Close to Home

Chapter 3

Breathe. Damn it breathe. Why am I having so much trouble inhaling? 

"Damn it dog," I heard Ajax huff. 

Nero let a growl rip from his chest. I could feel the vibrations resonate through my gut.

I could barely open my eyes. The fire was to bright. Ajax and Shaun stood a few feet away from me. Nero sprawled over my stomach putting half of his weight on me and the other half into his hind legs. 

"Get off her boy," Shaun patted his leg trying to summon Nero, "She can't breathe," Shaun said taking a step forward which earned a snap from Nero. 

"That's it!" I heard Ajax yell as he stalked closer. I heard the thumping of his boots. I could only assume he was gonna try to kick Nero off. Nero started barking up a storm which caused him to jump up and down on my abdomen. 

"Don't," I wheezed out. Nero ceased and desisted. He sat on his butt to my left and laid his ears backs, "I'm ok boy," I said a little more strongly now that I could breathe. I went to push myself up from the ground onto my elbows, but I looked at my wrists. They were chained in handcuffs. I wasn't able to pull them too far apart.

My head started pounding as I tried to pull my self up. Nero wiggled underneath my back and pushed me up the rest of the way, "Thanks buddy," I looked up at Ajax who had his gun gripped in his hand. He was going to shoot my dog.

"Put the damn gun down Ajax, kill my dog and you'll be choking on bullets," I said raising my restrained hands to rub my temple. 

"How do you feel?" Shaun asked sitting down next to the fire. 

"Like I was hit by a train," I peered down at my leg and it was in a makeshift splint of two wooden planks wrapped in duct tape. I would have preferred to do it myself, but guess since I was out cold they went ahead and did it for me.

I looked up, "Are these really necessary?" I held up my wrists tugging them slightly.

"Yes," He walked around to the other side of the fire and sat against a log, "We got out fine thanks for asking,"

"Well that goes without saying," I chuckled, "And I'd appreciate it if you'd put my weapons back where you found them." I said looking at my fathers shotgun in Ajax's hands and over to Shaun who had one of my 10 mms that should be in my holster. I reached to my hip and just like I thought it was gone, "I'm glad they helped y'all but I'd like them back and I'd like out of these." I finished with shaking my wrists so they jingled. 

I held out my hand and Shaun hesitated with my own weapon. He looked at Ajax with apprehension before placing it in my hand. 

Ajax promptly rose my father's shot gun to my torso and I felt fear catch in my throat, but I swallowed it down.  Nero growled lowly at Ajax and his hair started standing up.

"Easy," I said slowly. I slowly grasped the handgun that was placed in my hand and brought it slowly down to my holster. It slid in smooth and without the slightest bit of resistance. I raised my hands slowly and he lowered the gun.

"Fine," He said placing the shotgun out of my reach, "You can have it, if you come and get it," He said with a smirk and looked down at my ankle. I raised an eyebrow at his request.

"Nero retrieve," Nero stood up and walked over to Jax, who tensed up at Nero's approach. He placed his hand on the gun reflexively earning a growl from Nero.

"Your dog can carry a gun?" Shaun asked in surprise.

"No, but he can drag it," I looked at Ajax who watched Nero steadily. Nero gave a huff of impatience waiting for the gun to be placed down. Ajax finally complied. Nero took a minute but he was finally able to drag the gun to my side, "Thanks buddy," I smiled at him and scratched him behind his ears. He yapped at me.