"Shut up old man, and stop playing around," said Finn angrily, advancing on Mark. Mark continued to moan and flail around. "Shut up or I'll shoot you!" Just then Steve lunged at Finn, catching him unawares. They both fell sideways, crashing over the coffee table and onto the floor. The gun in Finn's hand went off with the loud bang. The bullet hit a picture of the beach just behind Mark's head, causing the glass to shatter and Mark to dive behind the sofa. "That was close!" he thought. "Please Steve, be careful."
Steve and Finn were both on the floor grappling for the gun which was still in Finn's grip. He was trying to point it at Steve, but Steve had hold of the end and was trying to force it away. Finn took one hand away from the gun and punched Steve in the face, causing his nose to bleed and dazing him for a few seconds. It was all the time Finn needed. He wrenched the gun from Steve's grasp and scrambled upwards. Finn took aim and fired. Just as he did so Steve kicked out his leg, tripping Finn and sending the shot wide. The bullet hit a table lamp and the bulb exploded, sending out sparks. Steve dived on Finn as he fell. He didn't stop to think about the gun but punched Finn in the head and then in the stomach, winding him. Steve then took hold of Finn's wrist and twisted the gun out of his hand. Then giving Finn a kick to keep him on the floor he stood up breathing heavily. He wiped his bloody nose on his shirt sleeve. "Dad, are you all right?"
Mark's head appeared over the top of the sofa. "I'm just fine, son. Oh, your nose. Let me take a look at you," said Mark, coming over.
"Dad, I'm fine. STAY WHERE YOU ARE," he yelled at Finn who had been trying the stand up. "Dad, go and find me some rope or wire or something to tie this guy up with." Mark nodded and left.
"You think you're so clever," spat Finn from the floor. "But you just think about this. Your buddy upstairs has probably bled to death by now and I doubt you will ever see Amanda again."
"Shut up," said Steve trying to stay calm.
X X X
Meanwhile, outside, Jesse had heard the gun shot and it had spurred him into action. He pushed aside the twigs of the bush searching for Steve's weapon. It wasn't on the floor where he'd expected it to be. "Don't say they've been and got it!" he muttered in frustration. Then his hand knocked against something solid in the leaves, and he saw the gun hooked on a branch. He grabbed it triumphantly. Jesse started to make his way cautiously round to the lounge window.
X X X
"The best I could find was some old washing line," said Mark returning to the room.
"That'll do fine," said Steve taking the wire and bending over Finn. Mark stepped back to give him room. Suddenly an arm was thrown around his neck and he felt a gun being pushed against the side of his head and he froze.
"Move and you're dead," said the voice of Scarlett just behind him.
"Eh…Steve," said Mark tentatively.
"What?" said Steve, standing up after finishing tying up Finn. He turned around. "Oh…"
"Drop your gun," order Scarlett. Steve didn't move. "Drop it or I'll shoot him!" yelled Scarlett, clicking off the safety catch. "Three…two.."
"Okay, okay," said Steve and he placed the gun on the floor and kicked it over towards Scarlett, cursing himself for forgetting about her. How could he have been so stupid? She picked it up and aimed a gun at each of them.
"Back against the wall with your hands up," commanded Scarlett. "Both of you, now move." They obeyed her and stood side by side. "I think you two share the same fate as your friend upstairs," she said. Then she bent over and clutched at her stomach again. Steve made to move forward but she raised the gun at him. "Don't move! Or better yet, maybe I should make sure that you don't move." Steve and Mark exchanged a look. It looked like this was it. Scarlett took aim at Steve's knees, preparing to shoot him when all of a sudden there was a loud bang from behind and the outside door flew open. Jesse burst into the room brandishing Steve's gun.
"Freeze!" he yelled and sprinted over to Scarlett before she had time to turn and put the gun against the back of her neck. "Drop them." She hesitated and then dropped both guns on the floor. "Kick them away," commanded Jesse and she did so. "Er, Steve, a little help here?" said Jesse, and Steve and Mark both rushed over to him.
"Nice timing," said Steve, taking the gun from Jesse and covering Scarlett.
"You're all right," said Mark relief showing on his face. "They told us you'd been shot."
"Well, shot at," said Jesse. "Then I was knocked on the head and tied up. I escaped, climbed over the balcony, found Steve's gun and came to rescue you all." He gave a huge grin. "Does this mean I get to drive around with you on your surveillance missions?" asked Jesse eagerly.
"Not until you're tall enough to reach the top shelf of the fridge in BBQ Bobs," quipped Steve with a smile as he tied up Scarlett.
"Hey, that's not fair," said Jesse.
"What happened to your face and arms?" asked Mark. "You're covered in scratches."
"Oh I decided to do a little gardening and your roses attacked me. I'm afraid I had to defend myself," he said with a guilty grin. Then he became serious again. "Where was Mitch taking Amanda?"
Mark quickly explained how they were going to be taken one by one to clear out their bank accounts. "I just hope she's okay," he finished.
"Me too," said Steve. "We need to have some plan of action for when they come back. It's not over yet. Amanda's still in danger."
Keep the reviews coming! I really appreciate them.