Runaways (Avenged Sevenfold)

Runaways~Chapter Twelve

                                                                            ~Lily’s P.O.V~

I was more impatient than ever to see my sister. From what I could hear from the conversation, she and Jimmy were in bad shape. I’d let my little sister down, and because of that, Jimmy had gotten hurt. I had to figure out how to fix this, to apologize. And I wasn’t getting that accomplished by standing around here! I waited for Matt to finish his call to Zacky, and we took off. I was anxious to see my sister, and thank Jimmy for finding her.

It took us about fifteen minutes to get to Circus Circus, and it wasn’t hard to figure out where Mel and Jimmy were. Our whole group was there besides us, and crowded around a bench outside. Leaving Matt in the dust, I ran as hard as I could over to the bench, shoving people out of my way. I had to catch a scream in my throat when I saw them…

Mel had burns all over her arms and a gash on her cheek. She looked tired and out of it, barely realizing it was Zacky that was swooning all over her. Johnny and Brian were fussing all over Jimmy, who was bleeding from the leg and from his side. What had I done?!

I immediately ran over, grabbing them both into a hug, sobbing. “Oh my GOD! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU TWO?!”

Mel and Jimmy both hugged me back, but it was Jimmy who answered me. “Mel went to your parents’ house. I followed her.”

I immediately pulled away, looking at her in disbelief. Finally, I found my voice. “Melissa Marie! What were you thinking?! They’ve almost killed us multiple times! And now they could have killed Jimmy! Or you! Or the both of you! Mel, really, what were you thinking?!”

She looked away, really upset. I didn’t mean to sound upset with her, but she’d scared me to death! I shook her shoulders a little to get her to talk to me. Finally she said, “I just wanted to prove that I’m not a screw up, that I can do things on my own! I’m not weak! And I’m actually worthy of being cared about!” She stole a glance at Zacky, who immediately looked upset and looked away.

I hugged her tight. “Of course you’re not a screw up! And I know you’re not weak, Mel. You’ve put up with all of their abuse over the years, and you’ve suffered through living in alleys and in cars for the past two years without saying a word! And you will find a great guy someday, and he’ll treat you with respect.” I knew I’d helped her when she hugged me back just as tight.

I let her go, and turned to Jimmy, who gave me a weak and tired smile. I saw what had happened to him, and I tried to think of how to help him, but I couldn’t. I just looked at him, helpless. “Jimmy, my God, what have they done to you?” I couldn’t help but cry. Despite what he did to me earlier, he’d gone and saved my sister. He’d witnessed the shit that our parents did to us, and they’d hurt him, too. I wanted them dead for hurting Jimmy.

Jimmy reached out and wiped away a tear. “Hush, now, Lily. I’ll make it. I swear. But… you and Mel never have to worry again. You’re safe.” He gave me a sweet smile.

I looked at him, dumbfounded. “What do you mean, Jimmy?”

“They’re gone, Lily. I killed them. They tried to kill me, and I shot them.” He looked a little haunted at the thought and I instantly felt bad. He’d literally killed for my sister and I! “They won’t bother you anymore. No more pain.”

I hugged him tightly. This man had taken care of the two people who had caused us so much pain. They’d beaten us, tortured us, and starved us. And now they were gone. Mel and I were truly free, for the first time in our lives. I cried tears of joy, especially when I felt Jimmy wrap an arm around me. I really loved this man, even if he didn’t love me back and preferred whores. “Oh, my goodness, Jimmy! Thank you! Thank you so much for saving us! I love you!”