Her legs grew heavy and every breath seemed to be tearing her lungs into pieces, but she didn't care. She pushed herself more, striding even faster over bushed, boulders and logs. If she managed to reach Jimmy, everything would somehow be all right.

Jessie jumped over the rope which set off the trap and stumbled into camp. Before she could pull herself together, Jimmy's arms surrounded her and pulled her out of the shade of the trees.

"Thank God!" He squeezed her so hard she almost chocked. "What happened? I heard an explosion. Is everyone okay?"

Jessie looked at his worried face and couldn't hold her tears back. How was she supposed to tell him that his little brothers and his cousin were dead? Against her will, her body shook with sobs.

"Jessie." Jimmy raised her chin, forcing her to look at him. Between tears, his features were blurred; which was a real shame. "No one else made it?"

"I'm sorry, I'm being so stupid." She wiped her tears away hastily. "It's just that..." How could she say this without breaking him? There was no subtle way to do this. "Sam, Tom and Billy didn't make it."

Jimmy's eyes widened and he let her go. No! She needed him. Her last barrier of self-control went tumbling down and she fell to her knees, sobbing and hiccupping like a child. Something was pressing on her chest, something so heavy, it threatened to break her into pieces. She didn't want this. Life should be fair.

"Jessie, get up!" Jimmy grabbed her shoulders and hoisted her off the ground. His grip hurt. "Look at me. Stop crying." His cold voice stung.

Jessie raised her eyes. Oddly, Jimmy seemed angry rather than in grief.

"Don't do this to me. I need you to be strong." His voice cracked and he looked away from her. "You're much stronger than this. If you lose it, what am I supposed to do?" He turned to her, pain etched on every feature. His hands shook and he pulled her into a hug. "Please, promise you'll be there for me."

"I promise," she whispered, resting her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beating wildly and wished she could calm him down, make him feel better. If not crying was going to achieve that, she wouldn't shed another tear.

"Just what do you think you're doing?"

Alice's belligerent tone managed to drive the tears out of Jessie's eyes. She was not going to let her make things even harder for Jimmy.

He stared at her blankly. "Where's everyone else?"

"You let her go this instance!" Alice marched towards them.

Before she could reach, Jessie left Jimmy's arms and placed herself like a shield in front of him. "Not now Alice. His brothers just died. Could you at least pretend to feel sorry for him?" She felt like adding how it was practically her fault all of that happened, but realized it wouldn't make Jimmy feel any better.

"And what a perfect excuse it was for you to jump into his arms." Alice put her hands on her hips. "This makes you sooo happy."

Jessie clenched her fists, trying her best not to lunge at Alice and kill her. "Shut up."

"Or what? Are you going to get me killed too?"

Jessie let out a cry of rage and jumped at Alice. Before she could reach her, Jimmy wrapped her arms around her waist and hoisted her into the air. Jessie kicked in Alice's direction, but missed. Her blood was boiling as every bit of sense disappeared. She wanted Alice to hurt, too.