Chapter 25

Joe.

I stared directly across at the bright blue eyes looking back at me, unlike the raven-haired girl alongside me there was no fear in these eyes, only pure determination. I heard Demi let out a shallow muffled sob, but I didn't turn to look at her and instead kept my eyes watching Miley confused, what was she up too?

I watched as Miley's eyes suddenly clenched together like she was pain as I stared at her worried only for Miles to re open them looking more confident. I tilted my head questioningly to no response, we'd been sitting like this for the past twenty minutes and all Miley had done was stare directly between Demi and me trying to send an unspoken message, which I was yet to work out, but now her face had begun to crease dramatically like she was trying to break something.

"What's wrong with you?"

I twisted my head as a faceless man hovered at the door staring at the imprisoned Miley.

She suddenly let out a sob into the gag and dropped her head beginning to completely let all her tears out uncontrollable, which set Demi off. I stared over to the guy, who just let out a huff and shook his head leaning back on the door, I looked at Dems trying to reassure her, but as I stared at her completely white faced I realized there was nothing I could do. We were fucked. All three of us were completely screwed. I however stared at Dems with calm eyes even though within me there was not even an inch of tranquility.

I just didn't understand, how could we have gotten into this position? How had be been so freakin oblivious? How did we not realize about Sam? I stared down pissed off and glanced at Demi…I should have done more, but I'd been stupid, I'd trusted Sam and he'd betrayed us. We'd been fooling around on the couch when Sam arrived, then everything went wrong, we didn't know how to defend ourselves against guns and within minutes we went from laughing and giggling to crying hostages. When Miley arrived though we both started screaming for her to leave, but she couldn't hear us, no one could. The second she saw us Miley realized that it was over, but not until we heard the gunshot did we realize how serious this was.

We'd both thought she was dead, and for a few split seconds I just felt murderous hearing my little brother screaming for Miley, he like us thought she was gone but then she was dragged in here. Unharmed. Another one of Sam's fucking tricks.

"Shut up." The guy mumbled.

Miley only started crying louder as Demi looked at me chocking on her tears.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP."

"Don't yell" Sam's voice came from outside as I instantly tensed at his disturbing voice, "We don't want the neighbors hearing, although they most likely already have…keep them quiet."

"She won't stop crying."

"Which one?"

"Miley."

The door opened and Miley looked up but the second I stared at her face I could just see it in her eyes, she was acting, I looked at her confused; those tears weren't real. Sam walked over and stared over her and she cowered looking back down again as I frowned confused. "I will kill him, don't even doubt that Miley. Your boyfriend will be dead with in the coming hours, you will too but if you don't shut the fuck up I'll shoot you now. You're only leverage…" Sam spat at her and I watched his hand raise, my eyes instantly darting away as I heard the contact with my best friend's face and I looked at Demi whose eyes were pinned on Miley's panicked. "Now shut up Miley,"

I looked back as Sam glared at me and headed over to the guy,

"Hit her again if she makes another noise…"

I stared over at Miley scared she however didn't seem worried at all, if anything her eyes showed something, which made me really worried, she seemed happy. There was a large red hand print across her face, but the second the door slammed she started crying again, ignoring the threat of harm.

"For gods sake! Shut up!"

After a minute the guy was finally over Miley's violently loud sobs and he moved across to my best friend, "If you don't shut the-"

I saw Miley's eyes flicker to mine and I could literally see the thoughts in her head, then suddenly she stood up. The guy stepped back in shock as my eyes widened then suddenly it was like a ninja had arrived, Miley's foot hit his groin. He went to let out a cry she grabbed him covering his mouth as he grabbed her at the same time and they both fell to the floor grabbing at each other aimlessly. The gun which had been mounted on the guys jeans suddenly spun out across the floor and I just watched as they struggled both of them reaching towards it. Finally a hand had it and for a second I thought I was about to watch my little sister die but then I realized…it was her hand which held the gun and she slammed it straight into his temple.

Demi let out a muffled scream as the guy fell back unconscious.

Both our eyes shot towards the brunette half crumpled on the floor dragging her body up staring at the guy just as shocked as us, she'd just done that, Miley had just knocked the guy out. She pulled the gag off and slowly like in a daze looked over at Demi and then me as the real tears started.

I started shaking my head trying to stop her; she couldn't wreck the good she'd just done by making noise! Miley forced herself stumbling and wincing a little as she moved her hand to her back. I watched as she pulled it back and there was blood covering her fingers, but she just wiped it on her top shaking as she moved over to Demi. Without a word she pulled off the gag, then wrapped her arms around Demi. For a second I looked at the two best friends both crying, knowing that death was now a little less likely. Miley moved over and pulled my gag down as she opened her mouth to speak to me.

"Don't…get us out." I whispered.

"Kay." Her voice returned as she looked at me fearfully.

"It's okay, you're going to be fine, we all will be, get us out Miley what ever you did…do it again." I whispered and she held up a bent hair clip as I saw her scratched wrists, I felt a small smile come to my face staring at her in amazement as I opened my mouth to ask how but she just smiled.

"Trace taught me when I was five."

I gave a small laugh, "God I love your brother now."

Miley moved behind and I felt her fingers begin to move onto the handcuffs constricting us to the chair as my eyes moved over to Demi's fearful ones.

"We're going to be okay." I whispered and she nodded, "We'll be fine Dem."

"I know. I know we are."

I smiled at her apologetic and she looked away, they'd hurt her and it was my fault.

"Miley, where is Nick?" I asked trying to distract myself from worrying about Demi.

"I don't know."

"What if he comes here?"

"He won't I told him to run, shit." Miley hissed as I heard a snap.

My eyes widened and I twisted my head but still couldn't see, "I can't do this…I've bent it too much…" Miley whispered her fingers trembling in mine, "I just…I have to do-"

"Miley calm down."

"Calm down? How the fuck can I do that when I just-"

"They here yet?" A voice yelled from outside.

We all fell deadly silent as footsteps walked past "No, they aren't Sam!"

Miley continued to work for another minute in silence as suddenly a sob ripped out from behind me and I turned looking at Dem staring at me pained, "You can't crack it can you?" She whispered sucking in a breath, just by watching Dems expression I knew Miley was shaking her head.

"Then you have to leave."

Miley's face came back into sight as she stared at me, "What? No I will-"

"Miley." Demi hissed wincing in pain, "We both love you, but you need to leave."

"No." Miley replied staring at Demi tears falling down her fear stricken face, "I'm not leaving you here with them! No I will-"

"Miley you have too."

"No-"

"Yes." I hissed as she looked at me, "You need to go Miles."

Her lip quivered staring at me then Demi completely defeated, I looked over at Demi and although we both wanted to get out of here we wouldn't make Miley stay, no way. Demi stared at Miles pleadingly, "You need to go Miley, you can save us still, you need to get help!" Tears spilled down Miley's face as she shook her head looking between us, "Miley you have to go, you have to run…"

"But-"

"Miley just go, before it's too late."

She just started crying and for a moment I thought I was going to have to actually kick her, but then she stood up. She moved over and wrapped her arms around me as I leaned my head on her shoulder, "My brother better look after you, tell Nick I love him…"

"No, you can tell him yourself."

She let go of me and moved over hugging Demi who winced in pain. "You'll be fine, be careful."

"I will…I'm so sorry."

"Don't be…"

"Go Miley."

She stumbled towards the window and neither of us could see her behind us. We both were silent as the window creaked and the cold air rushed at my back making me shake silently. "I love you guys, I'm going to find someone to help."

"We love you too Miles." Demi whispered closing her eyes.

For a second we both held our breath as she hit the ground outside, but there was no gunfire, we waited longer but nothing. Just silence. Demi suddenly cracked beginning to sob as I felt my own tears fall, she'd be alright but us well, we wouldn't be and we both knew it.

Nick.

It had taken me an hour to get here, I'd come to the front of the house only to find the FBI guys in the bushes unseen to the oblivious people of the neighborhood but they stood out like a beacon to me. I knew they were waiting for the ideal moment and would stop me getting anywhere close to the house using force if they had too, I wasn't stupid so I knew coming in from the back was the only safe option, then again this whole idea wasn't fucking safe.

I climbed over Joe's back fence falling onto the ground awkwardly,

"WHERE THE FUCK IS SHE?" I heard a scream inside.

A dulled sound of a bullet rang out, they were smart using muted guns now but by the lights on in the neighbors houses it was clear they knew something was going on. I frowned at the yelling as I edged forward seeing some guys smoking out the back.

"YOU TWO GET IN HERE!" I heard Sam's familiar voice yell.

Both the guys got up and at that moment I for a second actually wanted to thank Sam for his stupidity. The second they disappeared I rushed down past the pool along the side of the house ducking down desperately into the shadows, I glanced up listening carefully,

"HOW DID YOU NOT REALIZE YOU IDIOTS?"

The scream was loud and I assumed it was coming from that room and moved to the next. It was quiet and I decided to steal a glance in, I carefully raised my head just an inch and waited a second before letting my eyes gaze into the room, my eyes instantly locked on a figure and I dropped down.

"Where is Miley?" He hissed, "You are going to tell me."

"I don't know…" I heard my brother's familiar voice. "I didn't even see her."

"BULLSHIT she was right here!"

"I didn't see her either." Demi announced.

I sighed in relief that they were both okay, but what did they mean Miley was gone? "I'm not stupid you two," I heard a bullet ring out again and the wall shook along side me, but I was sure that it was not aimed at me. "Where is Miley? Where is she going? You are going to fucking tell me."

"Who's Miley?" Joe questioned.

"I don't know."

"FOR GOD SAKE!"

The door slammed and I took my chance and looked up again.

"Joe what are we going to do?" Demi whispered scared.

I stared at the back of the two familiar bodies and easily jumped onto the windowsill and climbed into the room not even making a single noise. I silently climbed down onto the floor without either of them noticing as I stared at an unconscious body confused,

"Where is she?" I whispered.

Both of their heads spun around looking at me terrified.

"Nick!" Demi hissed her eyes bright red, "Get out of here!"

'Nick run while you still can!"

"What the hell were you thinking!"

"Nick get-"

"Shut up, where is Miley?"

I dropped onto my knees and moved to Joe's hands and quickly tried to undo the cuffs holding him to the chair. "She managed to get out Nick like twenty minutes ago, she made a run for it, clearly they haven't found her yet." He hissed as I groaned unable to get the cuffs off.

I stood up moving over to the unconscious guy moving my hand to his pocket looking back, "Is she okay?" I questioned finding nothing in the first pocket.

"She's fine Nick, scared but fine...shit why didn't we think to tell her to look in his pockets?" Demi spat.

I carefully checked the next one as the guy groaned and I froze feeling the metal key as I pulled it out to my brother and friend's relief. I moved over and leaned behind Joe clicking the key in and the cuffs easily snapped off, Joe jumped up and pulled me into a huge hug,

"Thank you, thank you."

"Let's go." I muttered handing him the keys,

Joe dropped down to Demi as suddenly she cried out in pain and I stared down at her hand, wait a minute that was not normal. I stared at the finger horrified as I gagged looking away and Joe sighed. "Nick come on stay strong, we got to get out of here. Miley is fine I swear, we all will be." He hissed and pulled Demi violently to her feet.

"You shouldn't have come Nick." Demi hissed at me terrified.

"I had too." I responded shaking my head, "I was not leaving you here!"

"Nick how the fuck are we going to get out?"

I looked between them and shrugged, "We'll work it out, if Miley got out and I managed to get in well I think we'll be fine." I snapped quickly as Demi suddenly threw herself at me and started crying. "Demi stop crying, we haven't got time for crying right now, we need to get out of here!" I rubbed her back slowly and she let go of me nodding.

"Miley told you to run."

"And I did." I responded, "I ran here to rescue you."

I looked at Joe and I could just see the gratitude in his eyes.

"Let's get out of here."

I nodded and Joe quickly climbed out the window, I helped Demi out and then quickly followed falling onto the grass. I exchanged a look with Joe and we both ducked down with Demi following and all quickly began to move towards the fence. Joe grabbed Demi's hand as we stopped at the edge of the house and noticed that the guys weren't back yet, we had a safe run straight over the fence, we were actually going to make it. I moved diligently across the lawn and around the pool as we heard the scream…

"THEY'RE GONE."

All three of us dived in the bushes as the men came rushing out, instantly they just started firing at everything and anything. I clutched onto one side of Demi while Joe stayed on the other side shielding her and sacrificing our bodies to protect hers. However the bullets kept firing and none of them were hitting us, if anything they were actually aimed the other way.

"FBI…" Joe hissed, "Finally they decided to fucking do something."

"Over the fence." I hissed.

We looked out to see they were all distracted looking the other way, I nodded at Joe and we both grabbed Demi as she stared between us. "Demi run." I hissed at her and we both grabbed harshly onto her as she looked at Joe terrified,

"Joe I love you."

"I love you too, but run!"

I nodded at him and at the same time we pushed our force up and hoisted Demi up on to the fence, for a second she just sat there and then she disappeared jumping over to the other side. I turned looking to Joe and he just stared at me and I knew a fight was about to start…

"You need to go first." He hissed.

"No Joe you do, I'm already dead and if you were to die now, it would destroy our family. You need to go for Demi." I hissed at him and I saw Joe begin to shake his head as I stared directly at my older brother. "You have to keep my promise, to look after Miley if this goes wrong."

"No you will look after her, it'll be fine."

I nodded and offered my hands as he looked at me, "I love you Nick."

"I love you too Joe."

I helped him climb up the wall, which was much more of struggle then it was for Demi, but after a few attempts he was over, free of the torture they'd inflicted on him. I turned back to see the gun fire was now ringing out loud and clear to everyone in the neighborhood. This was it, I had to get out of here before I ended up literally dead. I clutched onto the wall and dragged my body up it scraping my fingers but I got to the top and stupidly glanced back…

That's when I saw Sam, I saw the gun, I felt the pain.

For less then a second it felt like a dream and I was free falling, then I hit ground and the agony through my body sent me back to reality. It took seconds to feel myself dying, to feel my blood flow out of my body onto the ground, I could feel my life slipping away and there was nothing I could do. The dizziness was overwhelming as a body dropped beside me,

"NICK, NICK WAKE UP! WE NEED HELP." I heard TJ scream.

I looked up to just a blur but I felt his hand clutch mine as I looked up.

"Tell…"

"NICK YOU'RE GOING TO BE FINE."

"Tell…tell Miley….I love her."

And then the battle I'd fought so hard for ended, and I became just like everyone thought, dead to the world for real this time. The black consumed me and the only thing I could think about was Miley. My last thought was simple, that she would survive and have a full life of being happy, something that I'd wanted to protect from the start.I

A/N- Yo I think one more chapter then an epilogue :) So yeah thanks for the reviews :)