Chapter 1
When Caine threw the bicycle at Sam, Sam knew it would be the end. He couldn't melt metal quick enough and the rate at which the Trike was traveling was fast enough to do serious damage. Astrid saw it coming as well because at the last second she jumped in front of him.
WHAM. Her body crumpled to the ground a couple feet in front of him. Sam could see blood in her long blond hair. Sam did the only thing he could. He whirled around and grabbed Diana, pressing his hand to her temple.
"Sorry."
"Oh it's fine Sam. You know how much I love snuggling with you." Through Diana's usual sarcasm he could detect a hint of fear. Her pulse had quickened.
"Caine, you make one move and I blast your girlfriend." He saw Caine's eyes meet Drake's. "Oh no. We aren't playing the gang-up-on-Sam game. Drake, you move and I also kill Diana. Then I take it Caine'll kill you and my life will get easier."
He pressed his mouth to Diana's ear. Her hair tickled his face. "Walk with me to Astrid."
"Whatever you say Sam." The tension seemed to rise and time seemed to stop as they paced their way to Astrid.
"I'm going to let Diana go. Anyone who comes within 4 feet is seen as a target that I will shoot at."
"Well brother, you've been working on your negotiations."
"One…two…three!" Sam pushed Diana as far away as he could then dropped down beside Astrid. Caine couldn't help but to jog to Diana to make sure she was all right. Of course Drake, being the odd one out, sort of meandered over.
"Are you ok?" Caine held out his hand to help Diana up.
"Geez Fearless Leader I'm fine. You don't have to act like my knight in shining armor." Caine bit his nails. Diana and he had been awkward lately; maybe it was all the sex. Caine just didn't understand girls.
Meanwhile, Sam was leaning over Astrid. Her forehead was mottled with blood, blond hair pressing to the sticky wound. She was unconscious. Lana was miles away. If Astrid needed medical attention, Sam was all she had. Somehow the thought made Sam feel sick.
"Hey Diana good job being the vulnerable one."
"Thanks Drake. Good job being the psychopath."
"I try."
"Astrid…Astrid!" the Coates kids attention had turned to Sam who had propped Astrid up in his arms. Her eyelids seemed to be moving. After a brutal ten seconds of silence, they opened.
"Thank goodness you're ok. I would've never forgiven myself if-"But Astrid wasn't paying attention to Sam. Her eyes were focused ahead on something, someone.
"Drake." She whispered.
PS) Thanks for being so patient guys, after months, it's finally up!