His Seventh Shot

Chapter 12

Eight o'clock rolled around the same night. Skylar was already asleep by the time I left. I got to Lovers Cliff at just about 8. I saw a black truck sitting in the grass. Flashbacks hit to the day I saw that same truck in the school lot the same day I was abducted. I did my best to pull up next to it. It wasn't as easy since I have a low sedan.

I shut the car off and got out of the car. Two silhouettes stood by the edge of the cliff. Branches crunched under my feet.

The one turned around. "Jason. How it's so nice to see you." The silhouette stood out in front of the truck's headlights.

"Nelson." I spat and stood my ground. "Where is Melody?"

"Not so fast. She's okay," he paused. "For now." And an evil smirk played on his lips.

Anger boiled inside me. My fists balled up, ready to punch him at any given moment. "Where is she?"

Nelson snapped his fingers and the door to the truck opened. I turned around as I saw Melody fall out. Before I knew it, Asher was right next to her. Seeing his face made me want to vomit. "And we have one more special guest."

Nelson allowed the other silhouette to come into the light. My jaw dropped to the floor. "Surprise, best friend." Landon's voice echoed.

"You were a part of this?" I asked.

"Only to set it up. Afterwards, I don't know what happened."

Nelson told him to shut up. He looked back towards me. "You have been spying on us. That's how you knew Melody was back too."

I heard a deep chuckle escape from Nelson. "You were always so smart. That's what I always adored in you. Unlike my knuckle head brother." he looked towards Asher.

"Let Melody go. She doesn't deserve to be here. Take me if you want." I wanted to hurt him so bad.

"Please. We don't want anyone." Nelson stepped closer to me. "If you answered Asher's texts a bit earlier, this wouldn't be happening right now.

Asher brought Melody forward. She was limp. Barely conscious. "What did you do to her?"

"She'll be out for a while." Nelson sighed. "You were always the hero, weren't you? Looking to always save her. You take better care of the people around you than you do for yourself. It's cute really." The last sentence dripped with sarcasm.

"Do the police know you're here? Because I'm sure as hell they would have a fun time arresting your sorry ass."

"Oh Jason," Nelson clicked his tongue, "you can't be the hero anymore. You want to keep fighting, but you can't." He reached out and grabbed my wrist. I saw him lift my sleeve up. "And you're trying to save your beautiful girlfriend. But you can't save her either."

I ripped my arm from his grasp. "You stay the fuck away from us." My eyes shot toward Landon. "Including you."

Landon scoffed. "I told you she was mine. But you took her from me again."

"This isn't about Skylar anymore." I pushed Nelson out of my way and walked over to Landon. "Don't fucking come near her anymore. You got that?"

"No promises." He spat. A devilish smirk formed on his face.

Landon pushed me back. "Now if you don't mind," Nelson's voice came up from the silence. "We must get going." Nelson walked up to me yet again. "We shall be seeing you once again shortly. Don't get into too much trouble."