Trigger warnings : language, violence
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Jake pov

I get closer to the abandoned building, walking in the shadows. I put my hood and my mask on. As I arrived I checked if there was no CCTV outside the building. I spotted the emergency escape that I had noticed when I was studying the map and hurried to it after I was sure there was no-one around me.

Once I was inside I ensured I still had a signal on the tiny device Prescott gave me so I could warn her and her team when I would need it. But first I had to find MC, to make sure she wasn't hurt. I took my phone, opened the map and started walking in the dark hallway only lit by my phone flashlight.

I was anxious, my surroundings reminded me of bad memories. Dark path, scent of moisture, walking alone with only my flashlight and a map on my phone screen to guide me. I was back at the mine but this time, MC wasn't on the other side of the phone, reassuring me. This time, she was the one in danger. This time, I wasn't facing a fake legend, a shity, coward criminal. No, Jasper was trained, mean and cold-hearted. But this time I had the FBI on my side... based on the fact this wasn't a trap. I sighed and shook my head. I couldn't get distracted right now, for MC's sake, I had to find her, I had to trust my unexpected allies, it was my only chance to save her, to live with her.

I walked in silence, leaving no evidence of my presence behind me. I stepped forward, unnoticed, almost floating above the floor like a ghost. I was used to this, I always acted like this. It was my way to survive to keep my enemies away from me. Until then I had always succeeded in my task, avoiding people. Then, I met her, MC. I put all my boundaries down for her. The wall, behind which I had buried myself inside, slowly cracked with each conversation we had, until it totally crumbled down. I thought my defensive behavior was strong, unbreakable but she managed to dismantle it piece by piece. I was angry. Not at her, not because the FBI had found me. I was angry at myself, at my weakness. Because of my weakness, Jasper had been able to get to MC. Because of my weakness, MC was in great danger. And, by allowing myself to get close to her, I allowed Jasper to hurt her. Now I was scared, scared to lose her. It had been a long time I hadn't experienced that kind of fear. Even when Hannah was missing I was able to remain focused. I made a point, when I first ran away four years ago, to never get close to anyone to ensure their safety. But with MC everything was different. Now I constantly had a lump in my throat, a weight in my stomach and a choking sensation in my chest.

It was kind of ironic because MC was my everything, my oxygen. I could only breathe when I was near her, I could only feel my heart beat when I talked to her, smile when I heard her laugh, sleep when I dreamed of her. MC made me feel alive as if she woke me up from a coma in which only machines enabled me to survive. Feeling alive was a necessity, a need. But feeling alive was undoubtedly painful.

As I was lost in thoughts, I started to go up the stairs. This is when I heard a man yelling. I hurried down the stairs and headed toward the scream. There, in the middle of a dark hallway stood a man above a tiny silhouette lying on the ground.. MC! I saw the man take his weapon and aimed it at her.

Anger and fear rose inside me. I stopped thinking, only acting on my guts. I pulled out my gun, pointed it at the man and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit him right in the head and he fell to the ground loudly. I walked slowly toward MC trying not to scare her. But all of a sudden, she got up and ran. Shit! It was too dangerous, I had to find somewhere safe before Jasper showed up. I spotted a door on my right, I took MC by her arm and pushed her toward the storeroom. She tried to fight but couldn't manage to escape my grip. I finally walked in the room with her and gently pressed her back against the wall with my hand over her mouth.

I felt like shit, treating her like this. She was shaking with fear, but I needed to protect her at any cost. I leaned over MC's stiff body and softly whispered in her ear, "Calm down MC, it is me... Jake," I removed my hand from her mouth, placing it on her cheek drawing circles on her skin to ease her. I could still hear MC's uneven breath turning into sobs. I started to kiss her on her forehead, cheeks and nose and her breath slowly slowed down.

MC raised her shaking hands to my head, making her fingers travel across my face and hair as if she was trying to recognize me in the dark. "Jake..." she sighed with relief. I ducked my head and kissed her on the lips. I knew it wasn't the time to make out but I needed it. I needed to feel her body against mine, to feel her alive in my arms. Her soft lips pressed against mine deepening the kiss, her demanding tongue dancing with mine, her hot tears streaming down her cheeks and crushing on my hand, captivated me. I was so marveled by the luck and the closeness we had. I pulled away and MC buried her face in my chest gripping my hoodie in her fists on my back. I wrapped an arm around her waist to support her, and kindly rubbed her hair with my other hand, waiting for her to regain control.

I also needed to regain control, my mouth was dried and my jaw was clenched. I closed my eyes, I had just killed a man, and I hated myself for this. It wasn't the first time and I always felt miserable after such an awful act. Even if it was for my own survival I considered killing someone made me as evil as those criminals. But if I had to do it again to protect MC, I would.

We separated from each other and I asked her, "Are you feeling OK?" I saw her quickly nodd in the dark and I took her hand, "come on, I need to get you out of here." I opened the door and we walked in the corridor. I turned her to prevent her from seeing the dead body lying a few feet from us. We approached the main entrance of the building when Jasper appeared in our sight. I pushed MC toward a corner, crouching us to hide behind the wall. "Stay here, I will distract him. When I told you to run, just run to the door and leave!"

"I'm not leaving you alone with him!" she whispered, frowning.

"Don't worry," I answered, "I have some backup."

MC was about to talk when Jasper shouted, "MC ! Where are you hiding? I saw you untied yourself... That was a really bad idea. Show yourself, don't make me look for you."

That little piece of shit! "Stay here," I told MC as I stood up and walked to Jasper, "I thought you would rather look for me!"

Jasper turned back with a grin on his face. "So, you finally came?" he started, "do you really think you and your bitch can get out of here alive?"

"Don't call her that!" I said in an angry tone.

As we talked I walked around Jasper so he would turn his back to MC. Once I was sure he couldn't notice her, I took my gun in my right hand and put my left hand in my pocket, where was the device that Prescott gave me. I looked away from Jasper just a second to warn Prescott's team thanks to de tiny device, but it was enough for him to punch me. I dropped my gun and now Jasper was threatening me with his. Fuck! I pushed my feet on the floor, ready to jump on him when I saw MC sneaking behind Jasper, raising a wooden board above him and smashing it on his head.

Jasper fell to the ground and I rushed on him. He still had the gun in his hand but MC kicked the gun away. I smiled... Good job MC. Jasper growled with anger and I punched his face just when the FBI entered the building. I looked up at MC relieved but I saw nothing but panic in her eyes.

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