Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

*Bang*

Charlie fired his weapon and the bullet grazed Gerard's face and lodged at the brick wall.

Charlie knew that Jeremy won't be pleased that he didn't put the bullet in Gerard's brain after it became clearly a self-defense attempt. But he could sense the hesitation in Gerard's actions. His hands are still shaking. He was watching him as long as he was here. 

And Charlie didn't think killing Gerard in front of Jerlina will fare well for Jeremy. It would definitely cause some misgivings between them. He wanted to take a different approach. But he knew he has to be careful not to let them get hurt. 

"Drop it!" Charlie shouted and Gerard's hands shook. He got drenched with perspiration and with one hit to the back of his head Gerard dropped the gun. 

Tossing it aside with his boots, Charlie double-locked Gerard's wrists behind his back and pushed him on the wall. 

"Take her home, TJ!" he shouted at Jeremy.

Charlie was not planning on letting Gerard go. It was not just Jeremy's wish, but it was his wish to end Gerard today. He just preferred to not do it in front of Jerlina.

Jerlina saw Charlie holding back and Gerard was motionless as if he was out of it. Her hand reached her abdomen and with the other hand, she grabbed Jeremy's shirt. She didn't want to stay there anymore. She didn't care about what happens with Gerard. Her priority now is to save her baby. 

She cannot put her baby in danger.

Jeremy knew bringing her out of this place would be the best option. He thought Gerard would come for him but that guy pointed his gun at Jerlina. And he won't be able to bear it if anything happens to her. 

He saw one of the guys who followed Jerlina running towards Gerard and he looked for the other but he couldn't find him. 

"There are more…" The guy running towards them signaled and Jeremy turned at the woods. 

He heard some scuffling noise from his right and he looked closely to see two men fighting, one of them was the bodyguard sent with Jerlina.

*Bang*

They heard a bullet going off from there and Jeremy hugged her and hid behind the rock. 

"What's going on, Joel?" Jerlina was shocked. She thought there was Gerard alone and now there are more guns going off. 

"Shh…" Jeremy rubbed her back and kissed her head. 

His heart started to pound and he started to feel fear. He was prepared for Gerard's arrival and brought Charlie for help. Jerlina arrived here unexpectedly with two bodyguards on tow. 

Did Gerard bring others? Or these dissenters? My enemies?

Jeremy's mind started to crash with many thoughts. But rather than thinking about who they are, he should be thinking about how to protect his wife. 

"It will be fine, Jeryl," he covered her with his body and took a peek behind the rock. It was then he noticed a glint to their left. Something metallic reflected the moonlight and his hand reached for his weapon.

Automatic rifles? Who are they?

Jerlina felt Jeremy tensing up and she held the hem of his shirt and pulled him down.

"Joel, what is happening-"

*Pew*

Before she finished she heard something of high velocity hitting the rock and dirt sprinkled on her hair.

  Jeremy carefully placed his hand on the rock and fired his weapon. Jerlina heard shots coming from couple of other direction and a gunfight started to ensue.

Ah… I should have stayed home…

Hugging her knees, she closed her ears as she couldn't bear the sound of the firing weapons. She was entirely covered by Jeremy and she took in deep breaths to calm herself down. She looked up and through the cracks, she could see Jeremy's chin and part of his face. His eyes were focused and she felt her fear getting washed out.

Being here is fine… Who knows who they are targeting… Joel is the best person I can be near. He will protect me. But…

  "Jeryl," he kneeled in front of her and changed the magazine clip. "Don't get scared."

She is pregnant and these stressful situations won't be good for her. 

"Careful, Joel," she bit her lips. There still were a lot of gunshot sound around and one or two bullets ended up on the rock.

His chest gets covered by the rock when he gets up but whenever he peeked out, his head would be exposed. She didn't want him to get hurt. She still remembered the sticky feeling of his blood in her fingers. She didn't want to go through it again.

And what will happen if he gets hurt in the head?

Her eyes reddened and her hand holding the hem of his shirt trembled. "I am scared for you." She said swallowing the lump in her throat. 

He cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead. She might be scared but this is the time for him to fight to protect.

Jerlina clutched his collar. "Those guys will take care of them…" she pulled him down. She didn't want him to leave her. She had a piece of important news she had to break to him.

"Joel…" she said not able to speak further. 

Jeremy let out a deep breath. By how focused the attack was, he could sense that he is the target of those attackers. So he must keep his distance from her but he pondered if it might be their plan to get her alone. And that is why he is staying with her. Seeing the worry in her face, he understood her.

"There are more than five attackers, Jeryl. Two of them are down and only three have to be taken care of. I know the exact position of one of them. If I finish him…" he let out a deep breath sensing that she is not listening to him.

"Jeryl…" he kissed her to make her focus. "I will protect you…" he smiled and his big hand ended up on her stomach and he gently rubbed her belly. 

"The both of you…" he added.

"You…" Tears fell from her eyes. She saw the gentleness and happiness glistening in his eyes and she was lost for words. 

How could he know me better than myself?

  "You know I'm-"

"I do," he kissed her forehead. "You're not very good at hiding, Jeryl," he chuckled.

Among the sound of gunshots, Jerlina found his chuckle a melody akin to the sound of a seagull for a sailor when there is a raging storm.

"I have a lot of plans with you," he grazed his thumb over her lips. "A lot of plans with our baby…" he looked at her belly. "I will be careful," he wiped the tear from her cheek.

Jerlina wiped her face and nodded. "I'll stay here," she sniffed. 

Yes, we will be safe and live happily forever!

Jeremy relaxed seeing her calmed face. She is strong as always. A little hope makes her so confidant. 

*Pew* *pew* *Pew*

The fighting continued.

Charlie who was shooting at the direction another round of shots are incoming and he forgot about Gerard for a moment. As he reloaded he saw Gerard crawling on the floor carefully towards the gun he pushed away just minutes ago. 

F*ck!

Charlie was about to shoot Gerard but his ear ran as one bullet passed right near his ear and lodged at the wall. Bracing himself behind a corner, Charlie started shooting at the direction of the shot. Through his peripheral vision he saw Gerard getting the gun and crawling away towards the direction Jeremy and Jerlina are at.

F*ck this!