Love, hate and everything in between

~Chapter 15~

When I woke up my head was hurting even worse and my eyes were dry and bloodshot. I felt like throwing up. James couldn't be dead. He just couldn't. I checked the time on the little digital clock by the bed. It read 3:17AM. I quietly climbed out of bed and opened my door softly. The hallway was dark and the only light was from a little night light at the end of the hall. I quietly made my way downstairs. Everything was also dark. I looked around trying to familiarize myself with the place. I made my way into the kitchen and looked around before opening the fridge and retrieving a bottle of water. I then rummaged through the cabinets for just a bit of food. Finally I stumbled across a package of assorted nuts. I stuck them in my pocket and continued looking. After another 5 minutes I had decided to take another bottle of water, another package of nuts, and a kitchen knife. It wouldn't be missed from it's place. I then made my way into the living room where the front door was. It had to be locked. There was surly some trick. I peaked out one of the windows and saw nothing but the street lamps light on the road and sidewalks. I drew my attention back to the door and slowly placed my hand on the doorknob. I turned it and quietly pulled. But instead of a welcoming, opening door a loud beeping noise echoed through the house.

"Really?" I said annoyed.

"Yes, really." Vanessa said rolling her eyes as she dialed a few numbers and turned the system off.

"You can't blame a girl for trying!" I said annoyed by her attitude.

"Next time, try snooping around closer to wake up time."

"Next time, find a different hobby instead of hunting people down and kidnapping them!"

She rolled her eyes and made her way back upstairs. A few moments later I did the same.

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••Kendall's POV••

After the event that happened yesterday we rushed James to the hospital. Troy shot Brooke with something that instantly made her faint. Troy threatened to shoot us all and was out the door and driving away before we could catch up. Before he left he told us all that James had no chance of living and was most likely dead already. Logan hurriedly drove James to the hospital and got him into a room. Though he's still at the hospital he isn't dead. He was shot in the upper thigh. Though he lost a lot of blood the doctors said he should be out of here in 2 to 3 days. None of us have had the heart to ruin him and tell him that Brooke is gone.

"Hey guys." He said sitting up as Carlos, Logan, and I walked into the room.

"Hey dude." Logan replied giving him a soft pat on his shoulder.

"How ya feeling?" I asked.

"Was worse yesterday. The cast is helping."

The room filled with silence and I knew we were all waiting for the world winning question: "where's Brooke". A question none of us were open for answering. It couldn't be avoided forever unfortunately.

"So how is everyone?" James asked.

"Pretty shaken up, but recovering." Carlos answered.

"How's Brooke doing?"

And there it is. Not exactly the question I'd expected, but I think this one was worse. He obviously still thinks that Brooke is alright and here. I would've preferred the other question to be honest.

"Listen..James." I began. "Brooke was umm-"

"Dude, Troy took her." Logan said interrupting me. He always was the one to just rip off the bad news like a bandaid. The terror and hurt in James' eyes was deep. He laid himself down and the heart monitor instantly dropped. As soon as the beeping began doctors and nurses ran in hooking him up to an oxygen tank. The boys and I looked at each other watching as James lost it a little bit more. He can't keep living like this. None of us can.