Believer ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 15: Gates

Another text from Dad. I internally huffed, shoving my phone into my pocket. Sorry, pops, but I'm still not ready to talk to you. I breathed in a hardy breath and shuffled along, the soles of my shoes scrapping the pavement. The sun had already set, leaving the shadows of the night to claim territory, though streetlamps did still cast their gleams down. However, that did nothing to warm me. Though the sun's hues had warmed me earlier that day, the night hours did not bring that same comfort.

I wrapped my arms around myself in hopes of shielding my body, but it was useless. The keen breeze was still slicing through me with no remorse. All I could think about was getting back to my dorm, so I could hurry up and grab my jacket before my date with Kellen.

Kellen. I bit my lips. You seem like such an amazingly sweet guy and boyfriend...but...but why does it feel like no one wants us together? I recalled Jean's words and the look in his eyes...I remembered how sincere he had been. I was suddenly questioning my new relationship with Kellen. I was questioning everything I thought I knew to be true.

I didn't know what to believe...I didn't know who to believe. Kellen had been nothing but a gentleman who respected me. He wasn't clingy, controlling, or anything of that nature. He made me feel...special. But Jean...he had no reason to lie to me. What would he have gained by doing so? Nothing, really. So, I was at a loss.

I shook my head. No. I can't just assume Kellen is automatically guilty of anything just because Jean says so. I tightened my grip on my bag's strap. Maybe Kellen was this jerk Jean's talkin' about...but maybe that was in the past. Time changes people. It made sense. People changed all the time. Kellen was no exception to that fact.

I smiled as I eased my thoughts and rounded the bend. The scenery suddenly grew almost eerie. The greasy shadows slithered over the landscape, the trees seeming to mock me. I didn't appreciate any of it. It made me feel uneasy and reminded me of all that had happened. The culprit...he was still out there. He was still out there and there I was casually walking down the streets in the dark. My imagination began to race.

I shuddered at the thought of him creeping up behind me until I heard a bone-chilling scream. It was such a shrill cry that it made my blood run cold, my heart racing vigorously. It was a scream of terror, which quickly pulled me to my senses.

With my body trembling, I swallowed my fear and took off, running towards the direction of the screaming. The soles of my shoes pattered against the sidewalk, my breathing haggard and rough. To be honest, I couldn't even begin to explain what was going through my mind. Panic was certain but on top of that...I was terrified. I was scared of what I'd see. Please...please let everything be okay.

I rounded the next bend and froze. What I saw terrified me. There, lying on the cold cement ground, was a girl no older than me...gasping for air as blood trickled from her ears and mouth. Her body was sprawled out, her skirt lifted. But, there was no sign of the perpetrator. Just the girl and I doubted she had done that to herself.

"H-help m-me," the girl gasped, gurgling as she struggled for air.

I blinked and ran over to her side. A closer look at her told me that she was in horrible condition. Her curly blonde hair was matted with blood, her face pale as blood trickled from the corners of her lips. Turned out there was a gash on the top of her head and a slash on her neck. Even in the dark, I could see how one of her eyes was swelling, the skin turning black and purple.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," I panicked. "H-hang in there." I leaned up and dug into my pocket for my cell as I yelled, "Help! Someone! Someone, please help!"

I turned on my screen, my hands trembling as I called XXX. Oh my God. Please...please don't die on me. I internally begged, reaching for her. I took her hand into mine. She felt cold and she was shivering. Not a good sign.

"XXX. Where is the location of your emergency?" a woman asked on the other end.

"Quick. I need an ambulance at Rose Boulevard, across from Maria Lane," I hurried, almost crying. "Hurry. There's a girl here who's badly injured."

"I'm dispatching an ambulance now, but can you tell me what happened, ma'am?" she continued.

I shook my head and swallowed, "I-I don't know. I didn't see anything. I just heard screaming and came running. By the time I got to her she was already on the ground struggling to breathe." I bit my lips. "Please, just hurry. She's losing a lot of blood."

"Okay, okay. Stay calm," the woman coached. "They are on route to you now."

Sure enough, after what felt like an eternity, I heard the screaming of sirens. I glanced up, to see the ambulance pulling up. I thanked the dispatcher and ended the call as the two EMTs ran up. I got out of their way, giving them space to work on her. They worked quickly, applying pressure to the spots where the blood was coming from and loaded her on a stretcher, feeding her oxygen through a mask.

The whole situation was more than a little traumatizing. I mean, I might not have been the one beaten, and God knows what else, but to come across someone in that state...it got to me. It was...it was fucked up. She was a mess.

My lips trembled from the mixture of adrenaline and the cold, causing my entire body to quiver. I felt weak and like I would collapse at any moment. I was going numb, my senses leaving me as I watched them load her in the back of the vehicle and pull off. In fact, as the sirens wailed, they remained muffled to me and my vision blurred.

At that, I turned, surprised to see a small cluster of people had circled around the scene. Their eyes were all locked on me, some covering their mouths from the astonishment while others whispered quietly. But my senses were too dulled to pay them any mind.

I began to walk through the crowd, my knees wobbling with each step I took. They cleared a path for me, all appearing worried for me. As I made it further into the crowd, I realized just where I was. The front gates of MRU. My breath hitched at that revelation. S-she was attacked...right outside the gates. All senses of security went out the window at that.

I wanted to collapse and sob, but I remained strong...sort of. I took another step and glanced to the side. My eyes collided with a set of fierce golden orbs...astonishment was written clearly across his face. Jean was standing there with his friends, all of them murmuring amongst themselves...but his eyes remained on me.

I exchanged no words and just returned my gaze back to the path in front of me. I went back to my dorm room and locked myself in.

**Ello lovelies! Told y'all that it'd pick up lol. Bet ya didn't see that comin'...or ya did. Either way. I hope y'all liked it! What would you really do in a situation like this? I'd honestly probably be too scared to move. Anyway, thank you so much for everything! Y'all are amazing!! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross