Memories that Haunt Us

JC, my beautiful child, was gone. His body was there, but his mind was silent. The normally active mouth that loved to talk and babble was quiet and frozen in a last scream for momma.

And all I could do was look at the murderers.

His blood was spattered and it was like the world had fallen silent. Arabelle continued to sob in James’ arms. I to, began to let sadness trace my cheeks.

“Now before we have to shoot the other brat, you’ll come with us and Ryker, you’ll turn around.” Hex’s eyes sparkled. I steamed, yet was rooted to the spot. Beth was wailing in Ryker’s arms at the sound of the bullet that had taken a life.

“Just let go of the girl. She isn’t part of this.” Ryker spat, holding up a gun. How did he get that!?

“Look, I’ll go with you if you let go of my daughter!” I sobbed. James threw her to the ground. Both men’s eyes were trained on me, like I was a target. I took a step forward.

A second bullet rang out.

James fell to the earth as Hex scuttled back. I dropped down, pulling Arabelle into my chest. She shook and trembled. I couldn’t help but tremble just as badly. My eyes wanted to wander over to the body of my son, but I couldn’t puke.

James lay dead a foot away.

As I watched, Hex was leaping into his car. Ryker stood over us, his gun pointed on the former member. Hex’s truck was backed out and gone in the blink of an eye. The vehicle rumbled away and I was left with the sorrow.

James, dead.

JC, dead.

My heart, dead.

Ryker threw his gun back and I took screaming Beth from him. Arabelle rushed to Ryker’s side, surprising me a little. He wrapped his arms around her as she cried out in the agony of what had happened.

“Shh…” my broken voice cooed to the small child. Ryker placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I’m calling the police, and then I’m calling Austin, okay?” He told me. I nodded numbly. What else was there to do? How was Aus going to react? He lost his only son! I lost my only son!

My world crumbled around me.

The grey sky rumbled on.

“Jonathan, Jonathan, my little boy.” I wailed. Ryker gently took a calmed Beth in his arms and took Arabelle to the front to the truck. All I did was kneel at my boy’s side and wrap thin arms around my frail body. Tendrils of sorrow burrowed deeply in my mind. They rooted there and turned my world to piercing strife within in an instant.

“No, this can’t be happening.” I moaned. I had lost my mom, my grandma, and I had almost lost my sister so many years ago. That should’ve been the end of my emotional wreck!

“Hello, is this Austin Carlile…..” Ryker’s voice drifted back to my ear. My entire body was frozen and numb. He must’ve taken my phone from the front passenger seat. I couldn’t hear much of the words, but I did hear Ryker’s side.

“Look, I’ve taken Rae up north, but we’ve had a tragedy strike. James and Hex caught up to us and…No, don’t worry….Yes, JC’s dead….” After that, I heard nothing. It was like everything fell away.

Goodbye for good, my little JC.

“Yeah, come back as soon as possible. Yes, thanks. We’ll meet you at the house.” His voice stopped and the phone was shut off.

James was gone, but Hex was still out there.

Who would he take from me next?

Notes

Sorry I haven't updated in a while guys! My plan is to finish The Throw-Aways first, and then dedicated everything else to this story!