Page 31 of When We Collide

Before the men could make it to the front door, Lex launches himself at the second man holding DJ, sinking his teeth into his arm. The man screams, shoving DJ almost violently at the third man standing in front of him. “DJ,” I whimper, rushing over to him while clinging onto the walls for support. “Don’t hurt my baby, please!” I fall at the third man’s feet, sobbing. “Take me,take me instead, please! Don’t take my baby. I’ll come with you, I won’t make a sound.”

“Get this fucking dog off me!” the second man shouts, thrashing wildly.

The leader turns, pulling out a gun. “Hold still!” he barks grimly.

“Lex, no!” I scream, but it’s too late. The gunshot echoes in the house, and Lex yelps, collapsing to the floor. “NO!”

“Let’s go,” the leader barks again. The men hurry out of the house, DJ’s cries fade as they disappear out of the door. I crawl over to Lex, tears streaming down my face. “Lex,” I whisper, placing my hand on his stomach. His breathing is shallow, and blood pools around him, staining my hands and clothes. “Stay with me, okay. Please, hang in there. You’re going to be okay.” I push up to my feet, my head spins, but I manage to keep myself grounded and run out of the front door screaming for help.

Looking around frantically I spot the three men getting into a black van and race after them. “DJ!” His screams ring in my ears and it kills me. “Stop! Please, please, don’t take my baby!” I throw myself at them, pulling at their jackets, fighting to stop them. “Help! Someone help me, please! They’re taking my baby!”

The one I’m holding grabs me by the throat and brings my face close to his. “If you want to kill someone, kill me. He’s an innocent little baby, please, I’m begging you, don’t hurt my baby.” I sob. “Take me instead.”

“Let’s move!”

The man shoves me away with a force that takes me by surprise. I stumble backwards, my feet unable to keep up with the suddenmovement. I hit the ground hard, my back slamming into the unforgiving concrete curb. I cry out, a rush of pain shoots through me, stealing the air from my lungs.

I watch in shock as they all hurriedly pile into the van and slam the door shut behind them. “Oh God…” With every ounce of strength I have left, I drag myself towards the van, desperately trying to pull myself up using the handle on the side. “Stop, please, give me back my baby! Don’t take him from me, please!” my heart races as I pound my fist against the metal, screaming for someone to help me. But it's too late. The van screeches away, leaving behind nothing but a trail of dust and exhaust fumes. In a daze, I chase after them, my legs moving as fast as they can, my bare feet scratching against the rough gravel.

“No! No, please, stop! Help, somebody, help me!” I cry out, knowing that it's futile but unable to stop myself from trying. Tears of despair stream down my face as I collapse onto the pavement, my voice hoarse from shouting.

My heart is pounding so hard that it feels like it might explode out of my chest. The sound of concerned voices fills the air as neighbours and passersby gather around me, but their words are distant and muffled, drowned out by the ringing in my ears. My eyes are fixed on the empty street before me as tears blur my vision. All I can think about is DJ, my sweet baby boy who was just ripped away from me by the same people who want to take my husband's life.

“DJ!” I cry out, my voice echoing through the empty street. But there's no one left to hear me, no one to help.

My mind is consumed with fear for my baby's safety. Just like they callously took Lex's life, I know they will not hesitate to end DJ's as well. The thought needles at my heart like a thousandknives, each one piercing deeper and deeper. My tears mix with screams of anguish as I am left alone, paralyzed with terror for my child's fate.

“They took my baby.” I cry, when an older woman I recognise as my neighbour kneels beside me to try and help but I push her hands off me. “They shot my dog, he’s… in the house, and oh God, they’re going to kill him too. They’re going to kill my baby!”

“Sweetheart, we’ve called the police, they’re on the way, okay? They’re going to find your baby. You’re bleeding, let’s get you off the street and back inside.” I shake my head, looking at the road ahead, hoping by some miracle they’ll come back, or someone intervened before they could get away and bring DJ back to me. But no one comes.

I can still hear his screams ringing in my ears.

In the distance, the blaring sirens grow louder and a loud screech of tires echoes through the buildings. From my huddled position on the ground, I strain to hear through the chaos.

“Jeyla!” Through my cries, I hear Dean’s voice calling for me.

“Dean…”

“Move!” When I look up, I see him racing toward me, pushing through the frantic crowd of people to reach me. Every muscle in his body is tense with urgency and determination. When he sees the bloodied state of me, he visibly pales. “Christ.”

“Dean,” I whimper as he falls to his knees beside me, followed closely by Oscar.

“JJ, hey, look at me, baby, are you okay?” he questions in a flurry, and he gently cups my face in his large hands while hiseyes examine my face to see where the blood is coming from. “Answer me, JJ. Fuck, where are you hurt?”

“They took him.” My tears flow freely as I cling to Dean's hoodie with my blood-stained hands. “They took DJ, and I… I c-couldn't s-stop them.” With fierce protectiveness in his eyes, Dean’s eyes lift while his fingers stroke my face. His piercing green eyes locking onto mine. “They're going to kill him,” I sob woefully. Oscar takes my hand that is stained with Lex’s blood into his and presses it to his lips, his eyes full of concern when they meet mine. “They shot Lex, and I… I just left him there to save DJ… he’s hurt and it’s all my fault. I couldn’t protect them. They’re going to kill DJ, they’re going to take him from me too.”

When I look back at Dean, I find a pained expression staring back at me, before he shakes his head, his jaw set tight. Even though he’s shaking with anger, I can tell he’s fighting back tears. “JJ, listen to me, baby,” he says firmly, but his voice wavers with emotion. “None of this is your fault, all right? They're not going to kill DJ. If Viktor wanted him dead, he would have had you both killed there and then. He wants me, and he’s using DJ as a barter to draw me out,” he punctuates each word with conviction. “I’m not going to let anything happen to our baby, I swear to you. We need to get you looked at. You’re bleeding JJ. I need you to tell me where you’re hurt?”

I shake my head; my wounds are the least of my concern right now. They have my baby. “Dean, please, get our son back. I want my baby back.” I plead.

“I know baby, I’m going to get our son back safe and sound.” With that promise, he pulls me into his strong embrace and I breakdown in his arms. Dean draws back and looks down into my face, the concern and worry evident in his eyes, “I’m sorry, JJ, I’m so sorry. I should have trusted my instincts and not leftyou alone.” Dean murmurs against my forehead. “I’m going to fix this. I’m going to get our son back. I promise.”

“Captain Reyes,” a voice breaks through the moment and we turn to see a group of men in bullet proof vests surrounding us. Are these the security men that were appointed to protect us? “It’s not safe out here, we should go inside. The police and paramedics are here, they should examine your wife.” One of the four men—the most senior one I assume—says, his tone devoid of any emotion.

My mind is consumed with worry and my body trembles with trepidation.

Dean and Oscar, both help me up to my feet and now the adrenaline has left my system my body aches in protest from all the battering and trauma I’ve endured. Dean notices me wincing and struggling to stand straight so he carefully lifts me into his arms and carries me back toward the house.

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