𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞, gilinsky

Fourteen

Casey

I couldn't help but fall asleep early today. As the days passed by, I started feeling more weak and tired. I wasn't used to sitting and lying around doing nothing. But I guess that's what happens when you carry a human inside of you for nine months straight.

I woke up, a sharp pain shooting through my back. I've been getting these cramps for the last two days, but never this strong. I took a deep breath, slowly shaking Jack's arm, hoping he would wake up. After a minute of trying to wake Jack up, his eyes opened at the sight of me, in pain.

"What's wrong?" He asked with his sleepy voice as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. I was about to speak up when another cramp shot through my lower abdomen this time. "Jack, I'm in so much pain." I sighed, which made Jack sit up. "Are you in labor?" He asked, a tone of panic covering his voice.

"Just get me some water." I whined, getting annoyed with every single movement around me. Jack left the room just when another cramp shot through my body, a soft squeal escaping my mouth. When Jack returned with a bottle of water, he handed it to me and started changing into the closest outfit he could find.

"I'm bringing you to the hospital. I've read stuff like this." Jack spoke up, walking over to me and placing the water bottle on the night stand. He helped me stand up and guided me all the way to his car. The pain was even worse now. The cramps were coming back regularly and from what I know, this means the baby wants to come out.

Jack sped down the road, but remained safe, he checked on me every now and then until we arrived at the hospital. He helped me get out of the car and led me inside, looking around for a doctor. Once Jack found someone who could help me, everything went too fast. The only thing I clearly remember is doctors telling me to push... and push... and push.

"Come on, Casey, give us one more big push." One of the doctors who was holding my hand yelled as I gave my all and pushed one more time until I felt the baby fully slipping out of me. I took a deep breath, my eyes slowly closing when I heard the baby crying.

After they rinsed the baby - and me - the doctors left to do some tests on my son as I was supposed to sleep for a couple of hours to gain some energy. When I woke up, I noticed Jack sitting next to the baby's bed, the biggest smile on his face. I don't think he noticed me waking up. He started speaking to Alex, our son, in a silly high-pitched voice.

"Having fun?" I spoke up, my voice sounding hoarse and groggily. I felt a sharp pain in my head, I think because of all the pushing, "Yes, I can't believe I'm a father now. I have a son. This baby was once in my-" Before Jack finished his sentence, I quickly cut him off, "I get it, Jack." I giggled, Jack's smile turning into a smirk.

"Giving birth is so tiring, I think I will need at least a full week to recover from all the energy I've lost." I complained, but Jack was too busy with his phone. He wasn't smiling anymore, he had a frown on his face. "Jack? Jack!" I spoke a bit louder, Jack looking up at me, "What's wrong?" I asked, Jack shaking his head, "Nothing, I just read something I still have to get done." Jack mumbled, not really sure of his own answer.

I nodded as I closed my eyes once again, falling into a deep slumber.

Jack

I couldn't help but reread the text I received a couple of minutes ago. Casey fell asleep again, which left me to overthink about this damn, mysterious message.

From: Shane

'Listen up Jack, leaving our gang may have been easy, but the aftermath is a lot more worse and since you don't have much experience with this kind of thing, I'll give you a hint; the first warehouse meet-up. Remember what I told you?'

I bit my lip impatiently, wondering if this was a joke or if he actually was planning something. I knew him letting me leave the gang without having to explain myself was too good to be true. But what the hell did he tell me in that damn warehouse, if it was important I would've remembered it- That's when it hit me.

+

"There is one very important thing you should know about your enemies." Shane said, referring to the other gangs, our rivals. "If they want to get to you, they won't directly attack you. They'll go after your loved ones, the people you care about the most. They know it'll affect you more than if you were to get hurt." Shane spoke with anger rising inside of him. He was telling me this as if it had happened to him before.

"It'll slowly but surely tear you down until there is no feeling or emotion left in you. You'll become a coldhearted monster." Shane spat, his eyes sending out invisible lasers.

"You don't want that to happen, you understand?" Shane pointed a finger to me.

+

My eyes immediately landed on Casey first and then on Alex. If they find out about me having a wife and a son, I'm pretty sure they'll try and take both. I can't leave them out of my sight anymore.

Pulling out my phone, I typed in a response to Shane.

To: Shane

'What the fuck are you planning to do? I told you I want to live a normal life again.'

I pushed the send button and buried my face in my hands as a loud sigh escaped my mouth. Several minutes later, my phone buzzed in my pocket, signalling I had received another text.

From: Shane

'Jack, oh Jack. You've landed yourself in the Danger Zone. Listen carefully, once you're in the zone, you can never leave the zone.'

« oh fuck, shit's about to go down. i feel so bad for jack, all he wants is a normal life, but nothing seems to go right. but hey, casey finally gave birth, how cute is jack as a father? :P »

ps: i wanted to give you guys another opportunity to leave your story titles in the comments (or message me the titles) & i'll read a couple & give feedback, but please do not spam. also comment your thoughts about this chapter & vote as well, it only takes a second & it means the world to me. :)

(yes i have changed my username, it was 'thegilinsky' before)