Isabella ran over and hugged Mackenzie.

Mackenzie and Isabella cried in each others’ arms while Jackson stared at them, confused.

“I thought you were gone,” Isabella said after calming down a little.

“I had to come back to you,” Mackenzie said with a small smile.

Isabella turned to the gate to see a group of boys holding guns with smirks on their faces.

“Hey!” A boy yelled. He had short black hair and green eyes and wore a gray shirt with jeans. “Looks like there’s more of you.”

The boy pointed his gun up at Jackson.

Isabella quickly, without thinking, jumped in front of Jackson.

“Move, pretty girl. I wouldn’t want to ruin your pretty face,” The boy said, teasingly.

“No!” Isabella said, bravely.

Jackson noticed Isabella shaking uncontrollably as she stood in front of him.

“Bella…,” Jackson started. “You don’t have to protect me.”

“Sh!” Isabella said. “I do. You helped me. Now, I’ll help you.”

The boy tisked and said, “This is boring.”

“Shoot her!” His group chanted.

Isabella stared at the boy looking terrified. She then shook her head to rid him of reading her thoughts.

“Alright,” The boy said, putting his finger on the trigger of his gun.

“No!” Jackson shouted without thinking.

He moved instinctively in front of Isabella as the boy pulled the trigger.

The bullet flew through the air and hit Jackson in the lower chest.

Jackson let out a moan and fell to the ground.

“You better run!” Isabella shouted, angrily.

The boys looked at Isabella for a moment and then ran off.

Isabella fell to the floor and picked up Jackson’s head and placed it in her lap.

“Oh, Jackson,” Isabella said, slowly lifting up Jackson’s shirt to see his wound.

Isabella blushed a little as she saw Jackson’s abs. She quickly shook her head and looked at the bullet wound on his lower right ab.

“I’m going to take the bullet out, ok Jackson?” Isabella said, moving her hand to Jackson’s wound.

“O…kay,” Jackson mumbled in pain.

Isabella quickly found the bullet and pinched Jackson’s wound. The bullet flew out onto his chest and Jackson let out a huge moan of pain. He then took a deep breath to calm himself down.

“Sorry,” Isabella said, picking up the bullet and tossing it on the ground.

“It’s…ok,” Jackson mumbled, shakily.

“I need you to get up. I’m going to take you to Natalie. Can you walk?” Isabella said, sounding real serious.

“I…think…so,” Jackson mumbled.

Isabella grabbed his arm and threw it over her head. She then slowly helped Jackson up.

Jackson let out a huge groan.

“Sh…it’s ok. You’re gonna be ok,” Isabella said, calmly.

A little while later, Natalie helped Isabella put Jackson on the table that Isabella once laid.

“I’m going to treat his wound and then I will help you,” Natalie said, turning to Mackenzie. “You took all of your bullets right?”

“Yes,” Mackenzie nodded.

“Good,” Natalie said.

Natalie grabbed the first aid kit and quickly washed and dressed Jackson’s wound. She then washed and dressed Mackenzie’s wounds.

“Alright, no going out to explore or bring back more supplies for a while. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse,” Natalie said, sounding strict. “That includes going outside for the next few days.”

“Aw man,” Jackson said, sounding sad.

“I mean it,” Natalie said in a harsh tone.

“Yes ma’am,” Jackson said.

Natalie then walked over to Mackenzie sitting on the counter near the sink.

“Don’t worry, Jack. I’ll help take care of you,” Isabella said with a warm smile.

“You don’t need to do that,” Jackson said.

“Yes, I do. You saved me. It’s the least I can do,” Isabella said, not taking no as an answer.

Jackson opened his mouth as if to argue back, but quickly closed it.

"Do you want me to go get your brother?" Isabella asked. 

"No, thank you. I don't want to trouble him," Jackson said. 

"You won't trouble him. I'm sure he would like to know when his brother got shot. I know I would want to know when my sister gets hurt or shot," Isabella said. 

Jackson stayed quiet for a minute and then started to speak. 

"Can you explain everything to Griffin, please?" Jackson asked Isabella. 

"I thought you'd never ask," Isabella said, holding Jackson's hand in hers. She squeezed it reassuringly and then let go. 

Isabella then walked towards the door and stepped outside.