VD-49

Chapter 6: The Greenhouse

Jude and Damian neared the greenhouse. Upon closer inspection, it was obvious that the building was in disrepair but there was still a lock on the door. It was rusted and seemed fragile but when Jude tugged on it, he knew that there wasn't a chance that they could just break it.

"Locked," Damian observed and Jude shot him a dry look. He left Damian at the door and walked around the building, looking for a window. If they couldn't get in, he at least wanted to see what was in there. There wasn't a window anywhere and unless Jude wanted to climb onto the roof to get to the windows that let sunshine through, there was no other way inside the building.

"Oi!" Jude only knew one person who would shout something like that. He ran back around the building but stopped at the corner. He peeked around the edge of the building. Damian stood there, his hands in the air. Gavin stood before him, a massive shotgun in his hands. His cheeks were still wet but the gun was steady in his hands. And it was aimed at Damian. "Put that bloody thing down before someone gets hurt."
Gavin didn't seem to hear him. "What're ya doin' out 'ere?" His eyes flicked to the greenhouse behind Damian. "This is my private property. You're goin' to get the hell of it before-"

"Before you call the cops?" Damian cut him off. Gavin jerked the gun in his direction.

"C'mon," he said. "Before my finger slips accidentally."

Jude couldn't believe what he was seeing. Gavin had lost his entire family.

Yes, he was in mourning.

Yes, he was allowed to cry.

Yes, he was allowed to act strangely.

But that didn't give him the right to point a weapon at an officer.
Damian slowly walked to Gavin. The man fell into step behind Damian and poked him in the back with the barrel. He was so focused on watching Damian, he registered Jude's movement too late. Jude rushed at him and shoved the barrel away from Damian's exposed back. Gavin's finger must have accidentally pulled the trigger. The shot blasted through the greenhouse and left Jude's ears ringing. Damian had dropped down to the ground to avoid being hit but surged to his feet once. Jude kicked the gun out of Gavin's hands and pinned his hands behind his back. Damian arrived at his side and got out a pair of handcuffs.

"What were you thinking?" Jude snapped at Gavin. "You can't just shove a loaded gun into someone's face."
Gavin thrashed against their grip, but their strength combined was too much. Jude cuffed the man and heaved him upright. "Get him to the car. I'll be right there." Damian gave him a nod and dragged the still thrashing Gavin to the car.

Jude picked up the gun and cocked it. He aimed at the lock on the door and pulled the trigger. The loud bang echoed faintly. Jude threw the gun aside and opened the door.

It smelled very green inside the building. There were pots with plants stacked in neat rows. The plants looked like some sort of bush with large trumpet-like flowers. It wasn't a type of plant Jude knew or had seen before. He plucked one of the flowers off and exited the greenhouse.

Damian sat in the truck, Gavin bound in the bed of the truck. As Jude got in the car, the young man suddenly turned to him.

"Can I tell you something?"