Hi guys! I'm so happy with all of the comments left on the last two chapters but I am a tad confused XD, why exactly have comment levels dropped? I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not but most of you have stopped commenting on this story so I'd like to hear your honest opinion on why. I look to your comments for motivation so due to the lack of comments, I have a lack of motivation. It's kind of a 50/50 deal with me; I know, it's weird af but that's how I am. So please try to comment, I don't really care about votes or sharing this book with a friend–since I know most of you won't anyway–but a comment really makes my day a lot better! Thanks!

Chapter Track: "All Time Low" ~Jon Bellion
~~~
~Jude~

"Fuck, what time is it?"

I fluttered my eyes open at the groggy, sleep-filled voice of Kallahan as he stirred from underneath me and I shifted closer, pushing my head further into his neck with a hum.

"Jude."

My eyes began to droop before closing once again.

"Jude."

My breathing slowed as I took a deep breath, inhaling the refreshing scent of wood, pine to be precise, and the cheap cologne of which I had become so accustomed to.

"You're going to be the death of me, you know that right," Kallahan mumbled, standing to his feet with my body still wrapped around him like a cotton towel after a warm shower. I hummed in response and he groaned, walking outside of the pink cabin, his boots clunking lazily against the wood.

As the chill of the night air touched my skin, goosebumps began to form and I sprung from Kallahan's arms, clutching my arms closer to my body. The already eerie campground was now covered in shadows, obscure and abstract patches of darkness that swayed to the ominous tune of the autumnal wind. The tip of the flagpole glittered brilliantly, glistening under the moonlight as if recently polished. I stared at it in amazement, the emitted golden beams of light entrancing me with its beauty.

I jumped as my phone began vibrating in my back pocket, causing Kallahan to instinctively reach for his pocketknife before calming, his hand resting just over the knife's bolster. I smiled sheepishly and gripped my phone in my hand before pulling it from my jean pockets. As the lock screen's light shone upon my face, my grip on the device turned fierce. I suddenly felt fifty degrees colder. Kallahan was instantly by my side, his eyes narrowed in concern.

"Jude? What's wrong?"

I felt his hands pry my phone free of my tight grasp and as the light ghosted over his features, his eyes began to steel themselves.

"Let's go."

I struggled to catch my phone, clumsily bouncing the device between my hands before it could hit the ground, as he silently stalked into the darkness filled woods; no sign of slowing down. I slid the still buzzing piece of technology into my back pocket before rushing after him, twigs and low hanging branches scratching my skin at every angle.

"I'm sorry," I whispered into the night, causing the blurry, distant form of Kallahan to pause in his motions before continuing his storming through the woods, not even flinching as leaves and branches scraped against his jacket clad body. I trudged after him, climbing over an immense fallen log before stumbling forward and gripping the sturdy trunk of a nearby tree. I cringed as splintered pieces of bark dug into my palms but I ignored it, brushing my hands against my jeans before rushing after Kallahan once again.

This continued for what seemed like hours until we came upon a clearing, a rolling hill with puffy dandelions decorating the land, he stood atop the knoll and glanced down with a peculiar solemnity that made me frown. I cautiously stepped closer to him, making my way up the side of the hill, dandelion puffs fluttering aimlessly around me before a breeze carried them through the woods.

"It's not your fault kid."

I watched Kallahan carefully as I approached him, his figure standing tall and strong as the breeze blew through his chestnut brown locks. He hung his head. I stared at him, my mouth hanging open in anticipation, until finally, my eyes witnessed what caused his mood to sour.

Just through another plot of thick woods, bright lights of blues and reds could be seen. My breath hitched in my throat– he really did it.

"I didn't know he'd really call the police–"

"Of course he did. He cares about you. Look, this is as far as I'm going, who knows how many cops there are scouring these woods. You need to go home and I need to lay low until the heat cools off. Broken promises or not, this has to be–and will be–the last we see of each other, you got that?"

I stared at him longer, my body growing colder, and colder, and colder, until finally, I nodded solemnly. I wordlessly shifted my eyes from his, and started down the dark, grassy knoll. My shoes trampled upon the puffball dandelions, sending small, white flecks into the air around me. With my fists clutched tightly to my sides, I cut through the familiar woods that laid just behind Mr. Anderson and Mr. Thompson's home.

"Got it."

With the stars and the trees as my witness, I didn't chance a look behind me. I didn't want to see those compelling green eyes, or that feathery hair that never ceased to amaze me during our short time together. I didn't look back.

As I approached the sliding backdoor of the home, I was immediately surrounded by a swarm of officers, each firing questions rapidly.

"Where were you?"

"Who were you with?"

"What happened to your clothes?"

"Can you explain the scratches?"

The questions seemed to come faster and faster, all blurring together in a whirlwind of inquiry until,

"Let the kid breathe."

At the sound of an authoritative, deep baritone, I watched in wonder as the sea of prying officers parted instantly; leaving only one officer at the entrance to the circle. A towering figure, commanding attention and submission, stalked deeper inside the circle, eyes narrowed in my direction. His badge shone brightly under the moonlight, sparkling boastfully as if nature itself was succumbing to his dominance, only existing to highlight his authoritative presence. His black boots trampled upon the leaf-covered ground as he leisurely made his way toward my cowering being.

As he came to a pause in front of my face, hands behind his back and chest proudly thrust forward, was when I saw it. There, on the right side of his uniform, was tagged "Fallon," in bolded, embroidered, crimson red letters.

"He's had a rough day, haven't you kiddo?"

I remained silent under his piercing gaze, jamming my hands into the pockets of my hoodie and lowering my eyes to the ground below.

"We can question him in the morning if you'd like."

I looked up to see Mr. Anderson and Mr. Thompson watching me intently. Tears stained Mr. Thompson's cheeks as he clung to Mr. Anderson's arm for support. Mr. Anderson stared at me analytically before sighing and shaking his head, "No, that won't be needed."

A sigh of relief escaped my lips.

"Your son just stumbled his way out of the woods, bloodied and bruised, and you don't want to do an investigation. Seems a bit ludicrous," Chief Fallon inquired with a raised brow and Mr. Anderson turned toward him with a glare that could freeze Hell.

"You take care of your affairs and I'll take care of mine. What's my family's business, stays my family's business."

Chief Fallon's stern gaze never faltered at Mr. Anderson's show of aggression but instead he smirked snidely, motioning for his men to clear out. Heavy stomping ensued as the officers left the yard, marching towards their vehicles, whilst Fallon stayed behind, exchanging glances between myself and my guardians.

"Well, as long as this "family" of yours continues to just be your business, I'll steer clear Anderson. But, the moment it becomes my business, don't expect me to be quite so, civil. Have a nice night."

And with one last demeaning look cast over his shoulder and a wave of his right hand, he swaggered his way to his car before speeding off into the night.

"We need to talk Jude."

Ignoring Mr. Anderson, I brushed past him and Mr. Thompson, going through the sliding glass doors and running up the stairs before they could ask what happened. I wasn't ready to talk, albeit I was never ready to talk but this time, I wasn't ready to attempt talking. Who knows what atrocities might spill from my mouth at this moment? So once I finally reached my bedroom, I shut it quickly and locked it. Not even seconds later, banging erupted from behind it as Mr. Anderson shouted for me to "Open up!" and "Talk to me!"

"I can't," I whispered to myself, sitting on my bed, and stared out the window. The window that started it all. The window that brought him into my life.

My phone buzzed to life in my pocket and I pulled it free to see over seventy messages and calls. All from either Mr. Anderson and Mr. Thompson or, like the most recent ones, from Payton. I glared at his self-inserted contact name, "King of Hearts," as I reread the text that set my heart on the decline.

'Look, I'm really sorry Jude but now I'm starting to get really worried. You've never missed school before and when I called Mr. Anderson to see what was up, he said you were sick. I went to check-in on you but you weren't home, I called your dads and they said to call the police. Jude, whatever's going on, please don't be afraid to talk to me. I promise, I'm here for you. You're my best friend, I care about you. If you read this message, I better damn see you tomorrow or there may just be hell to pay. Love you Jude <3'

Fed up with hollow words and empty promises, I locked the windows; both literally and metaphorically.
~~~

And there you have it folks! Hope no one out there is too angry with me haha and don't worry, this isn't where our story ends! It's not even close! Anyways, thanks again for reading and I hope it was as enjoyable for you as it was for me! Until next time, Brendan Out!

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