Disclaimer: Here I am again, third post in one day. This might be the last one today. I'm getting a little writer's block with all the rushing. But it's worth it. As long as my fans are happy, I'm happy.
By the way, I'm up to 1100 hits. 1100 people have read my story. And counting. I love it. I had no idea it would feel this good to be an author (in-training, of course).
Let me just give my usual dedications to some deserving people and then you'll be only your way to the next chapter.
Tennishica: Sorry about the cliffy. Hope you enjoy what's next. Thanks for all your reviews!
Scoobygang101: I'm writing, I'm writing. I'll try to get in as much as I can. Thanks for all your comments.
Christina1666: Haven't had a comment from you before. Glad you left one. Thanks for all the love!
Kakashifangrl1012: Hey, it's been a while. Glad you're back. Thanks for the compliments.
Karen: Glad you like it. There's plenty more coming. I'm happy to share.
And finally, a big thank-you to everyone who is still reading my story. Remember, all Anon.s are welcome to read and leave a comment if they so wish.
Hobey-Ho, Let's go!
Out of the Fire and into the Frying Pan
Her eager fingers touched the doorframe and a smile of relief spread across her ashen face. A few more steps and they would be out.
Mary made a final lunge through the door and stepped outside onto the pavement. She leaned against the doorframe with a sigh. She had made it and Marshall was still with her. She could hear his ragged breathing mingled with the occasional cough.
She stumbled past the doorway and down the steps awkwardly with Marshall still hanging to her side. She veered to the side and headed to the inviting, green grass. She was so close. That knowledge – being so near safety – gave her the strength to reach the grass.
There, her legs finally buckled and she fell to her knees. Marshall slumped against her.
For a moment, Mary just relished in the feeling of the cool breeze that blew across her hot brow, the soft grass under her, and the warm sun that didn't burn her like the fire had.
She looked over her shoulder at her house and her eyes widened in disgusted horror. Not only was the first floor spewing smoke and flickers of flame, but the second floor was also on fire. The sleezeball had soaked as much as he could of her entire house with gasoline. The first floor was probably ruined but the second floor could be spared if a fire truck came soon.
Mary shifted her gaze to Marshall. Her partner was covered in soot just as much as she imagined she was. He was leaning against her, his soft hair tickling her neck. He groaned but remained unresponsive to his surroundings. From all that Mary could see, his only injury was a slightly charred hand. It was lying limp in the grass: a blackened mass with a mixture of exposed, bleeding flesh. He would live but it would most likely scar. He was lucky.
"Don't move," a new voice hissed threateningly.
Mary froze. She didn't need to see the person to know who the voice belonged to.
With deliberate slowness, Mary looked up. Her eyes met the nozzle of a gun. Past the gun was the ever-smirking Jamie. Without the fear of the container of gasoline, Mary was able to take in his features with more ease.
He had russet skin, just like his brothers, and piercing black eyes that left no room for mercy. His black beanie was off to reveal a shock of jet-black hair. He wore the usual attire for a villain: black sweater with black pants. One dangerous factor was that he was muscular and fit. He had strength while Mary had technique. If a fight were to break out, Mary wasn't sure what the outcome would be, especially if she had to defend Marshall as well as herself.
The thought of protecting Marshall brought up a new thought. She had previously been protecting another before the fire had separated them. She had two other people to worry about and she didn't know where they were.
Mary allowed her eyes to leave Jamie's and she searched the lawn for her mother and sister. They were only a short distance away; cowering together. Another man had them cornered with his own gun. This one didn't look like the last three, so he was probably just a lackey more than another brother. That was good. Mary had had her full of the family that continuously chased her.
"Let them go," she commanded, her threat lost through the crack in her voice. The smoke had damaged her voice.
Jamie laughed defiantly. His friend joined in, waving his gun from Jinx to Brandi and back, making them give little bursts of screams.
"They can go when I'm done with you," Jamie scoffed. His friend chuckled at the inside joke.
Mary figured that chances were against her family. After the brother had had his fun, his friend would probably have his own fun with the hostages. The very thought made Mary's blood boil.
Her mother had had sex with dozens of men but these sleezeballs had no right to touch her, not while Mary had anything to say about it.
As for Marshall…
Mary's eyes involuntarily flickered to her partner. He was still breathing. But for how much longer? And what were these guys going to do to him in his defenseless state?
"I'm here to deliver a little message from my brothers," Jamie sneered.
"Let me guess," Mary shot back bravely. Anger often made her do stupid things, like antagonize madmen. "They're going to kill us for throwing them in jail." She shrugged disapprovingly. "You guys never do anything besides the original do you? It's all about revenge."
She sniffed indifferently and secretly smirked at the killer's reaction. His face grew red and his hand shook in rage. Unfortunately, it was the hand that was holding the gun.
"Easy Mr. Avenger," Mary said, her words dripping with sarcasm, "you could poke an eye out with that."
She knew she was in no position to be taunting the people that held her, her partner, and her family at gunpoint but she couldn't help it. It was a habit.
Marshall shifted against her - possibly coming around – and a sigh escaped his lips. Mary stiffened against him. Jamie smiled his annoying, evil grin.
Now Marshall was in trouble too… and he didn't even know it.
This was originally suppose to be two chapters, both ending with cliff-hangers, but an extremely supportive fan of mine won't be able to read my story for a few days so I figured I'd combine them into one chapter so as to not create too much anxiety by only having one cliff-hanger. What can I say? I love suspense.
Thanks again for all the support.
