you// c.g.

15

It felt like running into a trap. Tights knots were forming in my stomach, stabbing deeper and deeper into me as we continued running. Where the fuck is Nick going?

It felt like hours. What was I doing? I watched Carl, maybe an even 20 ft ahead, him skidding onto a sidewalk. Where are we?

I slowed down as it seemed our chase came to an end. Loud cries could be heard for miles and my body seemed to freeze in spot in front of a house. Carl came out of the house, throwing up over the side of the porch to the alley. My heart seemed to beat out of its chest.

My breath hitched in my throat as I tried to scramble my mind for words, but nothing came out.

"C'mon." Carl made his way down the stairs. "C'mon Janie."

I felt paralyzed as Nick came out of the house where screams and sobs grew louder and louder. His shirt covered in blood. Oh my god..

"Janie!" Sirens began, "Janie we have to go!"

His hand traveled to meet mine. Electricity shock throughout me, smacking some sort of sense into me.

"Jane..." I nodded, the sirens emerging closer to the house. And so he grabbed a hold of my hand and we ran.

This time I felt nothing but pure nerves. It felt like my entire body was tingling with anxiety, but the hand Carl was holding was warm and inviting.

"Where are we going?" I asked out of breath but we didn't slow down. He continued to push us forward. Blocks and blocks passed by us and he didn't say a word. Carl was never one to get scared, but I could see it in his eyes and how harshly he grasped my hand.

After ten minutes of running we finally came to a stop. I didn't speak another word and let Carl lead me into the tall building. I wondered where we were, is this where G-Dogg stays?

Carl knocked on the door, I still hadn't let go of his hand. I thought I was still in shock. I wondered if Carl felt the same as I did, he was always obsessed with death. But I guess now he realized he would never be capable of it.

After about a minute the door opened to... Sean?

"Uh... Hey Carl? Jane?" He turned to me with a nod.

"Can we stay here for the night?" Carl asked, his voice slightly shaky. Sean looked to me but I didn't say a word. I watched Sean hesitantly move aside for us to come in.

Carl led me inside, I refused to let go of his hand.

"You two can sleep in Will's room I guess. Or one take the couch or... whatever." Carl nodded as Sean pointed straight back for us.

I wanted to cry. I wanted to let my tears fall hysterically, but I didn't know how to. I wanted to know what happened to whoever was inside. I wanted to know if they were okay, I wanted to know what Carl saw, but I honestly didn't think I could handle it.

"Jane?" Carl questioned. Slowly I sat down next to him, he let go of my hand. "Are you okay?"

"What happened?" I croaked, "What did you see?"

"Jane, I-" He choked on his words. I could see his eyes filtering, "It was horrible."

I pulled him to my chest as he cried. I had never seen Carl so torn up over something, never saw him cry like this.

"It's okay Carl." I ran my hands through his braids and rubbed his back.

"Jane, I saw everything. His poor mom, i-it was the kid with the bi-"

"Carl, shhh. You're okay now. You're fine." I coo'd him. He moved closer, his arms wrapping around my full body. Oh Carl, what are we gonna do now?

Suddenly the front door slammed shut, causing Carl and I to jump in freight. It was Fiona. I could hear her sobbing and upset talking to Sean. Carl and I stayed up rest of the night to listen in on what she was saying. I knew it was rude but still.

"Jane? Are you awake?" I heard him whisper. 

"I don't think I'll be sleeping for weeks." I admitted. Although I luckily didn't have to see it, it was still traumatizing. I wondered how Carl was really feeling.

"We have to do something for Fiona." He whispered and I turned my head to him.

"How do you mean?" I inquired.

"I have a little something— but we're gonna have to dig it up." I smiled small and he moved closer placing his arms around my waist, his head in the crook of my neck. I could feel him breathing, his eyelashes tickling my jawline. My breath hitches in my throat.

"I'm really happy you chased after me. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here." My lips rugged into a shy smile as he pulled me closer to his body. I felt like I was burning. I hated feeling like this with him, but I couldn't help it.

"I'm your best friend, who else would be here?" A deep chuckle escaped his lips lazily, his chest vibrating against my back.

We fell asleep like that. It was peaceful for a night and day full of trauma. But the next morning I woke up alone in what was basically a stranger's son bed to me.

My phone was blown up with missed calls from Alexia, but nothing from Carl.

"Hey Lex?" I yawned, stretching.

"Oh thank god Jane, I didn't know where you ran off to." Lex expresses with concern, "Where are you?"

"Sean's." I replied simply.

"What? Fiona's boyfriend? Why are you there?" She questioned.

"Uh..." I paused not wanting to hurt Carl by telling anyone or even reliving what I did, "After Debbie's thing we just came back here since it was closer."

"Oh alright, just don't do that without telling me again? I thought you were out with fucking Iggy selling something."

"Jesus Christ, no." I laughed, "I'm alright, I'll be there soon."

"It's alright," She spoke softly, "I don't think anybody's home, you wanna stop by Patsy's or something? Fiona should be at her shif-"

"No, it's fine." I replied, "Talk later."

Immediately I called Carl, but no response. Where are you?