'And I know we're not supposed to talk
But I'm getting ahead of myself
I get scared when we're not
'Cause I'm scared you're with somebody else'

>( 'Θ' )<

T h i r d

Ray looks around, feeling people around her drop to the floor. However, she's quickly relieved when she sees Ace with no new wounds, standing as shield in front of her. Her relief slowly fades away as she sees Blake with a bullet through his chest, but no exit wound.

Ace quickly turns around to face Antonio just to also see him on the ground, lifeless, with a pool of blood around him. Above Tony stood Noah, splattered with blood that's not his.

The mallows quickly take charge and knock out anyone on Antonio's gang, leaving no one on the opposing team conscious within a mile radius.

People start yelling orders around Ray as she quickly gets out of the way, finally realizing this place wasn't meant for her. When she is a good distance from all the chaos, she spills her guts out on the grass, vomiting all the horrible events she's seen.

Ace tries to rush to Blake but his injured foot slows him down so he orders a couple of healthy mallows to take him instead. In a matter of seconds, a car is racing down the road to the hospital.

There was a lot of yelling, confusion of who won and what has happened. The gangs fighting farther away have not heard the news so you could still hear gunshots firing.

Ray felt someone guide her to a motorcycle, saying something about following Blake and the rest of the severely injured. Feeling extremely nauseated and disgusted by the sight of blood and the image of Blake and Antonio, she simply just follows.

Meanwhile, Ace walked through the ruckus to Noah who was helping some mallows tie up some guys. Without saying anything, he starts helping too, unsure what to say.

Two weeks later

"Hey, do we have any cinnamon buns left?" Ace walks to the kitchen as Ray was sitting on a stool, resting for a while.

"No, and you have to be in bed!" She quickly comes to his side, helping him sit down.

"It's a little bruise to the ankle, I'll be fine," he says to which she scoffs.

"Right, just a gunshot wound," she mocks.

They are currently still in Australia. After Antonio's death and many of the guys hospitalized, it didn't feel right returning home alone. Blake was immediately rushed into a surgery, and then he was in a one week coma. It was a horrible sight for Ray to witness everyday, but he is finally almost completely back to normal now which allows Ray to stay by Ace's side 24/7.

"Have you talked to Noah yet?" Ace asks, changing the subject.

"No, what would I even say? 'Thanks for killing a person for me'?" She sighs.

"Well, no. I wasn't thinking that at all," Ace makes a face. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," she says. "I also called my medical school I was supposed to be enrolled in, but apparently my application got lost and now they claim I never applied."

"I'm sure that'll resolve itself," he rubs her back.

"Well, you have to get to bed," she stands up, helping him on his feet, and this time, he doesn't fight back seeing how upset she is this morning.

"Hey," a knock on the door disturbs Blake's TV watching time.

"Well who do we have here, the girl that put me in the hospital," he jokes, as Ray gives him a quick hug.

"How you feeling champ?" She squeezes his cheeks, speaking in a baby voice.

"Oh shut up. It's unusual for you to visit me these days," he says seriously.

"It's been two days," she says confused.

"Not a lot of human contact happens in this room," he shrugs.

"How are you feeling Blake?" she laughs, ignoring his whining.

"Like a guy who's on a lot of pain killers," he smiles.

"How's that like?"

"Like you're high," his smile grows.

"Alright, well I heard they're discharging you next week! Must be exciting," she nudges him.

"It would be if I could fly back home, but the stupid no flying rule prevents that from happening," he frowns.

"You'll survive Blake, it's not like you got anyone waiting for you anyway," she smiles an evil smile.

"I just saved your life and you insult my loneliness," he pretends to be offended.

An awkward silence falls on them, as Ray is reminded of the kiss Blake attempted.

"I'm going to check on the other guys, will you be okay for alone for a little?" She asks.

"Yes, I'm not a child," he rolls his eyes.

R a y

After I got Ace to take his meds, they made him sleepy so I left him sleeping in the apartment. I'm not sure why I am here, mostly because of Blake though.

As I'm walking around, I keep on hearing sobs and screams from family members. What caught my eye the most was a clutter of people I recognized around the vending machines.

I slowly make my way to them, only to hear them talking about wanting to go home.

"Hey guys," I offer a weak smile, these past few weeks have been tiring.

"Boss lady," they all acknowledge with a smile.

"What's going on?" I ask, they all look amongst themselves before replying.

"We appreciate everyone's sacrifice, but we don't want to stay until Antonio's funeral to go home. The other mallows don't mind us leaving before them as well," one of the guys speak up.

"Well, if that's the case, what's holding you back?" I ask.

"Orders from the boss, they clearly say we all leave together," another one says.

"I'm sure Ace wouldn't mind if you all spoke to him about this matter," I suggest, understanding both parties' point of view. Ace is worried we still might need backup while the others are tired and would probably switch out shifts with another person.

"You can come by today evening and talk to him, he doesn't have anything scheduled," I smile.

"That would be great actually," some of them sigh with relief.

"Happy to help," I say and bid goodbye as I walk away.

After spending another hour in the hospital, I finally decide to head back home. As I walk in, I hear a conversation happening in Ace's room.

"Honey?" I call out, taking my shoes off.

I walk into the room and see Noah seated next to Ace who's on the bed.

"Hi, sorry for the intrusion," Noah says sheepishly.

"No, it's fine," I say, not meaning any of it and glare at Ace when Noah darts his eyes back to Ace.

"We were just discussing the Antonio situation and how we're dealing with keeping people's mouth shut," Ace defends.

"Well, not to be this kind of person but the doctor did instruct minimal visitors," I say.

"My shoulder and ankle were hurt, I'm not moving either limb so I think it'll be fine," Ace argues.

"I'm sorry, it's clear I'm not welcome here," Noah begins to stand up before both Ace and I say in unison, "Sit down."

"I wish you would've informed me so I could've brought some cake or appetizers," I force a smile.

"Well, we're doing great with the water we have," Ace smiles back.

"No really, I can just leave," Noah begins before I breathe in heavily.

"No no, please, make yourself at home Noah," I smile one last smile and leave the room.

A c e

"She's not usually like this," I defend.

"No, I see why she doesn't like me and I don't blame her," Noah replies with a sad smile.

"She'll come around," I say, unsure of my own answer.

"If she's a fraction of what her mother was, I doubt that will be anytime soon," he laughs humorlessly.

"Okay well, I was hoping we could talk about something else before you have to leave," I begin.

"What is it?" He says, watching me pull out a little box from the drawer.

*

I don't know, this chapter wasn't my favorite but I didn't have a better way to transition. All I know is I want Antonio dead because I'm not good at action scenes at all, so I don't want to attempt at it.
I really hoped you enjoyed, I'm sorry the chapters are so spaced out but I can't say that'll get better as my AP exams are becoming closer and closer. I'm hoping to finish the story completely around July and as of now, there will not be a sequel to this.
If you have any comments, predictions, or concerns, speak up! I'll try to respond to the comments I see!