I was shoved down on a most likely wooden chair, then strapped tightly to it. Although my mouth wasn't blocked, I refused to speak. I didn't want to upset Jaxon by speaking. He already seemed so pissed off at me, so I don't want to further that anger. But I really want to know what's actually going on. I was left alone for a moment and I heard shuffling around. The place had a gross, musky smell to it. It reeked of dirty clothes mixed with sweaty men, which I was accustomed to, considering our boys locker room always smelt like this, except this is a bit worst.

"Why isn't he allowed to see, again?" Jared asked. There was silence and I heard no movement. Then suddenly my blindfold was ripped away from my face, and even though my eyes weren't open the sudden light felt almost blinding. When I opened my eyes I had to blink a couple of times to adjust my eyes. Everything seemed darker than usual, but I could take in my surroundings. It seemed like I was in a run-down, old bedroom. Beside the door was a flat mattress on the ground with a few messy sheets and a single pillow on it. I noticed a single pair of worn out converse next to the mattress, slumping downwards. I looked in the opposite direction where I found Jared leaning lazily against the wall, staring down at his feet. Next to him, Jaxon was digging through and old dresser draw, paying no mind to anyone else.

Jared looked up at me and he flashed me a smile, but I looked away. My eyes landed on Jaxon, still going through the old dresser, drawer after drawer. "What are you looking for?" I decided to ask. Jaxon didn't reply, but Jared said, "Oh uh he's looking for weapons. He said his dad would always hide his stuff down here."

"Shut the fuck up, Jared," Jaxon snapped.

"You're dad?" I asked. When did he even tell him this? Why didn't I hear?

"Oh..." Jared muttered softly.

"Is this where you live?" I asked looking around. When I think about it, this place did look like that of a teenage boy. There was a tattered poster on the wall, above the mattress, along with a high school Football T-shirt pinned next to it. I had noticed it before but I didn't actually put two and two together.

"Is this your room?" I asked again.

"Damn, bruh, you been through some shit," Jared spoke looking around the room also.

"Was it necessary to comment on it?" I asked Jared. He stared down at me. "It's not my fault he grew up during the hardest of times."

"Do you still live here?" I asked Jaxon, who was obviously ignoring us. I sighed softly. He probably does still live here. I'm certain his life here was hell. It's not just the condition of the room that tipped it off, it was just the aura of the place. I noticed there was a dent in wall by the mattress and the hinges of the door were close to falling off from probably being slammed shut so many times.

"Can you let me go now?" I wriggled to get my wrists out of the tight grip of the rope, but my efforts were all to no avail.

"No. You'll run," Jaxon finally spoke. I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Jaxon I think I trust you a bit to not run away. I know you're just trying to help," I told him. He glanced back at me with a cocked eyebrow, which made me think. Why would I run? I understand he's helping. I don't get why he'd do this to me in the first place. If it's because he doesn't want me to know his address, he's completely off. I wouldn't stalk the guy. But then I remembered something. Something I didn't think was very relevant when I first noticed it. Jaxon lives two blocks away from me. My home is two blocks away. 

 I blinked up at him and he was already watching me. He knew I knew and he seemed to curse himself for it. I opened my mouth to say something, but he turned away and went to look in some other boxes. I don't even know if I would run. I want to help Jared with all of this, but I also miss my family and I want to see them. And two blocks is so close to me right now -- it's the closets I have ever been to them since I left. It's too close to just pass up.

"Got em," Jaxon suddenly said. He turned around with two guns in both his hands, blinking between us Jared and I.

"I don't know who I don't trust less," he said, which I'll admit confused for a moment. I had to repeat the sentence in my head a few times before I actually get it. "If I give either of you this, you'll probably use your first bullet on me."

"No, I won't," I clarify. I don't want a gun, but he should know I'd never do that to him. 

"I probably might. You're a jackass," Jared shrugged, "And if I were Sebastian, I'd do it too."

"Wow, well you're definitely not getting it," Jaxon said to him. 

"Can you please untie me," I begged, "I promise I won't run, Jaxon, please." I stared at Jaxon as he stared back at me. His gaze was intent and he looked like he was contemplating if to actually release me. But then suddenly, there was a booming voice going through the house, like that of a blow horn. I flinched at the sound and so did Jaxon.

His eyes held fear. He didn't hide it for the first time. He looked afraid of what was to come and he stood immobile for what seemed like forever. "What was that?" I asked, tugging more to get off of the chair.

"Uh noth-no one," he stumbled over his words, but then composed himself almost immediately afterward. He turned to Jared then blinked toward me as he instructed us. "Get him out," he started, "Go up through that little window and run." Jared nodded obediently then pulled out a pocket knife to cut me free. The man shouted again, this time louder and Jaxon's name boomed through the house.

"Hurry the fuck up," Jaxon said. Jared cut me loose, but as he was about to grab me to run away, I moved away. I stared at Jaxon and shook my head, "I'm not leaving you."

"Sebastian, you have to. Just fucking go."

"No," I folded my arms across my chest. Jared scoffed, "Well, I'm leaving." I looked back at him in shock. Is he really going to do that? He went to the window and hoist himself up then wiggled his way through the window, ending up outside on the ground. "Try not to die guys."

"Sebastian you have to-"

"Jaxon!" the voice was closer to us and Jaxon took a step backwards, taking me back with him by putting me behind him. I swallowed and tried to hide behind him. Fear shot through me as the basement door opened and there stood a short, bearded man, with a deep scowl present on his face. His wore an old grey T-shirt and a pair of long, dirty khakis. His long beard was untamed, along with the brown hairs sticking out of his what was once white cap. He wore dirty boots on his feet, which were spread apart in a position that made him seem like he was ready for a war.

"I told you to never come back in my house, boy!" He said to Jaxon angrily.

"I-I'm sorry, Dad. I-I just-" Jaxon stopped himself when his dad took a limping step forward. He glared at Jaxon. "Dad I'm sorry."

"I told you not to call me that. You aren't my son. You're the ungrateful little bitch who bites the hand that feeds him. So you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to bite back." Jaxon's father tugged a gun from behind his back and pointed it straight to Jaxon. It seemed like it was to his chest but I wouldn't know since I was cowering behind him. "Y-you can't-"

"Yes I can! You had the balls to shoot me: the man that raise you, and took care of you. What makes you think I can't do the same to you?" He limped toward us a little, with his gun still raised. His eyes finally came to me and I could feel my spine quivering in fear. I took another step back as his dad cocked his head to the side in interest.

"You have some audacity, boy," he said to Jaxon, "You bring in one of your whores?"

"He's-"

"I'll kill him," he said, shifting the gun so the barrel was to me. My heart palpitated like an african bongo in my chest and I held on to Jaxon's hand.

"No you won't," Jaxon said, with suddenly more courage in his voice. While I took a step back again, Jaxon took a brave step forward. "I'll shoot you before you could even think of hurting him. Just like I did before." His dad rose his eyebrows in shock, but never retrieved his gun, and so Jaxon rose his. I tried to gripped at the wall, hoping it would just suck me in. I don't want to witness what's going to happen, and I also don't want to die.

"Again, you're raising a gun to the person who's always been there for you?" he asked.

"You weren't always fucking there for me!" Jaxon seemed to finally snap. I cocked an eyebrow, "You were the worst adoptive dad I could've gotten. You beat me for no apparent reason, every day and then tell me it's because you loved me. That wasn't love!" He shouted, but kept the gun firmly in his hand. "I won't hesitate to kill you. I hate you. I fucking hate you, you son of a-" Jaxon's speech was interrupted by the sound of a gunshot piercing through our ears. The bullet spat out of the gun, sending Jaxon stumbling backwards until he was against the wall and his gun fell from his hand. He cursed and slid down the wall, as the blood oozed out his upper arm, close to his shoulder. When I turned back to his dad, I found the gun pointed to me. He wore a wicked grin before he put his finger on the trigger slowly. My breathing rate increased drastically and I shut my eyes, trying to prepare myself of how it might feel to die -- but I definitely wasn't ready. I listened to the all too familiar sound of the gun as the bullet flew out with a bang.

But I wasn't hurt.

I piercing cry erupted the silence as I waited my turn. I blinked on eye open and found Jaxon's dad on the ground with his hands around his thigh. Blood flowed out the bullet wound freely and he cried out in pain. Another bullet was released hitting him in the shoulder and he fell backwards. I blinked back to Jaxon who was not standing. He walked to his dad and picked up the gun, ignoring the cries coming from his father's mouth. "I will...kill you," he seethed. 

"Fuck you, Father," He spat, "Come on, Sebastian," Jaxon nodded to me, instructing me to leave the basement. He took my hand and led me out. Jaxon portrayed a brave, courageous guy, and I can't say that he actually isn't, but I could see the pain and fear in his eyes. When his dad entered the room, he was afraid. He was too afraid to even move. "You need someone to see that," I told him when we were outside of the house.

He ignored me, like he usually does, while his eyes worked around the area. He sucked his teeth and ran his fingers through his hair. "That asshole took the car."

"Jaxon, your arm. You can die from all that blood loss," I informed him.

"I fucking know that, Sebastian."

"Then let me help you," I said to him. I gripped his arm, which wasn't wounded, obviously, and I pulled him back to me as he went to walk away. "You aren't going to die."

"Well what do you intend on doing? I'm not going to a hospital," he stated matter-of-factly. I bit my bottom lip in though, but then finally an idea came into my head. And even though I know Jaxon would altercate, I suggested the idea anyway. My only care is that he doesn't loose a lot of blood. "We have to go back to mine."

"No."

"Yes, we're going. You need to stop all that blood... blood flow." I gulped as my eyes, for the first time, went to his bloody wound. I almost puked at the sight of all that blood coming out of the human body. It was rather disturbing. I've seen dead bodies, and people get shot, but this; it's so close and raw. "Uh.. keep pressure on it," I tell him.

"How?" he asked then rolled his eyes. I glanced around for anything he could use to keep pressure on it and blood inside his body. "Uh keep your hand on it. I'll be right back." I took a step backwards to go back into the house. Jaxon instantly rose his arm to stop me, then winced almost immediately in pain. He ignored it a little, but there was still pain in his features. "You aren't going back in there. Are you crazy?"

"Well where else am I-"

"I'll use my top, okay. Let's just go," he gripped my arm and pulled me along. I pried his hand off of mine, for the millionth time. "Take off your top, Jaxon. Gosh, can you at least pretend to care that this could kill you."

"I do care," he muttered, barely even audible. He stopped walking and tried to lift his arm to take off his top, but obviously couldn't. I groaned as I told him to stop. I took off my top and remained only in my jacket. Jaxon stared intently at me as I handed him my top and zipped up my jacket again, but he didn't say anything, which I was thankful for. "Here." I moved to his left side, where the blood flowed out freely and rose my hand to press the bundled up T-shirt to his skin, but I paused. I stared at it, realizing no matter how brave I wanted to be, I couldn't. Jaxon has a bullet in his shoulder. This right now is real. The dark red blood made its way out of his body like a lazy river and inched down his arm to his fingertips then flowed onto the already dirty concrete pavements. 

Jaxon's hiss in pain had me snapping my eyes back to his and I shook my head quickly. I swallowed down my fear a bit then pressed the Tee on his wound. I squeezed my eyes shut as I pressed there for a moment. "Sebastian, are you alright?" he asked me.

"Uh I uh I'm fine," I swallowed my spit. He slowly removed my hand from the ruffled up T-shirt and applied pressure for himself. "I really hope your dads are going to help me, cause this shit is becoming fucking unbearable." He moved past me and began to walk faster than me. I caught up to him and began to walk at the same fast speed that he usually walked at. I guess after being tugged around by him so much, I've adapted to his quick pace.

"I can't believe Jared actually left us," he said, pain evident in his voice.

"Yeah, he's like that," I muttered. I blinked up at him, to take in his expression. He obviously doesn't like Jared and vice versa, but I didn't really think Jared would have done that. And to make things worst he took the car. 

"Why didn't you go?" he asked me.

"Because I'm not like that. Yes, you're pretty fucked up and you kidnapped me and you're always treating me like some kind of hostage child, and you never open up and-"

"Okay, I get it. What's your point."

"And you always interrupt," I continue, "Despite all those things, you're still a sort of good friend and I couldn't have just left you there with your worst nightmare."

"He's not my worst nightmare."

"It's okay to be afraid, Jaxon," I tell him. I blinked down at his hand then bit my lip nervously. I inched closer to him, until my finger touched his. He instantly looked down to our hands, and much to my surprise he didn't move his hand away. He allowed me to entangle my fingers in his. He rubbed tiny circles in my hand with his thumb, making me smile. For a brief moment I felt happy. We weren't in this situation and things were good.

Jaxon made it to my house and I quickly got him inside. "Dad! Bear!" I shouted, praying they were home today. When I walked further into the house to look in the kitchen, I found Jared standing, eating an apple while going through our cards of fast food restaurants. I furrowed my eyebrows as I stared at him in shock, but Jaxon cleared his throat, which made me snap back into reality. He needs to get help now.

"Fuck.." he muttered when I put him to sit on the couch. "Dads! Are you here?" I shouted again.

"Sebastian? Honey, is that you?" I heard dad asked and I let out a sigh of relief. He came rushing down the stairs, but slowed down when he took in the sight. "What... what is.. who is that?"

"That's Jaxon and he's bleeding, dad, help him, please." I pleaded. Jaxon rest his head on the back of the sofa but continued to apply pressure to his wound. He breathed in and out loudly as if trying to contain his pain in breaths. "He needs an ambulance, son. Why didn't you-"

"No," Jaxon shook his head, "D-don't."

"You need medical attention. I can't do anything."

"Dad, please, you have to help him. Please. He can't... I don't want anything to happen to him, dad," I beseeched. Dad sighed softly and nodded his head, "Fine. What happened to him?" He asked as he walked around the sofa so he stood in front of Jaxon. He slowly took Jaxon's hand off of the bloodied T-shirt to take in the wound, then put it back "Were you shot?" Dad asked in disbelief. 

"Duh," Jared entered the room, still eating the apple. Dad looked up at him with furrowed eyebrows, as if to ask who the fuck Jared was. Dad flashed me a questioning look but my only care was Jaxon, so I blinked down at him, indicating that Jaxon was the main priority right now. Dad nodded, understanding what my eyes said then averted his eyes to the wound at Jaxon's left shoulder.

"I need bandages and some water," he ordered, "Son, get the first-aid kit."

"Please... hurry," Jaxon slurred softly. I rushed out of the living room then quickly went up to the bathroom and searched the cabinets for the big red cross on a box. Upon finding it, I rushed back down the stairs and passed it to my father. He ordered for the water and received it from Jared. 

My dad isn't a doctor, but I was sure he'd help us. He'd do this better than any of us would have. And as I looked on, I realized he might as well been a doctor. Given, this is very harmful for Jaxon, but he refuses to go to get real medical help, so we just have to settle. I stared at my dad as he removed the bloodied T-shirt yet again, this time wiping a clean, damp cloth over Jaxon's wound. Jaxon winced and squeezed his eyes shut as my dad continued to clean his wound. He reached up and gripped my hand tightly and he continued to squirm in pain. 

His grip on my hand loosened slowly and at first I was relieved, but then I realized what it meant. I stared down at Jaxon, panicked. His eyes were closed, but not as tightly before and his chest rose at a very slow pace, which again, instilled panic. "Dad he's.. dad..." I trailed off.

"He's lost a lot of blood, Sebastian," Dad said to me, as if I was supposed to understand this. How I could I possibly understand this? This isn't normal. I don't think I haven't witnessed anything like this outside of a screen before. Dad instructed us to put Jaxon to lay on his back, then he quickly went back to pressure bandaging his arm, so he wouldn't lose any more blood. But I still felt uneasy. How long is he going to be like this?

As Jaxon had to lie on the ground, the two guns which he had stuck in his waistband slipped out of their place and into the plain view of my father. He looked at the two weapons then to Jaxon, then to me. I was so glad when he didn't say anything about it. He only stood up slowly and walked to go behind the sofa to look on.

"If he doesn't wake up soon we'll have to call an ambulance, Sebastian," Dad said to me carefully.

"Fuck, Jaxon..." I trailed off as I stared at him. I crouched down so I'd be closer to him on the ground. I ran my hand through his dark hair and stared down at him. He needs to get back up. I zoned out everyone else as I stared at Jaxon, only praying that he wakes up so we don't have to call the ambulance. I'm smart enough to know that getting authorities involved in all this would be extremely dumb. And I honestly think Jaxon would rather die than get involved with the cops. But I don't want to lose him so soon.

I took his hand in mine holding it tightly, waiting for him to grasp back.

Unfortunately, my moment was ruined when my dad spoke. "How did he manage to get shot?"

I blinked up in surprise, then looked across at Jared. He looked like he was about to say something, but I can't have that. Jared doesn't give a damn about anyone and he'll most likely tell the truth, which I can't have just yet.

"Uh it was nothing really," I quickly said.

"How is getting shot nothing, Sebastian?"

"I don't know dad, can you ease up on the questions, my friend could be dying right now."

"He's fine," Dad told me, "and I didn't even know you had him as a friend."

"He's new," I tell him, feeling a bit agitated. Why is he questioning me right now? My top priority right now is Jaxon, I have no time for those stupid questions. I have way bigger fish to fry right now. Jaxon's hand twitched in mine, making me swiftly locked my eyes on him. I looked around his face, then down to our hands, whispering, "come on, Jaxon.." over and over again.

Then finally he gripped my hand as tightly as I was gripping his, and a relieved smile found its way to my face. Jaxon's emerald eyes fluttered open and I have never been so happy to see a pair of eyes before. I leaned down and hugged him tightly. "Fuck Jaxon, don't ever do that again."

"I'm sorry my dad wants to kill me," he said, sarcasm dripping from his lips. I let out a content chuckle against him, then closed my eyes and enjoyed resting on him for a moment or so. Relief washed over me like a wave and all I wanted to do was lie here with him. But I knew I had to move.. although I didn't want to. I sat up and stared down at him. "Does it hurt?"

"No shit, Sebastian," he rolled his eyes. I flashed him a genuine smile, giving his hand a genuine squeeze. When Jaxon's eyes met mine, I subtly nodded in the direction of my dad, hoping he got the message. 

"Oh ah thanks... uh Thank you," Jaxon said to my dad. I smiled and nodded then glanced back to Dad. He flashed a smile. After about a minute of us, he walked away from the scene. I helped Jaxon up so he was on the sofa. Little blood went on the sofa, surprisingly -- nothing that we can't fix. Jaxon took his seat and rest his head back then ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'll get him some water," Jared said, as though he owned the place, then turned to go to the kitchen. I looked back to make sure he actually went to the kitchen and wasn't wandering all over my goddamn house. "He came here..." Jaxon trailed off, referring to Jared.

"Yeah, apparently."

"How did he know where you lived."

I closed my eyes and shook my head, silently telling him I won't answer the question. I heard Jaxon laugh softly. I opened my eyes and stared at him as he laughed. I liked his laugh. It's so rare. A smile formed on my lips. He stopped laughing and just stared at me. It was such a shock to see his green eyes twinkling with happiness, and the sight had my smile permanent. I don't know why I care so much about Jaxon's happiness. He's been a complete jackass to me but I want to always see a smile on his face. And after today, I want that even more. Growing up seemed to be hell for Jaxon. His dad isn't the most pleasant person, I can't  imagine how hard it might have been to live with him for all those years.

I rose my hand and ran my finger behind his ear gently. Jaxon's eyes remained on mine for a minute longer, before he looked away. He held my wrist in the most tender manner he has ever, and he removed my hand. He cleared his throat and moved around a bit. "Ah where's uh where's Jared and that water?" I tried my hardest not to show it on my face, but I was completely shocked. I sat still for a moment, just watching as he tried to avoid all and every type of contact with me.

"Is something wrong with me?" I asked him. He looked across at me, with feign innocence in his eyes. "Uh what?"

"You -" My sentence was interrupted when I heard our front door open, then I heard Ely's voice calling my name. I immediately looked behind us to find Ely rushing toward me. I stood and engulfed him in a hug. I don't know why, but I felt as if something had happened when I was gone, and now I was so relieved that it didn't. I'm obviously glad he's safe, but I'm obviously over thinking things.

"Fuck, Sebastian, I'm so glad you're safe." He pulled away and kissed me before I could even reply. "I love you. So much."

I nodded quickly, "Uh yeah, me too." I kissed him back but pulled away shortly after.