His Seventh Shot

Chapter 17

I don't know how much longer I could stay in this hospital. Skylar told me about Landon getting arrested. I could feel relief after so long. But Asher and Nelson still haven't been caught. Skylar was still sitting next to me.

"Sky," I whispered. "You should go home."

She looked up. "You're about to be released. I want to be here to help."

"I'll call you when it happens. Just go home, okay? You need to rest."

Skylar gave me a childish pouty face. She got up. Before she left, she gave me a quick kiss. I smiled when she left. My phone rang next to me. I reached over and grabbed it. The number was unknown. I still answered.

"Hello?"

"They can't find us, you know?" I recognized his voice instantly.

"You bet on your sorry ass. I already gave them your names. Landon will hide you, but I sure as hell won't."

"Tsk, tsk. Always trying to be the hero. You barely saved Melody. Watch your back, Jason. We know how to hurt you. You're in for a big surprise."

The call ended. I had questions. I needed to go home. But I was still stuck here for a couple more days. I had to tell myself it was going to be okay. But deep down inside, I knew it wasn't going to be okay.

I haven't heard anything from Nelson in about a week. I was finally home. I went out to get something to make since it was Skylar's birthday today. As I was finishing up and walking out to my car, I heard my phone ring. A smile formed on my face when I saw Skylar's name.

"Hey babe." I said as I unlocked my car. "What's up?"

Silence.

"Skylar?" I asked, concerned.

"I told you there was going to be a surprise." Nelson said, his voice deep.

"Nelson," I said, getting in my car. "Where's Skylar?"

"She's okay for now. But I suggest you hurry."

The call ended. This shit just won't end. I had my phone in my hand, tempted to dial 911. But I had to wait. I turned the key and started on my way home.

I pulled into the driveway. I left the bags in the car. I ran inside and called for Skylar. There was mumbling coming from the kitchen. When I got in there, I saw my mom and Skylar tied up. I knelt in front of Skylar. Her bloodshot eyes turned wide. I looked behind me and saw Nelson.

"Thought this wouldn't happen again, eh?" Nelson asked. "First it was Melody, then you. Now it's your precious girlfriend and your mother." A devilish smirk formed on his face.

"You need to learn to leave me the fuck alone." I spat.

"I can tell you still look like hell since your incident with Landon." Nelson smiled.

"How did you know about that?" I asked.

Nelson didn't respond. He held a knife in his hand.

I knew what he wanted. "Where is Asher?" I question.

Heavy footsteps came up behind me. Nelson leaned over. "I mean, he's right there." He said as if I was stupid. Nelson looked back towards me. "You may have caught Landon, but the cops won't catch us."

"How do you know I haven't called them already?"

"We would have heard them by now." Nelson suddenly clapped his hands. I jumped. "Now, shall we get this party started?"

I felt my heartbeat quicken. Nelson started walking towards Skylar. I took this opportunity to push him into the counter. His head hit the corner hard and it caused him to knock out. Asher came up behind me and wrapped his twig arms around my chest. I was already having issues, especially since my ribs weren't healed all the way. Next thing I knew was Asher's grip loosening on me. I looked over and saw Skylar. Asher fell to the floor and the chair Skylar was in was now in pieces. I ran towards my mom and began untying her.

"Skylar listen to me." I said franticly. "You two need to go. Take my phone and call for help. Okay?"

"I can't leave you here." Skylar cried.

My mom finished unwrapping the rope around her ankles. I got up and went to Skylar. "Take your car and my phone." I handed Skylar my phone. "Call for help and get out of here."

Mom moved quickly towards Skylar. "No!" Skylar screamed.

I watched Skylar try to come back to me. But my mom pushed her out of the house. Tears stung my eyes. I heard Nelson groan. "You are one stupid bitch." He muttered angrily.

Nelson stood up. His head was bleeding badly. "You need to learn not to mess with the wrong guy. Without Landon, you two are nothing."

My chest was already hurting. "You just like to run your mouth, huh? Because truth be told, that's all you're good for."

Nelson talked me to the hardwood floor. As soon as I hit the floor, I screamed in pain. Nelson chuckled. "Who's the tough guy now?"

Asher got up behind him. I pushed myself off the floor. Nelson watched me intensely. It was two against one. In my shape, I can't fight off them both. I needed to distract them. I hissed in pain. The front door swung open. We all looked over in unison. Skylar came in.

"Sky? What –?" I asked before I was cut off.

Skylar screamed my name before I fell into the table. It crushed under my weight. I felt a couple wooden splinters get stuck in my arms and legs. "Get her!" Nelson yelled at Asher.

"Don't lay a damn hand on her." I threatened.

"You can't do anything from down there." Nelson spat.

Skylar screamed. Nelson walked over and pressed a foot down on my chest. I bit my tongue to hide the pain. Sirens were suddenly approaching quickly. A deafening silence dropped around the room. Nelson looked towards Skylar. I couldn't see what he did, but Skylar yelped in pain. I saw the red, white and blue lights appear in the house.

"I'm surprised you two haven't started running." I chuckled. "Because you're the ones that don't want to get busted."

"Let her go." Nelson said. "We gotta go."

Skylar was released from Asher's grip. There was a police officer yelling on the other side of the door. Skylar came over to me. "Jason," she whispered. "Here, I'm gonna help you up."

Her hand wrapped around mine. I heard someone cock a gun. My eyes grew wide. But before the gun could be fired, police started rushing in. Nelson and Asher were still here. They are stupid for not running. Skylar slowly sat me up. My body was in so much pain.

"Can you sit up?" Skylar asked.

"It hurts so fucking much." I cried as I sat up.

I noticed Nelson give me one more glare before the cops took him out of the house. There was a voice that came in to the room. I looked over and saw my mom. Skylar rested a hand on the middle of my back to keep me up.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

"What are you sorry about?" Mom asked.

"That all this has happened because of me." Tears stung my eyes.

"Don't be sorry, honey. It's going to be okay."

I looked towards Skylar. She lifted meup on my feet. Hopefully I could finally recover after all this. It was goodseeing Asher and Nelson being put away. Landon too for that matter. Skylarwould be safe. I can finally be free of worry. And that's what we both need. Wecan now work on being happy. And nothing will come between that.