Yes, I am crazy

Chapter 27 - 76

(AN: I totally forgot about Riley, omg. Only by chapter 26 did I remember him, and by then I was like, "Nah," *shrug* "ain't nothing I can do about it now." Rip Riley.)

Samantha's POV (age twelve)

I was walking home from school, a little angry, huffing to myself. Dumb Cindy had made fun of my fantastic painting, and everybody laughed, though it wasn't even a funny joke, proving people have no humor. It was a sad revelation, though my anger lessened none because of it. 

In the aftermath of my rage, I kicked a stone, regretting it immediately as my toes throbbed in pain. Having your toes hurt can only do one thing and that's making you angrier, which should explain my next decision of kicking it again. At the age of twelve, I obviously knew plenty of curses, which I used to let out my anger. In my colorful cursing match, I completely neglected to pay attention to my surroundings and didn't notice the blue car slowing down beside me as I walked.

Only as the sliding door to the van was pulled open did I lift my head to the noise, and in the seconds of trying to understand what was happening, two men wearing black ski-masks had reached me. They took a hold of my arms, and it was as they touched me that I finally reacted. I trashed around, biting and screaming, but the street was an empty one, and no one heard my yells.

Only twelve years old, my petty fighting didn't make much of a difference, and though I like to believe I was ruthless, I was swiftly thrown into the van, the doors closing ominously behind me.

Panic had gotten its hold of me, and I was frantic. With no idea of what was happening, I tried to think with all my thoughts in a frenzy. 

I continued to struggle, attacking whoever got within reach but to no real success. My breath came shallow and fast.

Eventually, the assailants got a firm hold of me, and I felt something being pressed against my mouth and nose. The smell stung my nose, and I tried to take a fresh breath of air. Inhaling deeply, I fainted. 

Hunter's POV

We loaded the guns and cars and prepared ourselves. I'd called Juan, telling him where she was held. He sounded like he could kill me through the phone and though I knew it impossible, I was still very relieved when the conversation finally was over. He did promise to be there at twelve, to help us break through the defense.

"You still think this is the best idea?" Jake asked as he strapped on a bulletproof vest. Though he had agreed to follow me, he stilled looked dubious. I couldn't blame him - even I was doubting myself and my decision.

Though my inner arguings, I nodded reassuringly, "Yeah," I said and pulled my own vest over my head, "I'm sure." I wasn't.

Jake nodded and armed himself with some sets of guns. None of us said much more as we readied ourselves, getting into the mindset of what we were about to do.

I tried not to think about the event that took place some hours ago but found it still creeping into my mind, betraying me. 

My own gang. 

I'd always thought them loyal, more like friends than subordinates, and some of them I'd known since childhood. The fact that once a real threat actually came, they abandoned me really hurt.

All the same, I refused to be the leader of cowards and knew the people who stayed - Jake, Evan, Ethan, Roy, Dave, Kai, Liam, etc - could be trusted with my life.

I was grateful for that, knowing I still wasn't alone, but surrounded by people I could trust.

And that was very important now, with what we were about to walk into. The fact that they knew the threat, the risk we were taking, and still decided to support me warmed my previously shattered heart.