"Where are we going?"Frank asked as we got in the car.
"My house,"I muttered as I put the car into gear and drove away from Ryan's house.
"Wait- you mean Pete's house?"Frank looked at me as I sped around the corner.
"No as in my childhood home,"I said as I gunned it to skip a red light.

"Jesus Gerard slow down!"Frank gripped his seat,"Wont someone be living there now?"
"Maybe,"I shrugged my shoulders. Shit what if Cole was there? I slammed the brakes on, sending Frank and I forwards,"We need guns."

"Gerard will you please explain first?"Frank said, taking in a deep breath.
"If there is no one living there then we will."
"That- thats the stupidest thing ever."
"Whatever. Where can we get guns?"I sighed and started driving again.
"Uh the- I'm not sure actually. Hold on I'll call one of the guys."

I pulled over to the side of the road and waited. I could hear the tinny ringing in the silence. It was almost lunchtime and we were in an unfamiliar suburban area that I had only ever driven through once or twice.
"Bob hey. Yeah- yeah I know he just dragged me out- yeah we wont be long. Just uh, Gerard wants a gun. Where can I get him a gun?... No Mum gave me mine as soon as she found out... Okay thats- right. Okay thanks. How's everyone doing?... Oh good. Everything's gone? Good. Are you and the guys almost out? Awesome. Okay we'll see you at Pete's then. Yeah bye,"Frank hung up.

"We're going to Ray's house."
"I love Ray's house,"I grinned and started driving again.
"I've never been. Whats it like?"
"Awesome. His Mum makes the best sweet potato casserole."

"Not as good as Mum's,"Frank muttered.
"You say that now. Wait til you try hers. You'll be eating your words,"I smiled.
"I'm sure I will be,"Frank sighed,"Gerard are you sure this is a good idea? Do you really think going all the way to your old house is gonna be worth it? There is bound to be someone living there."

I glanced over at him and was shocked to see just how worried he was,"Frank its gonna be fine. We're getting me a gun and we're just driving past to have a look. We wont be getting out of the car or anything."
"Well then why do you need a gun?"

I took a left and slowed to a stop outside a house that I hadnt visited in over two years. After I had basically moved in with Pete and Mikey we had all started hanging out there or at The Magic Bean.
"Well first off, I need a gun anyway. Gotta be able to protect myself. Everyone else has one. Second, I want one on the off chance that Cole really is hiding out in the woods. If he is in there then they're gonna have guards."

Frank opened his mouth to say something but shut it again with a 'hmph' noise. I smiled to myself and undid my seatbelt.
"Come on, I can see Mrs Toro inside,"I said as we got out of the car. I locked it and started walking up the path to the front door, Frank a little hesitantly.

I ignored his look of worry and knocked on the door. This was Ray's Mum. She was one of the sweetest people I knew.
"Gerard! Ahhh!"She grinned widely at me when she opened the door and pulled me into a hug, suffocating me with hair wilder than Ray's.

"God I've missed you boy. Why the hell havent you called huh?"She grinned at me, taking me in with her wise looking blue eyes
"Didnt Ray tell you? I've been in California these past two years with my boyfriend and his family,"I smiled and gestured to Frank.

"You must be Frank! My oh my I've heard so much about you but they never told me you were this short,"She said as she hugged him as well.
"Ooh uh its nice to meet you Mrs Toro,"Frank choked out. I couldnt even see his face through her hair.

Mrs Toro let go of Frank and said,"Well come on in you two! What brings you here? How come you're back from California then huh? God you must tell me everything!"
Frank and I shuffled inside, shucking our shoes off as we went.

"You boys hungry? I've almost finished cooking lunch,"She said as she led us through the dark blue hallway and into the kitchen.
"I'd love to but Frank and I just have to grab something for Ray. I cant be long,"I said. Frank was standing awkwardly in the doorway. I could smell a roast chicken in the oven and almost died. It smelt so fucking good and suddenly I was so fucking hungry.

"What do you need to grab? One of his guns? Cause I told him I dont want them in my house. And then just yesterday one of Ray's friends, Cole I think his name was, came by and said he was picking them all up for Ray. Taking them to his house,"She smiled,"He was such a nice boy. And he didnt accept any help taking them out to his car. Just chatted on about Ray and how he was upset over the delay in his music career as he took them all out."

I froze. Mrs Toro couldnt figure out why Frank and I were freaking out,"Are you serious? He has all the guns?!"I gasped.
"She doesnt know about the guns..."Frank said slowly,"Ray said he never told her. He said he hid them in his spare guitar case..."

I looked at Frank then back at Mrs Toro who's look of confusion turned into a look of satisfaction,"You boys sure are stupid."
"Mrs Toro no,"I whispered as she took a step closer. I turned to Frank, about to push him out the door only to see him take a step back into Mr Toro. He had a hand gun hanging at his side.

"Why are you doing this?"Frank said, spinning around and backing into me. I grabbed his hand and held it tightly as they kept getting closer and closer. They said nothing as I looked for an escape. The backdoor was across the room, slightly open to let in fresh air.
"Frank..."
"Got it. Now!"He shouted and dragged me towards it in a sprint.

Mr Toro shot at us. I ducked as we slipped past the table and slammed into the door. The glass shattered at our feet as Frank yanked it open. Frank and I split up, I went left, he went right. I dodged around a barbeque and hid behind it. I saw Frank dive into the bushes as Mr Toro stepped out the door and looked around.

"You boys cant hide for long. There's someone here who is dying to see you,"He sighed, slipping the gun into the back of his pants as fucking Cole came outside as well. I bit back a curse and took a deep breath. I couldnt see Frank at all. But I could tell that he was moving through the bushes lining the fence around to my side.

Cole took a few more steps out. More into the open,"You guys cant hide for long. You know I'll find you."
And then, for a reason unknown to me, I stood up straight and said,"I'm here you bastard."
Cole's head snapped to me and he gave me a slow cruel smile as I moved around the barbeque and got closer to him.

"Gerard. So good to see you!"He gushed.
"Fuck you."
"Ooh still got that bite,"He grinned and pulled a gun out of his pocket,"Gonna have to shut that up,"He sighed and shot me. I fell backwards as the burning spread from my stomach through the rest of my body. My vision went blurry as I felt the ground move beneath me.

"Gerard?"Frank called over the top of Cole's laughing. He sounded distant and tired,"Gerard!"
Frank suddenly came into view, kneeling over the top of me.
"No Frankie go. Go before he shoots you too,"I coughed out, feeling tears slide down the side of me head.

Frank grabbed my shoulders and hauled me into a sitting position, holding me against him tightly,"Its okay Gerard. Its over now. You're okay. Its all okay,"He whispered. I clenched my eyes shut as Cole stood over us, leering at us triumphantly. He was gonna get Frank too. I opened my eyes and screamed.

"Gerard whats wrong?!"Frank pushed me back and looked at me. Instead of seeing Cole I saw a massive poster Slash grinning down at me. We were in Ray's room. I squeezed Frank's shirt even tighter in my hands. I couldnt even remember grabbing it.
"Frank we- I- you- Cole and- and..."I gave up stuttering when something occurred to me,"Why the fuck do I always get shot in these fucking things?"
"I dont know Gerard,"Frank sighed in relief,"I have absolutely no clue."