Two for the Show...

Autumn awoke early on Thursday, feeling depressed because she wouldn't see Jason until Friday. She wanted to see him NOW, not later. She pouted as she walked down to the kitchen, and then glared at Kyann as she ate a plate of bacon and eggs. "I hate you," she said.

Kyann looked at her. "Why? What'd I do?"

Autumn sighed heavily. "You were right."

"Really? What was I right about?"

"I'm in love," she said with a small sigh. "Are you happy now?" Kyann only smiled as Autumn grabbed a plate of bacon and eggs from the counter. She put the plate on the kitchen table and went to the cabinet to pull down the bread. She grabbed some and then retied the bag and put it up, before she moved toward the table and put the bread on her plate.

Next, she moved toward the refrigerator and grabbed the jug of orange juice and moved toward yet another cabinet, where she grabbed a glass and poured her juice. She replaced the jug of juice back in the refrigerator and then took her seat at the table.

Kyann eyed her. "Ready to eat now?" she asked dryly.

Autumn stuck her tongue out at her and took to eating. "Where's Sab?" she asked between mouthfulls.

"She went out with Harry to breakfast. Leaving me to cook," she said with a scowl.

"It's good, though," said Autumn. "I like it."

Kyann beamed. "Why, thank you."

Autumn rolled her eyes. "What's Malcolm up to?"

"He went fishing with the guys this morning. Harry was going to go, but had to cancel last minute because he has a job interview at noon. Sabina took advantage of him not going and asked him to breakfast. Hence, I cooked."

Autumn chuckled.

"So, how're you and Jason? The two of you seemed chummy last night," Kyann commented. "You said you were in love, right?"

"I am," she sighed. "But I don't know about him."

"Honey, I've seen the way he looks at you. He's totally fallen for you."

"Really? You think so?" she asked, still unsure.

"Absolutely. He did say he was taking you to a movie tomorrow, right? He likes you, if he doesn't love you already. And if he doesn't, he'l love you tomorrow night."

Autumn smiled. "Thanks, Ky."

"Anytime."

Autumn and Kyann finished their breakfast in a comfortable silence.
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Jason Blackstone walked in the shadows, quietly following Chuck McAlister, or whoever he was now. Chuck was looking at yet another girl who was in the park, enjoying the cool autumn breeze. She couldn't be more than eighteen-years-old.

'He's not getting her, either,' he thought to himself.

Chuck lunged forward suddenly and grabbed the girl, forcing her into the trees. She kicked and screamed and clawed at him, trying to get away. Jason growled and darted after Chuck as he began to back away into the shadows the trees brought with them.

"Let her go," Jason said, stopping in front of Chuck.

"Blackstone," growled Chuck. "I thought I killed you already."

"Nah. You were clumsy."

"Well, I won't make that mistake again." Chuck threw the girl to the side, where she scrambled to her feet and shot a look at both Chuck and Jason, before she darted away, screaming in terror. "How would you like to die, Blackstone? Slowly? Or would you like to just get it over with?"

"You talk a lot," Jason noted, not in the least bit threatened. "C'mon, McAlister."

Chuck flinched. "How DARE you call me that-"

"It's your real name, am I right? What's your name right now, huh? You've used Anthony, Andrew, Scott, Tyson...what are you going by now, so I know what to call you?"

"I'll kill you," Chuck snarled.

"Temper, temper," said Jason, shaking an index finger at him. He was putting up a good front, but inside, his heart was pounding. He wasn't really afraid of Chuck, persay, but he didn't really want to go up against him again, either. Chuck was rather strong, stronger than him.

He'd learned that the hard way a few months back, and then once before two years ago. He didn't wish to fight him again, for he knew he would lose. He wasn't strong enough.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't fight him if he had to. He wouldn't let him win that easily. He wouldn't just give up. If he did, then Chuck would just keep taking women. And he couldn't allow that.

Of course, he couldn't allow himself to be killed, either. He had Autumn to worry about now. He liked her a lot, maybe even loved her, though he had only known her for a short time. It felt as if he'd known her forever. Surely that was love.

Right?

He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He could worry about that later, right now he had to worry about Chuck McAlister.

"Blackstone, I've decided to kill you in whatever way works," said Chuck, malign in his voice.

"Nice choice," said Jason, narrowing his blue eyes. "Shall we dance, then?"

Chuck snorted. "So eager to die."

"I'm eager to get this over with, actually. Whatever you're going to do, do it already. Quit dragging things out."

Chuck snarled and lunged forward, connecting his fist to Jason's jaw. The two hit the ground hard and started rolling around, throwing punches and being punched.

'Sure hope this turns out okay,' Jason thought to himself before he was hit in the gut as he stood up. He doubled over, gasping for breath. Before he could regain it, however, Chuck kicked him in the chest and knocked him back to the ground. The air knocked out of him, he weakly blocked himself as Chuck kicked at him again.
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Autumn and Kyann walked down to the local bar. The keys were in Autumn's pocket, jingling in much the same way they had two nights ago. They entered the bar, had a drink or two, said goodbye to the manager, and then went to pick up the car that was parked around back.

Autumn climbed in the driver's seat and Kyann made herself comfortable in the passenger's seat. Together, they drove off.

"So, when is Sabina expected back?" Autumn asked as she drove.

Kyann shrugged. "She didn't say," she said. "Just that she'll be back 'later'. Who knows when that'll be." she rolled her eyes.

Autumn smiled. "Yeah, knowing her, we won't see her again until tomorrow morning."

Kyann laughed. "Yeah. Then she'll have some explaining to do." she looked out the passenger window. "Hey, isn't that Jason?"

Autumn looked. "What? Where?"

"There," said Kyann, pointing at someone who was slumped against a tree.

Autumn frowned. "Yeah, that's him. Wonder what's wrong with him?" she pulled over and parked, and hurried out of the car, darting toward where Jason sat, slumped against a tree. "Jason?"

Jason didn't answer, didn't even move.

She frowned and moved toward him a little faster. She gasped when she got close enought to see the blood that soaked his clothes. He had a black eye and his sandy hair was slick with crimson blood. "J-Jason?" she whispered, faling to her knees beside him. "Jason!"

Kyann appeared at her side, frowning. "Wow, he looks terrible." she grabbed his wrist and felt around for a long moment.

"Well?" Autumn asked, fearful of the answer.

"He's alive," Kyann said. "But for how much longer, I'm not sure. He's hurt bad." she grabbed one of Jason's arms and draped it over her shoulder. "Help me get him to the car."

Autumn nodded and quickly did as told. Together, they hauled Jason's limp body to the car and placed him, gently, in the back seat. Autumn reached into her pocket with a shaky hand, grasping for her keys.

"I'll drive," said Kyann, noticing her trembling hand. "You stay back there with him."

Autumn nodded slowly, feeling as if she were in shock. "Okay," she said, and handed the keys to her friend. She climbed into the backseat and gently placed Jason's head on her lap, where she stroked his face, feeling tears prick at her eyes.

Kyann gave her a worried look and then got into the driver's seat. The car roared to life and zoomed, quickly, through the streets. "The hospital?" she asked.

Autumn frowned. "I--I guess so."

Kyann nodded. "Too bad we don't have one in town. Put your seatbelt on, Autumn, or at least hold onto something." the car sped up, breaking every speed law in existence.

Autumn brushed Jason's bangs back from his pale face. 'What happened to you?' she wondered. She watched him tearfully. His breaths were heavy and labored, and she knew they had to hurry. He definitely had to get to the hospital.

She just hoped they'd make it there in time.

'Don't think like that,' she thought to herself. 'He won't die.'

Kyann looked at her friend through the rearview mirror, then focused on the road again. "I'm sorry, Autumn," she said, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Autumn sighed heavily, stroking Jason's cheek.

Jason groaned slightly and blinked his eyes open. His eyes were cloudy and dull, though they brightened a little in recognition. "Autumn..." he whispered, his voice so soft that she had to strain to hear.

"Shh, I'm here," she whispered, cradling his head. "God, what happened to you?"

He closed his eyes. "Chuck....doesn't play...fair."

Her eyes widened. "Chuck? Why were you anywhere near him?"

"...He...was trying to....get another....girl...." he winced. "Had....to stop him..."

"Why?" she asked, her voice shaky. "Are you insane? He could have killed you!"

"...Nearly...did..."

She closed her eyes. "You'll be okay, now..."

He didn't answer. She opened her eyes to see that he was unconscious once again. Her brow creased with worry.

'You'll be okay,' she thought to herself. 'I won't let anything happen to you.'

Kyann said nothing and the trip was silent the rest of the way to the hospital in the next town over. On the way there, Autumn couldn't help but feeling that they were being watched, but there was no one around.
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On Friday evening, Jason woke up in the hospital. Autumn had stayed at his side all night Thursday and all day Friday. She was holding his left hand when he opened his eyes and focused on her, whispering her name in that same, quiet voice from the day before.

She smiled at him tearfully. "Hey, Jason...How're you feeling?"

"...Better..." he murmured. He sighed. "Looks like we're...not going to that movie....after all..." he smiled.

She nodded. "Looks like. But I don't mind. As long as you're okay and we're together, I don't mind." she wasn't sure what had possessed her to say that so openly, but she didn't question it. She just went with it.

He smiled at her. "Yeah...me neither...."

She felt warm and fuzzy inside at the same time she felt her face heat up. She cleared her throat. "The doctor says you'll be okay. You just need to rest and heal up. Where are you staying?"

"...Hotel..." he mumbled.

She shook her head. "That won't do. You'll stay with me until you're healed."

He smiled at her again, and she had to smile back; it was contagious. "You look...beautiful..."

She blushed again. "No, I don't, I look like a wreck."

"No...beautiful...." he weakly brought his hand up and stroked her cheek, but then he sighed and let his hand drop. She knew he was tired. Before his hand hit the bed, though, she grabbed it and brought it to her mouth, kissing it in much the same way he had done at the cafe.

"I--I love you..." she murmured, looking away. She wasn't originally going to say that for a while yet, but this ordeal had changed her mind. He had nearly died; she couldn't wait any longer.

He smiled. "That's...good, because I love...you too..."

She giggled like a school girl and bent down, kissing him on the lips. "Get better," she whispered. "Rest up. In a few days, they'll let you out and then you're staying with me."

"...I can live...with that," he said.

She nodded. "Good." and then she got to her feet and exited the room, knowing that he needed his rest. And, honestly, so did she. Now that he was awake and she knew he wasn't going to die, she could finally sleep.

As she walked down the hallway, she felt a sudden, sharp pain in her side, and looked to see the hooded guy standing over her. She yelped and tried to back away, hitting her back against the wall in her haste. He laughed and moved toward her.

"Get away," she whimpered. "Leave me alone."

He laughed and slapped her, hard, across the face. "But you're mine," he said, grabbing her wrist. He pulled her roughly to her feet and slammed her back into the wall so hard that the air was knocked out of her. He brought his hand up to her mouth while his other hand held her wrists together, pinned above her head. "I hope you said goodbye to your boyfriend; he won't live much longer."

Autumns eyes widened. "Leave him alone!" she shouted beneath the hand. His hand muffled her cries, and he lifted his knee up, kneeing her in the gut. She yelped and tried to double over, the breath knocked out of her, but he held her upright with her wrists.

"You're mine," he said. "And he's dead. Once I've got you secured, I'll kill him." he spun her around and pushed her, hard, into the wall, making her hit her forehead on it. One hand still around her mouth, he forced handcuffs on her hands after he'd pulled them behind her back.

Next, she heard duct tape being torn and he slapped it across her mouth. Her eyes widened and she struggled to get away, but she couldn't. He grabbed her by her hair, forcing her to stop struggling.

"Quiet," he whispered into her ear. "And I might let you live." something pressed into her back. It took her a moment to realize it was a gun, and he nudged her forward with it. "Walk."

She did as told, feeling tears fill her eyes. He opened a door near the elevator, and tossed her in.

"Wait here," he said, and shut the door. She was on the floor, where she'd landed, and had just sat up when she heard a gun go off. It was down the hall, where Jason's room was.

Tears spilled out of her eyes. 'No!' she cried in her head. 'Jason!'

The door opened again, and Chuck appeared. He grabbed her by her hair and hauled her to her feet. "Now that he's taken care of, it's time to go." he forced her out of the room and into the elevator. He quickly pressed the bottom floor and waited as the doors closed. She heard people shouted from Jason's room, calling for help.

Autumn squeezed her eyes tightly closed, whimpering beneath the tape. Chuck snorted and tightened his grip on her hair.

"Behave," he snarled. "And don't think about Blackstone. He's gone. He never saw it coming. If it helps, he never woke up in time for him to see me. He died in his sleep."

She shook her head, tears running down her cheeks. 'No...' she thought helplessly.

He laughed as the elevator door opened, and shoved her out. They made their way out of the hospital and into the parking lot, where she was forced into the back of a van. He unhandcuffed her and forced her hands around a seat as he made her sit down, and handcuffed them to a chain he had secured behind the chair. She pulled frantically, but couldn't break free.

He moved to the driver's seat and started the van. It pulled out of the parking lot while she sat in the seat, whimpering and weeping.

'Jason...' she thought. 'No....'

Chuck watched her from the rearview mirror, but said nothing the whole while they drove. She hated the silence, but it was better than talking to him, than having him talk to her.

She just wanted to be left alone with her pain.

Copyright
Jessie Smith