Chapter 38

After getting off the phone with the police, Jack got to his feet, still carrying Valery. Her cries echoed in the night, getting some of the neighbors' attention.

Limping over to the intruder, Jack knelt down, reaching for the ski mask that hid his identity. Ripping it off in a single motion, Jack was shocked to see that it wasn't the gas station robber. Instead, Jack was staring down at Natsuki's father.

His nose was clearly broken and his face was covered in blood.

Anger quickly rose through Jack. This man, who abused Natsuki, came back to kill Jack, and who knows who else. He must've broken out of jail just to hunt him down.

"Fucking bastard!" Jack growled through gritted teeth. Jack had to fight back the urge to kick this man's teeth in.

The sudden sirens behind Jack stole his attention.

Minutes later

Sitting in the back of an ambulance, still holding Valery, one of the paramedics tended to Jack's wounds.

"You're daughter's pretty lucky to have such an amazing father." The paramedic told Jack.

"I wouldn't exactly say that." Jack replied, looking down at his daughter who was trying to grab his bangs, to no avail. "I've been rather unlucky these past few days. Been close to death a bit too much for a guy my age."

Looking up, Jack met the eyes of Natsuki's father. He glared at Jack as he was shoved into the back of a police cruiser. Soon after, the cruiser took off, taking Natsuki's dad back to jail.

"Hopefully things get better for you." The paramedic told him.

Fishing out the bullet in his left shoulder, the paramedic dropped it on a tray before disinfecting and suturing his wound. She had already done so for his right leg.

"Mm." Jack groaned in pain as he felt the needle go through his skin.

"Oh!" The paramedic suddenly exclaimed. "I am so sorry! I forgot to numb it."

"It's fine." Jack told her. "Continue."

"Wha- but-"

"I just want it done as soon as possible." Jack stated. "Continue."

Hesitantly, the paramedic did as told.

Suddenly, a car screeched around the corner, coming to a stop behind the ambulance. The car doors sprung open as Natsuki, Yuri, Sayori and Monika rushed over to Jack.

Bombarded with numerous questions and concerns, the four girls only stopped when Valery began to cry at the sudden loud voices. Shushing her, Valery soon fell silent again.

"Why do you keep ending up in these situations?!" Natsuki whisper shouted. "Do you like worrying us?"

"Is Valery okay?" Sayori asked, concerned for both her daughter, and Jack.

"Val's fine." Jack assured her. "I'd never let any harm come to her."

Sayori let out a breath of relief before stepping forward to take Valery. Handing her over, Jack looked to Monika as she stared silently at him.

"Jack Zeliska?" A woman in a suit approached Jack. She was followed by a man with a large camera as well as holding a microphone.

"Yes?"

"I am a reporter. Jessica Smith." She greeted herself. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you, in your own words, what exactly happened tonight."

"Fucking vultures." Natsuki mumbled under her breath. "The man was just shot! You wanna give him a moment before you bombard him with questions?!"

"Seriously." Yuri agreed as she crossed her arms. "Can't you-"

"It's fine, girls." Jack spoke up before looking to the reporter. "I'll answer a few of your questions."

"We really appreciate th-"

"But-" Jack rubbed his shoulder as the paramedic finished up. "Come back tomorrow. I'd much rather rest, if that's fine."

The reporter glanced at her cameraman before nodding her head.

"I suppose that is fair." The reporter said. "Very well. We'll stop by tomorrow."

With that, the reporter and her cameraman left the scene.

"Seriously?" Natsuki stepped in front of Jack. "You're really gonna tell the press what happened?"

"It's not that big'a deal." Jack told them. "What's the harm in answering a couple questions?"

The following day

With his left arm in a sling, and right leg wrapped in bandages, Jack stood outside, using a crutch to help himself balance. Jessica and her cameraman were standing before him, asking Jack about yesterday.

"So, you were attacked in your own home. What exactly happened when you saw the intruder?" Jessica asked before pointing the mic at Jack.

"I was sitting on my couch, with my baby, watching Lucifer." Jack began to answer. "When the show cut to black, I saw him sneaking up on me in the reflection of the TV."

"What happened next?" Jessica asked.

Jack scratched his ear as he recalled last night.

"I managed to evade most of his shots, and I made damn sure none of the bullets hit my kid." Jack told the reporter. "He didn't care I was holding a baby. And he didn't break in for any valuables. He wanted me dead."

"How do you know the intruder wanted you dead?" Jessica asked.

"Because I'm the reason he was locked up in jail the first time." Jack replied.

"So, you knew the intruder?"

Jack answered with a nod of his head.

"I managed to get outside, but his last bullet hit my leg." Jack continued. "When I fell, he walked over to finish me off, but, well, he was out of ammo."

"Were you terrified when looking down the barrel of his gun?" Jessica asked.

"Not in the least." Jack replied.

"Why not?"

"Because I caught a glimpse of the model gun he was using." Jack answered. "A Glock 19. A Glock 19 typically has a 15 round magazine. So, I counted his shots and waited for my opportunity."

"That's when you managed to knock him out?"

"Yeah." Jack nodded. "That's it. That's the whole story. No more questions."

Jessica smiled before turning to the camera. As she spoke, Jack slipped back into the house.

With school in session, Sayori, Yuri and Natsuki were gone. Monika was over to give Jack company while watching Valery.

"Done with the reporter?" Monika asked as Jack joined her on the couch. She was cradling Valery, who was currently playing with a strand of Monika's hair.

"Yeah." Jack said as he leaned back. Letting out a long breath, Jack stared up at the ceiling. "The fuck is going on, Monika?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I've almost died. Multiple times." Jack told her. "First with Natsuki's dad. Then the gas station robber. Then yesterday. I don't exactly think it's healthy for an average teenage guy to be on the brink of death so much."

"Well, you always seem to come out alive." Monika said.

"So far." Jack said softly.

The two fell silent. However, it was soon broken by Valery's giggles. Looking over at her, she was still playing with Monika's long hair.

"She doesn't pull?" Jack asked.

"No." Monika glanced down at Valery. "She just, kinda, twirls it around her hands." Monika looked to Jack. "How're you feeling?"

"Fine, really." Jack replied. "My wounds tend to flare up every now and then, but otherwise, I'm fine."

"Good." Monika gave a smile.

The two fell silent once more.

"I'm gonna work to become an officer." Jack said suddenly.

"Huh?" Monika looked at him. "Oh. Well, it's certainly a respectable profession." She suddenly gave a mischievous smirk. "Plus... it wouldn't hurt to have a pair of cuffs around the house."

Jack was caught completely off guard by that comment.

"Uhm. What?"

Monika replied with the same smirk.

"What's the harm in..." Monika bit her bottom lip seductively. "Slapping those cuffs on a naughty little criminal and slamming them downtown?"

Jack raised his eyebrows as he stared at her, completely speechless.

Monika quickly shrugged it off and turned back to the TV as if she hadn't said any of that.

"Just sayin'."

Jack slowly returned his attention to the TV as well.

"Guess I won't be the only one looking forward to the job." He said softly. "Just gotta get outta these bandages first."

End of chapter 38