21
Two hours had passed since Jack and Rose had been taken hostage, and they both had yet to speak to one another. Rose was still upset that Jack hadn’t told her about Irene, but she didn’t let that stop her from taking comfort from his nearness. Right then, she had her head in his lap. His hand subconsciously stroked her hair as he stared aimlessly out the window, wondering how this would all turn out.
"I’m going for food," Butch the gunman glared at the teens. "Behave." He slid out of the car and headed out of the wooded picnic area he had parked in.
"Rose," Jack helped her set up, seeing a perfect chance for Rose to get out of this situation and at the same time get some help. "This is our chance to get some help. He’s gone."
"What do you want to do?" Rose asked, trying to remain as brave as she possibly could. She didn’t want Jack to think that she was scared. That was what had caused their argument in the first place.
"I want you to get out of the car and go get some help."
Rose’s eyes widened. Leave? Without Jack? She couldn’t do that. "Not without you."
"Rose…there’s no other way. I’m not leaving you alone with that bastard. I need to know that you’re safe."
"But Jack…"
He placed a still finger over her lips, cutting off any further protests. "Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’m a survivor. I’ll be just fine. Now do as I asked and get out of the car. Quick, before he returns."
Looking out at the silent park, Rose sighed. She knew Jack was right. This was a chance to go for help. But to leave Jack still in danger…could she do it? Looking into Jack’s determined eyes, she knew that there wasn’t any choice. She was going to be the one to leave. He wasn’t going to have it any other way.
"I love you," She hugged him tightly.
"I love you too. Now go Rose. Get out of here," he released her and pushed her out of the car.
She looked at him one last time and then made a run in the opposite direction that Butch had went. She had almost made it when she heard a loud BANG!
Frightened, Rose turned around and nearly collapsed at what she saw. Butch had his gun aimed at her, but Jack laid in a crumpled heap a little ways from his feet.
"Jack!" She ran back to his side, noticing how his blood was turning into a red pool on the dark ground. He had been shot in the stomach. The blood was quickly spreading through his shirt and on the ground below. Hot tears filled her eyes. "Oh Jack…"
"Shhh Rose. Don’t cry," Jack spoke through the pain, trying to ignore it. The situation was quickly going from bad to worse. He had to stay calm, for Rose’s sake. He couldn’t let her know how scared he was, or how much pain he was in. So much so, that he wanted to pass out.
"Stay with me Jack," Rose wiped her falling tears away, wiping his blond hair out of his eyes. "You can’t leave me. I can’t lose you now. Not after losing the baby." She turned to Butch, hoping to reach the side of him that was human. "Please, he needs help! He’ll bleed to death if you don’t get him to the hospital. Please…"
"Shut up! You and your boyfriend get back in the car now!" Butch refused.
"But he’s…," Rose tried to protest, but the gun aimed at Jack’s head made her fall silent.
"Now I’m telling you one last time. Get in the car or your boyfriend will be put out of his misery right now!"
Fearing for Jack’s life, she helped her young husband to his feet and back into the car. "I’m sorry Jack." She pulled him down so his head was in her lap. She tried to keep back her tears. Crying was not going to help Jack. If anything it would only make him feel worse.
"Shhh," Jack took her hand in his, feeling his strength leaving him. He was going to pass out soon. He knew that. But first, he needed to know that Rose was going to be alright. "Rose…I need you to make me a promise."
"Anything," She looked into his pain-filled blue eyes. Eyes she was tempted to get lost in. Warmth and safety was found there.
"Promise me that you will survive…no matter what happens…no matter how hopeless…promise me now Rose. And never let go of that promise."
She couldn’t hold back her sobs any longer. He sounded do final. Like he was saying good-bye. But she couldn’t refuse him. Her voice came out as a squeak. Small and pathetic. "Ok."
"Never let go," he forced out the last words. He couldn’t keep his eyes open for much longer. But he had to hear those words from her. He had to hear her seal their promise.
"I’ll never let go Jack. I’ll never let go."
Smiling in relief, he kissed her hand, before slipping into unconsciousness, certain that Rose would keep her promise. That she was going to be all right. Whether he made it or not.