We're All a Little Crazy

Untamed and Uncut

Second-to-last chapter! Who's excited? I know I am!

"S-Sam?" Mark broke out of his daze.

"That was fast." Sam said, impressed. "C'mon, we gotta go help Nate and J-" he fell on his hands and knees, clutching his side. Pain radiated through him.

"Sam! Did Dark hurt you?" Mark knelt beside him, holding him up.

"Jack." The pain intensified and Sam fell onto Mark. "Help Jack."

Sam may not have been a demon anymore, but he still had a strong connection with Jack. If it hurt this much for him, it must have been a hundred times worse for Jack. The pain stopped suddenly. "I'll be fine, Mark, s'long as Jack is. Go help him." Mark didn't move. "Go!" Mark jumped to his feet and ran down the hall looking for Jack. Sam yelped as the pain returned, and this time it didn't stop.

"You fucking bolted it onto him!" Nate examined the collar with gloved hands while Jack continued to spasm. "It's on really tight. I don't think I can get it off." How had Mad managed to bolt the shock collar onto Jack without a wrench or something? "We're gonna need pliers. Sorry, Jack" Nate whispered the last part and Jack managed to nod slightly, understanding.

"OH MY GOD!" Mark, not Dark, took one look into the room and was instantly by Jack side. "Jack- fuck!" He recoiled as he got shocked by the band.

"We need pliers or something. I can't get it off!" Nate grabbed another pair of rubber gloves, tossing them to Mark as he dashed off to get a wrench. Nate looked back to Jack. "Jack, can you hear me?"

Jack opened his mouth to answer, but no sound came out. "It's okay, Jack. We're getting you out of this. Just hang in there." Nate ripped a glove and wedged it between Jack and the collar, effectively blocking the current in that area. He continued all the way around, and Jack notable relaxed. But it wasn't a perfect job, and he still twitched as electricity ran through his body. "It's okay. I've got you."

Mark slid in beside him, tool in hand, and started on the bolt. After what seemed like an eternity, the small piece of metal clattered to the floor and Mark threw the collar across the room. He picked up Jack and hugged him tight. Jack still twitched, a side effect from the device, but returned the embrace and nuzzled into Mark's chest. "merk" Jack squeaked, his throat sore.

"It's okay Jack. I'm here. I've got you. I won't let anyone else hurt you. It's okay, Jackaboy, we're okay."

Nate picked up the still-running shock collar with two fingers, dangling it in the air. "We should REALLY get rid of this."

Someone groaned. Sam leaned against the doorway, and he looked tired. "What happened." He glanced from Jack to the band Nate held and back again, his eyes moving rapidly. "Oh my god." Sam murmured, with sudden realization. "What did Mad DO to you?"

"I'm so so sorry." Matt slumped against the wall, horrified.

"Matt, s'not ch'yer fault." Jack whispered, bursting into a violent coughing fit. Mark rubbed circles into his back.

"Of course it's my fault! I could've stopped him! I could've-"

"Matthew." Jack interrupted him. "Ye did evrytin' ye' could." Jack tried to stand, but his legs gave out. "Cummere, Matt." Matt slowly walked over and Jack pulled him down, hugging him. "S'okay, Matt. I don't blame ye. Ye did evrytin' ye' could."

Matt smiled slightly and hugged him back.