Chapter 11: Violence isn't the Answer!...It's a Way of Living.

...A new record of time taken to get out a chapter. >.< sorry! Summer schoolwork was piling and I start school tomorrow. This chapter was also trying to KILL me D: No writers block, just a large confuzzle of ideas and incorporating them...

Also, Sorry for not replying to comments! I shall this time! I actually read them all multiple times...but flew right to writing as soon as I read them hehe... People say they love my story and it makes me SO crazy excitedly happy.

Ahem, without anymore rambling; Chapter 11!

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“You just informed me of how special Jake is, that’s what. Oh, and Jake, don’t say where we are.”

I bit my lip to keep me from cursing out Astly and glared at Spike Guy.

“…Jake, who is that?” Astly asked roughly.

“Why are you asking me?” I hissed. “Isn’t it obvious? Spike Guy is sitting right here! I was kidnapped you slow-ass -”

“YOU GAVE HIM A NICKNAME!?” Astly yelled furiously.

I rolled my eyes and snorted in reply.

Spike Guy mouthed the nickname with an odd frown, putting emphasis on ‘guy’. I just shrugged tentatively in response. Okay, so it was pretty weird that I added ‘guy’ to the end of the nickname; it’s not like I gave the name any serious thought.

“Jake. You can never, and I mean NEVER, give other people nicknames…So more importantly, are you hurt?” Astly asked seriously. Being reminded of it, I absently rubbed my mistreated arm.

Sure, he did sort of briefly torture me, but what did he want me to say? I looked at Spike Guy for an answer to Astly’s question. I didn’t want to be hurt again…

Spike Guy smirked approvingly and shook his head no.

“No, I’m fine.” I said, frowning nervously at Spike Guy.

“Jade, what the hell did you do to Jake?” Astly asked. Damn, just plain Spike would have been a better name for a murderer than ‘Jade’. What kind of murderer was called ‘Jade’!?

“Didn’t you hear him? I didn’t do a single thing.” ‘Jade’ said mockingly.

“Jade,” Astly growled. “I will find you, take a knife, cut out your sorry tongue, make you eat it, break off your fingers joint by joint, one by one. And then I’ll stick each bit of finger down your throat! Then I’ll take my knife and stick it up your shitty a-”

“Astly shut the hell up!” I exclaimed, not wanting to hear any more graphic threats that were completely possible of happening.

“…Sorry Jake.” Astly muttered. “I didn’t want to scare you even more.”

‘Jade’ snickered. “Wow Card, you sure go soft for this dumbass.”

“I’m not dumb…” I mumbled in slight protest.

“Really? Who was the idiot that didn’t get on the bus? Or didn’t notice when I took another rout to cut them off? Yeah: you Genius.” ‘Jade’ declared jeeringly.

Astly cut in. “Or how about when you went on a play structure when there was a psychopath chasing you instead of running far away?”

My cheeks flushed. “Whose side are you on!?” I yelled. “It’s not like I died or got serious injuries…”

“Thanks to me.” Astly pointed out.

“It’s your fault he went psycho anyway!”

“How was it my fault?!”

“You-”

“Alright girls, that’s enough!” ‘Jade’ interrupted. “Can you two just focus on what’s happening at this moment? I could easily kill Jake right now, and it wouldn’t affect me in the slightest. In fact,” A different look crossed ‘Jade’s face. “I’m feeling a little hungry. So, Card, what are you going to do?”

“…What do you want?” Astly asked.

“First, for you two to stop acting like a dysfunctional married couple. And second…” ‘Jade’ smirked evilly. “Maybe I don’t want anything. Maybe I’ll just keep Jake, all to myself.” He said, obviously trying to get a reaction out of Astly with the last lines.

“If you touch him, I will hunt you down no matter what and kill you slowly.”

‘Jade’ laughed and slapped a hand on my shoulder, loud enough for Astly to hear. I shirked away. “You won’t do anything if he’s still alive, now will you?”

“I said don’t touch him.” Astly snarled violently.

“Oh, you mean like this?” ‘Jade’ smirked. He began petting my face abstractedly; in the manner one might pet a dog…accept on my face.

“Jake, what is he doing?!” Astly questioned in alarm.

“…Petting my face?” I said, saying it more like a question. I gave ‘Jade’ a bothered look and tried to dodge away. ‘Jade’ nodded toward the knife warningly and I stayed put.

“Jade; back the fuck off from my Jake.” Astly seethed slowly.

“Oh, but he has such soft and breakable skin.” ‘Jade’ goaded.

“And so will yours once I make it slick with blood!”

‘Jade’ ignored Astly. “Aw, are you scared Jake?” ‘Jade’ asked, without even looking at me. “You’re so cute when you’re scared.”

I just stared at ‘Jade' oddly. Was he so motivated to upset Astly that he’d pretend to sexually harass me? This was the most upset I’ve ever heard Astly; ‘Jade’ was seriously asking for an early grave.

I opened my mouth to correct this embarrassing bullshit, but ‘Jade’ gave me a glare that told me to keep my mouth shut.

“Jade…Fuck you. Please, just don’t touch him; I’ll give you anything. Anything.” Astly begged.

‘Jade’ gave a gratified laugh. “Card, you sound so pathetic! To think it only takes kidnapping one wimp to make you powerless.”

“Jade, just let him go! He doesn’t have a single damn thing to do with any of this!” Astly yelled. Well, he got that right.

“Nothing to do with it? He’s the one who willingly got involved with a murderer in the first place. Don’t tell me that you didn’t see something like this coming.” ‘Jade’ chuckled.

“I didn’t willingly do anything.” I grumbled under my breath. I didn’t willingly get stalked by Astly, I didn’t willingly get my texts peeped at, and I didn’t willingly get my ass kidnapped!

‘Jade’ looked at me and said “You decided to date a killer dumbass; how isn’t that willingly?”

I glared at him. “I didn’t decide to date anyone; we aren’t dating.” He needed to stop acting like he knew all about our ‘relationship’, ‘cause he didn’t know jack shit. Hell, to be honest, even I didn’t know jack shit about me and Astly’s ‘relationship’. We were obviously Stalker and Stalkee, but what else? Astly was beginning to grow on me (in the sort of way you grow slightly close to a relative that you would never normally be friends with, but are forced to be around at the holidays).

“What…?” ‘Jade’ said. Then it hit him. “Oh no, Card, you’re not.” He started laughing again.

“Not what, you dead son of a bitch?” Astly growled out.

‘Jade’ grinned. “Oh, did I intrude on a courtship?” He started laughing again. “Damn, Card, you must be pretty cracked if you fell for someone like this and didn’t take precautions.” He shook his head and tsked mockingly. “And I think I heard some talk earlier that you even let him get attacked before too?” ‘Jade’ gave a disturbing smile and picked up his knife. “To think that, once again, Jake will get hurt because you don’t know how to take proper precautions.”

He brought the knife closer to me. I shrank away in fear and tried to scramble away. I got grabbed by the hair and dragged back. “Jaaake, just where do you think you’re going?” He pressed the knife to my throat. “It’s time to end this PG ranting we’ve had going on, don’t you think?” He asked, pressing the knife a bit into my neck.

“What are you doing?!” Astly asked in alarm.

“Don’t worry about Jake; he’ll be alive at the end of it.” ‘Jade’ said. I hissed under my breath when the knife dug a bit deeper, drawing some blood. “But, you know how it is; if people like us don’t get some gore every once in a while, we get skittish, right?”

“I said I’d give you anything! Don’t hurt him!” Astly yelled desperately.

‘Jade’ laughed. “All I want is to make you feel powerless and miserable! Is there any better way to do it? And don’t worry, like I said, Jake will be alive at the end.” Jade pierced a piece of my ear with the knife.

“Ah!” I yelped in pain. I struggled to get away from yet another maniac with a knife. The situation changed so quickly! Were all psychopaths this spontaneous!?

‘Jade’ gripped hard on my hurt arm to keep me still. I ground my teeth together to keep from screaming. “Stay still Jake, or---” The knife was dropped on the ground next to me.

Or??? Or what?! The hand around my arm slacked.

“Jake.” A husky voice panted. “Are you okay?”

I turned to see a guy in completely black clothes. Astly. I shakily moved away from ‘Jade’, who slumped on the floor limply. “I’ve…been better.” I said absently, unable to keep my eyes off of ‘Jade’. “Is he…dead?” I asked.

“He’d better be. ‘Cause if he isn’t, he’s going to wish he was.” Astly growled.

Ignoring Astly, I crawled over to ‘Jade’ and flipped him over. He stared at me anxiously. He had been playing dead, though judging from the blood seeping from his back, he wouldn’t have been playing dead for long unless he found a hospital.

“Jake, get away from him!” Astly yelled, yanking me away roughly. He stood over ‘Jade’s body. “Well? Where’s all of your mocking and laughing now?”

Jade smiled and chuckled calmly despite his current position. “Still here.”

Astly kicked him in the stomach. “How about now you fucking bastard!?” He crouched and grabbed ‘Jade’ by the collar. “Hey, remember everything I said I’d do to you earlier? Yeah? Well guess what; we’re gonna do them. I’ll make you so ugly that no matter how who looks at you, no one will know who you were.”

Jade slashed out speedily with his knife that he had picked up. Astly caught his arm flawlessly. “You're still fighting?” Astly asked. “Good, it makes this more enjoyable for me.”

“Damn, this pisses me off.” ‘Jade’ sighed, teeth gritted in pain. “I can’t believe this is how I’ll go out; being killed by the person I’ve tried to beat down since the beginning. At least it’s not prison though, right?”

Astly kicked him in the ribs. “This wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t get into my business. If you want to hurt me, why don’t you stay the fuck away from Jake, then maybe I’d make it quick.”

“Astly.” I said, trying to interrupt.

Astly either didn’t hear me or decided to ignore me. “Now, about making your face slick with blood.” He drew a line with the knife across ‘Jade’s forehead, causing blood to cascade down.

“Astly!” I repeated, getting up from the ground and grabbing his arm carrying the knife. “Stop!”

“Jake, let go. Now.” Astly seethed, trying to yank his arm away.

I held tight. He was not about to torture and kill someone! At least not while I was around. “Or what? You’ll torture and kill me too? I’m too damn young to witness this shit! And he’s too young to get mutilated!” I yelled desperately. Astly was freaking me the hell out; at that moment I wasn’t sure that I would put it past him to torture and kill me.

“Then leave Jake.” Astly snapped, pulling his arm away. “I’m fucking furious. Go the hell home before I lock you in mine. Fucking shit; I should’ve never let you go outside with him in the neighborhood!” He took a calm breath. “At least I can finally put an end to this fucker.”

“I’ll call the police! I will gladly get your ass and his into prison and move one with my murderer-less life!” I picked up my phone. “I’ll do it.”

Astly let out an aggravated sigh. My phone was snatched away swiftly and stuffed into his pocket. Damnit, why didn’t I move further away!? “Now you can’t. So go home. Now.” Astly commanded in an intimidating tone.

I was tempted to listen to him and run away from the whole situation, but if I could stop him from killing someone, even a killer, I would at least do everything I could. Even if my options were highly limited with my phone gone.

Astly cut some more into ‘Jade’s face. What the hell could I do to stop him?! I tried to think rapidly of ways I could stop this. What would people in the movies do!?

I jumped on top of ‘Jade’, attempting the human shield tactic (minus the part where the ‘shield’ gets killed instead). We both flopped to the ground in a big heap. ‘Jade’ moaned in pain as his back hit the ground. He didn’t look so dangerous when he was blinded (by his own blood), stabbed, and possibly sporting some broken ribs.

I was picked up from underneath the armpits. How the hell was he so strong!? “What the fuck Jake!?” Aslty growled, giving me a shake. “You think you’re being fucking righteous and brave!? He hurt you…and touched you!"

I struggled in a panic to get loose. He tightened his grip.

“…Maybe you liked it and want to be his little fuck buddy? Yeah?” Astly asked Darkly.

I shook my head slowly, staring at him in alarm. It was one thing to encounter super-pissed-Astly over text, but completely different face to face. I just wanted to get away.

“Then why the fuck are you helping him? Did you both plan to get rid of me?” Astly asked, jumping to another insane conclusion.

“N-no....How is that even possible?” I asked quietly.

“I wouldn’t put it past you to come up with some elaborate shit like this. Do you hate me that much? You want to get rid of me for good?”

I had enough. Astly was acting like a bitchy insecure girlfriend…taken to the extreme of psychotic murder. “No! You’re wrong! Oh, but you won’t believe me. Now lets hear more about that theory where I’m actually just trying to get some with someone who cut, bruised, and used me. Because that makes perfect sense!” I yelled in a mix of anger and unease.

Astly didn’t say anything, but also didn’t let go. Finally, he was using his brain! Maybe we could make some progress on the situation. “Damnit, I love you.”

Did I say something about him using his brains and making progress? “Let me go.” I demanded.

“Will you stop tackling soon-to-be-dead serial killers?” Astly asked.

Being reminded of the fatally injured serial killer, I looked over to where he was. Or, make that once was. “Um, I couldn’t even if I wanted to.” I said, pointing to the empty space.

“Oh…Fucking hell!” Astly screamed, running over to where ‘Jade’ had been lying in pain. He then ran to the open back door and looked around. “How did he get past me?” He grumbled.

“Because you were preoccupied yelling bullshit at me. And he’s a damn ninja.” I answered.

“This has never happened before…” He said. "I've never let them get away."

I walked over to where my jacket had been flung and picked it up. “Astly, can I have my phone?” I asked.

“Why?” He asked.

“Because I’m leaving.”

“Not until I see what damage has been done to my Jakey.” He said stubbornly.  “Shit, is all of that your blood!?” He asked, running over in panic.

I cringed and backed away nervously. “Uh, he tortured my arm, cut my neck, and gave me a piercing.” I listed, not wanting a physical checkup by Astly. “And I think some of this is Spike- uh, Jade’s blood.”

“…Does is hurt?” Astly asked, tentatively stepping closer.

“Like a bitch.” I said, clutching my arm and trying to ignore the stinging in my neck and ear.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Astly asked seriously.

“Because… I was too damn scared to think of anything else.” I murmured. That, and watching Jade get hurt made my injuries seem like paper cuts.

“Sorry about that.” Astly said. “Anyways, sit down and let me take a look.”

“I’m not letting you touch me.” I said, stepping in the direction of the door.

“Then at least let me instruct you on how to dress your injuries.” Astly sighed. “I’ve gotten enough of them to know what to do.” He tossed me some bandages, cotton, and disinfectant that he had been carrying in his pockets.

I caught them, and then stared at him oddly. “Do you always carry medical supplies with you?” I asked while wrapping some bandages some to cotton around my neck.

“I do when people like Jade are in town. Oh, and put some disinfectant on your neck, his knife is probably full of infectious germs.”

“Why does he hate you so much?” I asked while trying to get the disinfectant on my neck.

“I think it was something about getting in his way and always showing him up.” He muttered dismissively.

“You can’t even remember?” I asked.

Astly shrugged. “A lot of people have problems with me.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone you know has a problem with you.”

“Oh, like no one has any problem with you?”

“They do, but at least those problems don’t revolve around murder.” I pointed out. “Or avid stalking.”

“Speaking of avid stalking; you’re not going out of the house, unless I’m watching you, until Jade is found and dea- uh, taken care of.” Astly said.

“But school is on Monday.” I said. Thank the world for school (never thought I’d be saying that). “And, speaking of my house; I want to go home.” I got up from the floor and walked out the door.

“Wait up.” Astly hurried beside me. “And aren’t you going to put your jacket on?”

I moved to the furthest side of the sidewalk, away from him. “Why bother? The worst that can happen is that you get blamed for it.”

“Put it on.” Astly ordered. I obeyed and put my hoodie on, zipping it up to the top.

When we reached the end of the block I slowed down. “Uh, do you know how to get to my house?” I asked, looking at the unfamiliar streets.

“Of course. Like I could ever forget where my honey lived.” Astly said affectionately, leading the way down a street.

Ignoring that completely, I suddenly thought of something that struck me as odd. “Wait a minute, how did you find where Spike had taken me?”

“Oh, I put a tracker in your phone.” Astly said nonchalantly. He then chuckled creepily. “And that bitch said that I wasn’t taking precautions.”

“You what!? When the hell did you do that?!”

“After the Las Vegas shit.” Astly said bitterly. “When you were unconscious.” Astly looked over to me. “And did you just use that nickname for Jade?” Astly asked darkly.

I shied away a little. “Uh, yeah. I’m sorry, but ‘Jade’ is one of the lamest name for a psychotic murderer I've ever heard, unless their a girl. And ‘Spike’ just fits; did you see how many spikes were on his clothes?”

“But… it just sounds too…sexy.” Astly abruptly stopped and stood in front of me. “Fuck, I almost completely forgot; where the hell did he touch you?” Astly asked in anger.

I paced back some steps. “Nowhere; he was just trying to get to you. There wasn’t any molestation…just weird patting on my face and knee.”

“Sexual patting?” Astly asked in concern, putting a hand to my face before I could stop him.

I slapped his hand away from me and resumed walking along the street. “No. It was unsexy and random patting. To get to you.”

“Are you sure?” Astly asked uneasily.

“Yes.” I sighed.

“Positive?”

“Yes!” I snapped.

“Aaaw, you’re adorable when you’re angry.” He said randomly.

“Look, we’re on my street.” I said quickly, picking up my pace.

“And also adorable when you’re panicked.” He said, walking faster to follow me.

“Okay, we’re here, now give me my phone.” I said, holing out my hand.

Astly gave me his empty hand.

I glared at him. “My phone please.” I gritted out.

“Here you go.” He handed me my phone.

“Thanks.” I grumbled. I walked towards my door.

“Wholly shit; you didn’t pull away from my hand just now.” Astly said in awe.

“So?” I asked, not seeing what the big deal was.

“You’re warming up to me.” Astly cooed.

“No.” I protested simply, stepping into my house.

“Let’s get married!” Astly burst out.

“NO!” I slammed the door.

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Finished! And guess what; no major cliffhanger! (unless you count Spike's being on the loose that is hehehe)

Even though it was hard, I still had tons of fun writing this chapter :D I seriously hope this chapter was...well, at least half worth the wait XD thank you SO much for reading, and feel completely free and unrestricted to comment :3

Also, I've been thinking of starting to post a new story or something, I have some to choose from... (I'm sort of a shy story hoarder...I don't even know what came over me to start posting this XD). Thanks again for reading!