Caught in the Middle

Chapter 13

Everything seemed to be going in slow motion.  Tears streamed down my face as I ripped off my shirt and gently placed it on Gavin's back causing him to hiss.

"Sorry, sorry."  I pleaded with him, I had no idea what to do.

I looked behind me where Ian had exited the barn.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to get you help."  I said and ran for the doors. 

When I reached the doors I tugged and pulled, they were locked.  I kicked at the door letting out my frustration. 

"Ian!" I screamed, "You bastard!  Let us out!"  My voice was starting to get hoarse but I didn't care.

I spun around looking around the building, there had to be another door around here.  Before I could go and search I heard a loud whosh and turned to see the doors of the barn burst into flames.

I screamed falling on my butt and ran back to Gavin who was struggling to get on his knees.

"We have to get out of here."  I said in a rush, I could already smell the smoke drifting in over us.

"Is there another way out?"  I asked him, putting his arm over my shoulders and heaving him up.

He pointed towards the ceiling, "The loft."  He whispered.

I looked up and saw that there was indeed a loft and a rickety ladder leading up to it. 

"We have to hurry."  My voice was panicked, as I looked at the fire, which had now spread to the other side of the building. 

Once we had reached the ladder I could feel the smoke burning my lungs and I started to cough.  I helped Gavin climb the ladder too knowing that I wouldn't be much good once I was on top.  As I pushed, I noticed how weak he was.  He could barely climb it and my strength was running out as I pushed him up the ladder. Once he was safely on top I glanced back to see the fire had spread to most of the building below.  I started climbing the ladder as fast as I could causing me to miss a rung and fall between it.  I could feel the fire nicking at my feet and I couldn't stop coughing enough to get myself loose.  All my strength was dissipating fast, helping Gavin had drained me of almost everything.  I hung there, knowing I was giving up, but couldn't do much about it.

"Julia!"  Gavin screamed making me look at him, his eyes wild. "Move!"

Looking up at him gave me the adrenaline I needed, if I didn't get up there I would let Gavin die as well.  I found my bearings and started climbing the ladder, just in time since the ladder suddenly exploded in flames.

I reached the top and ran over to the opening in the barn looking down to see a good 10 foot drop.  I grabbed Gavin pulling him over to the side and sat down beside him.

"This is going to hurt."  Gavin whispered looking at me giving me a lopsided grin.

"It's now or never."  I said holding out my hand as the fire seemed to come crawling towards us.

Gavin grabbed my hand making me look at him, "Don't look, just jump."  He told me sternly.

I felt tears come to my eyes as I thought about the pain that would meet me below.  Then I thought about the jagged cuts on Gavin, and a new determination arose within me.  If he could do this already being in pain, then I could too.

I opened my eyes, our eyes meeting.  His eyes widened as he took in my expression, then he smirked at me. 

Before I had the chance to react I jumped bringing Gavin with me.  I twisted my body in the air making sure the impact didn't hurt Gavin as much.  He landed on top of me with a thump, my breath escaping from my body in a whoosh.   It felt as if my lungs were on fire and I couldn't breathe.  I tried to take a breath, a sharp pain coming to my chest, making me exhale.  I looked at the building, which was now completely engulfed in flames, we made it just in time.

"Are you crazy!?"  Gavin exclaimed as he got off of me.

"I think so."  I said quickly making sure I exhaled as a sharp pain came again.

Gavin noticed and touch my side making me cry out in pain.

"You broke a rib, probably a couple."  He shook his head, "That was a stupid stunt."

I looked at him outraged, "I was trying to keep you from getting hurt..." I cried out as taking too much breath had caused the agonizing feeling again.

"Yeah, well now, we have two hurt people, instead of just one."  He said sounding exasperated.  So much for a thank you, I thought frowning.

"I'll be alright."  I said trying to sit up causing me to hiss in pain and lay back down.

He smirked at me, "Uh huh."

This made my blood spike in anger, making me push past the pain I quickly stood up in one motion thrusting back the pain. 

I looked down at him sitting there, "Well are you coming or not?" I asked making sure I put a smirk on my face.

He frowned at me and taking his hand I helped him to his feet, gritting my teeth not wanting to show I was in pain.  I slung his arm over my shoulders and we half walked, half limped across the property away from the blazing barn which was starting to collapse.

We made it to the outskirts of the woods and turned to look back as the barn completely crumbled send a wave of heat onto us.

Gavin turned his head to look at me, "Thank you for not leaving me in there."

I smirked at him, I was getting good at this, "Hey, it's not my life if I'm not a prisoner for someone, might as well be you."

He frowned at my statement and opened his mouth to say something when a man appeared from around the collapsed building.  We ducked behind a tree making me hold back a hiss of pain.  I looked back at the man and noticed he was one of Ian's goons.

"I wonder where Ian is?"  I asked Gavin.

"I don't know, but I don't want to stay and find out."  He said his voice becoming more tired.

Then I had a crazy idea pop into my head.  If there was still a guy here, then that meant he had to have a car.  There was no telling how far into the country we were, and Gavin might die from blood loss if we waited too long.  I pulled Gavin's arm off of my shoulders leaning him against the tree.

"What are you doing?" Gavin narrowed his eyes at me.

"Getting us out of here."  I stated and headed for the direction the man had gone.

Luck had been on our side tonight, let's just hope it hadn't run out yet.  I thought as I neared the flaming building. 

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