Chapter 14 - In a rush

                                    

                                          
"Hurry up!" I shouted, beeping the car horn loudly. I was aware that it was late at night, and that people were probably trying to sleep and the horn would wake them up. But I was worried about Jack, terrified for him. I was waiting outside of Mark's house. He wanted to come too so he could help and make sure everything was alright, so I told him I would come and pick him up. Now I was regretting that because he was taking forever to come outside.
                          
I beeped the car horn a few more times. When he appeared, I shouted at him, telling him to hurry up. He quickened his pace and soon enough, he climbed into the passengers seat. As soon as he shut the car door, I sped off down the road on the way to the store.
                          
I had to end the call with Jack because the store wouldn't let him use the phone for any longer. That's why I was even more worried, because I didn't know what was going on at that very moment. Thank God it was late and there wasn't any traffic. Within about half a minute I was at the store and I realised Mark had been gripping his seat for dear life.
                          
I climbed out the car as quickly as possible, Mark following. I saw a woman closing the shutters for the store, so Jack obviously couldn't be in there. I walked towards her, intending to ask her where Jack was, when I spotted a figure sitting on the ground leaning against the wall of the store. 
                          
The woman closed the shutters and walked away, playing with some keys that were in her hand. 
                          
"Felix?" I heard the figure, who was obviously Jack, call out. His voice broke halfway through speaking and it sounded like he had been crying. I got to the floor and wrapped my arms around Jack, holding him tightly.
                          
"Jack! I'm so glad you're ok, I thought you were..." I finished speaking halfway through my sentence when I noticed the black eye, the bruises, the cuts he had. 
                          
"Oh god...did those men do this to you?" He nodded, wincing as he did so, indicating that he was in pain. I couldn't believe they did that to him. Jack, of all people, somebody who wouldn't even harm a fly. What did he ever do to them? I ran my hand through his hair and kissed him lightly on the forehead.
                          
"It's ok baby. You're gonna be ok. Mark, help him up with me." I grabbed onto one arm, being careful not to put him in any more pain and Mark grabbed on to the other arm. We both pulled him up as carefully as possible. He could barely stand on his own, let alone walk. Those sons of bitches. I'd get them for hurting him.
                          
We helped him get to the car. I told Mark to take the wheel and I got in the back with Jack. I didn't want to leave him, especially not now when he needed me so much.
                          
Mark drove a lot more calm and smooth than I did. Jack's eyes remained closed the entire time. I ran my fingers through his hair and held onto his hand.
                          
"Don't worry babe. We'll get your things back, every single thing they took we'll get returned to you. We'll let the police know about it, ok?" I felt him nod, he didn't give me a verbal response. I was just so grateful that he was there, in my arms and not lying in a ditch six feet under the ground somewhere.