Melancholy

“Mack.”

Mack answers his phone on the first ring.

“Mack, it’s Santana. We’re being shot at.”

“What?” he says, his voice hardening. “Where are you?”

“Maddox,” I say quickly. “Where are we?”

Maddox glances at me and his eyes widen. “Motherfucker, you’re hurt.”

I don’t have time to process that before he barks, “Main Street.”

“We’re nearly at Main Street.”

“You got a visual?”

“Visual?” I ask Maddox.

“Nothin’. It’s too dark.”

“No.”

“We’re on our way.”

I can see the lights as we near Main Street, but not before another shot rings out, hitting another tire. The car swerves again, but Maddox refuses to let it stop. It grinds against the pavement, the blown tires no doubt destroyed, and the metal carving a path as we move. We skid onto Main Street and whizz past cars, causing horns to honk.

Maddox doesn’t stop until he reaches the back road to Krypt’s house. He skids down it, pulling over on a large grassy patch. He is out of the car in a split second, swinging my door open. “Get out and run.”

“Where?” I gasp.

“Over Krypt’s fence. He’s got thick bushes running alongside of it. Get in them, and don’t fuckin’ breathe until I come to you.”

I nod and turn, running with everything I have towards the fence. My heart is pounding, and my legs feel numb as I near my destination. I trip three times because of the alcohol consumption and my aching calf. When I reach the fence, I hear another gun shot. I make a strangled, gasping sound as I throw myself over. I land on the other side with a thump. I don’t hesitate, diving into the trees.

Branches scrape up my arms, and I grit my teeth to stop from shouting in pain. Tears leak out of the corners of my eyes as I wait, the eerie silence making me feel ill. I wrap my arms around myself and I sit, waiting. The rumbling sounds of Harley Davidson’s in the distance have me crying with relief.

Voices, the sounds of the bikes starting again, and then the sounds of doors slamming in Krypt’s house drift out to me. The back door swings open and Maddox barks, “Tana? Are you there? Shit.” His voice is frantic, so I push to my feet quickly, shoving out of the bushes. The moment he notices me, I see him visibly relax.

“Thank fuckin’ God,” he murmurs. “Come inside, darlin’.”

I follow him inside and the moment we’re in the light, he turns to me, his face scrunching in pain. “Shit, your face is bleeding. Come and sit down.”

I don’t argue, still too shaken up. I sit at the table as Krypt, Ash, Mack and Tyke come inside. Ash sees me and rushes over, sliding into the seat beside me. “Are you okay?”

I nod weakly. “I’m okay, just shaken.”

Maddox returns with a first-aid kit. I catch a glimpse of his face and see he’s got a few cuts of his own. I point to his cheek. “You’re bleeding, too.”

“I don’t care, honey,” he murmurs. “I’m goin’ to fix you first.”

“Are we safe?” I whisper.

He looks to Mack, who walks over and puts his hand out. “Let me fix her. Make some calls, Maddox.”

Maddox hesitates, but he hands Mack the wipe and disappears down the hall with Krypt close behind. Mack sits in front of me, his eyes studying my face as he wipes the drying blood off. “You know how to get them all wound up, don’t you?”

“This is my fault?” I gasp.

He stops. “No, God, fuck no.”

I sigh, and close my eyes. Ash takes my hand “We’ll be okay,” she assures me.

“They shot at us, with no hesitation at all,” I point out. “This is the second time. Someone wants to hurt me.”

“Maddox has got this,” Mack says.

He finishes cleaning my face, and Maddox returns. He’s angry, I can tell, so I don’t push. He’ll tell me what happened when he’s ready. I’m suddenly tired, having sobered up too quickly. Maddox takes Krypt’s keys and turns to me. “We’re goin’ home. Come on.”

I stand, not arguing. My leg aches, but I ignore it. There more pressing issues right now.

We live around the corner from Krypt, so it’s not too far to have to drive.

“Mack will follow, make sure we aren’t bein’ trailed.”

I nod, not bothering to speak. I hug Ash, and then follow Maddox out to Tyke’s car. We pass the truck on the way, and seeing it bullet filled has my chest clenching. Maddox stops, too. He stares at it, and then over to me, and his hand comes out in silent comfort, squeezing mine. So close...it was so close.

“Come on,” he says, his voice low. “Let’s get you home.”

The entire ride home is silent, and my face is starting to ache. I wait in the car while Maddox and Mack check out the house, and then I’m allowed in.

I go right to my room, holding my emotions in the best I can. Maddox is talking to Mack downstairs, so I figure I have the chance to change and have a shower. It’s an awkward shower, too. I have to lean forward so my face doesn’t get wet. My leg surprisingly didn’t bust open with my running, but it’s pounding now. When I’m clean, I change and slide into bed.

Tears come spilling out the moment that my head hits the pillow, and I sob, loudly and freely. I vaguely hear the sounds of my door opening and then my bed dips. I don’t bother to fight as Maddox curls his arms around my weak body and pulls me into him. His skin is warm, hot even, and completely bare. My face presses against his chest and I breathe him in, just needing someone.