Chapter One-Hundred and Sixty-Eight

Bobby lifted his gaze as a helicopter lowered into the meadow. He whispered a silent prayer of thanks as the copter door opened and John's soon to be step-father waved them forward. He carefully lifted John's limp body with the help of Joey and one of the saddle blankets. "Easy! We don't want to hurt him worse!" He shouted, wishing that they had something to cover John's ears and help him from going any farther into shock.

Michael helped them adjust John's body on the floor of the copter, his heart dropping when he saw how light John's skin had gotten and the blood that was smeared over his body. "Hang on Kid." He nodded to a couple of seats on the other side of the aircraft. "Put the prisoners over there! Penny can ride in the cockpit with me! Let's move!"

Bobby nodded to Joey and Levi as they jumped out and onto the ground. "We'll meet you at the hospital!" He shouted, his words nearly lost as they took off. "Markus! Put some pressure on his shoulder." He pushed harder on John's side, adding force until he got some form of consciousness out of him.

John's groan was barely audible as he fought for life. "Grandpa…?"

"Fuck…" Bobby met Markus's eyes. "His grandpa's been dead since he was a kid." Bobby jumped as John's breath changed, turning to a barking cough as drops of blood left his lips. "FUCK!" He rushed to calm John's body, grabbing an oxygen tank and forcing the mask over his friend's lips. "Breathe!"

Penny's eyes widened as she saw the pool of blood growing under John's body. "Will he be okay?"

"He's a fighter. He'll pull through this." Michael stated, pushing the helicopter to fly as fast as it could.


Bobby watched as the hospital staff rushed John into the ER, his breath hitching as the smallest nurse positioned herself over John's chest and began compressions. "His heart stopped…" He breathed, too afraid to speak.