Russell didn't even think about what he was doing, he just fired one shot. When all of them shouted, he shot another and another. Now they were scrambling.
"Come on, Kevin.....we gotta go!!!" one of them said, picking the one who was limping onto their back. Russell laughed at them. Weak. That's what they were. Only cowards ran according to his brother. He hadn't run when the police caught up to him that day on the interstate. Well, technically he had after he stole the car....but those details weren't important.
All that mattered now was getting the job done.
Howie was in total shock when the bullets began ricocheting off of the tree nearby. It wasn't until he saw the man shooting he wondered what was going on. The man seemed to be aiming at Nick so naturally Howie ran close to him, acting as a shield...and Brian followed. It was crazy how the other day nobody was even talking, and now they were protecting one another.
"No...don't risk yourselves for me.....just let him get me...." Nick wheezed. He fell to his knees and doubled over, another shot fired. Howie leapt on top of him, causing Nick to cry out in pain. Brian reached to help him up but he pushed him away.
"I am just slowing us down....just let him get me. Go." he said. He felt so tired and sore and nauseous that he just wanted to flop over. He'd give his left arm for some food right now....or even just something to drink. Dehydration was kicking in. He wanted to sleep more than anything. Sleep was better than this. If he could just lay down for a while everything would seem a bit better. Brian’s gentle pulling on his arm brought him out of his thoughts.
"Nick don't say that. We are gonna get you out of here. You need to stop being so stubborn and proud and let us help you." he pleaded. The gunfire seemed to stop for now, which was a relief for them.
"We shouldn't have left the cave." Kevin said. Everyone knew he was right but there was no turning back now....even if they did it wouldn't do them any good. All five were tired and in a lot of pain. They needed to rest and they knew it. Nick was fighting off dizziness the whole time. He didn't know how much longer he could remain conscious.
"Now what are we going to do, Kevin? We can't just keep running forever."
Kevin looked at Howie and searched for an answer, but he had nothing. It was late afternoon, the sun was hiding once again. The five of them managed to lose Russell again and found a small creek, stopping to rest.
AJ stood watching the others, fishing in his pocket for a loose cigarette but when he came up empty handed he sighed and pocketed his lighter again.
"You all right?" Howie asked, appearing next to him. Kevin was rinsing the cuts on his leg and Brian was trying to talk to Nick, but it didn't seem to be working.
“Just a little stressed.”
“A little is an understatement right now,” Howie chuckled and AJ let out one as well.
"You'd think someone would have noticed we were gone. Don't you think it's odd we haven't seen any civilization for hours? Wouldn't they know when we didn't make it to the next stop on tour?”
Howie stared off into the woods, thinking. It was very odd they hadn't run into anyone despite their attempts to find the highway.
"I was thinking about that too. Didn't you bring your phone or something? We could call for help…”
“How stupid I've been…” Howie whispered, remembering the phone in his pocket....but when he looked at it, the screen was cracked from being thrown around in the bus. The little hope they all had was slowly fading. He sighed in defeat and threw it into the woods, letting it land in a pile of wet leaves.
“Well, so much for that-”
"Christ!”
At the sound of AJ yelling, Howie looked up to see Russell standing at the edge of the clearing. Brian stood in front of Nick to protect him, but his eyes fell upon the gun.
"I don't need any of you.....I am only interested in him." Russell said in a raspy voice, aiming at Brian's head. Brian was trembling but he stood his ground.
“Brian, don't do this please…”
"Back the fuck off him or I will kill you both."
"Like hell you will." Brian hissed despite Nick's insistent pleading to not get involved. Just then a rock flew through the air, nearly missing Russell's head. He laughed, watching Kevin pick up another.
"Watch it or you'll be first."
"Over my dead body." Kevin growled, managing to get by Nick even though his leg hurt to stand. Nick was frozen in fear, closing his eyes while his heart beat out of his chest as Russell clicked the trigger....
"That can be arranged."
Nick was practically wetting himself. He didn't understand any of this. He felt dizzy, and his legs wanted to give out underneath him.
"Why are you doing this?" Brian asked. Russell smiled at them, standing in front of Nick with the exception of Kevin, who was trying to stand. Nick looked at him, thinking. Why did he look so familiar?
"Justice...…for my sister, for Maria…for all women…he will never hurt anyone again." was all Russell would say. Nick felt horrible, they were all in danger and it was his fault. He just wished he could remember…
“His sister? You know his sister? What's he talking about, Nick?” Brian asked. Nick just trembled, he couldn't answer.
“I don't know him.” he lied.
Brian yelled at Sawyer…whatever the guy's name was know that he wasn't backing down. Nick hated anyone fighting because of him. All it did was remind him of his family. They'd spend whole days arguing over him, arguing over who he liked better, over his money and fame…anything they could argue about. Nick blinked back tears. He did not want Brian to give up his life for him. If anything he deserved to die. He was always ruining everyone else's life. He was a burden, someone who just got in the way.
“Please don't do this…” he whispered.
"You're not touching him. You'll have to kill all of us first." Brian said sternly.
All Russell did was laugh. Just straight cackled as if Brian told a joke that was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. It was unnerving. Only the sound of the forest was his reply. Nobody said anything after that so he steadied and aimed the gun at them again.
"Have it your way then."
Nick shut his eyes, he didn't know what else to do. All he heard was the gun go off...and everything went black. He felt himself fall and heard faint screaming but he didn't allow himself to open his eyes.
He didn't want to wake up find out if it was real or not.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've been busy with work and sick for a few days. But here's a new chapter. Hope you enjoy! Thanks for all the feedback!
