FROM NOW UNTIL ETERNITY
Chapter Twenty-One
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 unconsciously 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
sit 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 finger over her lips,
cutting off any further protest. "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 gone. 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
lay in a crumpled heap a little way 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 onto the ground below. Hot tears filled her eyes.
"Oh, Jack…"
"Shh, 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, pushing his blonde 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.
"Shh." 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 all right.
"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 were 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 so final. Like he was saying good-bye. But she couldn’t
refuse him. Her voice came out as a squeak. Small and pathetic.
"Okay."
"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.