A/n: Wow, it's been a long time, hasn't it? I didn't mean for it to take this long, I really didn't. But as some of you know I've been a bit busy with my awards site ) and a few other stories that, sadly enough, take priority over this one. But, I'm astounded at the feedback that this got for the first chapter! Thank you all so much for reading! I hope this chapter is satisfactory enough. It was very hard to write, lol.
Dedication: To Rock who has had a difficult week (I hope it gets better from here on out!) and to the Goddess because she's leaving us for a few weeks and we're all just going to die without her around! Love you two!
Disclaimer: I own Theron Jackson and the police and this plot...S.E. Hinton owns the boys that I would die to own.
Enjoy!
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Chapter Two
(Soda's POV)
"Now," the man whispered, "you're gonna be a couple of good boys for me, you've got that? Ain't no one gonna get hurt as long as y'all do as asked. Understood?" We nodded, not too keen on the idea of our heads possibly being blown apart, but angry at the fact that he called us 'boys.' I don't think HE understood whom he was dealing with. "Good." He grinned and turned back to the door and tried to listen. The police had arrived.
Steve was breathing deeply and glaring daggers at the back of his head. He started to sit up straighter, and not sure what he was doing, I flung an arm out to stop him from going any further. I hissed his name, trying to warn him against doing anything stupid, but he only silenced me with a look and I knew then that he wouldn't do anything unless he was one hundred percent sure of what he was doing. That satisfied me, yet at the same time didn't give full comfort. But what could I do, right?
"Hey! You!" The guy pointed to me. I looked from him to Steve startled. "Yeah, you. You called those sons of bitches. Get over here!" he snapped.
Jumping to my feet, I inched my way to him. Sirens were wailing loudly now. Even through the thick walls it was sickening pitch - but, a welcome one at that. The man grabbed my collar and yanked me to him. He smelled faintly of alcohol, like he had worn the same outfit three days earlier and had forgotten to wash it after being doused in beer. Oh well, better stale alcohol than fresh BO like some of the customers that came in.
"You hear that?" He shook me by the shirt, indicating the hustle and bustle of cops in the other room. "You hear that? ... Not feeling so brave, now are you?"
Actually, it didn't faze me much. I still felt the same as before - scared and defenseless. But the cops being there was a bit of comfort, considering it was their job to get us out a live. So, I assumed he was just expressing his own feelings and went along with it. "Um... no..."
"Hey!" He shook me again and I stopped. "Don't use that tone with me." I completely silenced myself at that and looked at Steve out of the corner of my eyes.
"Look, man," Steve found bravery and stupidity at the same time, "you asked him a question and he answered. Don't give him that."
My eyes went wide again and I tried to shut him up, but he's Steve and there's little you can do about that. But, the guy sure thought that he could, and he clamped a strong, sweaty hand over my mouth, hearing the cops coming and stake out the place. He held the gun towards Steve.
"Remember our deal, son." He cocked the gun as a warning. He started to whisper again. "Not a sound out of you. Got it?"
Steve sat there with an expressionless look.
The man nodded and turned his attention back to what was going on outside.
I wished he would uncover my mouth. I didn't know I'd have difficulties breathing, but apparently I had a cold coming on and it was hard to breathe through my nose. Not only that, but it was just hard to breathe through your nose when you know you could be using your mouth and take a couple of deep breaths. It was a mental game, and I knew it. But even though I wasn't willing to go down easily, there wasn't anything I could do about a cold.
I wished there was a window or some sort of vent in this room. A window, because I'd like to see what was going on outside and a vent because it was stifling and with three people in a small room - it would get ugly and fast. Not to mention the fact that I couldn't breathe worth anything. Maybe circulating air would help.
You know, starting the second after I pressed the silent alarm, I regretted having ever done it. Of course I would've been fired if I didn't, regardless of whether or not the guy got away with it -- but I'd take that over possibly coming out of this office in a body bag. Part of me was glad that this psychotic mental case was surrounded by police. It gave Steve and me the upper hand in coming out on top. But the logical part of me was screaming inside my head because he had a gun and didn't seem to have any fears of using it.
I didn't have the faintest clue how long it would take the police to figure out that we were in here, but I was hoping they had someone with them who knew what they were doing. Most of the Goddamn police I've interacted with couldn't negotiate to save their lives. All they could do was sound powerful and intimidating. But if you threw something in their faces that threatened their complex in anyway, they crumbled like a cheesecake and threw handcuffs on you. Yeah, that was part of their job, but shouldn't it be part of their job to know how to deal with all types of people? I have no anger towards policeman, but someone out there sure as hell better not fit the mold.
It was getting to the point where I couldn't breathe anymore. I reached up and yanked at the man's hand to let go, but he only grabbed on tighter.
"Don't push it, kid," he whispered and shook me. "You're mine now, and you'll do what I want you to and you won't do what I tell you to not. Don't you dare..."
My chest heaved and I started to hyperventilate a bit. He didn't seem to notice or care, but continued to listen intently to the cops out there. I didn't give a damn what he had to say or what he'd do. I needed to breathe! So I grabbed his hand with both of mine and yanked as hard as I could, again. I got his hand away for a second, but not long enough to take a sufficient breath before he clamped my jaw shut and pointed the gun at my temple.
"Damn you!" he growled. "You move one more time, and I'll blow a hole right through your head. And don't think I won't! I ain't got nothing to lose, man. NOTHING!" he hissed. My lungs clenched in my chest.
"Fuck you!" Steve yelled and made to lunge at him. He was pissed. If it was possible, he was even more so than before.
The guy pointed the gun back at him and shook his head in a jeering way, as if egging him on. He was waiting for Steve to do something incredibly stupid. And if I knew Steve, he'd do it too, just because he was that mad. I still couldn't breathe and Steve could tell and he aimed to do something about it.
Ignoring the gun, he went in for the kill and punched the guy in the jaw. He grabbed the long hair on his head and started to thrust it backwards, not being all too careful of the fact that he was kneeing me in the stomach again. Instead of catching the felon off guard, he must've provoked him even more, because the gun shot a bullet right at Steve. It lodged itself into his leg, luckily, instead of anywhere else. He cried out along with a nice string of curse words, and fell back.
If the police hadn't figure it out yet, they would now.
The man - damn, I wished I knew his name - threw Steve back and stood up, dragging me up with him. I couldn't stand up straight, but he was too tall for me to kneel, so I was slumped in a odd way that I knew would get tiring before long. He backed up against the wall and kicked Steve into the corner, aiming the gun at him still.
Steve's blue jumper was rapidly turning reddish and a odd copper color. There was a perfectly round hole in his thigh and it was bleeding profusely even in just the few seconds since it happened. His hands were wrapped around it tightly, causing the blood to thicken around his fingers. His face was contorted in pure pain, red and scrunched. He didn't look close to crying, but like he was doing his best to not yell out. He took a quick, sharp breath and let it out fast, than went back to holding his breath. He hunched over his leg and sat like that for a while.
"Jackson!" a cop yelled. "Jackson, we know you're in there! Now come out with your weapons down and your hands up!"
The man, now dubbed 'Jackson', shook me roughly, and growled through his teeth, "You're in for it now, kid." I seriously think he meant it too.
"Theron Jackson, we've got your car seized outside," he barked, but sounded like he was trying to keep his cool. That was his way of letting Jackson know that he knew exactly who was in there. It was a nice try, but I'm not so sure it was going to work. Apparently they didn't know who they were messing with. This guy was insane. "We know you've got them boys in there. Let them out, all right?"
Jackson refused to answer. I couldn't, or I would've, and Steve was in no position to risk his ass anymore than he already had. He was breathing rapidly and sharply against the pain, but he wouldn't move now. I doubted he'd do anything again to try and help. If he wasn't freaked out enough from a gunshot wound, I don't know what could possibly get to him. You couldn't blame him at all, but I would kill him if he tried anything else. That is if Jackson didn't kill him first.
My throat kept catching itself and I could feel the oxygen slowly leaving my brain. I wasn't quite spacey yet, but I was going in that direction. There was no way around it. My lungs were still racking themselves, and it was getting worse, knowing that there wasn't anything I could do about it. I felt like a rag doll about to have a seizure, but not really ever getting that far.
"JACKSON!" another cop yelled fiercely. "Leave those boys, put your weapons down, and come out with your hands up!" He was angry and impatient. I could only begin to imagine what else Jackson might be in for. It wouldn't surprise me if he was a wanted felon. No, I would be surprised if he wasn't.
"That's what they want," Jackson whispered in my ear. "They think I'm just gonna go out there? Hell no. No fuckin' way, man. No. Fuckin'. Way."
I closed my eyes and tried to block out his voice. God I was really starting to hate him.
It was around then that Steve found his voice again. "Let him go," he gritted through the pain. "Just let him sit down!"
Jackson kicked him again, in his injured leg this time, and Steve yelped. Damn, I really wished there was something I could've done about it. But I honestly couldn't move. If I could ever find my feet and catch my breath, I would beat the shit out of him for doing that to Steve. No one touched by best friend. And especially not this bastard. Hell, I would sink as low as to bite his hand if he didn't have my jaw pressed together with incredible pressure.
"All right," yet another officer spoke up, "don't do anything irrational. Okay, Theron? We've got someone coming into to talk to you. Just wait this out, all right?"
Jackson didn't answer, but he definitely stiffened and held to me tighter.
"Boys?" the cop asked, and not waiting for an answer continued, "Don't move. Stay where you are. Are you all right in there?"
Jackson suddenly spoke up. "I've got a gun, and I've already used it." He spelled out for them. "I'll use it again."
There was a moment of silence when none of the cops knew what to say or do. Now they had an even stickier situation in front of them. Jackson just admitted to shooting one of us and had every intention to shoot again. By the sound of it, he was very willing to shoot me as well and that didn't help at all. Panicking requires breathing... panicked breathing requires the use of your nose AND mouth... the use of your mouth requires being able to open it. God this was only going downhill.
One of them finally spoke up. "Is there something you wanted?"
Jackson had no intention of answering him right then. Instead he turned to Steve and started to order him around.
"You!" he barked, but Steve ignored him not knowing he was being talked to. "Hey!" Steve looked up confused. "Get that." He pointed to a bungey cord hanging on the wall.
"What?"
"Get that!" he repeated. "I want you to tie around his wrists."
That was NOT funny. What the hell did he need to tie my wrists for? I wasn't giving him any trouble. It was taking everything I had to not kick him in the balls or elbow him in the ribs or even simply grabbing that gun from him. I was using all the self-control I had, but I was running out. If he tied my wrists together... I'd lose it. I already felt out of control and helpless since I was having trouble breathing, but to be completely out of control.... Is that not some form of claustrophobia? Because if it was, I had it.
"No..." he shook his head. His tone and attitude completely changed once he got shot. He was acting a lot calmer, although he was still stubborn. "Fuck you." He went back to focusing on putting pressure on his leg. "Gawd..."
"Jackson," a cop crooned. It sounded like the negotiator had gotten made his way in. Thanks the Lord! "Listen to me. We're willing to give you whatever it is that you want, all right? Just don't hurt those boys anymore."
Jackson cocked the gun again, scaring the shit out of me. He couldn't be serious... "I said get that cord and tie it around his wrists!" He bit each word as it came out.
Steve looked back up and realized that Jackson wasn't kidding. He glared at him, still confused, and didn't move. "Why?" He was back to pushing his every buttons. I could've killed him.
Jackson's face went red and he pressed the gun back against my head. "Because, I'll cover this room with his brain if you don't," he said smugly.
My eyes shot wide open and I looked at Steve, pleading for him to do with the man said. I'd take my fear of being bound to dying. I couldn't take this and I started to squirm. Jackson grabbed me more firmly, refusing to let me budge anymore.
"Okay," Steve agreed quickly. "Okay!"
He began to drag himself to the wall, his leg limp and bleeding all over the place. There was no way that he could be losing that much blood from one shot wound, was there? Not this fast at least. It didn't make sense to me. I could see the near-tears pain in his eyes, but being a grease he wouldn't ever go that far. The real trick for him was when he had to stand up and take the cord off the hook.
"Goddamn it," he wheezed and held his breath while he reached up and ripped it down, the hook flying off with it. He chucked the rope at Jackson and sunk back down on the ground, catching his breath and going back to clutching his leg.
"Theron Jackson?" the negotiator tried again. "There was some marijuana found in the truck of your car. Would you like to keep that as part of this deal?"
He must've thought that Jackson was an idiot, but if he knew what he was doing... I wouldn't question it anymore. He was a paid professional. He probably had done his homework on this freak, or at least knew what would get him to surrender. This bastard couldn't be a one-time criminal. He had to have some sort of record to him. I'm sure the fuzz knew exactly what was up with this guy.
"Oh no..." Jackson smiled at Steve. "Get your ass over here and TIE it around his wrists!" he said for the third time.
The only reason Steve did it was to save me, and I knew that. He would've rather had Jackson shoot him again than to bind my hands behind my back, but there were certain things we were going to have to give up for this.
"I'm sorry, Soda," he whispered. I couldn't nod and I couldn't speak so I hope the look I sent him was enough for him to know that I knew and was in fact grateful that he wasn't being stubborn about this.
By this time my chest wasn't rising and falling like I was drowning, but I had actually gone quite limp and relaxed. It wasn't because I was used to it, but because I think I was losing enough oxygen that I couldn't think straight or have much control over my actions anymore. It wasn't possible to suffocate when you could still breathe even a little, right? I couldn't die because of this?
"Jackson," the negotiator broke in, "WHAT do you want?"
"I want nothing!" Jackson yelled. He found the office chair and suddenly decided to sit down, causing me to crash to the floor on my knees, my back bent over his legs so he was still holding me to him. "I fuckin' want NOTHING!"
"There has to be something..." the cop tried.
"Not one fuckin' thing." He polished his gun on this pant leg, showing both Steve and I that he was completely serious. He wasn't even nervous about this anymore. Part of me wanted to believe that he wasn't doing this on purpose and wasn't enjoying it. Why did I want to believe this? Because then I would know he wasn't just playing with our minds for the sake of doing it. But I knew better than that.
"Then why are you doing this?"
Jackson grinned to himself and chuckled a little. "To teach these boys a lesson they'll never forget."
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A/n: Dun... Dun...Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh! Until next time...Thanks! And review!
Review Responses:
Tensleep: Well, babe, you know... a secret between the two of us... and anyone else who reads this... I don't think silent alarms existed either. But it works, right? I mean, I hope it does. And if it doesn't – it's my story and it's fanfiction. What are people gonna do, right? Haha, I enjoyed that review, even if it was only fifteen seconds long. Next time I'll give you free reign of how long you want to make them, all right? So, go for the record and send me something lengthy like you used to...hehe. Remember those days? Ahhh, I do miss them ;) Lol, later babe.
Ponyboyluver: I'm glad you like it! I hope that this chapter was good enough for you. Thanks!
Tessie: Wow! I'm glad you like the idea of Steve being a main character. I do too. I agree that it doesn't happen as often as it should. I don't know if you've checked out Alli's story Behind Blue Eyes, but it's ALL about Steve. You might like that if you haven't read it yet. Thanks again.
TeacherTam: So, are you a real teacher? Like of English or something? Haha, no worries, you don't have to tell your age here. Although the description gives me an idea of how old you are NOT. Lol. Thanks for the comments. I greatly appreciate them. Thanks.
Fyre: I totally agree with you. I'm glad you seem to think it works. I do too. I was worried about going overboard, but most people think it's all right. So, I'll go with that, lol. Thanks.
Sodapop02: HAHA. Suspense is right. Yeah, I won't even tell most of the people who I talk to on a regular basis of what is going on. They get to wait and find out like everyone else. But, most of that is just payback of how little THEY tell me, lol. Anyway, thanks.
Oblivious Misconception: Wow. For a while I couldn't tell if your review was a flame or a review or what, but then I started to realize, "This is Oblivious (that's what we call you, lol)... I've never known Oblivious to say something mean." So, yeah. Well, everyone interprets Steve differently, don't they? I think you might have missed a few cues in the first chapter. He wasn't being his normal self. He wasn't in a very good mood. And now he's REALLY not in a good mood. And can you blame him? As for someone coming to the rescue...well... I dunno. You'll just have to wait and see. Thanks.
Rock: Just Rock huh? No other adjectives or anything? Okay. I can deal with that. But just this once. Yeah, I thought that you might like the Steve deal. And I do too. Isn't amazing how things come about and you don't even plan them? Like this story for example... Well, we'll all just have to wait and see what happens, won't we? Now, I'm hoping to have this up before you come back because I'm so bored I NEED something to do, but writing hasn't been going too grand for me. I don't know why. I've discovered, I think, that I don't write well when I'm bored. I can only write when I'm busy, or so it seems. Isn't that weird? Lol. Anyway, see you soon babe. Thanks.
Goddess of Silent Tears: Hey babe! (Like the use of the word? Haha) I'm glad you liked this! I think this is the first fanfiction of mine you've ever read... wait... no, I'm wrong. Sorry, you've read DYB? And I couldn't be any more thrilled. Yeah, that's what I needed the lyrics to. I thought I knew them for sure, but man, was I wrong! Who knew that Elvis could sound so different from what he's actually saying? That nut of a genius...shakes head. Lol, thanks babe.
happy-me-111: You've added me to your favorites? And after only one chapter? Wow! I feel so honored! I really do! :D I'm glad you like this even though you don't like Steve. He can be a difficult character to like, but it's not so hard to love him once you do. He's a good guy – he just might not always show it. Thanks.
Sully: LOL! Thanks. Those three words cracked me up more than you can believe. I loved that review. Thanks.
MananaMallard: Wow, not only do I get a review from you, but I get it times three! Haha. That was funny. I liked that. It makes me look like I have more than I really do ;) You did the review thing beautifully. I hope you've come back for the rest of this. Thanks.
GageLuisSodabemine: I'm really glad you liked this. I mean... REALLY glad. Shoot, we're so glad you added us to your favorites list! That is something I can definitely deal with. I mean, wow. That makes us feel really good, you have no idea. Thanks.
DaNNi BaBezZz: I'm glad you liked it that much! I haven't seen you around any of my stories for a while. I thought you completely disappeared. Thanks for reading this. It means a lot to me. I mean, every single person who puts in their input are truly good people. Lol. That sounded dumb, but I don't care. Thanks.
Stephanie: Yeah, I thought you'd like it from Steve's POV. He's a great character, isn't he? Alli is more into him than I am, but I love that guy to death and beyond. He definitely deserves more appreciation and credit than he gets, don't you agree? Thanks for reading!
Fyremoon: Hi back.
A/n: Now review! Thank you for reading!
Dedication: To Rock who has had a difficult week (I hope it gets better from here on out!) and to the Goddess because she's leaving us for a few weeks and we're all just going to die without her around! Love you two!
Disclaimer: I own Theron Jackson and the police and this plot...S.E. Hinton owns the boys that I would die to own.
Enjoy!
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Chapter Two
(Soda's POV)
"Now," the man whispered, "you're gonna be a couple of good boys for me, you've got that? Ain't no one gonna get hurt as long as y'all do as asked. Understood?" We nodded, not too keen on the idea of our heads possibly being blown apart, but angry at the fact that he called us 'boys.' I don't think HE understood whom he was dealing with. "Good." He grinned and turned back to the door and tried to listen. The police had arrived.
Steve was breathing deeply and glaring daggers at the back of his head. He started to sit up straighter, and not sure what he was doing, I flung an arm out to stop him from going any further. I hissed his name, trying to warn him against doing anything stupid, but he only silenced me with a look and I knew then that he wouldn't do anything unless he was one hundred percent sure of what he was doing. That satisfied me, yet at the same time didn't give full comfort. But what could I do, right?
"Hey! You!" The guy pointed to me. I looked from him to Steve startled. "Yeah, you. You called those sons of bitches. Get over here!" he snapped.
Jumping to my feet, I inched my way to him. Sirens were wailing loudly now. Even through the thick walls it was sickening pitch - but, a welcome one at that. The man grabbed my collar and yanked me to him. He smelled faintly of alcohol, like he had worn the same outfit three days earlier and had forgotten to wash it after being doused in beer. Oh well, better stale alcohol than fresh BO like some of the customers that came in.
"You hear that?" He shook me by the shirt, indicating the hustle and bustle of cops in the other room. "You hear that? ... Not feeling so brave, now are you?"
Actually, it didn't faze me much. I still felt the same as before - scared and defenseless. But the cops being there was a bit of comfort, considering it was their job to get us out a live. So, I assumed he was just expressing his own feelings and went along with it. "Um... no..."
"Hey!" He shook me again and I stopped. "Don't use that tone with me." I completely silenced myself at that and looked at Steve out of the corner of my eyes.
"Look, man," Steve found bravery and stupidity at the same time, "you asked him a question and he answered. Don't give him that."
My eyes went wide again and I tried to shut him up, but he's Steve and there's little you can do about that. But, the guy sure thought that he could, and he clamped a strong, sweaty hand over my mouth, hearing the cops coming and stake out the place. He held the gun towards Steve.
"Remember our deal, son." He cocked the gun as a warning. He started to whisper again. "Not a sound out of you. Got it?"
Steve sat there with an expressionless look.
The man nodded and turned his attention back to what was going on outside.
I wished he would uncover my mouth. I didn't know I'd have difficulties breathing, but apparently I had a cold coming on and it was hard to breathe through my nose. Not only that, but it was just hard to breathe through your nose when you know you could be using your mouth and take a couple of deep breaths. It was a mental game, and I knew it. But even though I wasn't willing to go down easily, there wasn't anything I could do about a cold.
I wished there was a window or some sort of vent in this room. A window, because I'd like to see what was going on outside and a vent because it was stifling and with three people in a small room - it would get ugly and fast. Not to mention the fact that I couldn't breathe worth anything. Maybe circulating air would help.
You know, starting the second after I pressed the silent alarm, I regretted having ever done it. Of course I would've been fired if I didn't, regardless of whether or not the guy got away with it -- but I'd take that over possibly coming out of this office in a body bag. Part of me was glad that this psychotic mental case was surrounded by police. It gave Steve and me the upper hand in coming out on top. But the logical part of me was screaming inside my head because he had a gun and didn't seem to have any fears of using it.
I didn't have the faintest clue how long it would take the police to figure out that we were in here, but I was hoping they had someone with them who knew what they were doing. Most of the Goddamn police I've interacted with couldn't negotiate to save their lives. All they could do was sound powerful and intimidating. But if you threw something in their faces that threatened their complex in anyway, they crumbled like a cheesecake and threw handcuffs on you. Yeah, that was part of their job, but shouldn't it be part of their job to know how to deal with all types of people? I have no anger towards policeman, but someone out there sure as hell better not fit the mold.
It was getting to the point where I couldn't breathe anymore. I reached up and yanked at the man's hand to let go, but he only grabbed on tighter.
"Don't push it, kid," he whispered and shook me. "You're mine now, and you'll do what I want you to and you won't do what I tell you to not. Don't you dare..."
My chest heaved and I started to hyperventilate a bit. He didn't seem to notice or care, but continued to listen intently to the cops out there. I didn't give a damn what he had to say or what he'd do. I needed to breathe! So I grabbed his hand with both of mine and yanked as hard as I could, again. I got his hand away for a second, but not long enough to take a sufficient breath before he clamped my jaw shut and pointed the gun at my temple.
"Damn you!" he growled. "You move one more time, and I'll blow a hole right through your head. And don't think I won't! I ain't got nothing to lose, man. NOTHING!" he hissed. My lungs clenched in my chest.
"Fuck you!" Steve yelled and made to lunge at him. He was pissed. If it was possible, he was even more so than before.
The guy pointed the gun back at him and shook his head in a jeering way, as if egging him on. He was waiting for Steve to do something incredibly stupid. And if I knew Steve, he'd do it too, just because he was that mad. I still couldn't breathe and Steve could tell and he aimed to do something about it.
Ignoring the gun, he went in for the kill and punched the guy in the jaw. He grabbed the long hair on his head and started to thrust it backwards, not being all too careful of the fact that he was kneeing me in the stomach again. Instead of catching the felon off guard, he must've provoked him even more, because the gun shot a bullet right at Steve. It lodged itself into his leg, luckily, instead of anywhere else. He cried out along with a nice string of curse words, and fell back.
If the police hadn't figure it out yet, they would now.
The man - damn, I wished I knew his name - threw Steve back and stood up, dragging me up with him. I couldn't stand up straight, but he was too tall for me to kneel, so I was slumped in a odd way that I knew would get tiring before long. He backed up against the wall and kicked Steve into the corner, aiming the gun at him still.
Steve's blue jumper was rapidly turning reddish and a odd copper color. There was a perfectly round hole in his thigh and it was bleeding profusely even in just the few seconds since it happened. His hands were wrapped around it tightly, causing the blood to thicken around his fingers. His face was contorted in pure pain, red and scrunched. He didn't look close to crying, but like he was doing his best to not yell out. He took a quick, sharp breath and let it out fast, than went back to holding his breath. He hunched over his leg and sat like that for a while.
"Jackson!" a cop yelled. "Jackson, we know you're in there! Now come out with your weapons down and your hands up!"
The man, now dubbed 'Jackson', shook me roughly, and growled through his teeth, "You're in for it now, kid." I seriously think he meant it too.
"Theron Jackson, we've got your car seized outside," he barked, but sounded like he was trying to keep his cool. That was his way of letting Jackson know that he knew exactly who was in there. It was a nice try, but I'm not so sure it was going to work. Apparently they didn't know who they were messing with. This guy was insane. "We know you've got them boys in there. Let them out, all right?"
Jackson refused to answer. I couldn't, or I would've, and Steve was in no position to risk his ass anymore than he already had. He was breathing rapidly and sharply against the pain, but he wouldn't move now. I doubted he'd do anything again to try and help. If he wasn't freaked out enough from a gunshot wound, I don't know what could possibly get to him. You couldn't blame him at all, but I would kill him if he tried anything else. That is if Jackson didn't kill him first.
My throat kept catching itself and I could feel the oxygen slowly leaving my brain. I wasn't quite spacey yet, but I was going in that direction. There was no way around it. My lungs were still racking themselves, and it was getting worse, knowing that there wasn't anything I could do about it. I felt like a rag doll about to have a seizure, but not really ever getting that far.
"JACKSON!" another cop yelled fiercely. "Leave those boys, put your weapons down, and come out with your hands up!" He was angry and impatient. I could only begin to imagine what else Jackson might be in for. It wouldn't surprise me if he was a wanted felon. No, I would be surprised if he wasn't.
"That's what they want," Jackson whispered in my ear. "They think I'm just gonna go out there? Hell no. No fuckin' way, man. No. Fuckin'. Way."
I closed my eyes and tried to block out his voice. God I was really starting to hate him.
It was around then that Steve found his voice again. "Let him go," he gritted through the pain. "Just let him sit down!"
Jackson kicked him again, in his injured leg this time, and Steve yelped. Damn, I really wished there was something I could've done about it. But I honestly couldn't move. If I could ever find my feet and catch my breath, I would beat the shit out of him for doing that to Steve. No one touched by best friend. And especially not this bastard. Hell, I would sink as low as to bite his hand if he didn't have my jaw pressed together with incredible pressure.
"All right," yet another officer spoke up, "don't do anything irrational. Okay, Theron? We've got someone coming into to talk to you. Just wait this out, all right?"
Jackson didn't answer, but he definitely stiffened and held to me tighter.
"Boys?" the cop asked, and not waiting for an answer continued, "Don't move. Stay where you are. Are you all right in there?"
Jackson suddenly spoke up. "I've got a gun, and I've already used it." He spelled out for them. "I'll use it again."
There was a moment of silence when none of the cops knew what to say or do. Now they had an even stickier situation in front of them. Jackson just admitted to shooting one of us and had every intention to shoot again. By the sound of it, he was very willing to shoot me as well and that didn't help at all. Panicking requires breathing... panicked breathing requires the use of your nose AND mouth... the use of your mouth requires being able to open it. God this was only going downhill.
One of them finally spoke up. "Is there something you wanted?"
Jackson had no intention of answering him right then. Instead he turned to Steve and started to order him around.
"You!" he barked, but Steve ignored him not knowing he was being talked to. "Hey!" Steve looked up confused. "Get that." He pointed to a bungey cord hanging on the wall.
"What?"
"Get that!" he repeated. "I want you to tie around his wrists."
That was NOT funny. What the hell did he need to tie my wrists for? I wasn't giving him any trouble. It was taking everything I had to not kick him in the balls or elbow him in the ribs or even simply grabbing that gun from him. I was using all the self-control I had, but I was running out. If he tied my wrists together... I'd lose it. I already felt out of control and helpless since I was having trouble breathing, but to be completely out of control.... Is that not some form of claustrophobia? Because if it was, I had it.
"No..." he shook his head. His tone and attitude completely changed once he got shot. He was acting a lot calmer, although he was still stubborn. "Fuck you." He went back to focusing on putting pressure on his leg. "Gawd..."
"Jackson," a cop crooned. It sounded like the negotiator had gotten made his way in. Thanks the Lord! "Listen to me. We're willing to give you whatever it is that you want, all right? Just don't hurt those boys anymore."
Jackson cocked the gun again, scaring the shit out of me. He couldn't be serious... "I said get that cord and tie it around his wrists!" He bit each word as it came out.
Steve looked back up and realized that Jackson wasn't kidding. He glared at him, still confused, and didn't move. "Why?" He was back to pushing his every buttons. I could've killed him.
Jackson's face went red and he pressed the gun back against my head. "Because, I'll cover this room with his brain if you don't," he said smugly.
My eyes shot wide open and I looked at Steve, pleading for him to do with the man said. I'd take my fear of being bound to dying. I couldn't take this and I started to squirm. Jackson grabbed me more firmly, refusing to let me budge anymore.
"Okay," Steve agreed quickly. "Okay!"
He began to drag himself to the wall, his leg limp and bleeding all over the place. There was no way that he could be losing that much blood from one shot wound, was there? Not this fast at least. It didn't make sense to me. I could see the near-tears pain in his eyes, but being a grease he wouldn't ever go that far. The real trick for him was when he had to stand up and take the cord off the hook.
"Goddamn it," he wheezed and held his breath while he reached up and ripped it down, the hook flying off with it. He chucked the rope at Jackson and sunk back down on the ground, catching his breath and going back to clutching his leg.
"Theron Jackson?" the negotiator tried again. "There was some marijuana found in the truck of your car. Would you like to keep that as part of this deal?"
He must've thought that Jackson was an idiot, but if he knew what he was doing... I wouldn't question it anymore. He was a paid professional. He probably had done his homework on this freak, or at least knew what would get him to surrender. This bastard couldn't be a one-time criminal. He had to have some sort of record to him. I'm sure the fuzz knew exactly what was up with this guy.
"Oh no..." Jackson smiled at Steve. "Get your ass over here and TIE it around his wrists!" he said for the third time.
The only reason Steve did it was to save me, and I knew that. He would've rather had Jackson shoot him again than to bind my hands behind my back, but there were certain things we were going to have to give up for this.
"I'm sorry, Soda," he whispered. I couldn't nod and I couldn't speak so I hope the look I sent him was enough for him to know that I knew and was in fact grateful that he wasn't being stubborn about this.
By this time my chest wasn't rising and falling like I was drowning, but I had actually gone quite limp and relaxed. It wasn't because I was used to it, but because I think I was losing enough oxygen that I couldn't think straight or have much control over my actions anymore. It wasn't possible to suffocate when you could still breathe even a little, right? I couldn't die because of this?
"Jackson," the negotiator broke in, "WHAT do you want?"
"I want nothing!" Jackson yelled. He found the office chair and suddenly decided to sit down, causing me to crash to the floor on my knees, my back bent over his legs so he was still holding me to him. "I fuckin' want NOTHING!"
"There has to be something..." the cop tried.
"Not one fuckin' thing." He polished his gun on this pant leg, showing both Steve and I that he was completely serious. He wasn't even nervous about this anymore. Part of me wanted to believe that he wasn't doing this on purpose and wasn't enjoying it. Why did I want to believe this? Because then I would know he wasn't just playing with our minds for the sake of doing it. But I knew better than that.
"Then why are you doing this?"
Jackson grinned to himself and chuckled a little. "To teach these boys a lesson they'll never forget."
---
A/n: Dun... Dun...Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh! Until next time...Thanks! And review!
Review Responses:
Tensleep: Well, babe, you know... a secret between the two of us... and anyone else who reads this... I don't think silent alarms existed either. But it works, right? I mean, I hope it does. And if it doesn't – it's my story and it's fanfiction. What are people gonna do, right? Haha, I enjoyed that review, even if it was only fifteen seconds long. Next time I'll give you free reign of how long you want to make them, all right? So, go for the record and send me something lengthy like you used to...hehe. Remember those days? Ahhh, I do miss them ;) Lol, later babe.
Ponyboyluver: I'm glad you like it! I hope that this chapter was good enough for you. Thanks!
Tessie: Wow! I'm glad you like the idea of Steve being a main character. I do too. I agree that it doesn't happen as often as it should. I don't know if you've checked out Alli's story Behind Blue Eyes, but it's ALL about Steve. You might like that if you haven't read it yet. Thanks again.
TeacherTam: So, are you a real teacher? Like of English or something? Haha, no worries, you don't have to tell your age here. Although the description gives me an idea of how old you are NOT. Lol. Thanks for the comments. I greatly appreciate them. Thanks.
Fyre: I totally agree with you. I'm glad you seem to think it works. I do too. I was worried about going overboard, but most people think it's all right. So, I'll go with that, lol. Thanks.
Sodapop02: HAHA. Suspense is right. Yeah, I won't even tell most of the people who I talk to on a regular basis of what is going on. They get to wait and find out like everyone else. But, most of that is just payback of how little THEY tell me, lol. Anyway, thanks.
Oblivious Misconception: Wow. For a while I couldn't tell if your review was a flame or a review or what, but then I started to realize, "This is Oblivious (that's what we call you, lol)... I've never known Oblivious to say something mean." So, yeah. Well, everyone interprets Steve differently, don't they? I think you might have missed a few cues in the first chapter. He wasn't being his normal self. He wasn't in a very good mood. And now he's REALLY not in a good mood. And can you blame him? As for someone coming to the rescue...well... I dunno. You'll just have to wait and see. Thanks.
Rock: Just Rock huh? No other adjectives or anything? Okay. I can deal with that. But just this once. Yeah, I thought that you might like the Steve deal. And I do too. Isn't amazing how things come about and you don't even plan them? Like this story for example... Well, we'll all just have to wait and see what happens, won't we? Now, I'm hoping to have this up before you come back because I'm so bored I NEED something to do, but writing hasn't been going too grand for me. I don't know why. I've discovered, I think, that I don't write well when I'm bored. I can only write when I'm busy, or so it seems. Isn't that weird? Lol. Anyway, see you soon babe. Thanks.
Goddess of Silent Tears: Hey babe! (Like the use of the word? Haha) I'm glad you liked this! I think this is the first fanfiction of mine you've ever read... wait... no, I'm wrong. Sorry, you've read DYB? And I couldn't be any more thrilled. Yeah, that's what I needed the lyrics to. I thought I knew them for sure, but man, was I wrong! Who knew that Elvis could sound so different from what he's actually saying? That nut of a genius...shakes head. Lol, thanks babe.
happy-me-111: You've added me to your favorites? And after only one chapter? Wow! I feel so honored! I really do! :D I'm glad you like this even though you don't like Steve. He can be a difficult character to like, but it's not so hard to love him once you do. He's a good guy – he just might not always show it. Thanks.
Sully: LOL! Thanks. Those three words cracked me up more than you can believe. I loved that review. Thanks.
MananaMallard: Wow, not only do I get a review from you, but I get it times three! Haha. That was funny. I liked that. It makes me look like I have more than I really do ;) You did the review thing beautifully. I hope you've come back for the rest of this. Thanks.
GageLuisSodabemine: I'm really glad you liked this. I mean... REALLY glad. Shoot, we're so glad you added us to your favorites list! That is something I can definitely deal with. I mean, wow. That makes us feel really good, you have no idea. Thanks.
DaNNi BaBezZz: I'm glad you liked it that much! I haven't seen you around any of my stories for a while. I thought you completely disappeared. Thanks for reading this. It means a lot to me. I mean, every single person who puts in their input are truly good people. Lol. That sounded dumb, but I don't care. Thanks.
Stephanie: Yeah, I thought you'd like it from Steve's POV. He's a great character, isn't he? Alli is more into him than I am, but I love that guy to death and beyond. He definitely deserves more appreciation and credit than he gets, don't you agree? Thanks for reading!
Fyremoon: Hi back.
A/n: Now review! Thank you for reading!