"Care to explain all of this now?" Bear asked me, glancing around the room to Jared then Jaxon then back to me. It's very few times I ever see him without a silly grin on his face, so I know this is something I have to be completely honest with. And I was going to. Why would I lie about this, after everything that has happened? They need to know. 

But by looking at Jaxon's face I could tell he disagrees with me completely. He has a permanent scowl marked on his face and it's obviously not from his wound. He gave me a look that said 'don't' and shook his head every so slightly. But I ignored all his signs. I blinked back to my dads and cleared my throat.

"What is it, Sebastian?" Dad asked, sounding slightly annoyed by the amount of time I'm taking to just spill the beans. I blinked between them both. Dad had his arms folded across his chest with a stern look on his face. Bear had his arms around dad's waist and didn't look as serious, but I could see the serious element in his eyes. I bit my bottom lip softly. It's now or never. I looked around the room to see all eyes on me. Jaxon stared intently, Jared looked on, even though he didn't really seem interested (but I think that's just his face). Ely stood beside me and also stared and my dads' eyes didn't leave me.

"So... uh Jared is in the center of a huge sort of black market thing..." I said, which actually confused me. I admit I could have said that better, but in my defense all my thoughts were jumbled.

"Of course he is," Ely sneered and rolled his eyes, which only fed Jared since he smirked smugly. I blinked between them both and realized what a horrible situation this must be... well for Ely. But he should know I'll never choose Jared over him. Jared is like a sickening stray pet that I only care about because he's been there so long I feel like I have no choice. 

"If this guy named Crimson gets his hands on Jared, it'll probably be a bad thing," I continue.

"And how did you become involved in all this?" Dad asked me.

"Jared and I were... friends in the past, and since I'm the only one who actually knows a tiny bit about Jared, they wanted me to turn in Jared to them or all of you would be killed. But I can't... I can't do that. I'm not going to give up Jared." My eyes went over to Jared who still wore that smug look then he winked at me. Why is he like that?

Then I looked at Ely, and he looked annoyed. I was surprised he didn't walk away from the scene. Instead he just grew closer to me and snaked an arm around my waist.

"So what now?" Bear asked.

"We aren't staying here, that's for sure," Jaxon spoke, finally.

"I'm not allowing my son to go prancing about with you two. He could get hurt, which is something I am not prepared to handle," Dad said firmly.

"Dad I have to go-"

"Why not just turn him in?" Ely spoke and I stared at him with wide eyes. Why would he say that? I would never do that. Jared is a friend... an annoying friend, but a friend nonetheless.

"No," I firmly stated.

"Don't you get that it's not just about Sebastian being a good friend toward him? If Crimson gets him he'll use him for all sorts of shit that would fuck everything up - he'll have everything right in the palm of his hands," Jaxon said. I stared at him for a while, admiring how he spoke, although he didn't say anything great. What he said was true and I hoped that it changed everyone's minds.

"Gosh, what happened to normal teenage problems..." Bear shook his head.

"Listen I'm all chill with going back to how things were," Jared spoke, finally. I looked over to him with cocked eyebrows. "After everything we've been through you're going to say that shit? Jaxon risked his life for you, and you just want to go back to clubbing. Are you insane?" I snapped.

"Dude, relax."

"No, I'm not going to relax, Jared. This is not a joke. Something has to be done."

"Kill 'em all," Jaxon shrugged. I stared at him and he rose his hands in surrender. I rolled my eyes. "Can we leave now?" he asked.

"Why?" I asked the same time my dad said, "Leave?" Jaxon's eyes met mine, but he said nothing. He blinked away from me then went to the ground. I continued staring at him. I ignored everyone around me for a moment and only stared at Jaxon, trying to figure out what was his deal. I know my house isn't any paradise, but I don't think he'd want to leave so quickly.

Or maybe it isn't the house. He's afraid of his dad. He never said it out loud, but he's very afraid of his father. I saw it in his eyes, I see it now even though he isn't looking at me. But just the way he took a step backwards and completely silenced himself told me that it wasn't just because he had somewhere to be why he didn't want to remain here. He was afraid his dad would find him. He's terrified of having his father find him. And I cannot relate to him, but I don't want him in that situation again.

"Maybe we should go..." I speak, causing all eyes on me.

"Sebastian, I'm sorry, but you aren't going anywhere," Dad said strictly, taking a step forward and straightening his back so he'd be taller and frankly, scarier. 

"Dad-"

"No, Sebastian. This whole... whatever this is, is over. I'm not allowing you to do this," he said to me, "I'm sorry Jared, but Sebastian is not getting involved in this."

"Are you serious, dad?"

"We need to go..." Jaxon said, tapping his foot impatiently. I stared at him with furrowed eyebrows, before looking back to my dads, with pleading eyes. They won't actually force me to stay here, will they? I'm only doing this to help Jared. I can't just abandon him. Given, we have no plan or no way of actually ensuring that we all won't just die, but I still won't give up. We all stood silently for a while, just staring at each other. My dad didn't seem like he's ever going to change his mind and I hate it. He is not easily convinced, at all, and Bear definitely would not go against his word - he's smarter than that.

But I could still try.

"Bear, please. Jared is my friend -- I can't leave him this way," I pleaded to my more open-minded dad. Jaxon cocked an eyebrow at me. I blinked at him briefly but said nothing, then went back to Bear. Dad stared up at him as if he was just waiting for him to say something he didn't approve of. For some unknown reason my eyes went back to Jaxon, and his face slowly began to contort to an angry expression.

I opened my mouth to try to calm him down a bit, but shut it immediately out of fear when Jaxon swore under his breath. "Fuck this shit," he says and tugged out his gun, making me cringe back into Ely. He pointed the gun to my dad and my eyes widened. I instantly rushed to him to get him to stop but he shoved me off. "Pass the keys or I'll fucking shoot you."

"Listen, Jax-"

"Shut the fuck up!" he pulled the trigger and a bullet spat out. I jumped at the sudden sound and squeezed my eyes shut. But then realization hit me and I immediately opened my eyes again. I found my dad, thankfully still standing in front of Jaxon, with the gun pointed to him, but he was completely unhurt. I let out a sigh of relief, fearing Jaxon now more than ever. Dad handed over his keys to the angry boy then took a careful step backwards to bear.

"Let's go," Jaxon commanded, his eyes still trained on my parents, but we all knew he was talking to Jared and I.

"Aye aye, cap'n," Jared said nonchalantly. 

"Jaxon-"

"Will you shut up and get in the goddamn car, Sebastian?" He turned to me briefly, and all I saw was the monster I once feared. The guy who first kidnapped me. The angry guy who's only care was himself. I saw him again, and that scared me. I didn't want Jaxon to be that way again. 

He took a step backwards, but kept the gun pointed at my dads. I eyed Ely, making sure he didn't do anything stupid. I'm absolutely disgusted by Jaxon right now, but I don't want him to get hurt. I don't want anyone to get hurt -- but I guess it's different with Jaxon. He's special and I don't want anything to happen to him. I shook my head at Ely when his eyes flashed to me. He looked disappointed in me for some reason, but I ignored it.

"Jaxon, let's just go, please," I beg softly. He didn't reply to me. He just lowered his gun the turned to quickly tug me out of the house. He shoved me in the driver's seat, something I'm actually accustomed to, then he went to the passenger's seat. "Drive, Sebastian."

"Why-"

"Drive the fricking car! Jesus Christ!" He growled. I nodded my head obediently then stared the car. 

"You're really fucking insane, you know that right?" Jared asked from the back seat of the car.

"And you're really fucking annoying, so shut the fuck up, will 'ya?" 

"Sorry, man," Jared shrugged with a little chuckle. I honestly wish I could be as carefree as Jared right now. He doesn't even give a shit that all of that just went down. What is in his mind will always amaze me. I have to say though, his weird, careless personality is a bit captivating sometimes. Then I glanced across at Jaxon. He's a hard rock. I hate that he gives off nothing besides anger. And he's so hard to read. And he has such a short tempered, and he's probably bipolar. I just don't get his problem. 

"W-why did you... why'd you do that?" I asked him softly, with fear filling my voice. He glared at me until I looked away again. At first I thought he wouldn't have answered me, but much to my surprise, he did. "They weren't going to let you leave."

"You didn't have to pull the gun..." I tell him, fearing him snapping at me.

"Yeah well it worked, didn't it?"

"Don't you feel fucked up after you do those things?" I asked him. He obviously didn't answer that question because that's just how he is. He ignores everything that could at least hint he actually has a heart with human emotions.

"Where are we going?" I asked after a moment of silence.

"To Cj's."

"Wow, I guess you really do hate me," Jared summed up.

"Not to do what you think, idiot," Jaxon rolled his eyes. I cocked an eyebrow, wondering what the hell he was planning to do. I remained silent as I drove back to Cj's place. I don't know why, but the first time he took me there I remembered every bend of every corner. I noticed Jaxon continuously looking across at me from my peripheral vision, but I didn't comment on it.

I was actually thankful when Jared began to spoke, breaking the mild awkward silence, but immediately regretted it when I heard what came out of his lips. He said, "So... Ely looked really good today."

"Not the time, Jared," I said and shook my head.

He chuckled. "Come on, aren't you supposed to be all happy and glee filled to talk about your boyfriend?" He teased. I groaned softly and was tempted to crash this car, in a way that only Jared died. I blinked up at him through the rear-view mirror to see a smug smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes as he began to speak again.

"Gosh, you two looked absolutely adorable, cuddled together today. He seems to really love you," he said, then sighed softly, as if he actually cared about any of this. He's just a tease. "But honestly, he's pretty stupid," he shrugged, "I mean, you're good looking and all, but after the first time, I would have definitely left you for good."

"Jared, do you ever stop?" I asked him.

"Hey, I'm just trying to break the silence, you know."

"Yeah, well you aren't helping."

"You're hating me just because I'm speaking? Am I saying something offensive, Sebastian?"

"Fuck you," I said, then decided to not add to his conversation any longer. He's just so irritable. 

"And Jaxon, didn't you think they were cute today?" Jared asked, but Jaxon didn't say anything. "The way Ely protectively wrapped his arm around his waist. That was nice, wasn't it? Or when he kissed him when he first came. Ugh, who doesn't love a young couple in love, right, Jaxon?"

Jaxon still ignored him and I was actually impressed he didn't blow his head off right there and then. He seemed to be getting so annoyed by what Jared was saying, and I can't really blame him. Jared was doing this on purpose. He wanted a reaction, which he wasn't going to get. He leaned back in his seat, with a satisfied smirk and his eyes were only on Jaxon. I removed my eyes from Jared and blinked across at Jaxon for a moment before going back to the road. He looked so uneasy, but it didn't show much on his face. 

I pulled up in front of the neighbors house and we all exited the car - Jaxon leading obviously. Before we walked in, however, Jaxon gave Jared a warning glare and he rose his hands in surrender,  but Jaxon continued to glared. "Don't fucking do anything stupid, okay."

"Yeah, whatever. What are we even doing here?"

"Shut up."

He coolly walked to Cj's front door and pulled the screen door shield. He kicked the door open, not checking, nor caring if it was locked or not. The door went flying open and almost immediately the gun went off. I took a step backwards, remaining outside as I heard the sound of the bullets shooting out none stop. Jared stayed out with me, looking shocked, with his brows pointed to the sky and his jaw slightly dropped. 

Why is Jaxon doing this? Why did he kill the people who were in there?

Seconds later, I heard him shouting (which is a normal thing for him). "Where the fuck is Cj and Crimson?" I wanted to step in and try to persuade Jaxon not to hurt anyone else, but the fear of him and what I would actually see when I go in consumed me and so I stayed leaning against the wall of the barely sturdy house. "Are you fucking lying to me?" he demanded. I couldn't hear the person's reply, but the last thing I heard was a gunshot again, then Jaxon stepped out of the house and walked ahead of us back toward a car which was parked in driveway of the house.

"Let's go."

"What the fuck just happened in there?" Jared asked the question that was on everyone's minds. I could still feel my bones trembling in fear -- I don't think I'll ever be able to get accustomed to all that killing. I'm thankful, however, that no one was around when all of this happened. The streets were barren and the houses around seemed barren also. 

Jaxon took the driver's seat and I began to walk to go to the back seats, but Jaxon instantly stopped me, ordering me in front with him. I blinked down at the gun on his lap, then nodded my head quickly, wanting to avoid him using that gun on me because I disobeyed him. I took the passenger seat and Jared went to the back. He actually looked pretty comfortable back there.

"Okay, so you aren't going to tell us why the fuck you just killed a bunch of people, but hey, I guess it's all chill. These things happen all the time," Jared said with sarcasm dripping venously from his lips. I only stared out the window, watching as everything went by quickly. I didn't hear Jaxon's reply, as I expected. He obviously won't answer.

"We need somewhere to stay for the time being," he finally spoke, but it wasn't anything anyone wanted to hear.

"Another fucking motel?" Jared groaned, "I hate those."

"Yeah well no one gives a shit."

"What are we waiting for?" Jared asked.

"Night."

"Oh. Great. We're going to fucking die, at night." Jared said dully. I rolled my eyes at that but didn't comment on it. I just stared outside. I noticed the tiny drops forming on the car window, making a soft sigh leave my lips. I hate the rain. I find it so depressing. As we drove further, the rain got heavier, until the sound of the rain was battling the roof of the car like a hail of bullets, which made me slouch further into the car seat. I mustered up enough courage to look up at the clouds as they grew darker and darker, causing an unnatural darkness of the afternoon. I looked out the window again, past the curtain of water, and I could see the dim lights of the shops and stores in the town.

I could barely tell the way we were driving, but a few minutes later, the car stopped. Jared wasted no time to get out of the car, to stand in the pouring rain to tell us, "I'll get us a room. Stay here until I get back."

"No, we're coming too," Jaxon said and opened the door to join Jared in the rain. I stopped, hopelessly staring outside, and stared at them in shock. I shook my head at them both. They are already soaked and they only spent like a minute in the rain, which proves how heavy the rain was pouring. But they didn't even seem to care. Jaxon shrugged off his already wet jacket and threw it into the car for me. "Put it on quickly and let's go." Jared took in the scene for a moment, then he scoffed and ran out of the rain and into the motel.

I blinked back to Jaxon who was drenched from head to toe. "I don't want to get soaked."

"I'm already fucking soaked, it's no big deal," he threw his hands in the air and I chuckled softly at that. Jaxon walked around to my side of the car then opened the door, allowing the rain to come inside the car, and wetting me. He held out his hand for me to take, and I just stared. "You're already wet, Sebastian."

I sighed softly and took his hand to step out of the car. "God, was that so hard? Now run," he says and began to pull me along. We ran into the Blue Lion Motel, dripping wet. We found Jared, sitting on a very uncomfortable looking couch, in a very lazy position, with his shoes off. When we shared eye contact, he only shrugged then blinked at the man who leaned on the counter on his elbow, staring us up and down. His eyes went down to Jared as he stared in disdain, then to Jaxon. By that time, I had already gotten the message. 

"Uh I'm sorry about your floors," I spoke up, because I knew neither of them were going to. The man, who look like he was in his mid-forties, instantly perked up and his eyes seemed to land on me for the first time. He was an average looking guy, but after staring into his deep hazel eyes for a while, I began to get a sort of pervert vibe coming from him and I subtly took a step backwards.

"It's all okay. How may I help you tonight? Would you like something to dry off?" his voice was actually very kind and it made me reconsider everything I thought about him, and I also felt bad. He stepped from behind the counter and walked toward us -- well mainly me. I tried to get Jaxon's attention by stepping back a tiny bit, but his only focus was on drying himself.

"Would you like a room?"

"He has no money," Jared drawled. Is he seeing this and not commenting on it? This man is definitely a pervert.

"I think something could be arranged," he ran his finger along my face, to move my wet hair from close to my eyes. "Oh, you're soaked."

"Uh-"

"It's okay, I'll take care of you."

I swallowed deeply, not knowing what to say nor do, and Jared was just sitting there like the ass he is, taking all of this in. I was relieved when Jaxon finally turned, oblivious to everything that just happened, and asked the man, "So uh, the room?"

"Three separate rooms, yes?" he eyed me as he spoke to Jaxon. I grabbed his hand quickly, which resulted in him looking down at me with a frown. "Uh I uh I don't think we need a room anymore. Can we please go?" I asked him. I blinked at the man and flashed a small, and fake smile. Jaxon furrowed his eyebrows but thankfully nodded in agreement. "Uh yeah, okay..."

"Jared?" I looked down at him with a cocked eyebrow.

"Yeah, I'm good here. It's cool in here," he looked around the small lobby, completely oblivious to the way that perv was now staring at him. He then looked back to me and smiled, "Are you sur-"

"Yeah. He's sure," Jaxon interrupted him and I smiled, "Jared, we'll be in the car. Don't fucking go anywhere else."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Jared rolled his eyes and slouched further into the couch. I quickly turned around and walked out of that creepy motel, tugging Jaxon along with me, for once. I didn't even care that the rain was drenching me and out here was extremely cold. It wasn't even nightfall yet, but everywhere was darker than usual. Where did this rain even come from? Gosh, I can't remember the last time it rained.

I went into the backseat, hoping I'd get to stretch out my legs and be as comfortable as can be in the backseat of a car. Jaxon took the driver's seat once again then turned up the heat. My clothes stuck to my body and the seats of the car slowly began to get damp, but I didn't really care. I just needed to be out of that place. I'm not about to get raped in the middle of fricking nowhere by some fucked up old guy.

"He was a pervert," I told Jaxon. He chuckled softly and shook his head.

"I wasn't even fucking paying attention to him, honestly."

"I know!" I exclaimed, "I was trying to get your attention for the longest eternity, but all you cared about was your stupid clothes." I rolled my eyes. He continued to laugh, then he leaned back on the seat. "Fuck," he winced and sat back up, "This feels gross."

"What, wet clothes?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yes. It's disgusting," he wrinkled his nose. He pulled off his top then carelessly threw it aside and I just stared. 

"You're going to remain shirtless in this weather?" I asked him.

"I'm fine," he answers. I stared at him, trying not to bite my bottom lip. I leaned my head back and stared at his shirtless back for a moment. His back was muscular, not to the point where it was disgusting, but a good muscular. Like the type of muscles you develop through exercise and not just fricking steroids. It was good to look at, and it was sad that I only got a tiny peek of his chest area. My eyes raked up his arm until they stopped at his bandage and a frown appeared on my face.

Why'd he have to get shot? I hate what happened to him. I hate that he has to fear his adoptive father. I hate that he had to shoot him in the leg just to get away from him. I hate that he struggled to grow up and his father probably abused him. I hate that he had to go through all of that shit. It made me realize that I should count my blessings. I should be thankful I wasn't put in a home like the one Jaxon was put into.

"Why the long face?" he suddenly asked me, and I snapped my eyes away from his bandage and I blinked up to his eyes in the rear view mirror. 

"Uh nothing. I-it's nothing." I know it would anger him to know what I was thinking about. He hates everything about his past and he'll probably never tell me, so I should just stop trying to get it out of him. It probably hurts him to even think about it. "I feel like you're so far away from me..."

"I don't like getting very close to people."

"Yeah, I realize. Will you just come back here?" I sighed and looked out the window. I hear him begin to shuffle around and in my peripheral I could see him climbing to get to the back seat. When he finally took a seat next to me I began to grin happily. "Thank you."

"Yeah, yeah," he drawled and slouched in the seat. I ignored his tone and continued to smile. I bounced my shoulder with his and wiggled my eyebrows teasingly. "You like me."

"Ugh, don't touch me with your wet clothes."

I smirked and moved in closer to lean on him in my very damp clothes, resulting in him pushing me off. I laughed loudly but continued to rub against him. "You're annoying as fuck."

"Yeah well," I shrugged my shoulders, which was close to his bare one. He groaned loudly and pushed me away. "What if I wanted a hug? Huh? What if my life depended on your hug, would you push me off?" I asked and folded my arms over my chest. 

"Sorry," he shrugged.

"Gosh, you're such an asshole," I rolled my eyes and leaned back on the seat. I stared at the seat in front of me. I sighed before asking, "How long do we have to sit here?"

"Until nightfall, Sebastian."

"And what are we going to do until then?" I asked looking across at him. Jaxon blinked slowly to me and held my gaze. I stared into his emerald eyes, drinking them in and trying not to look semi-retarded as I did so. Jaxon flashed me a smile, but I just stared. I don't know how many times I've said this, but I absolutely love his smile. It's perfect -- like his eyes. I broke the gaze and turned my body to lie down and rest my head on his lap. 

"Wow... you're really something."

"Yeah, well.." I shrugged slightly. Out of habit my hands found his and I began playing with his fingers.

"You should've had a ring on your finger... I like to play with rings." I blinked down at his hands, then back up to his eyes. The thought of him murdering people flashed into my mind -- these  hands pulled the trigger to end someone's life. He killed more than one person. It's absolutely horrific. He doesn't even seem to care or at least be in remorse. He just goes on with his life.

But even with those terrible thoughts on my mind, I still had my hand entangled with his and my eyes locked on his.