Run and Hide
Disclaimer: My bank account still tells me that I do not own anything to do with this show.
A/N: Well, I told myself when I updated the last time that I'd update again Friday. It's Friday, so here's chapter 3! Finally, something longer! Thanks for the reviews on the last one!
Enjoy. :)
Chapter 3
Jamie sat in his car outside Danny's precinct, head against the headrest, unsure of what just happened. That was not the way he wanted to leave for the weekend, upset and fighting with his brother. He couldn't understand why he felt so angry, or why he said what he did. The detectives sitting at their desks probably thought he was insane. The way they stared after his outburst...
He sighed, starting his car. He probably should go and apologize. Maybe he'd give Danny a call before he started hiking, apologize again for what he said. He turned on his radio, tapping his fingers to the current song, but he wasn't really listening to it. He didn't understand his family's concern. He just wanted some time alone, why was that so horrible?
'You're running.' A small voice in his head told him.
"I'm not running." He told the voice out loud.
'Yeah, you are. Life is tough, and you can't take it.' The voice mocked snidely.
"Oh, shut up." Jamie groused, feeling his cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Great, now he was talking to himself. Maybe he did need help! Sure, his last few tours had been tough ones to take, but he didn't hate his job. He had many good times on the beat.
'Except the one last night. You haven't told your family of that one, have you?' The voice insinuated. Jamie pursed his lips. He'd definitely screwed that one up, but he knew he wasn't fully to blame. He hadn't gotten to the scene until it was nearly over. Still blood on his hands, though.
He gripped the steering wheel tightly. He just needed to get to the resort, find some peace and quiet. He'd be fine. Right?
~~BB~~
Danny walked up the steps to his father's front door later that evening. Thoughts of Jamie had been bugging him all day. His brother had been acting strangely, but didn't seem willing to talk about it. He just insisted that he needed some time alone. Insisted he was fine. Was his kid brother in some kind of trouble? Did something get to him that caused him to run away from everything and everyone? Was he doing more undercover work that no one could know about? Danny sighed, trying to get the questions to stop. Maybe his father knew something.
"Dad?" he called, opening the front door.
"Danny? Come in, son." his father called back. Danny followed his voice to the living room where his father sat in his chair reading the paper. He nodded at his grandfather who was sitting on the couch, watching TV.
"Hi Dad, Grandpa."
"Danny!" Henry smiled. "Can I get you something?"
"No thanks, Grandpa. I already ate." Danny smiled. His grandfather was always trying to play host.
"What brings you here, son?" his father asked, noticing the unease surrounding his oldest. Danny sighed and took a seat on the second chair by his father's.
"Dad… Jamie came to see me today."
Frank raised an eyebrow questioningly. "You, too?"
Danny gave him a strange look. "What do you mean?"
"He came to see us, too." Henry supplied. "Well, he came to see Francis, but I overheard."
Frank shot him a look. "You stayed in the room Pop, you didn't just overhear."
"Yeah, well…" Henry smiled sheepishly. "He's my youngest grandson. Something seemed to be bothering him, so I wasn't going to just go away."
"You noticed that too, huh?" Danny grumbled. Frank looked at him, concern written on his face.
"Did something happen, son?"
Danny looked uncomfortable. "We may have argued a bit…"
"What did you say to him?"
"Um…" Danny hesitated, scratching his head uneasily. "I might have asked him who the girl was…"
Henry let out a short laugh while his father just shook his head.
"Really Danny, was that necessary? You know your brother's not like that."
"He's old enough." Danny remarked defiantly. Frank couldn't help but smirk.
"That may be, but I'm sure he's not going to a retreat campground just to hide a woman from us."
"Yeah, well…" Danny grinned sheepishly.
"Back to the point, he got angry over that?"
"Yeah, he did. It wasn't normal. He gets angry, especially at me, but that was drop-of-the-hat style angry. Once he realized he raised his voice, he seemed to get all embarrassed. He tried to leave. I caught him at the door, but he still wouldn't say much, except that he'd be back on Sunday."
"Said the same to us." Henry supplied.
"He got upset pretty quick with me, too." Frank sighed. "I didn't expect it, but I just brushed it aside. He calmed down soon enough."
"What's going on, Dad?" Danny asked, voice laced with worry. "Something is bugging him."
"I know there is, but I don't know what." Frank sighed, his heart squeezing painfully at the thought of his youngest facing his demons alone.
"Do you think he's in trouble, Dad? Have you heard anything?" Danny asked, dreading the answer.
"No. I haven't heard anything. I'll see the report summaries of the last few days on Monday."
"Maybe he was… involved… in something."
"What are you saying, Danny?" Frank asked, disapproval colouring his tone.
"Do you think he's gone back undercover?"
"No, I don't Danny. I would have heard by now."
"Are you sure?" Danny asked, knowing he was toeing the line.
"Enough, Danny. Yes, I would have heard." Frank frowned at his oldest.
"Alright, Dad." Danny placated, holding up his hands. "I was just asking."
Franks sighed. "I know, son. I'm worried. Something is going on with Jamie, and I have no idea what it is. That scares me."
Danny just nodded, staring at a spot on the floor. 'Damn it, kid. What did you get yourself into?'
~~BB~~
Jamie pulled into the gravel parking lot, noticing only a few other cars. He grabbed his backpack and walked into the office. He smiled at the desk clerk, a young female, probably around twenty-one.
"Hello sir." She smiled. "I'm Lacy. Can I sign you in?"
"Yeah." Jamie replied. "Under Jamie Reagan. I'll be staying until Sunday afternoon."
The girl smiled again, typing up his information. She printed off a copy of the receipt. "If I could just get you to sign here, Mr. Reagan. I'll need your credit card number, just for security. Unless you'd like to pay now?"
"I'll pay." Jamie said, pulling out his wallet. He handed over his credit card.
The girl took it, running it through the machine before handing it back. "Okay, just sign here." She handed him a pen. He quickly signed the receipt. "And you're done. If you need anything, just come back to the office. We have many supplies here for guests. The furthest campsite is only a twenty minute walk away. Enjoy your weekend!"
Jamie smiled at her bubbly personality. "Thank you, Lacy." he said, turning back towards the door. He hurried out, eager to hit the trail. Since it was a Friday, the resort could fill up with singles and small groups. He wanted to get a good spot. He knew there was a lake around here; getting a spot on the shoreline would be nice. He'd always liked the water.
After ten minutes of walking, he spotted a glint through the trees, guessing that it must be the lake. He veered off the trail, coming into a small clearing equipped with a small fire pit. The lake lapped gently on the strip of sand just a couple of feet from the clearing. He smiled softly. This would be perfect. He dropped his pack, stretching. It was late afternoon, and the sunlight was becoming weaker. His stomach growled.
He turned to his pack, pulling the tent from its bag. He grabbed the pegs, making quick work of setting up his shelter. He unhooked the sleeping mat, and unrolled the sleeping bag on top of it. His home away from home set up, he turned to the fire pit. There was a stack of logs and branches by the edge of the clearing closest to the trail; he grabbed a few, making a teepee in the middle of the pit. He grabbed the matches he'd placed in his pack. Lighting one, he lit a few of the smaller branches and bark pieces, placing them amongst the teepee. He shook the match out before it burned his fingers and tossed it amongst the flames. It had been Joe that had taught him to make a proper fire.
# # #
"Jamie."
"Go away, Joe. I've got it." Fourteen year old Jamie mumbled, attempting to get a log to catch the flame. "Ouch!" he cried as he dropped the match, sucking his burnt finger.
Twenty-one year old Joe shook his head at his brother's stubbornness. He was starting to regret his decision. He'd decided that he and Jamie needed a bonding weekend. They'd gone out to a campground a few hours away. Their parents hadn't been enthused with the idea, as the campground was known for its wild parties, but Joe reminded them that it wasn't a holiday weekend and it was the holidays that were the worst. They'd be fine. Besides, he could take anyone down that attempted to harm his little brother. His parents finally conceded, telling him to keep a close eye on Jamie.
Once there, Jamie decided to light a fire. He'd piled on logs, grabbing a match and lighting it. He placed it on the nearest log. There was come ash and smoke, but no flame. He tried again with the same results. He frowned at the logs.
Joe almost laughed. Jamie's face was screwed up in concentration, his tongue poking out through his teeth. "Jamie." he tried again. "Here. Teepee the logs, like this. Use a few of these branches and bark pieces as kindling. Now light the kindling."
Jamie's eyes lit up as the flame caught, quickly spreading to the teepee. "Thanks, Joe!"
# # #
Jamie smiled at the memory. Joe had always been so patient. Even when Danny had gotten frustrated and had given up trying to help with whatever it was Jamie was attempting, Joe kept at it. He wanted his brother to learn, and knew that Jamie was capable of doing anything he wanted. Even if it took forever, Joe would still help him.
Jamie's smile turned sad as he thought about his brother. Even Joe's good instincts couldn't get him out of the trouble he'd gotten himself into. Was Jamie following the same fate? He'd messed up one too many times. Last night was no exception. Was he cut out for this?
Jamie sighed, pulling out his lunch cooler. He rooted around, pulling out a bottle of water and a sandwich. He ate, lost in thought, staring out at the sun setting over the water. He listened to the water lap against the edge of the beach. He'd always loved the water, even as a toddler. He'd caused panic a few times amongst his family when he'd disappeared from their sights; he'd only wanted to investigate the moving wet stuff further away. He didn't understand what the fuss was about. Jamie smiled as he remembered arguing with his brothers that it was just like the bathtub, only bigger. The looks of horror they had given him had almost scared him away from going near the water again, but he was nothing if not stubborn. He had demanded Danny teach him to swim, as he was the strongest swimmer of his three older siblings. Danny had complained, but finally agreed.
# # #
"Jamie, you've got to paddle with your arms, like this. It's called treading water, and if you don't you're just going to sink!"
Jamie coughed up his millionth lungful of water. He was starting to regret asking his brother to teach him to swim. Danny didn't have the patience for this. Jamie could feel frustrated tears well up in his eyes.
"Jamie, don't cry." Danny grumbled, reaching out to squeeze Jamie's arm. "I'm sorry, kid. Look, just do what I do, okay?"
Jamie nodded, following his brothers hand movements. He added the leg kicks, just like Danny was doing. His eyes lit up as he realized he was staying afloat and in one spot. "Danny, I did it!"
Danny grinned back. "See kid, I told you!"
# # #
Jamie grinned, remembering. He had kept on swimming from that point on. He was like a fish. He'd scared his siblings one afternoon by going underwater and holding his breath for several minutes. He was examining the bottom of the lake and hadn't realized that they were panicking, thinking he'd drowned. When he did pop back up to get some air, he found himself hauled out of the water by his father. His mother and sister were in tears. Danny and Joe were livid. That he could deal with. It was the look of fury on his father's face that worried him. Would his father ban him from swimming?
After a serious talking to about what not to do while swimming, and a week-long grounding for being reckless, he was allowed back into the water. He never again stayed under for as long while his siblings and parents were around, but later on as a teenager, he and his friends would hold contests while at the local pool to see how long they could stay under. The loser would have to buy everyone their lunch that day. He never spent a single penny.
Jamie stretched, feeling peaceful. It was dark. He looked at his watch, it was only a little after ten, but he figured it would be better to get a good night's sleep and start his day early. He grabbed his toothbrush and made his way to the public washroom. After cleaning up, he walked back to his campsite, carefully making sure the fire was out before crawling into his tent. He removed his sweatshirt before crawling into his sleeping bag. He turned out the flashlight he carried, encasing himself in darkness. Only the pale moonlight shone through the canvas of his tent. He listened to the light waves on the beach. His eyes grew fuzzy, lids heavy…
A young boy stared at him, anger filling his face…
Jamie panted, his side burning as he ran…
A shot rang out…
Blood blossomed over a grey sweatshirt…
Jamie held him close, trying to get him to wake… the tears fell, knowing he had failed…
"I'm sorry…"
Jamie sat up, gasping, his eyes tearing open from the nightmarish images lodged in his brain. Sweat beaded on his forehead, the cooler air in the tent instantly freezing him. He grabbed his sweatshirt, pulling it over his head, sliding back down into the sleeping bag. He rolled onto his side, pulling the edge of the bag under his chin. His throat felt clogged, and a few tears rolled onto his pillow before he could stop them. He quickly wiped them away, angry at himself. He closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry…"
~~BB~~
Jamie woke up late the next morning. He hadn't had any more nightmares but he couldn't relax enough to get a full nights rest. He stuck his head out of his tent, the air already muggy. He looked at his watch. It was nearly eleven. He decided a swim would be in order before anything else and dug out the swim trunks he'd packed.
He waded into the water, his muscles already relaxing. He smiled as he dove under. He was in his element, watching as a few minnows swam by. Seaweed tickled his leg, barely fazing him. He just kept swimming, remembering his swim with Erin when they were kids.
# # #
"I'm so bored!" fourteen year old Erin grumbled, poking a rock with her toe.
"Go swimming, then." sixteen year old Danny replied. Thirteen year old Joe was reading, but nodded his agreement.
"Yeah, Erin. That would be better than having to listen to you complain!"
"Oh, shut up, Joe. What is it, Jamie?" Erin asked, smiling at her youngest brother. Jamie, then six and already a fish, had shuffled up to her, looking expectant.
"I want to go swimming." he insisted. "Will you go with me?"
Erin shot her snickering brothers a look, but smiled. "Sure, Jamie. Let's go." Jamie grinned, grabbing his sisters hand and pulling her towards the water. "Slow down Jamie, the water will still be there when we get there!"
"I want to go swimming now!" he insisted, trying to make her walk faster. She rolled her eyes, sighing. Finally they reached the water's edge; Jamie ran right in. She ran after him, grabbing him before he could go under.
"Jamie, you need to stay in sight of me! Don't go running off like that!"
"Sorry." Jamie pouted. "Can we go over there?" he asked, pointing to their left. "There's not so many people."
"Sure, Jamie." She pulled him back as he attempted to swim off. "Together! What did I just say?"
Jamie sighed, annoyed. "You told me not to go running off."
"Exactly. So wait up."
"Then hurry up!" Jamie grumbled, splashing her. Erin giggled, splashing him back. He laughed, starting a splashing war as they moved over to where it was less crowded. Jamie broke away, swimming around, examining what was under the water, but always keeping an eye on his sister so she could see him at all times.
He never expected the terrified screaming to jar him from his daze. He jumped, taking in a mouthful of water. He coughed and spluttered, trying to see where the screaming was coming from. His eyes widened as he saw Erin freaking over something. He noticed Danny and Joe leap up from their spots on the sand. He dove under water, trying to see what was attacking his big sister. He was poised to save her from it…
All he saw was a green strand of… something. He reached out, tearing it from the lake bed. As a result, it stopped touching his sister. He popped up just in time to see Erin turn and run as well as she could through the water. She was crying. Danny and Joe made it to the water's edge, relieved to see her and Jamie alive and well. Jamie could see them questioning her as he swam as hard as he could to the shore. His feet touched ground and he took off, tearing after his sister. She was yelling at her brothers, pointing frantically at the water. He caught up to them and held out his hand.
"It's seaweed." he informed, looking innocent. His siblings stared at him for a few moments. Erin screeched and ran back to her beach towel. Jamie ran after her, seaweed still clutched in his hand, his brothers howling behind him.
# # #
He smiled. She had never forgiven him for that. To this day, she still insisted that he touched her deliberately with the seaweed strand. The story had made for some tense Sunday dinners whenever "beach" and "swimming" were brought up, though Danny still found it rather hilarious.
Feeling refreshed, Jamie walked up the small beach back to his campsite. Toweling off, he quickly dressed, stuffing his feet into his hiking shoes. He grabbed a bit of food and another bottle of water, intending on hiking further along the trail. He hurried off, the day much shorter since he had slept in.
He remembered a time when he had gone hiking with his father and grandfather. He'd always been one to explore, and sometimes he became so absorbed in it that he would wander off and lose track of time. He cringed slightly, remembering the look on his father's face the last time he'd wandered off. His grandfather had been all for corporal punishment, only to be deterred by his son.
# # #
Twelve year old Jamie had barely waited for the car to stop moving before he jumped out.
"Jamie!" his father called from behind him. "Don't run off, it's too easy to get lost in here!"
Jamie stopped, frowning. Adults were always too slow! Pent up energy made his small body tremble. He was ready to go, wanting to run through the trees and hear the crunch of leaves and sticks under his feet. They had driven to the nearest hiking trails that morning for a day of hiking and exploring. Now that they were finally there, no one except Jamie seemed to want to do anything.
Jamie frowned again, watching his grandfather lift the backpacks out of the back of the car. Adults weren't just slow, they were turtles!
"Jamie, come get your pack." his father called, motioning him over. Jamie practically ran over to him, grabbing his pack and slinging it onto his back.
"Can we go now?" Jamie grumbled, looking expectantly at his father. Frank couldn't help but smile.
"Patience, Jamie. We'll leave in a few minutes. We just have to wait for your grandfather."
Jamie scuffed his toe before hurrying to his grandfather's side. Henry smiled at him.
"Just a few minutes, Jamie. I'm making sure we've got everything."
"You made sure of that before we left the house!"
Henry gently pushed him aside. "And I'm making sure again, Squirt. Go wait by your father. I'll be faster if you quit interrupting."
Jamie sighed, seeing the truth in his grandfather's words, and shuffled back over to his amused father. He sat on the nearest rock, chin in his hand.
"Okay, we're ready." Henry called, his own backpack slung over his back. Jamie bounced up, walking quickly to the trail. "Jamie, wait for us kiddo."
Jamie slowed, waiting for his father to take the lead. His grandfather walked beside him, occasionally pulling on his arm when he started to fall back, lost in his own thoughts.
They had walked for nearly half an hour when Jamie realized he needed a bathroom. He tugged on his grandfather's arm.
"What's up, kiddo?" Henry asked, causing Frank to turn from his position at the front of the line.
"I need to water some plants." Jamie said, using one of his grandfather's humorous hiking terms. Henry laughed. Frank just shook his head.
"Really, Pop. Alright, Jamie. Don't go too far."
Jamie nodded, disappearing a little ways into the trees. Times like these he was very happy to have been born a male!
Just as he turned to head back to the path, something shiny caught his eye a little further away. He took a few steps towards it.
"Jamie!"
"I'm coming, Dad!" Jamie called back. He'd just take a second to examine the shiny thing then he'd get back to his father and grandfather. He hurried towards the object that was sparkling in the pale sunshine filtering through the treetops. Reaching it, he picked it up. It was just a CD. Someone had probably dropped it while hiking. He looked at the front of it. He didn't recognize the artist. Disappointed, he dropped it back to the forest floor, standing and turning back towards the path.
Or, what he thought was the path. He looked around, feeling a stab of panic. Everything looked the same! The trees were thick around all sides; he couldn't see a single break, a space that would lead him back to his family.
"Dad?" he tried, his voice barely a whisper. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Dad!"
Silence. Where were they? They couldn't be far! Jamie didn't even think that he had gone too far away… but he'd been so focused on the shiny object he could have walked for a lot longer than it felt. He tried walking, but he only felt that the trees were becoming thicker. He tried turning, walking in another direction. Nothing was familiar. Tears started filling his eyes. He ran as fast as he could, dodging branches and tree trunks.
"Dad!" he sobbed. "Grandpa!" Still there was silence. He kept running, his feet pounding against the dirt.
He hit the ground, his foot tangled up in a tree root. Painfully, he pulled his foot free, testing to make sure nothing was damaged. The pain he felt radiated from his hands. He examined them, tearfully pulling a few pine needles embedded in his palms. He also felt something trickling down his face. He put his hand to his forehead, pulling away and noticing a small smear of blood. He must have hit his head on something when he fell. He turned, noticing another tree root where his head would have been. He sat on the ground, feeling miserable and sorry for himself.
He dragged himself backwards, leaning against the tree with the offending roots. It was getting dark, and the temperature was dropping. He pulled his jacket tighter around him, pulling his legs up to his chest. He wanted to cry but angrily stopped himself. Twelve was much too old to cry! He put his head on his knees instead. He felt dizzy.
He opened his eyes slowly. He was on his side, twigs pressing into his cheek. He must have dozed off; it was even darker and colder now, and he was pretty sure he was hearing things.
"Jamie!" a voice yelled from far away. Jamie shakily sat up, scrubbing a hand over his eyes, willing the voice to go away. He didn't need his mind playing tricks on him… he was pretty sure by now that he would die alone out here with no one able to find him.
"Jamie!" called another voice, closer this time. This one sounded like his grandfather. His eyes welled up, tears falling against his will.
"Jamie!" a third voice yelled from somewhere behind him, much closer than the other two. Jamie turned….
He let out a rather high pitched shriek as something large bowled into him, mauling his face….
"Duke! Get off! Down, boy!" the third voice called, hauling the dog off of Jamie. The excitable German Shepard who had been cleaning the boy's face reluctantly backed down, tail wagging, knowing he had done his job well. A treat was place in front of his nose, which he eagerly gobbled.
Jamie found himself staring up into a uniformed officer's kind green eyes. The officer leaned forward, helping Jamie to sit up. He turned to look over his shoulder.
"I've found him!" he called out. He turned back to Jamie. "Jamie? Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Jamie shook his head.
"No… not badly…" he stuttered, exhaustion claiming him. "Is that Duke?" he asked, pointing to the dog.
"Yes. I'm sorry he jumped on you. He's still training and doesn't always hold back his excitement. Did he hurt you?"
"No." Jamie smiled at the dog who was grinning a doggy smile, tail still wagging. He barked a couple of times as two more figures hurried to their position.
"Jamie! Thank God you're okay!" Frank hurried over to him, picking him up and quickly setting him on his feet. He checked him over as Henry hurried up to them, grabbing Jamie into a tight hug.
"You called in the hounds?" Jamie mumbled sleepily. Henry laughed.
"No. This was just a favour. Off the record." He turned to the young officer, passing Jamie back to his father. "Thank you, Colby. If it weren't for you and Duke, I don't even want to think…" Henry trailed off. Colby nodded sympathetically.
"Of course, Sir. You know I'd do anything to help." He turned towards Jamie. "I'm glad you're safe and sound, Jamie." Jamie nodded, leaning into his father.
"Come, Jamie." Frank spoke softly, pulling Jamie in the direction of the trail. "The car's just over here. We need to get you home."
Jamie stopped suddenly, panic once again coursing through him. "Does Mom know?"
"No. We haven't said anything yet, Jamie, but she's going to find out."
"Please don't tell her!" Jamie begged. Now that the initial panic had worn off, he could see anger growing on his father's face. His grandfather looked disappointed in him. He didn't want anyone else to be mad at him.
"I won't have to, son. You're all messy and dirty, and you're bleeding. She's going to ask what happened."
"Can we just say that I… that I rolled down a steep hill or something?"
"You're not going to lie to your mother, Jamieson!"
"Grandpa?"
"No, Jamie. I still think a couple of good licks with a belt would be enough to teach you not to run off again!"
"We're not using violence as punishment, Pop!"
"Worked in my day!" Henry grumbled. Frank sighed, turning back to his son.
"You're in a lot of trouble, Jamie. You are going to be grounded for a long time."
Jamie looked stricken. "But the baseball game…"
"No. I'll give the tickets to Danny."
"Dad!"
"Son, do you think you've earned it? Do you really think that the behaviour you showed us today earns you the right to go to a baseball game? We explicitly told you not to run off. We told you to stay in sight of us and not stray too far. You ran off anyway. Anything could have happened, Jamie, anything! Do you even realize how much fear and worry and panic you put us through? We couldn't find you! You were missing for hours! You could have been hurt or killed!" Frank stopped his tirade, watching his son's face redden as the tears poured out of his eyes. He pulled him into a tight hug. "We love you, Jamie. You can't go running off like that!"
Jamie nodded against his father's chest. "I'm sorry Dad, Grandpa. I wasn't even thinking."
Henry ran his fingers through his grandson's hair. "What caught your attention, Squirt?" he asked as they reached the car. He opened the back door for Jamie to climb in. Jamie did, pulling his seat belt firmly around him, clicking it into place. He leaned against the door, exhausted, watching as his father climbed into the driver's seat. His grandfather climbed into the passenger seat, turning to look at him expectantly.
Jamie's eyes were closing again. "Something shiny." he mumbled in response, sleep finally claiming him. He didn't catch the look of surprise that passed between the adults in the front, and only vaguely heard his grandfather speak.
"I swear, Francis. You've got a crow for a son!"
# # #
Jamie smiled in remembrance of his grandfather's words. He had always enjoyed shiny objects and often stopped to look, even if it was just a piece of tinfoil glinting in the sunlight, much like a crow would. Erin had completely freaked one day as he stopped to pick up a piece of metal. He hadn't realized the edge was sharp and cut his finger. Erin spewed on about germs and disease as she forced him to drop it and dragged him back home. It had barely even bled. He didn't know what her problem was but his mother had acted all exasperated with him too, so he figured that he must be in the wrong again. He remembered doing a lot of crying that day, too.
Jamie looked up at the sky peeking through the trees. It was starting to get dark already. He turned, getting ready to head back to his campsite and grab more food. A noise caught his attention. He turned, walking a short distance into the trees, quietly stealing up to a clearing. He peered around a tree, trying to make sense of the scene before him.
Four men stood around a kneeling figure. They could have passed for concerned friends hovering around another friend who had drunk too much, except for the fact that the kneeling man was tied up and had a rag shoved in his mouth. The meanest looking man carried a gun with a silencer.
Jamie's heart sped up, his hand reaching automatically for his own gun. He cursed internally the second he remembered he had left his gun and badge at home, not thinking he might need it during a weekend of solitude. As he was frantically trying to figure out what to do, he heard a small popping noise; the gun flashed and the man fell face first to the ground, shot execution style. Jamie swallowed the bile that threatened to come up and turned away. He was sure they hadn't noticed him. He ran quietly back to the path, racing back towards his campsite, intending on packing up and getting back to his car. He'd get home, tell someone what happened. He'd gotten partial descriptions of the four men in the pale evening light. They probably had records and were in the system.
His heart in his throat, he stuffed his loose clothing into his pack, immediately reaching for a tent peg.
A twig snapped. Jamie forced himself to breathe, telling himself it was just an animal.
His heart fluttered to a halt as he heard a sound only in his nightmares…
"He went this way!"
~~TBC~~