Beginning of the End

XXXVI

I stood outside my house, leaned against the wall, smoking a cigarette.

    "Got another one?" Audrey asked, walking up. I nodded, handing her the pack.

    "Always," I smile at her. I look off into the distance, watching the sunset. I felt my smile fall, "They've been gone for a day." I took a drag off my cigarette.

    "Jade, they're fine. They're your best men." She held her hand out. I handed her my matches. She striked one, lit her cigarette, then handed them back.

    "I know..." I sighed, "I worry, you know that." I took another hit of my cigarette. We stood there in silence. Then I heard a noise in the distance. I leaned up and stood, silently, listening.

    "Do you hear that?" Audrey whispered. I looked at her.

    "Sounds like a car..." I ran into my house, grabbing my Glock, placing it in the back of my waistband of my jeans. I walked back out, grabbing Edge, who was leaned against the side of my house. I walked to the gate, waiting. Audrey walked up with Aysa, William, and Tanner.

    "What's going on?" Tanner asked, gun in hand.

    "I hear a car, listen..." We stood quietly, hearing the purr of an engine approaching.

    "You seriously don't think they're stupid enough to show up do you?" Aysa chuckled. I looked back at him.

    "Who knows. Anything is possible with arrogance." William said.

    "Exactly," I turn to everyone, "Be prepared to open fire on my mark." We all stood at the gate, our guns drawn. The car getting closer and closer. Then it turned the corner. A van.

    "Ready?" Aysa yelled.

    "Hold your fire!" I hold my hand up, "It's our group!" I put my gun back in my pants, opening the gate.

    "Great." Aysa places his gun in his holster.

    "Open the fucking gate!" Lamar screams, jumping out the van before Alek parked.

    "Open!" I yell, getting everyone to help. I turn to see Lamar, Nick, Khalil and Alek carrying Tyler on, what looks like, a stretcher.

    "Jesus..." William mutters beside me.

    "Wake up Leanne," I say to Audrey, "Get him to Medical. Now!" I shout. I ran over to them, helping with Tyler.

    "We'll explain later." Lamar said. We all walked in a hurry to Medical. I pushed open the door. We all set Tyler down slowly, then all picking him up and placing him gently on the medic bed. I looked at him. Pale and sweaty, My eyes traced over his body. It travels down to his arm. Right below the elbow, there's nothing. I quickly bring my hand to my mouth, in sudden realization.

    "Come," Alek gestured for me to walk over to him, "I'll tell you everything," He looked back at Lamar, "Come get me whenever Leanne tells you what's going on." I follow Alek out, he walks over to the gallows. He turns to me.

    "What the fuck happened out there?" I ask, scared. Alek shakes his head, taking a seat on the steps.

    "Well, we went through downtown," He breathed in, "Worst mistake ever," He closes his eyes, then looked up at me, "Tyler got bit in Sidewinders. We were stopping by. And, he jumped the bar, and it was there..." He trailed off, then hung his head, "I killed her, Jade..."

    "Who?" I asked, confused. He looked back up, tears in his eyes.

    "I killed Brittany... When I shot her. And... And..." I saw a tear fall, "Lamar had to put her down..." He twiddled his thumbs, then covered his face. I clutched my chest.