The Nerd

Can't Save The World Cupcake

Declan helps pull me up off the ground.

I immediately turn myself around, pressing my face into his chest, my body trembling from the quiet sobs escaping me.

"I'll take her back Declan, get this cleaned up." Clayton says from behind me.

I feel Declan nod and then his warm arms leave my body.

I stand, shivering, my hands in fist against my chest.

I slowly open my eyes and turn, seeing the three lifeless bodies laid on the ground along with some of Patricia's men.

During the whole shoot out with Mathew, Patricia's men were able to drag her off.

I glance at Mathew, anger rising in me once more, but slowly disappearing.

They seemed to cover the girl he shot with a white cloth.

My eyes move to Cash. He lays there on the wooden floor, blood still flowing from the bullet wound. His face is going pale and his lips are turning purple.

Before I can stare anymore, Clayton stand in front of me, blocking my view.

"Samantha." He says gently, grabbing my upper arms.

I flinch, my eyes fluttering to his.

His face is soft, his brows furrowed together.

"Let's get you home and cleaned up." He says, his arms wrapping around my shoulders as he turns me away from the murder scene before me.

••••••••••••

The ride back feels like years. Everything seemed as if it played out in tiny
fragments. I couldn't fully comprehend what was around me, or what was going on, my body still in shock from what I saw happen tonight. Every time my mind wandered, and the images of Cash came flowing back, I was immediately drug back to reality with excruciating pain in my chest, the need to vomit settling in my stomach.

I lean my head off the cold window, swallowing the lump in my throat as Clayton parks the car.

He gets out, walking to my side, opening the door and helping me out.

This time he brought me home, not the gang house, but our apartment, my home.

I'm glad he did. The last thing I need is to be in or around anything involving the gang. I can't physically take it.

He slowly helps me up the steps and unlocks the apartment door, pushing me in gently and closing it behind him.

He slides off his shoes as I slowly slide mine off.

I stand still, my back to the door as he throws his keys down on the counter and slips off his jacket.

He shoves his hands in his pockets as he turns towards me.

I wrap my arms around myself, my cheeks tinting in embarrassment, as I slowly began to grasp what's going on around me. I'm sure I look a mess, I know I look a mess. There's most likely black makeup stained on my face, my hairs a natty, raggedy mess, and I probably look like I've been hit by a train.

I cover my face with my hands as the water works build up once more. Not only from hurt, but from stress and exhaustion.

"Hey, hey." Clayton says calmly, pulling me into his broad chest, comforting me.

He runs his fingers through my hair as I once again, let myself break down.

I pull back from him, wiping my face with my hands.