Chapter 13

Red and blue lights flashed against my eyes. Tears stung them again, as I watched the paramedics take Johnny's body away. Mac handed me a cup of my favorite drink, hot chocolate, but I smacked it away, allowing the cup to crash onto the street.

Squee stood a few feet away with Shmee clutched close to his chest. I drew ever so near him. Under his dark brown locks of hair, I could see two brown eyes overflowing with tears.

"Why? Why did Mac have to do that?"

"Johnny will be fine. I am done with my family anyway. You want to come with me to the hospital?"

"You will be going nowhere. Mom wants to talk to you."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Mac, I love Johnny. I won't leave him."

Mac moved up next to me. "After he's healed, he'll be sent to the world's strongest prison. There will be no getting out for him."

I covered my mouth, hot tears streaming down my cheeks. I pushed past him and ran for Johnny. As the ambulance closed its doors, I sat down next to him. A cop stood to the right of me, his eyes trained to watch Johnny carefully.

For most of ride to the hospital, Johnny remained in critical condition. I pushed my hair behind my ear and clutched his hand with my other hand.

"Johnny, you'll make it. So what if you kill. You still make every day worthwhile."

The cop turned to look at me.

"Miss, he's going to go to prison."

I glared at him with steely eyes. "Listen here! If Johnny is such a threat, then why did he keep me alive? Why did he protect me from the vicious pigs?"

The cop stared at me. I knew Johnny better than any of these pigs. One of the paramedics leaned in close to Johnny and applied another bandage to his bloody wound. I nearly launched myself out of my seat when Johnny moaned. His gasp for breath nearly gutted me.

Outside the hospital, I heard people yelling from every direction. It was clear that they were photographers and reporters. Ushered out of the ambulance, I was pushed into the building where they began to take Johnny away from me. Standing beside the double doors was my brother. Mac placed his hand onto my shoulder as I watched Johnny go.

"It's okay. He'll be fine."

"How would you know? You're the one who shot him!"

Mac looked at me. "I never meant for you to go through with what I had to do. I hate seeing you in pain."

I wanted to pull away, but I also wanted to be held. Squee was not here to hold me out of comfort. I know he would understand my pain.

"Blue, you don't have to stay here. Even when he comes out, they will not let you see him. After here, it's the prison."

I stopped breathing. No, literally. I stopped breathing. Johnny was never going to see me again.

"I set up a therapist for you in the morning. For now, get some sleep."

I shoved myself away from Mac. He would never understand my love for Johnny.

"No. No. Johnny cannot be gone. I love him. I wanted to be his."

I collapsed into a chair. How could this be? I never wanted this to happen in my life. I pulled my knees up to my chest and began to rock back and forth. I could still image Johnny's bloody body in my mind.

"Come on. It's better to get you out of here before the reporters get in."

His strong hands helped to lift me up and carry me to the car. With every step away from Johnny, I felt my stomach sink further into Hell.

Chapter 14

Therapy was never what I had in mind. They never really helped you, except when they tried to slap a label on you and ship you off to the Looney Bin, or just drug you up.

I had been sitting here with this therapist for an hour without saying much. Sure, I explained my family life and my friends, but whenever she started in on how Johnny was a threat, I would shut up. There was no way she could define him on just what I said.

I looked at Shmee, who sat in my lap. Squee snuck him to me before I came in. it was a surprise to see Squee do something like this.

"Blue?" My head snapped up at the therapist. "I fear you are going into a state that we like to call 'sympathy with the kidnapper'."

I rolled my eyes. "Is there a way I could convince you to even see him my way? If he really wanted me dead, then he would have done it already, and besides, he would never have kissed me."

"He could be tempting you. You are an attractive young woman."

"I know Johnny better than any of you. You can slap a label on him, but he's better."

The therapist tapped her pen on her clipboard. "Blue, look at what he's done to you. He has you eating out of his hand. Soon, he could—"

"That's enough!" I cried.

I tore from the room to see Mac talking to Squee. Squee's brown eyes were large with fright. I could not take it anymore.

"We're done here. Squee, let's go."

I took his hand in mine and pushed my way out of the building. It was time I went and saw Johnny. Squee clutched my hand even tighter.

"Blue, I'm scared."

"Don't worry. We're going to see Johnny."

ΩΩΩ

Johnny's room was cold. His eyes looked duller than normal and I could feel that his skin was rough as sandpaper. I buried my face into his chest. He gently ran his hand over my back, his eyes brimming with guilt.

A knock on the door startled me. I lifted my head to see a nurse enter with another guard. The last one was easy to deal with. A simple hit to the head with my fist. Mac taught me too well with that.

"Miss, I'm sorry. These quarters are off limits to anyone."

My eyes buried into the woman. She held up her hands and gave me a reassuring smile, like that was going to work. Johnny touched my hand.

"Blue, you should go."

"No, Nny…" It was different. I never used his nickname before and I rather liked it… "I won't leave you. I cannot leave you."

"Ma'am, I suggest you leave before I have to escort you out myself."

"Not on my life! I stood beside him; fought beside him. People like you will always judge people like him. What is this country for? We say that we are all equal—that we share each other's freedom, but in reality, all we do is criticize each other. We judge others on their looks, their personality, their race, and religion! Johnny is no more than a victim of verbal assault!"

Johnny ran his rough hand over mine. His eyes said it all. "I'm going to prison. So, what? Does that mean that I am going to die within a day of there? Look at what I've been through."

I dropped down on to the bed next to him, his face cradled in the palm of my hand. I leaned forward and pressed my lips into his. I love you, Johnny, was all I could think. I pulled back and allowed my hand to drag down his chest. He winced at my hand touching his wound.

I felt guilty. It was my fault. I had left him alone. I knew Mac was home, and Mac hated Johnny. I gave Johnny a great reason to hate me, so why does he not hate me?

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Chapter 15

A flash burned my eyes. Johnny held me close to him as I buried myself into him, even blocking the flash from his eyes. He gripped my back tightly, his hand placed just over my bra strap. I felt a sensation rising over me.

"Do you mind?"

"That voi—" I asked.

"I came here for that necklace I gave you and Squee said that you were here. Kind of boring hospitals, aren't they?"

"You're back, Pepito! Oh, I thought I would never see you again!"

I saw him cross his arms over his chest. He carried himself about five inches off the ground. I stared into his red eyes and felt myself being pulled toward him. Johnny touched me again.

"What do you want?"

"The choker on her neck has a special gem sewn into it. I must have it."

I grasped the choker around my neck. There had to be some mistake. Squee made the necklace a year ago.

"Pito, why would you say that?"

He looked at me, red eyes breaking my every nerve to stay near Johnny. I pulled from him and began to walk toward Pepito. He held out his acid colored hand and took me by the hand. After four years of not being together, I could feel the same spark that ignited in us. He pushed his other hand onto my back. I felt the odd sensation of pleasure wash over me.

"Give the necklace to me, Blue." I unhooked the necklace and placed it into his hand. He looked at me. "It is truly sad that you had to fall for a soul that is damned to Hell."

"You don't understand him," I whispered. "He's perfect."

I pushed my hand onto Pepito's chest. In seconds, I felt his mouth on mine and my heart nearly stopped. The only thing that kept it beating was the fact that Johnny was only five feet away.

"He's no one. Just another human. I can make you my Queen."

It was tempting, but I had to decline. Johnny was the only person who really understood me. It would be a waste if I let him go so soon.

"Pepito, think about it. I cannot be yours. I live with a religious family. It was bad enough when they saw you."

Pepito let out a hearty laugh. "But you are my flor picante."

"There are others out there," I said shyly, glancing to the door to see Squee peering in at us. "Even those we do not perceive can be our lovers."

"¿Por qué dices eso, amor?"

I unhooked myself from his arms. "I want to be with Johnny."

Johnny looked at me with confusion in his eyes. Even as confused as he was I could not tell him of my time with Pepito. It would most likely ruin my chances with him.

Pepito took my arm in his hand. "Él no es más que una amenaza para usted. Mata todo lo que toca."

This was one of those times I could not resist him. Pepito was really drawing me in. Johnny was just lying there, trying to ignore the scene around him. I could see the annoyance in his eyes. If Squee did not do something soon, I was afraid that something was going to happen.

"Blue, vamos. El infierno es un lugar mejor para usted después de todo."

I turned back to face him. "When will you understand that I don't understand Spanish?"

I broke from his grip and headed back to Johnny. He looked at me with round eyes. I kept my eyes locked onto his. If there was one thing that I could do, it would be to get him out of this damn hospital!

"You should go. I have to rest anyway."

"But you never sleep!"

He turned to look at Pepito and the guard standing next to the nurse. "They are going to drag you out anyway."

"Fine. I'll go, but just so you know…I love you over Pepito."

I had finally gotten that off my chest. I hope Johnny would understand.

I left the room with Pepito. It was not until I was outside that I broke down. Pepito was always showing jealousy toward others when I liked them. I could not look at Johnny anymore. He was sweet and perfect, but Johnny also had a dark side to him.

Squee took my hand and looked at me with brown eyes.

"Johnny is just hurt. He'll be better in the morning."

I pulled my hand away. "I'm going home. If he wants to see me, he can call and tell me himself."

SPANISH TRANSLATION:

"¿Por qué dices eso, amor?" = "Why would you say that, love?"

"Él no es más que una amenaza para usted. Mata todo lo que toca." = "He is no more than a threat to you. He kills whatever he touches."

"Blue, vamos. El infierno es un lugar mejor para usted después de todo." = "Blue, let's go. Hell is a better place for you after all."

Chapter 16

That night I curled up in bed with my hands wrapped around my phone. A picture of Johnny looked at me. Like usual, he was trying to avoid having his picture taken. It always made me laugh when he tried to grab my phone from me.

Suddenly, I heard a crash coming from downstairs. At first, I thought it would be Johnny, but his injury was too harsh on him. He could barely move, let alone sit up in bed. There was no way he could have made it here. My second guess was that Mac heard something about Johnny. He had been on edge ever since that guard in the room told him about me.

I rolled over onto my side. To think about Johnny was all I could do these days. Oh, it is so sad when you think about it. I remember it all. The day that Johnny first allowed me to lay my head on his shoulder, to even breathe in his indescribable scent. It will never be the same without him around.

My phone rang, snapping me from my vivid dream about him. The words 'Devi' lit up across the screen. I hope that she could bring me out of my stupor and not be another friend to tell me get the hell over him.

"Hello?"

"Have you heard the news? They caught him! They really caught that little freak!"

"Who?" I could not remember the last time she seemed so happy about something.

"Johnny. You should remember him. He's the one who kept me hiding in that damn apartment for six months!"

My eyes flew open. She dated Johnny? How could I not remember? Devi did tell me about an ex-boyfriend of hers that tried to kill her. I was so stupid to of not noticed that it was him. He bared the same resemblance to her ex.

"You dated Johnny?" I shouted.

"Mmmhmm. What's even sadder is that he was so nice."

I did not know where to start. How could I explain that I was now in love with him? Or even say that I loved him? I sat there in bed, staring straight at my wall that now held a large amount of sketches of Johnny. Every one of them were of him when he did something so adorable I could not help but sketch it.

"Hello? You there, Blue?"

I nodded, forgetting that I was even on the phone. My mind stayed locked on every drawing and painting of him. There was one that he did not know even existed: he was sleeping. I loved the way his black hair fell into his eyes. He even looked so peaceful and not as stressed as when those pigs attacked me. That image sent shivers down my spine.

"Blue? You okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Yeah. I was just thinking about something…what if I was to say that I had fallen in love with an ex-boyfriend of yours?"

"Which one?"

"You know the one that you hate a lot. That serial killer that they just caught."

There was silence on the other end for a few minutes.

"Are you fucking kidding me? You like him? That wacky son of a bitch?"

"He's not as bad as you think."

"Has he tried killing you?"

I bit my lip. "Yeah, but I didn't mind. He was being influenced. Those pig-like creatures have really done a number on him."

"What pigs? He doesn't own any kind of animal."

"Two white pigs covered in weird markings. They both wear chef-like hats." I paused for a moment. "They even tried to kill me themselves. That is what started it with him. Otherwise, he's never raised a weapon at me."

"He will eventually. Stay away from that freak! He's a manipulator!"

I could never give up on him. Johnny was never a threat. I would always stand beside him.

"Hello! Do you not get it? He will kill you! Just wait until you think that he loves you and he will pull a knife out on you, try, and kill you! Just you wait! He will do it! I swear on it!"

"Devi…we've already kissed. He didn't mind it."

"What…?"

"Yeah. We touched lips and everything. I felt like I could hear church bells and fireworks going off."

Devi went completely silent. My stomach dropped.

"Devi, understand. Johnny might have changed all these years."

"He still looks the same, doesn't he? He still looks twenty-one? No sleep? Eyes hidden by eyeliner?"

"I guess you could be right. He does look young. Why? How old should he look?"

"Around thirty-five."

I whistled. That was a big age difference from what I had in mind.

"I should go. Mac's calling me," I lied.

I had to get to Johnny. I clicked end to escape another one of Devi's long anticipated rants about how I should stay away from him, but how could I? He was sweet. I climbed off my bed and made my way to my door. Opening it, I gasped in horror.

Chapter 17

I was thrown onto my bed. The black shape at my door wielding a knife. I screamed in terror. I could not believe it was one of those pig-like creatures. How could they have gotten into my house?

I screamed again, pulling myself back against my wall. I could see the blade of the knife aimed directly at my throat.

"Come on, girly!" it squealed.

"How did you get in here?"

It just smirked at me. "He left us alone with no one to play with. We had to get out of that house. Our Master didn't like that you got away."

I glanced around my room. My window was still shattered. At least that gave one escape route. I looked back to the pig-like creature.

"Which one are you?"

"Mr. Eff. But that doesn't matter now does it?"

I swallowed. I had to draw out time.

"So, why do you threaten me? There are plenty of other people to satisfy you."

"Nny made us. We were a part of him for a while, until we grew to be our own beings."

"You're demons?"

There should not have been surprise there, but I still could not believe it. Johnny created two new demons, especially ones that wanted me dead.

"We made a pact that we wouldn't let our prey get away again."

"Try me," I stammered.

I should have not left Pepito. At least he could protect me.

Mr. Eff stopped at my bed and glared at me. "What have you done to me?"

I stared at him, unsure of what he meant when I noticed he was shaking. It was now or never to escape. I leapt off my bed and ran for my door. Mr. Eff was not following me yet. I made it downstairs in record time to see that Dan, my younger brother of only twelve, was digging through the fridge for something. I had no time to argue with him. Pausing briefly, I grabbed him by the shirt and drug him to my car. Mom was still gone with Shawn and Mary, so that made it easier for me. Mac was most likely playing a video of some kind.

I started the car in sheer panic. My breathing came out in short gasps. Getting to Johnny was first priority.

ΩΩΩ

The hospital was quiet at this hour. If I did not make it to Johnny's room, there was no way I was going to see again after this. Mac said they were going to ship him somewhere else—somewhere I would never find him, and they did not mean prison. Dan followed my sullenly. It was hard trying to get him to avoid nurses as I made my way up to Johnny's room.

In Johnny's room, I saw that he was sitting up in bed with a book on his lap. To the left of him was the guard, snoring happily away. We had barely made it in time to see him.

"Blue?" he asked.

I struggled to not squeal in joy. Curled up under the thin hospital blanket, he wore a hospital gown that barely covered his chest. My heart was thudding so loud that I knew he could hear it.

"You should go to him…" Dan muttered.

I nodded. Every step I took felt unnatural to me. I nervous to not wake the guard and Johnny was right there. There! I took this chance to slip beside Johnny and hug him, not even noticing his wincing. He still smelled so good to me, even if it was the hospital smell. He made it so much better.

"I hate it here," he finally said, breaking the hug.

"You need to heal, Johnny. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Have you ever felt that urge to hogtie your sibling or friend because they would not do what you wanted? Take that and times it by two and you have exactly how much I wanted to keep Johnny in this hospital bed.

"Blue, I can take care of myself. I need out of here. I cannot even look out the window without them blowing up. I cannot take it in here."

I could see it in his eyes. He was trapped; a prisoner in his cell and I could not rescue him.

"Let's get off this subject. There is a reason I came here so late. Remember those two pigs you have? Well, they're after me now." He just stared at me. "It's mainly Mr. Eff."

With that, his eyes lit up.

"Mr. Eff? Why would he be back? I—I killed him…Or I, at least, thought I did. Did he mention anything about me?"

I could hear the tension in his voice. The guard snapped awake, his eyes locking on me. I froze.

"What are you doing here?"

"She's a friend. She is explaining something that happened to her. That's all."

The guard stared at me. "Wait. You're Mac's little sister, aren't you?"

I glanced back and forth between them. If there was some way Johnny could save, he should do it now. Before I had to deal with Mac.

"Everyone, we have a situation. Mac's little sister is here. The one who started this whole mess," he spoke into a tiny speaker on his shoulder.

I could hear people lining up outside the door, guns cocked. I stood up. If anyone was leaving, it was they.

"I will not, could not, let you hurt Johnny! He has done nothing to me, nor would he! If I wanted him out of here, we would have already gotten out."

I knew that Johnny was surprised that I would protect him when he did raise a weapon to me a couple of times, but that is love for you. I would always protect him.

"Miss, you know what he is capable of, right?"

I nodded. How could I not know?

"He kidnapped you. You're covered in injuries."

"I told you. He did not kidnap me. I simply let him escape. I love him."

"Men, I think he brainwashed her."

The doors swung up with the men charging in, aiming their guns at Johnny. Dan was pushed out of the room. This was not going how I planned it. I rolled my eyes, looked back to Johnny, and smiled. He looked annoyed like all the other times. It was attractive to see him like that.

"Johnny, you want to go?"

I caught a glimmer of mischievousness in his eyes. He nodded. The men rose their guns higher and one of them motioned for me to get away from him.

"You're too high up, miss. Fourth floor."

"Who said anything about jumping?" All the men looked at each other. "You see, I have no plan. Never will. I just go with what happens. Even though we are so high up, there is a way to get out. You left me with one opening. Blue, would you be a dear?"

I blushed. I loved hearing him call me 'a dear'. Standing beside his bed, he struggled to stand up behind me. When I felt his hand press against my back and his breath on my neck, I could not breathe. I felt all warm inside. Was this due to my love for him?

"Move," he breathed onto my neck. "Men, you let her stand beside me and you know how she would do anything for me."

I felt his body press up against mine as we continued to walk forward. All seven of the men aimed directly at us.

"Move anymore and we'll shoot."

"Would you shoot someone whose brother is the leader of you?" he retorted.

Most of them lowered their guns. Of course, Mac would get them for hurting me. He thought that I was more precious than anything was as I was his little sister who was born dead.

I kept myself close to Johnny as we slipped past the bed and up against a wall. He winced, sending a shock up my spine. I almost stopped, but kept moving as he did. He would not stop.

"You forgot something, boy. We have more guards out there."

This time I did stop. Johnny almost stepped past me, the guns rising again.

"We have you surrounded."

"Johnny, stop. I don't think that we're going to get out this mess."

He touched me, his lips pressing into my neck. "We will be safe. Have faith in me."

Shivers shot up me. If it were not for the guns aimed at him, I would have turned around and kissed him.

"You should really lower your guns. I don't think you want to make Blue mad."

What? I had no clue what he was talking about. How could I be so dangerous when mad? He has never even seen me mad before.

I looked at the guards and saw them looking and one another. Johnny did have a point though. I would not let anything happen to him. I leaned forward with a malicious grin on my face. It was time to scare the guards.

"So, who do I start with first? How about Mr. Control?"

"There has to be a way he gets her to do these things! Stop her and get him! We're moving him out now!"

I planted myself firmly against Johnny. There was no way to stop these guys. If Johnny could pull a knife out of nowhere, then I would be impressed, but in his condition, I doubt he could even raise the knife to my shoulder. There would be no way he could fight these men back.

The door swung open beside us and I saw Devi. Her brown eyes pierced me.

"Blue, get away from him!"

I shook my head remembering the argument we had about Johnny. I pressed even closer to him. Any minute and I would have all seven men lunging at us. Devi should have known that I would never betray him.

I grabbed Johnny's right hand and ran for the door, past Devi, and dodged the other men waiting outside the room. Johnny's face was pale as we ran down the hallway. I could not stop. Not now, anyway. Not when we were so close. The stairs were so close. I hope he could make it down them without falling over or popping his stitches.

Chapter 18

Freedom. A ridiculous word. Everyone says that we have freedom in America, but if you look hard enough, you can still see we are slaves to the Government.

Okay, I know I started something stupid about the Government in your heads, but I have a good reason. Look at what they are doing to Johnny…he has done nothing to me. He even helped me when I was down. He has kissed me, too. Not many people can say that they have had such a good adventure with someone like him in just a few weeks.

I looked at Johnny as we sat in my car. He was blushing a dark red in the light of the moon. I glanced down at him and noticed that his gown did not cover his bottom. In my mind, I lost it.

"Johnny….ummm…can you cover up a little more?" I asked shyly, avoiding his eyes.

He looked to me, his face flushing red. "Yeah." He pulled the robe around his gorgeous thighs. I hope he did not see me blazing a dark red.

"You want to go home? Or even to Squee's house?"

He shook his head. "I want to go somewhere where no one knows me."

I stopped. The moonlight looked so beautiful on his pale face. I laid my head on his shoulder. The smell of medicine coated his neck; even his breath reeked of it. Still, he was perfect.

"Start the car. They could be here any minute."

I opened my eyes and started the car. Just as we pulled out of the parking lot, the guards rushed outside. It was funny that it took this long to even notice we escaped. Soon, the cops would be on our tail.

I sped down the road quick as lightning. The highway came up and we joined the mass of late-night travelers. We drove a while like that. Johnny stayed quiet, his arm resting on the passenger door. I feared saying anything to him for the fact that he was quite embarrassed and annoyed. I knew he would lay me open if I even spoke to him at all, but this gave me a chance to think things through.

Johnny was a patient that I fell in love with at first sight. I have no clue as to why that would happen when I do not believe in all that mumbo-jumbo. We hung out for hours on end there until a guard would drag me away saying that I was getting too cozy with him. There was nothing wrong with that. We carried completely sane conversations until Dr. Jacobson entered the room. That is when everything went down the drain. I do not understand why he would want to work at a Mental Hospital if he snaps that easily.

"Hey, Blue?"

Johnny's voice snapped me from my train of thought.

"Hmm? What?"

"Why do you like me?"

I turned to look at him for a second. He was blushing.

"Why do I like you? The reason I like you is you. Just you. Yeah. The reason I like you is all that we've been through."

"Oh. I thought it would be something more…well, more."

"Why? Do you want me to name attributes about you that I like?"

"No. I'm just used to people judging me."

"Okay…That's awkward."

He kept asking me questions as we drove along the highway that was slowly emptying out and I was running out of gas.

"Hey. We need to get some gas. Stay in the car. You want anything while I go in and pay?"

He nodded sullenly. "A Cherry Freezy, please."

I touched his leg and kissed his cheek. "Sure thing, sugar cube."

He blushed and looked at me with irritation in his eyes. What was with him? One minute he does not mind me kissing him, and the next, he is all angry about it. Men! I rolled my eyes at him and got out to fill up the tank.

After the tank was filled, I slipped into the store and headed straight for the back. The Cherry Freezy was still on, which was good sign. I bought one and slipped back to the food isles to grab a few bags of chips and hotdogs. I had a big appetite and there was no way I was going to avoid not eating for hours on end. I paid for the food and drink and made my out to the car to see that the passenger door was open.

Standing by the bushes in a darkened area was Johnny, taking a bathroom break. I could directly see his butt cheeks through the opening in the back of the robe. I turned from him and headed back inside and by the look on the cashier's face; I could tell I was very flustered. My heart was pounding and body felt fire burning through it. Johnny could have come inside, or he could have told me, so I would have known not to look that way. It was always something embarrassing with him.

"Miss, everything alright?"

I nod, still staying very quiet. This was going to be a long ride until we got to where we were going.

I turned and left the building, pretending as though nothing happened. At the car, Johnny slipped in beside me. He turned to look at me and laughed. I glanced at him with my eyes boring wrath into him. He looked at me.

"What?" he asked, his voice trying to stay steady.

I lifted my balled up fist in annoyance and smacked him across the face.

"You ungrateful pervert! You should have known I would have seen you! God! Put clothes on if you're going to the bathroom outside!"

I turned away from him and turned on the car. For the rest of the night I did not speak to him. He sat there in complete silence, sipping on his Cherry Freezy and glancing at me with a set of blue eyes full of fear. It was first. I never thought that I could scare him.