Ok, before we get on with the story, I just wanted to say a HUGE thanks to
each and every one of my reviewers! When I began writing this story I was
thinking how great it would be to get 5, and now I have like 72! I mean 72?
It's crazy, I'm so, so greatful for you all, and happy you're enjoying the
story.
So I am trying to update as soon as I can. This is for all you brilliant reviewers, you guys absolutely rock! Thanks again and keep reviewing will ya? It would be sooo awesome to make ir to 100!
Charli xxx
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'Nooooooooooooooooo' Deb wailed as she felt her legs give way beneath her. Karen and Keith both lunged to catch her.
Dan's hand hovered, shaking above the jacket that covered the boy's face, they had to be sure this was Nathan. Dan felt his mouth go as dry as sandpaper, Nathan couldn't be dead, he couldn't lose his son.
Deb collapsed into Karen's arms as the dark-haired women gently stroked her hair.
'Shhhh...shhhh....' Karen whispered, not knowing what to say, how to help.
Nathan was a good kid, she'd seen the way he and Lucas were together and in the past few months he'd really become a part of her family. Karen felt awful that the young boy was dead. What was she supposed to say to Deb, to Keith, to Lucas....
Karen's breath caught in her throat, oh God, did Lucas know Nathan was dead, had her son met the same fate? Karen tried to push aside the horrific images beginning to crowd her mind. No, Lucas was not dead, she wouldn't believe that.
Deb felt herself drifting into a trance-like state, no please not my boy, not my Nate, she prayed desperately, please.
Even as her mind prayed feverently images began to invade her mind, images of Nathan's childhood.
Deb squeezed her eyes shut tightly.
* FLASH *
A dark haired 6lb premature baby Nathan, nestled in her arms. Dan returning from the gift shop with a tiny basketball, and placing it in the baby's tiny fist, beaming with pride.
* FLASH *
A gap-toothed, 3 year old Nathan grinning up at his mother, chocolate cake all around his mouth.
* FLASH *
A 5 year old Nathan walking into his class confidently, without looking back, as she cried at the door, on his first day of School.
* FLASH *
An unhappy looking, 10 year old Nathan standing next to Dan, dressed in his basketball training gear, waving her goodbye as she went on one of her business trips.
* FLASH *
16 year old Nathan working out before the father/son game, 'I just wish he'd lay off you know?' 'Nate, you know if you don't wanna play, don't play, he'll get over it.' 'We both know that's a lie mom.'
* FLASH *
Nathan beaming at her and pulling her into a hug as she told him how happy she was for him and Haley, 'I love her so much mom', 'I'm so happy for you Nate, I really am sweetie, you couldn't find a nicer young woman.' 'Thanks mom, thanks so much.' 'What for?' 'For supporting me, for not criticising, for loving me whatever, just for everything.'
Deb's eyes snapped open as she remembered Nathan's words to her just last week. 'Thanks mom...for loving me whatever.' And now he was gone.
No, Deb wouldn't believe it, not of her sweet, vulnerable little boy. The boy who tried so hard to make the world believe he was a tough man, when he was just a kid, a child, her child.
'NOOOOOOOO!' Deb screamed, she had to know, she had to know, Dan was being pathetic, just staring down at the body, hand hovering. Deb reached forward, passed a startled Karen and Keith, passed her horrified husband, and pulled away the jacket.
'Ahhh, Dan Scott's boys, it's about time we finally met!'
Lucas stared at the guy infront of them, feeling a shiver run up his spine, who the hell was he? And how the hell did he know that he and Nathan were Dan's sons?
Lucas glanced at his brother questioningly, Nathan's eyes were black with fury, the guy had murdered his best friend, but he was also frowning, so Lucas gathered that Nathan didn't know the guy either.
'Stay back!' Lucas shouted, pulling Peyton and Brooke closer to him, as Nathan did the same with Haley.
The man laughed and took more steps forward, 'Stay back, stay back? Do you know how long I've waited for this young Lucas?'
Lucas exhaled sharpely, ok who the hell was this guy, and how did he know his name.
Nathan held Haley closely, 'What do you want you bastard?'
Harry turned to Nathan then and the look he gave him was so cold, so unbelievably evil that Nathan felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise.
'You look so much like him, you know, you're his absolute double. From the appearance to the pathetic arrogance, you think you have the right to call me a bastard?'
'You killed my best friend, so yeah I think I sure as hell have the right.'
Brooke's mouth dropped open in shock, no, no Tim couldn't be dead, he just couldn't be, she shuddered violently and turned her face into Luke's chest, she couldn't let this sicko see her tears.
How could he do that to Tim, 'if you're talking about the young man I knifed in the chest a moment ago, then I'm afraid, he's dead', Brooke had heard the guy snarl the words, but she still couldn't believe them. No, maybe Tim was just hurt, then any minute now he'd come in and charge the guy and get her and all of them out of this mess. Yeah, that was it, he was fine.
'Your best friend huh? He wasn't much of a fighter, infact he was laughably easy to kill, I'd have expected better taste in friends of you Nathan.'
Nathan exploded, he pushed Haley back and ran at the guy, furious, he'd never felt such murderous rage inside him before. How dare he say that about Tim.
'NATHAAAN!' Haley and Lucas screamed at once. Lucas was quickly moving, but not quickly enough.
It took Nathan merely a few seconds to realise that the guy wasn't looking worried, infact he was looking completely unruffled, for a second a niggle of doubt crept into Nathan's eyes, his doubts were very much confirmed when he saw the pistol aimed at point blank range at his chest.
'Oh Tim..' Deb whispered sadly, feeling furious with herself for being relieved that it wasn't Nathan lying dead before her.
Dan and Deb shared a glance as they both recognised Nathan's best friend.
Karen and Keith looked confused, 'Deb?'
Deb turned to look at them, 'Tim's Nate's best friend.'
Karen raised a hand to her mouth, 'Oh god is that Sherri's son?'
'Stepson' Dan replied, even he looked horrified at the sight of the body before him.
Deb slowly placed Nathan's jacket back over Tim's head.
'We have to call the police.'
Keith nodded, 'try and get the phone working again Deb'.
Deb pulled the phone from her bag and dialled 911 with shaking fingers.
She sighed with relief as she heard a voice, 'yes' she murmered, 'I'd like to report a murder, and I need a hell of a lot of cops over here now...Mandrake Forest...our kids are missing out here and there's a maniac after them.yes we have a good idea who it is..' her eyebrows rose, horrified, 'WHAT? You can't be serious, look our kids are in serious danger, we've got one teenager dead here, and 5 missing, you're going to have to do better than that...fine, but just get here ok!'
Hanging up the phone, Deb swore angrily, 'shit!'
'What?' Karen asked, voicing what the other adults were thinking.
'They're not going to get here for at least fifteen minutes !'
'15 MINUTES?' Keith shouted.
'The nearest stations in the next town, 15 minutes is the best they can do.'
Dan stood quickly, 'then we'd better find the kids ourselves then.'
That was the only time the other three adults would ever agree with Dan.
Nathan skidded to a halt, mere feet away from the gun, 'uhhhhh' he said.
Lucas bumped into him.
'Get back!' Harry snarled, 'it would be a real shame for this thing to go off hey?'
Nathan and Lucas both moved back very slowly. Nathan stood infront of Haley immediately.
Harry noticed this, he slowly walked towards them. Nathan immediately balled his fists.
'Who's your pretty girlfriend Nathan?'
Nathan's eyes glittered dangerously, 'stay away from her' he growled.
Haley's heart was practically exploding from her chest. The guy was waving the gun around, Nathan as usual was playing the hero and trying to protect her, but again the fear she felt in her soul wasn't for her but for him. He was going to get himself killed if he kept acting like this.
'Nathan...' she whispered.
Brooke, Lucas and Peyton watched terrified as Harry began to circle Nathan and Haley. Lucas wanted to rush the guy again, he was desperate to take the guy out, but he also knew that if he made one wrong move, this could all end in a blood bath. Instead his mind worked frantically over what to do.
Harry looked at Haley and leered so horribly at her that she felt sick to her stomach, 'aren't we a pretty little thing'.
Nathan's chest rose and fell rapidly as he felt white hot anger boil inside him, 'I'll tell you this one more time, stay away from her.'
In a split second, Harry wrenched the gun forward and pressed it straight to Nathan's forhead.
Lucas exhaled sharply, stepped forward , Peyton grabbed his arm tightly. 'Lucas, don't!'
'No!' Haley gasped, looking at Harry, 'please.'
Nathan felt the cool metal against his forhead, and fought to keep calm, he'd been in tight spots over the years, but he'd never had a gun pressed to his head before.
Haley moved from behind Nathan to his side. No-one was going to hurt him, no-one.
'Get away from him!' She hissed furiously, though inside she was shaking right to the tips of her toes.
'Haley.' Nathan whispered, 'don't'.
Haley stepped forward more, 'HALES!' Lucas shouted in warning.
'I said, get away from him.'
Harry smiled at her, a horrible, taunting smile, 'oh you want me to get away from him huh?'
Haley just stared at him, having no idea what the hell she was doing, knowing only that she couldn't...she wouldn't let anyone hurt the guy she loved.
'I'll get away from him.' Harry said sarcastically, 'if you come over here.' He motioned to his side.
'HALEY..DON'T!' Nathan shouted, furious with Haley for putting herself in this kind of danger.
Haley had no doubts in her mind, she walked over to Harry and stood at his side, she would gladly put herself in danger, if it got Nathan out of it.
Nathan stared in horror, ok, she did not just do that.
In an instant, so fast that no-one could breath let alone move to do anything about it, Harry flung his arm around Haley's throat and pressed the gun to her temple.
'HALEY!' Nathan's stomach dropped, he took a step forward.
'AH.AH.AH' Harry smirked mocking him, 'I wouldn't come any closer if I were you Nate!' He over pronounced Nathan's nick-name, making his blood boil.
Lucas stared feeling sick at the twist in events, they had to do something, but what, what could they do?
Peyton swallowed the fear that felt like it was visibly choking her, she looked from Nathan, to Haley, to Lucas and back to Haley again, how were they going to get out of this?
Harry grinned, 'right Nathan here's the deal, you want your little girlfriend back alive? I want Dan Scott's sons dead, simple as that.'
'What does my Dad have to do with this?'
'He's a part of my history that you could say, 'permenantly scarred me'.'
'So what does that have to do with us?' Lucas asked his voice cracking slightly.
'Dan took basketball from me, I take basketball from him. I read about you boys, star players, just like your dear old dad, I figured since old Danny boy can't play anymore, I'd take his future away from him, like he took mine all those years ago.'
Nathan shook his head, eyes never leaving Haley's, he hoped to God she read the hidden message in his eyes, he was going to get her out of this, some way, some how, he was going to save her.
'Look, number 1,' he said in disbelief, 'Luke and I are not our Dad, I mean hell, I hate the guy most of the time and Luke can't even stand to be in the same room as him, number 2, Haley has nothing to do with this, and number 3...' Nathan paused for a second, eyebrows raised in complete disgust, 'you're crazy, I'm soooo sorry that my daddy upset you many years ago.whatever, but I have absolutely no clue what the hell you are talking about and I suggest you back away from my girlfriend right now, else I swear, I will kill you, and I will kill you painfully.'
Lucas sighed in exasperation, Nathan always did that, acted before thinking, he couldn't afford to be reckless here, not when Haley's life was at stake. Lucas damned his little brother's hot head.
'Look, why don't you take me instead.' He spoke up, 'I won't struggle.'
Harry looked over at him, 'so noble of you Lucas really...'
Nathan looked at Lucas sharply, 'you're not doing that.' He muttered seriously.
Harry turned back to Nathan, 'do you want your girlfriend back Nathan?'
Nathan glanced at Haley, her eyes were wide, tearful, her cheeks flushed, her skin white.
'Of course I do.'
'Then I have a little game for you.'
Nathan's eyes narrowed suspisciously, 'what kind of game?' He asked dreading the answer.
Harry loosened his hold a little on Haley and lowered the gun slightly so he could reach into his pocket. He pulled out a glittering penknife.
He raised it to Haley's throat, Haley gave a strangled cry.
Nathan felt sick.
'So the game is called Russian roulette, I have one bullet in this gun Nathan, one bullet, I want to play a little roulette with you, for your girlfriend's life.'
Nathan's jaw tightened, it was the only sign he showed of having heard Harry's comment.
Lucas shook his head, and edged a little closer to his brother, 'don't do that Nathan.'
Nathan had no choice, he would do anything for Haley, and if that meant dying to keep her safe, then he would gladly do it.
He took the gun from Harry's outstretched hand.
'Don't think about it.' He thought to himself, 'don't think about it, just do it.'
He placed the gun in his mouth.
Peyton couldn't watch, she turned her head into Brooke's shoulder, Brooke sobbed frantically. Lucas silently shook his head, willing Nathan not to do this. Haley squeezed her eyes shut.
Nathan pulled the trigger.
'Damn it!' Dan cursed loudly.
'What?' Keith asked as Dan stopped still.
'The torch battery's going.'
Keith took the torch and smacked it against his hand hard.
It blinked out.
Dan shook his head, 'well done Keith, that was brilliant!'
Keith was angry with Dan and himself, 'shut up Danny'.
'No, now we can't even see where we're going, this is just friggin great!'
Deb was about to tell Dan to shut up when the sound of voices reached them.
They all turned to one another, hardly daring to hope.
'SHHHH!' Keith whispered, raising a finger to his lips and motioning them to follow him. Deb and Karen bent low and crept after him.
Dan did not.
He walked straight passed them all bold as brass onto the clearing before them.
'DAN!' Keith hissed, furious.
He, Karen and Deb stood, their cover was well and truly blown now. They quickly followed him into the clearing.
The first thing Deb noticed was the man with his arm around Haley's neck, the second thing she noticed was her son holding a gun in his mouth, and then she saw him pull the trigger.
'NATHAAAAAAAAAAAAN!' Deb shrieked tearing forward across the clearing.
Harry jumped and spun around, shocked to see a blond woman run towards him, ahh he recognised her now, Deb Scott, the years had been good to her, she was still beautiful.
Nathan almost pulled the trigger a second time when he heard his mother shriek, he was so surprised. There had been no bullet. He paused taking deep breaths, heart pounding, phew he was still alive, for a moment there..
'Stay back!' Harry screamed at the four adults running towards him, they all froze. Harry's eyes fell on the figure on the far left, there he was the guy who'd ruined his life, the guy who'd destroyed his dreams.
Dan Scott.
He pushed Haley back towards Nathan and yanked the gun from his hand in one swift movement.
Haley almost collapsed shakily into Nathan's arms. He pressed her tightly against his chest, kissing her hair gently, thanking god that she was ok, and in his arms.
She snuggled into him, letting his strong arms cling to her, feeling his heart pounding within his chest and she knew she was safe.
Deb, Karen, Keith and Dan stood a few metres away afraid to get to close, afraid for their kids' lives.
Deb stared at Nathan, her heart slowly calming down some, a moment ago she thought he was going to die, that gun in his mouth, she shuddered horrified at what could have happened, she had to keep looking at him to know he was ok. Nathan looked up at her and they shared a look.
Karen stared at Lucas, he looked back at her, eyes wide, frantic. Karen wanted nothing more than to run to her son and hold him, but not while this maniac stood a few metres away wielding a gun.
Keith stared at the guy holding the gun, he wasn't that big, maybe he and Dan could overpower him. But still, Keith knew he couldn't risk the kids' lives. No he'd have to wait patiently and bide his time.
Dan stepped forward, eyeing the gun uneasily, this was one trip down memory lane he was not looking forward to.
'Harry, why don't you put the gun down?'
Harry eyed him, eyes staring wildly, 'Dan Scott...I have waited so long for this..so long to hurt you the way you hurt me.'
'It's in the past Harry, why don't you just leave it there?'
'That 'past' as you so simply sum it up Dan, has dictated the rest of my horrendous life. After I couldn't play anymore, that was it, I had no prospects, I wasn't an academic so I had nothing, then after that auditorium incident, I was jailed for 17 years dan, do you think that's fair?'
'Well yes, you threatened an auditorium full of innocent people at gun- point.' Dan replied smugly.
Harry shook his head furious at Dan's flippant attitude, 'well I didn't think it was fair, and now you're going to see something else unfair.'
He spun madly to face Nathan, 'you...come here now!' he shouted. 'And you.' He told Lucas, 'or your girlfriends die, a nice bloody death, right here, right now.'
Nathan and Lucas exchanged dread-filled glances.
Peyton gasped, 'lucas..no!'
Haley gripped onto Nathan's arm, 'no, Hales let go.' He told her.
He and Lucas walked up to Harry.
Harry stood them both in front of him.
Deb and Karen both tried to move towards their sons, Keith grabbed each woman by the arm.
Dan stared, nervous now, 'let them go Harry.'
He smirked, 'hmmmm...let me see..no.'
Dan took a step forward.
'I wouldn't move if I were you Dan, now here's what I want you to do, as me and Nathan were discussing before, I have only one bullet in this gun, so as you can see I have a dilemma, do I kill your eldest son?' He asked swinging the gun towards Lucas, 'or your youngest one?' He spun the gun back to Nathan.
His eyes met Dan's then, 'your choice Danny', he snarled menacingly, 'which of your boys am I going to have the pleasure of killing?'
Dan swallowed hard, eyeing Nathan then Lucas, what the hell was he going to do?
So..next time,
Haley and Peyton fear for their boyfriends lives!
A choice is made!
Someone is shot!
So I am trying to update as soon as I can. This is for all you brilliant reviewers, you guys absolutely rock! Thanks again and keep reviewing will ya? It would be sooo awesome to make ir to 100!
Charli xxx
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'Nooooooooooooooooo' Deb wailed as she felt her legs give way beneath her. Karen and Keith both lunged to catch her.
Dan's hand hovered, shaking above the jacket that covered the boy's face, they had to be sure this was Nathan. Dan felt his mouth go as dry as sandpaper, Nathan couldn't be dead, he couldn't lose his son.
Deb collapsed into Karen's arms as the dark-haired women gently stroked her hair.
'Shhhh...shhhh....' Karen whispered, not knowing what to say, how to help.
Nathan was a good kid, she'd seen the way he and Lucas were together and in the past few months he'd really become a part of her family. Karen felt awful that the young boy was dead. What was she supposed to say to Deb, to Keith, to Lucas....
Karen's breath caught in her throat, oh God, did Lucas know Nathan was dead, had her son met the same fate? Karen tried to push aside the horrific images beginning to crowd her mind. No, Lucas was not dead, she wouldn't believe that.
Deb felt herself drifting into a trance-like state, no please not my boy, not my Nate, she prayed desperately, please.
Even as her mind prayed feverently images began to invade her mind, images of Nathan's childhood.
Deb squeezed her eyes shut tightly.
* FLASH *
A dark haired 6lb premature baby Nathan, nestled in her arms. Dan returning from the gift shop with a tiny basketball, and placing it in the baby's tiny fist, beaming with pride.
* FLASH *
A gap-toothed, 3 year old Nathan grinning up at his mother, chocolate cake all around his mouth.
* FLASH *
A 5 year old Nathan walking into his class confidently, without looking back, as she cried at the door, on his first day of School.
* FLASH *
An unhappy looking, 10 year old Nathan standing next to Dan, dressed in his basketball training gear, waving her goodbye as she went on one of her business trips.
* FLASH *
16 year old Nathan working out before the father/son game, 'I just wish he'd lay off you know?' 'Nate, you know if you don't wanna play, don't play, he'll get over it.' 'We both know that's a lie mom.'
* FLASH *
Nathan beaming at her and pulling her into a hug as she told him how happy she was for him and Haley, 'I love her so much mom', 'I'm so happy for you Nate, I really am sweetie, you couldn't find a nicer young woman.' 'Thanks mom, thanks so much.' 'What for?' 'For supporting me, for not criticising, for loving me whatever, just for everything.'
Deb's eyes snapped open as she remembered Nathan's words to her just last week. 'Thanks mom...for loving me whatever.' And now he was gone.
No, Deb wouldn't believe it, not of her sweet, vulnerable little boy. The boy who tried so hard to make the world believe he was a tough man, when he was just a kid, a child, her child.
'NOOOOOOOO!' Deb screamed, she had to know, she had to know, Dan was being pathetic, just staring down at the body, hand hovering. Deb reached forward, passed a startled Karen and Keith, passed her horrified husband, and pulled away the jacket.
'Ahhh, Dan Scott's boys, it's about time we finally met!'
Lucas stared at the guy infront of them, feeling a shiver run up his spine, who the hell was he? And how the hell did he know that he and Nathan were Dan's sons?
Lucas glanced at his brother questioningly, Nathan's eyes were black with fury, the guy had murdered his best friend, but he was also frowning, so Lucas gathered that Nathan didn't know the guy either.
'Stay back!' Lucas shouted, pulling Peyton and Brooke closer to him, as Nathan did the same with Haley.
The man laughed and took more steps forward, 'Stay back, stay back? Do you know how long I've waited for this young Lucas?'
Lucas exhaled sharpely, ok who the hell was this guy, and how did he know his name.
Nathan held Haley closely, 'What do you want you bastard?'
Harry turned to Nathan then and the look he gave him was so cold, so unbelievably evil that Nathan felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise.
'You look so much like him, you know, you're his absolute double. From the appearance to the pathetic arrogance, you think you have the right to call me a bastard?'
'You killed my best friend, so yeah I think I sure as hell have the right.'
Brooke's mouth dropped open in shock, no, no Tim couldn't be dead, he just couldn't be, she shuddered violently and turned her face into Luke's chest, she couldn't let this sicko see her tears.
How could he do that to Tim, 'if you're talking about the young man I knifed in the chest a moment ago, then I'm afraid, he's dead', Brooke had heard the guy snarl the words, but she still couldn't believe them. No, maybe Tim was just hurt, then any minute now he'd come in and charge the guy and get her and all of them out of this mess. Yeah, that was it, he was fine.
'Your best friend huh? He wasn't much of a fighter, infact he was laughably easy to kill, I'd have expected better taste in friends of you Nathan.'
Nathan exploded, he pushed Haley back and ran at the guy, furious, he'd never felt such murderous rage inside him before. How dare he say that about Tim.
'NATHAAAN!' Haley and Lucas screamed at once. Lucas was quickly moving, but not quickly enough.
It took Nathan merely a few seconds to realise that the guy wasn't looking worried, infact he was looking completely unruffled, for a second a niggle of doubt crept into Nathan's eyes, his doubts were very much confirmed when he saw the pistol aimed at point blank range at his chest.
'Oh Tim..' Deb whispered sadly, feeling furious with herself for being relieved that it wasn't Nathan lying dead before her.
Dan and Deb shared a glance as they both recognised Nathan's best friend.
Karen and Keith looked confused, 'Deb?'
Deb turned to look at them, 'Tim's Nate's best friend.'
Karen raised a hand to her mouth, 'Oh god is that Sherri's son?'
'Stepson' Dan replied, even he looked horrified at the sight of the body before him.
Deb slowly placed Nathan's jacket back over Tim's head.
'We have to call the police.'
Keith nodded, 'try and get the phone working again Deb'.
Deb pulled the phone from her bag and dialled 911 with shaking fingers.
She sighed with relief as she heard a voice, 'yes' she murmered, 'I'd like to report a murder, and I need a hell of a lot of cops over here now...Mandrake Forest...our kids are missing out here and there's a maniac after them.yes we have a good idea who it is..' her eyebrows rose, horrified, 'WHAT? You can't be serious, look our kids are in serious danger, we've got one teenager dead here, and 5 missing, you're going to have to do better than that...fine, but just get here ok!'
Hanging up the phone, Deb swore angrily, 'shit!'
'What?' Karen asked, voicing what the other adults were thinking.
'They're not going to get here for at least fifteen minutes !'
'15 MINUTES?' Keith shouted.
'The nearest stations in the next town, 15 minutes is the best they can do.'
Dan stood quickly, 'then we'd better find the kids ourselves then.'
That was the only time the other three adults would ever agree with Dan.
Nathan skidded to a halt, mere feet away from the gun, 'uhhhhh' he said.
Lucas bumped into him.
'Get back!' Harry snarled, 'it would be a real shame for this thing to go off hey?'
Nathan and Lucas both moved back very slowly. Nathan stood infront of Haley immediately.
Harry noticed this, he slowly walked towards them. Nathan immediately balled his fists.
'Who's your pretty girlfriend Nathan?'
Nathan's eyes glittered dangerously, 'stay away from her' he growled.
Haley's heart was practically exploding from her chest. The guy was waving the gun around, Nathan as usual was playing the hero and trying to protect her, but again the fear she felt in her soul wasn't for her but for him. He was going to get himself killed if he kept acting like this.
'Nathan...' she whispered.
Brooke, Lucas and Peyton watched terrified as Harry began to circle Nathan and Haley. Lucas wanted to rush the guy again, he was desperate to take the guy out, but he also knew that if he made one wrong move, this could all end in a blood bath. Instead his mind worked frantically over what to do.
Harry looked at Haley and leered so horribly at her that she felt sick to her stomach, 'aren't we a pretty little thing'.
Nathan's chest rose and fell rapidly as he felt white hot anger boil inside him, 'I'll tell you this one more time, stay away from her.'
In a split second, Harry wrenched the gun forward and pressed it straight to Nathan's forhead.
Lucas exhaled sharply, stepped forward , Peyton grabbed his arm tightly. 'Lucas, don't!'
'No!' Haley gasped, looking at Harry, 'please.'
Nathan felt the cool metal against his forhead, and fought to keep calm, he'd been in tight spots over the years, but he'd never had a gun pressed to his head before.
Haley moved from behind Nathan to his side. No-one was going to hurt him, no-one.
'Get away from him!' She hissed furiously, though inside she was shaking right to the tips of her toes.
'Haley.' Nathan whispered, 'don't'.
Haley stepped forward more, 'HALES!' Lucas shouted in warning.
'I said, get away from him.'
Harry smiled at her, a horrible, taunting smile, 'oh you want me to get away from him huh?'
Haley just stared at him, having no idea what the hell she was doing, knowing only that she couldn't...she wouldn't let anyone hurt the guy she loved.
'I'll get away from him.' Harry said sarcastically, 'if you come over here.' He motioned to his side.
'HALEY..DON'T!' Nathan shouted, furious with Haley for putting herself in this kind of danger.
Haley had no doubts in her mind, she walked over to Harry and stood at his side, she would gladly put herself in danger, if it got Nathan out of it.
Nathan stared in horror, ok, she did not just do that.
In an instant, so fast that no-one could breath let alone move to do anything about it, Harry flung his arm around Haley's throat and pressed the gun to her temple.
'HALEY!' Nathan's stomach dropped, he took a step forward.
'AH.AH.AH' Harry smirked mocking him, 'I wouldn't come any closer if I were you Nate!' He over pronounced Nathan's nick-name, making his blood boil.
Lucas stared feeling sick at the twist in events, they had to do something, but what, what could they do?
Peyton swallowed the fear that felt like it was visibly choking her, she looked from Nathan, to Haley, to Lucas and back to Haley again, how were they going to get out of this?
Harry grinned, 'right Nathan here's the deal, you want your little girlfriend back alive? I want Dan Scott's sons dead, simple as that.'
'What does my Dad have to do with this?'
'He's a part of my history that you could say, 'permenantly scarred me'.'
'So what does that have to do with us?' Lucas asked his voice cracking slightly.
'Dan took basketball from me, I take basketball from him. I read about you boys, star players, just like your dear old dad, I figured since old Danny boy can't play anymore, I'd take his future away from him, like he took mine all those years ago.'
Nathan shook his head, eyes never leaving Haley's, he hoped to God she read the hidden message in his eyes, he was going to get her out of this, some way, some how, he was going to save her.
'Look, number 1,' he said in disbelief, 'Luke and I are not our Dad, I mean hell, I hate the guy most of the time and Luke can't even stand to be in the same room as him, number 2, Haley has nothing to do with this, and number 3...' Nathan paused for a second, eyebrows raised in complete disgust, 'you're crazy, I'm soooo sorry that my daddy upset you many years ago.whatever, but I have absolutely no clue what the hell you are talking about and I suggest you back away from my girlfriend right now, else I swear, I will kill you, and I will kill you painfully.'
Lucas sighed in exasperation, Nathan always did that, acted before thinking, he couldn't afford to be reckless here, not when Haley's life was at stake. Lucas damned his little brother's hot head.
'Look, why don't you take me instead.' He spoke up, 'I won't struggle.'
Harry looked over at him, 'so noble of you Lucas really...'
Nathan looked at Lucas sharply, 'you're not doing that.' He muttered seriously.
Harry turned back to Nathan, 'do you want your girlfriend back Nathan?'
Nathan glanced at Haley, her eyes were wide, tearful, her cheeks flushed, her skin white.
'Of course I do.'
'Then I have a little game for you.'
Nathan's eyes narrowed suspisciously, 'what kind of game?' He asked dreading the answer.
Harry loosened his hold a little on Haley and lowered the gun slightly so he could reach into his pocket. He pulled out a glittering penknife.
He raised it to Haley's throat, Haley gave a strangled cry.
Nathan felt sick.
'So the game is called Russian roulette, I have one bullet in this gun Nathan, one bullet, I want to play a little roulette with you, for your girlfriend's life.'
Nathan's jaw tightened, it was the only sign he showed of having heard Harry's comment.
Lucas shook his head, and edged a little closer to his brother, 'don't do that Nathan.'
Nathan had no choice, he would do anything for Haley, and if that meant dying to keep her safe, then he would gladly do it.
He took the gun from Harry's outstretched hand.
'Don't think about it.' He thought to himself, 'don't think about it, just do it.'
He placed the gun in his mouth.
Peyton couldn't watch, she turned her head into Brooke's shoulder, Brooke sobbed frantically. Lucas silently shook his head, willing Nathan not to do this. Haley squeezed her eyes shut.
Nathan pulled the trigger.
'Damn it!' Dan cursed loudly.
'What?' Keith asked as Dan stopped still.
'The torch battery's going.'
Keith took the torch and smacked it against his hand hard.
It blinked out.
Dan shook his head, 'well done Keith, that was brilliant!'
Keith was angry with Dan and himself, 'shut up Danny'.
'No, now we can't even see where we're going, this is just friggin great!'
Deb was about to tell Dan to shut up when the sound of voices reached them.
They all turned to one another, hardly daring to hope.
'SHHHH!' Keith whispered, raising a finger to his lips and motioning them to follow him. Deb and Karen bent low and crept after him.
Dan did not.
He walked straight passed them all bold as brass onto the clearing before them.
'DAN!' Keith hissed, furious.
He, Karen and Deb stood, their cover was well and truly blown now. They quickly followed him into the clearing.
The first thing Deb noticed was the man with his arm around Haley's neck, the second thing she noticed was her son holding a gun in his mouth, and then she saw him pull the trigger.
'NATHAAAAAAAAAAAAN!' Deb shrieked tearing forward across the clearing.
Harry jumped and spun around, shocked to see a blond woman run towards him, ahh he recognised her now, Deb Scott, the years had been good to her, she was still beautiful.
Nathan almost pulled the trigger a second time when he heard his mother shriek, he was so surprised. There had been no bullet. He paused taking deep breaths, heart pounding, phew he was still alive, for a moment there..
'Stay back!' Harry screamed at the four adults running towards him, they all froze. Harry's eyes fell on the figure on the far left, there he was the guy who'd ruined his life, the guy who'd destroyed his dreams.
Dan Scott.
He pushed Haley back towards Nathan and yanked the gun from his hand in one swift movement.
Haley almost collapsed shakily into Nathan's arms. He pressed her tightly against his chest, kissing her hair gently, thanking god that she was ok, and in his arms.
She snuggled into him, letting his strong arms cling to her, feeling his heart pounding within his chest and she knew she was safe.
Deb, Karen, Keith and Dan stood a few metres away afraid to get to close, afraid for their kids' lives.
Deb stared at Nathan, her heart slowly calming down some, a moment ago she thought he was going to die, that gun in his mouth, she shuddered horrified at what could have happened, she had to keep looking at him to know he was ok. Nathan looked up at her and they shared a look.
Karen stared at Lucas, he looked back at her, eyes wide, frantic. Karen wanted nothing more than to run to her son and hold him, but not while this maniac stood a few metres away wielding a gun.
Keith stared at the guy holding the gun, he wasn't that big, maybe he and Dan could overpower him. But still, Keith knew he couldn't risk the kids' lives. No he'd have to wait patiently and bide his time.
Dan stepped forward, eyeing the gun uneasily, this was one trip down memory lane he was not looking forward to.
'Harry, why don't you put the gun down?'
Harry eyed him, eyes staring wildly, 'Dan Scott...I have waited so long for this..so long to hurt you the way you hurt me.'
'It's in the past Harry, why don't you just leave it there?'
'That 'past' as you so simply sum it up Dan, has dictated the rest of my horrendous life. After I couldn't play anymore, that was it, I had no prospects, I wasn't an academic so I had nothing, then after that auditorium incident, I was jailed for 17 years dan, do you think that's fair?'
'Well yes, you threatened an auditorium full of innocent people at gun- point.' Dan replied smugly.
Harry shook his head furious at Dan's flippant attitude, 'well I didn't think it was fair, and now you're going to see something else unfair.'
He spun madly to face Nathan, 'you...come here now!' he shouted. 'And you.' He told Lucas, 'or your girlfriends die, a nice bloody death, right here, right now.'
Nathan and Lucas exchanged dread-filled glances.
Peyton gasped, 'lucas..no!'
Haley gripped onto Nathan's arm, 'no, Hales let go.' He told her.
He and Lucas walked up to Harry.
Harry stood them both in front of him.
Deb and Karen both tried to move towards their sons, Keith grabbed each woman by the arm.
Dan stared, nervous now, 'let them go Harry.'
He smirked, 'hmmmm...let me see..no.'
Dan took a step forward.
'I wouldn't move if I were you Dan, now here's what I want you to do, as me and Nathan were discussing before, I have only one bullet in this gun, so as you can see I have a dilemma, do I kill your eldest son?' He asked swinging the gun towards Lucas, 'or your youngest one?' He spun the gun back to Nathan.
His eyes met Dan's then, 'your choice Danny', he snarled menacingly, 'which of your boys am I going to have the pleasure of killing?'
Dan swallowed hard, eyeing Nathan then Lucas, what the hell was he going to do?
So..next time,
Haley and Peyton fear for their boyfriends lives!
A choice is made!
Someone is shot!