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TEAGAN
At first, there’s nothing but a ringing in my ears. A few seconds later, I can hear people yelling, but it only sounds like background noise. My body is numb, yet somehow, I manage to push myself up on all fours. I look around disoriented, trying to make sense of what just happened.
One minute, I was in front of my brother’s house, ready to knock, and the next, I’m on the ground. I barely had enough time to turn away from the blast. Now there’s glass everywhere; the windows are shattered across the front yard. Some of the frames are even blown out.
Turning my head toward the road, I see Mason running in my direction. The concern on his face is apparent, and it makes me feel even more confused. As soon as he is by my side, he hooks his hands under my arms, pulling me gently to my feet.
“Are you okay? Take it easy,” he orders while wrapping one of his arms around me and tucking me to his side.
I looked down at myself and find my knees scuffed up and red. My palms are roughed up as well, blood and dirt smeared over my skin. I don’t feel pain, but my hands tremble, and my legs feel like they’re about to give out. Leaning against Mason, I let him hold some of my weight.
Two men rush past us toward the house. I catch sight of something shiny in their hands. The sun reflecting on something metal. Guns. They have guns.
One of them knocks on my brother’s front door, which seems to be one of the few things still intact. “Jase,” I croak, trying to push Mason off, but he holds me tight. His arm is wrapped around my torso like an iron bar.
“Don’t worry, they know what they’re doing. We need to get out of here.”
“What? No. I need to make sure Jase is okay. They have guns.” I point my trembling fingers toward the men at the door.
“They’re with me. Don’t worry, they’re going to make sure your brother is unharmed.” Mason starts to pull me away. I’m too weak to fight him, but my gaze remains glued to the house, hoping my brother will walk out any minute now.
As if my silent prayers were heard, the door flies open, and Jase appears out of a cloud of smoke. He’s hunched over, coughing like he can’t breathe. The two men grab either side of him, helping him to get away from the house. The knot of fear inside my chest loosens up.
Police sirens approach, and I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. It must be the latter since Mason picks up speed as he ushers me toward a car across the street. Jase and the other two men follow us.
Neighbors have come out of their houses, scanning the area. One of them steps in front of us. “Whoa, where do you think you’re going? You should wait until the police arrive.”
Before I can even think about a response, a police car appears at the end of the road, heading straight toward us.
Glancing up at Mason, I expect him to look as nervous about the cops as I am. If he is, his face doesn’t give it away. “Don’t worry, I just have to talk to them for a minute, and then we can leave.”
The more time I spend with Mason, the more confusing it gets. I always feel like I’m missing something, and today is no different. The police car parks a few feet away from us. More sirens approach in the background as two police officers get out of their cruiser.
“What’s going on here? Is there anyone else inside the house?” one of them asks.
“No one else is inside the house, and we were about to leave,” Mason explains calmly.
“They were out here when something exploded in the house,” the neighbor accuses, “and he was inside.” He points at Jase. “He lives there. They must know what happened.”
“I’m going to need you all to stay here until I take your statement,” the cop says firmly while inspecting my scuffed-up knees from afar. “We’ll have an ambulance come and get you checked out as well.”
“I’m fine, just some scrapes.” Nervous anxiety swirls around my gut. Mason doesn’t seem fazed the least bit.
“Officer, I can assure you we didn’t see anything. My girlfriend and I were just going to grab a cup of coffee at the downtown café.”
Girlfriend? Coffee? What the fuck is going on?
The cop straightens up before looking at his colleague, then toward the neighbor, and back at the other cop. Clearly, they’re having a silent conversation I can’t keep up with.
“Sir, could you please step to the side with me so I can take your statement,” the second cop addresses the neighbor before ushering him away and out of earshot.
