The Ties That Bind
Chapter 14
Jade and Michael both woke up to the sound of the phone ringing. Both ignored it at first but whoever it was just kept calling. Finally Jade couldn't take it any longer she pushed on Michael "Babe, make it stop!" She said groggily. Michael rolled over and grabbed the cell phone from the nightstand. "Hello?..." Michael rubbed his eyes trying to wake himself up. He immediately sat up and began looking for something. "Wait, what?...What are you talking about? Calm down, I'm looking for the remote now…hang on….." Jade rolled over looking at Michael confused wondering what the conversation was; she waited for him to say something else. "…..no we got back two days ago, we've pretty much just stayed in bed the whole time." Jade still didn't know who he was talking to. "Sshhh! don't tell people that…." Jade gently smacked Michael on the back. Michael grabbed the remote from the nightstand drawer and turned on the television. There were emergency broadcasts running on all the stations. Jade sat up taking the remote from Michael. Both just stared looking concerned at the television. Jade turned up the volume. The reporter on the news was advising of the shelters that were open in the area and instructing people where to take the sick. There was a banner running at the bottom of the screen labeled with large letters that read "VIRUS; OUTBREAK!" Michael jumped out of bed and began to get dressed while still on the phone. "No, no it's ok…calm down….it's alright, don't cry….I'm on my way…I'll be there soon just sit tight." Michael hung up the phone, shoving it in his pocket "Where's your phone?" Michael asked
"I don't know it's here somewhere…" Jade replied
Michael began to raise his voice "Find it then! DAMN IT!" Michael paced back and forth in the room frantically looking for his things.
Jade felt of shiver of fear through her body. Michael never raised his voice at her. She didn't even know how to react after that. "Michael what's happening?"
Michael could see the fear in her eyes, he sat next to her on the bed and pulled her close. He squeezed her so hard she almost couldn't breathe. "I'm sorry…..I'm sorry" He pulled away from her and looked in her face, brushing her hair to the side with his hand. She had never seen him look so concerned. "Listen, I'm going to run to Tom's house that was Rachel, she said Tom is sick and she can't get him out of bed. She said the news is reporting that many of the hospitals are closed; she doesn't know what to do. I'm going to see what I can do to help."
"Well, I'm coming with you…." Jade got out of bed and began to get dressed.
"NO!" Michael shook his head, he couldn't believe he had already yelled at Jade twice, he needed to calm down. "I need you to stay here, I don't know what it's like out there, from the news it looks like the world is going to shit."
"Michael, have you lost your mind? That's even more reason why I should go with you, I think we should stay together. We don't know what's happening here."
"That's even more reason for you to stay, Jade. I can't worry about protecting you and help my brother and Rachel. Please, and don't give me that I can protect myself crap, I know you can. You've always been strong. But my mind will be focused on you and you know that. I need you to do this for me. I need you to stay here, locked in the house where I know you are safe." Michael pleaded.
Jade just shook her head yes. Her eyes began to tear up; she turned so Michael wouldn't see. Michael headed downstairs and she followed after him. He went to the hallway closet and pulled a box from the top shelf. He sat it on the hall table and opened it up. It contained two 9mm pistols, one Glock and one Smith & Wesson. Michael picked up one of the pistols. Picking up the loaded magazine, he rammed it into the butt of the gun, drawing back the slide to rack a round into the chamber. He tucked the gun in the back waistband of his pants. He picked up the other and did the same. This time after loaded, however, he held onto the barrel of the gun and handed it to Jade. He grabbed the extra loaded magazines out of the box, sliding one in his pocket and handed the other to Jade.
"Show me how you grip the gun." Michael intently watched Jade as she pointed the weapon away from her body, gripping it with her right hand, using her left as support. "Good….now remember, you have done this before, don't put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire then just squeeze the trigger. If you run out and need to reload, push the button here, this drops the magazine. After you fire the last round, the slide will lock back in place; leave it like that, it makes it easier to reload. Take the other magazine and push it back up here but don't be gentle about it. It needs to lock into place. Pull back on the slide then release and it will automatically rack one in the chamber. If for some reason the slide is released before you put in the magazine and you need to rack one in the chamber yourself, then hold the slide with your left hand and pull back while pushing the grip with your right hand forward at the same time. This will make it easier. If the gun jams, which it shouldn't, pull back the slide and clear the chamber and rack one back up again."
Michael paused for a moment just looking at Jade. "Don't open the door for anyone. I don't care who they are or what they want. Don't open the door until I'm back."
Jade was beginning to feel overwhelmed; she wished Michael would just let her go. She didn't want to be apart from him. "Ok" was all she was able to say to him at this point and keep her composure.
Michael cupped her face in one of his hands and pulled her towards him kissing her deeply on the lips. "I will be back as soon as I can. Keep your cell phone on you at all times... I can't tell you how much I love you!" Michael was afraid he was telling her goodbye. He was about to walk out into a different world than they were used to and had no idea what to expect.
"I love you too Michael, please be safe and hurry." Jade barely got the last part out without starting to cry. Michael walked out the door and climbed into his truck. Jade watched him drive away until she could no longer see him. She saw some the neighbors frantically packing their vehicles and running in and out of their houses. She closed the door and engaged the deadbolt.