Gerard's POV

"I think I'm just gonna go over to my apartment for a bit. Tell Frankie for me will you?"I yawned. I felt terrible that I was leaving on his birthday but I knew I was gonna be back in a few hours anyway.
"Alright. You want someone to drive you there?"Mikey looked at me sadly.

"No I'll be okay. I'm just gonna take a nap away from it all and then I'll come back,"I stood up and pushed my chair in.
"Okay. Feel better soon okay?"Mikey gave me a quick hug before letting me sneak out into the hallway then out the front door.

About 5 minutes later I was back at my apartment. I locked the car doors before trudging through the doors. I was too tired and shaken to be bothered with the stairs so I decided to risk taking the elevator just this once. On the ride up I slumped against the wall, trying to ignore the images of Claire flashing in my mind.

"Fucking go away!"I shouted without meaning to. I could not stop the sound or the look on Claire's face from running through my mind. It was like the image was burned onto the inside of my eyelids. Her small frail body, limp in my hands. God it had felt so real. The beating and the gunshots. And then Frank... Jesus. I couldnt.

"No... No!"I bashed my fist against the wall, trying to make sure I was in reality. The doors dinged open and I threw myself out of the elevator. I hit the wall on the otherside and took off running towards my apartment. I struggled to unlock the door with my vision going blurry but I got there in the end. I couldnt even lock the door again. All I could do was slide down the back of it, letting the tears fall down my face as the sobs racked my body.

No matter how hard I tried I couldnt stop myself from crying. My eyes were so puffy I could barely see out of them. My face and neck were soaked with spit, snot and tears but still, I cried. After a minute I dragged myself onto the couch due to my butt going numb. I had quietened down to sniffling so thankfully I heard the door creak open even though it made no difference.

I jumped to my feet at the sight of Cole standing in the doorway. We both stared at each other, neither of us making a move. My gun was in my bedroom from when I had changed out of my clothes covered in paint. I made the mistake of looking to my bedroom door which meant that he thought I was going to move which made him aim a gun at me.
"Make one move and you're dead."

I stayed still and waited.
"I'm glad to see you're doing okay after our little campout in the forest,"He smiled and walked in.
"Cole dont play up the drama. Its so annoying,"Chloe said as she walked in carrying a large briefcase.

As her and Cole started arguing I very carefully slipped my hand down into my pocket. I felt the buttons on my phone and hoped to god I was pressing the right ones. Hopefully I speed dialled Frank but I was never going to be able to pull it out and check.
"Get your hand out of your pocket,"Cole said suddenly.

I yanked it out and held my hands up in defense.
"Alright, lets get down to business. Let me see what I'm working with here,"Cole gave the gun to Chloe and strolled in,"Rose petals and candles? Wow, Gerard. I thought you might have been a bit more creative than that."

"Fuck you,"I croaked.
"Ooh he speaks!"Cole grinned at me. He walked over to where Chloe was leaning against the wall, the gun aimed half assedly at me. He opened the briefcase and rummaged around in whatever was in there before producing a lighter.
"I think we're going to have lots of fun tonight,"He smiled and started lighting all the candles around the room.