Chasing Your Dreams

The Aftermath

Miranda's pov

Dad and Sean get back to the buses. My brother is beyond furious. He hugs me tightly. "I'm so glad you're safe." He whispers. I shakily climb the steps and see mom! I run over and hug her tightly. "Everything is gonna be okay sweety." She whispers, running a hand through my hair. I'm so tired. Dad walks in the bus steps, a tired sad smile on his face. "Can we just go home?" "I can't but you and the girls are." He says, pointing at me. I swallow nervously. "But daddy, what if he comes after you?" I gasp terrifiedly hugging him. He rests a hand on my head. "Don't worry. He won't be able to." I'm so scared.

Jason's pov

I give Brittany that look of I need to talk to her alone. She leaves and I sit on the couch exhausted after this ordeal. "He won't come after me trust me." "How do you know?" "Cause Sean killed him."

Miranda's pov

My whole body tenses up in shock. My brother killed a man. "Come here, sweetheart." I shakily walk over and sit beside him. He hugs me. "I'm so tired.... Of everything." I whisper, closing my eyes. "You and Britt are going home tonight. I'll finish the tour and be home in three weeks." "Hurry home." I say. He kisses my head. "Until then, you and Brittany will have a lot of alone time." I smile. That'll be fun.

*later*

I was reading a John Grisham novel when mom called me. I walk downstairs where mom had dinner on the table. The smell was delicious and I only just now realized how starving I was. I loaded my plate with fried okra, mashed potatoes, corn, and fried chicken. "This is so delicious mom." "I'm glad you like it. A girl from Cali trying her take on a southern dinner." I laugh softly. "Hey mom, what are we doing tomorrow?" "I don't have any plans? Why?" "Well I was thinking this weekend we could go camping."

Jason's pov

I miss my girls. But she needs a break and I don't want her alone. I stare at the ceiling, hating myself more with each passing second. I couldn't stop that bastard from hurting her. No matter how hard I tried. I was useless in stopping him. I stare down at my wrists which were still caked with dirt and dried blood from the handcuffs. I get up and wash them in the sink. "Hey man how ya holdin' up?" Rich asks when I walk out. I just shake my head and sit on the couch. Is this what depression feels like? Is this what she felt like all those years before Sierra saved her from suicide? I hope not. I wouldn't wish this feeling on anyone. "I'm going to bed early tonight guys."

*the next day*

"Jason?" I groggily rub the sleep from my eyes. "What?" "Phone for ya." Ugh. I glance at the clock. 8 AM. I walk out there and grab the phone. "Yello?" "Hey Jason, how are you?" It's Britt. "Fine, baby girl what about you guys back home?" It's quiet at first. "Miranda's having nightmares about it." That's what I was afraid of. "The sad thing is she's worried more about you than herself." Huh? "Me? I'm fine.... Well that's an understatement. I'm beyond pissed about it all cause I couldn't stop that psycho from hurting her!" I just realized I was yelling and the guys were staring at me. Brittany was silent. "I'm sorry baby. I'm just upset." "I wish you could quit the tour and come home." I sigh. "You and me both babe but I can't disappoint my fans." "I know." I hear Miranda say, "Is that dad?" Brittany says yes and hands the phone to her. I walk back to my room to talk. "Hey baby girl, how ya doin'?" "I'm alive and that's all that matters I guess. How about you?" Is it weird I was thinking the same thing about myself?! I'm alive and that's all that matters right now. "Honey, you're not depressed again are you?" She stays quiet for almost a minute before replying. "It's kinda hard not to, dad." I think we might both be depressed. But I'd never tell her that. Brittany gets the phone back. "Keep an eye on her for me, Britt. Don't let her out of your sight. She might be going suicidal again." She gasps in surprise. "Oh my gosh. What should I do?" "Just don't let her near anything she could use to hurt herself. I'll be home in a few weeks. I love you." "I love you too and Jason...." "Yeah?" "What happened wasn't your fault. You did everything you could." I sigh and stare at my wrists again. "Whatever you say, baby." I hang up and collapse back into bed, facedown, miserable.