My Protector

chapter ten

Before I knew what was happening, Jake was standing in front of me with one arm out to the side, blocking me, the other arm up in a fist. Ben's eyes grew wide but he didn't back down, instead, he took a step forward with his hands out in front of him. I sunk back into my pillow and wished that I could disappear from this situation, the whole situation. If only I had never met Stephen... 

"Look I'm not here to bring any trouble man," Ben started out, but was cut off by a very angry Jake. 

"You fucking promised! I paid you all the money I had been saving up to help my brother out with his monthly hospital fines and you still betrayed me!" Jake moved in like he was going to hit him, but I grabbed his arm before he got any closer and gave him a look. I didn't want any nurses walking in on a fight. 

"I came to bring your money back, and to apologize," Ben set a huge wad of cash on the nightstand next to me and continued, "I told Jon not to do anything and this time I was serious, but Jimmy won't listen to anybody but Stephen. So I'm sorry for what happened, I really am. There was nothing I could do to stop Jimmy. I haven't talked to him since either, I think he's in hiding and that's where he should stay."

"He was crying that night. When the door opened and the light shone through I could see him crying," I blurted out, not sure why and not sure to whom but I felt it was necessary to add. I looked at their faces and they both looked at me with bewildered expressions. "It's true! Don't look at me like I'm a ghost on fire or something!" 

They looked at each other, then back at me. 

"Maybe your tears were blurring your vision and you didn't see correctly?" Ben offered and for once Jake nodded in agreement. I just settled back into my pillow in a silent frustration. Why was it so hard to believe that maybe Jon felt some sort of remorse for what he had to do? 

"There's more. I come bringing bad news as well." I gulped and looked at Jake, who was still turned looking at me. Ben didn't look like he knew exactly the best way to present this news, but like he was going to try his best. He was wringing his hands nervously and not making direct eye contact. 

"Well...?" Jake asked, displaying both or our impatience into his own voice. I wanted to jump up and make Ben just spit it out but I was definitely in no condition to do any getting up. 

"Okay don't shoot the messenger, but..." Ben gulped and sighed, "Stephen is out of jail." 

Blank. All I can see and hear is blank. The room is too cold for comfort and the blankets feel as stiff as cardboard. Sunlight could not melt away the pressure that was rising through my chest and into a scream, or I thought I was screaming. But nothing came out. My ears popped and filled with heat as I was suddenly aware of Ben and Jake trying to talk to me. Jake was slightly shaking me and rubbing my back while Ben was asking if he should call a nurse. Jake just told him to shut up, which normally would have made me laugh but I was no where near laughter. 

I coughed and gagged out a word, "Why?" 

"His parents had finally paid for him to be released, guess they thought his life was wasting away or something. But I'd be careful. Knowing Jon he's probably already had contact with him and he might even know where you are." Ben looked guilty, and he should. That little weasel was working for the king of weasels and should look as guilty as possible. 

"We need to leave, now." Jake said turning to put a few things back into the douffle bag he had brought. Before I could say anything Jake had stripped the blanket off of me and was looking into my eyes. "Do you want to leave? In my opinion I think it would be the best option because he might know you're here but if you don't want to then there's other precautions we can..."