Aim
What Do I Do Now?
Gerards POV
Frank had been going to tell me something. And it had seemed important. I had just gotten home and was lying in bed trying to get to sleep but I couldnt because Frank was worrying me. He had seemed so distant. I did not buy that 'trying to talk to Lily' crap. And what was up with him randomly stopping the hallway? I needed to call him. Now.
"Fuck,"I muttered. My phone was in the kitchen. I groaned and threw the blanket off to get out. I had finally bought new sheets and had flipped the mattress to put them on as well so I felt better about being in bed. It had been so long since I had actually slept in this bed.
I jerked my head up from my stumbling in the dark as my home phone started ringing. Who the fuck would that be? It was almost ten o'clock. I switched the main light on and went to answer the phone.
"Hello?"I grumbled.
"How's your course going? Good? Oh no I forgot. You finished this year didnt you. Its funny, you'd think they wouldnt let you stay in one of their apartments while you're not actually going to the course aye."
"Excuse me? Who is this?"
It was pretty amazing how fast I could be filled with that suffocating fear. I couldnt place the voice but I knew it was a bad thing that they had called me. I darted over to the window looking down on the courtyard. Everything was still. There wasnt even a breeze disturbing the few trees.
"You dont recognise me? Ugh I'm heartbroken Gerard,"The guy said as a figure stepped out of the shadows of the fence, looking up here.
I swallowed and took a deep breath,"Cole."
"Well done. Now, thats not actually me down in the courtyard. Thats one of my buddies. He's been keeping an eye on you."
I cleared my throat and yanked the curtains across.
"What the fuck do you want? How do you know we're in California?"I blurted out as I quickly turned the light off and fell onto the couch.
"You think I'm telling you? You'd probably tell Frank and then he'll find our base. Geez, how stupid do you think I am?"
That didnt make sense. At all,"What? Your base? What do you mean?"
"You dont know? Oh my god this is going to be so much fun! I cant believe Frank hasnt told you anything,"Cole started laughing like the insane person he was.
"Dont know what?! Cole fucking tell me!"I shouted as I got up and moved to the window.
Very slowly I pulled the curtain open a crack and peeked out. Fuck, the figure was still there.
"Nope. You cant even ask Frank cause if you do I'll kill Mikey. Its quite funny watching him try and lead Frank's cause. He's not nearly as good as Frank is,"Cole said smugly,"If Frank was here he would sniff us out like a dog sniffing out its own scent."
"You stay the fuck away from Mikey,"I dropped the curtain and went back to the couch.
"Dont tell me what to do. I have spies everywhere Gerard. Do you know how easy it is to hack into a shitty apartment building's security? Pretty damn easy. So tell me, and spare the details, did you and Frank enjoy your little romp after the elevator?"
I squeezed my eyes shut and bit my hand to stop from screaming at him.
"What about the problems at Frank's home. He and Lily all right? No domestic problems over a guy? Hmmmm?"Cole drawled. I was shutting down. I could literally feel each and every part of me just shutting down. Maybe this was a hallucination.
I opened my eyes and blinked multiple times but nothing happened.
"What do you want Cole?"I said quietly, completely defeated.
"I want fucking revenge you bastard. Ever since you and Frank left my mates have been attacked. By disgusting fags like you. If you guys wanted a fucking war, then its a war you're gonna get,"Cole spat, suddenly full of rage.
"What the fuck are you on about?! We never started any fucking war!"
"Oh sorry I forgot you're in the dark about all this. Alright Gerard listen here, you tell anyone and I mean, anyone at all, I will kill Mikey. And then I'll kill Pete. And Ray. And then I'll find Bob and I'll fucking kill him. Then I will come over there and I will kill Claire. And Linda and then, when you least expect it, I'll kill Frank right in front of you. Right before I kill you. You feeling me?"
"You c-cant kill Mikey or anyone,"I stuttered.
"Yeah? Frank works at Starbucks. Claire goes to San Diego Elementary. Room 14. You live in apartment 815. Mikey still works at the comic book store. He got a new boss not long ago. Jerry. Jerry's a good friend of mine. Pete isnt really doing anything except helping out that Ryan Ross kid and Brendon Urie. I know a shit load more than you think Gerard. Mikey? He trusts his new boss. Really likes him. Big mistake there. Pete, Ryan and Brendon spend most of their days at the bean place trying out different music when they're not with Mikey trying to find us. Or more, me. That Spencer guy and his friend? They've left Jersey. Gone to New York for some reason. But they're not important. Whats important is that you understand what I mean when I say, I will kill everyone if you breathe a word of this phone call,"Cole growled and hung up. I dropped the phone, wrapped my arms around my torso and started sobbing.
My body was shaking with how freaked out and worried I was. I thought about calling Frank and asking him what Cole meant but I couldnt. I didnt know who to call. My sobs slowly subsided into little sniffles and shaky breaths. I took one deep breath and stood up and went back to bed, falling asleep staring at the picture of Frank and I at Disneyland.
-time lapse-
"What the fuck?"I groaned and opened my eyes. They felt swollen and sore. I had the worst headache and the thumping on my door was not helping.
"Gerard! Are you in there?! Open up!"It was Chloe. I could have pretended I wasnt home but the thumping wasnt stopping and her disappearing on me held too many answers.
I sighed and dragged myself out of bed and out into the lounge.
"Ha, I knew you were here. Have you been sleeping?"Chloe raised her eyebrows at me and punched me.
"Shit what the fuck was that for?"I stumbled backwards and let her in,"Why are you wearing all bla- fuck."
"Yeah. You fucking missed both of the funerals. You bastard,"Chloe glared at me.
"Chloe I'm so fucking sorry. I completely forgot I've got- a lot on my mind right now,"I fought the urge to cry again as the call from last night flooded into my mind.
"So much that you cant even remember Jim's funeral? What the fuck Gerard?!"Chloe put her hands on her hips and glared at me.
"Chloe I dont know what you want me to say. Frank and I had an argument last night. A- a bad one and I just- havent slept and I'm- I'm so sorry!"I wailed and fell down onto the couch. The phone was still lying there from last night and it made me sob even louder.
"Oh Gerard,"Chloe's face broke into sympathy. She sat down next to me and gathered me up, rubbing my back and shushing me.
"What did you guys fight about?"She asked quietly, a weird tone to her voice.
"Uh-"Shit. Come on Gerard, improvise,"He- He's been getting a lot of phone calls lately and- then two nights in a row he wouldnt tell me where he was and I accused him of cheating and he said that our relationship is never going to work if I cant trust him,"I blurted out in a rush. Not bad. Although if Chloe confronts Frank he is gonna freak out and she will find out adn then everything will come out in the open and Cole will kill everyone.
"Oh baby. Its gonna be okay. You just need to talk it out. Because you do trust him right?"
"Of course I do its just the fact that he doesnt trust me enough to tell me where he was and who the phone calls are about,"I sighed. Okay that was real. The fact that Frank was keeping some sort of conspiracy for me was a little worrying.
"Well you need to tell him exactly that. Frank's a- a really sweet guy I'm sure he'll understand once he hears how you're feeling,"Chloe smiled.
"Yeah... You're right. Thanks,"I smiled back.
"So uh what- what time was this?"She asked, semi casually.
"Oh about after dinner time? 7 o'clock or something. The only reason I left was because he had promised Claire she could sleep in his room for the first time in months so I didnt want to ruin that for her,"I muttered.
"Right right... Okay well I'm sorry for yelling at you before,"She stood up.
I stood up as well and picked the phone up,"No no its fine you had every right to. I'm sorry for missing the funeral. Was he buried or cremated?"I asked as I put the phone back in its holder.
"Buried. You should go visit him. Say goodbye,"Chloe said quietly. I nodded and leaned against the bench.
"Well I've gotta get going. I need to pack my shit from next door and go back to Mum's. I'll see you around Gerard,"She smiled and walked out before I could ask where she disappeared to. I stood still for a second before grabbing my cell and calling Mikey.
"Hey Gee, whats up?"Mikey said happily. He was okay. He didnt sound- stressed. Like he was trying to lead a fight or fucking whatever. Maybe Cole was just trying to scare me and worry me. Just the idea that Mikey could lead an- army or whatever was ridiculous.
"Gerard? You there?"
"Right right sorry I was just um- thinking... Whats up? Anything interesting going on over there?"I said casually.
"Oh no not much umm... Pete is determined to find a band for himself though. He said he found a guy called Andy who might be convinced but otherwise he just cant find anyone. Its actually quite funny, watching him whine to people at The Magic Bean. Everyone there that can play is already in a band,"Mikey chuckled.
Okay, Mikey definitely wasnt the face of a war cause or- fucking whatever,"Aww man that sucks.Tell him to come out here, I havent found a place like the bean yet but there are bound to be people wanting a band I mean come on, this is California."
"Well he's just gonna have to wait a week before he can scare people. Whats up with you? Anything nutty over there? How are you doing?"Mikey huffed.
"Oh no not really. Uhh..."I'm scared to death because Cole is watching me and is probably listening to this phone call right now,"Just boring stuff. I'm trying to organise a halloween party for when you guys get here. Just me, Frank, you and the guys with a few of Frank and I's friends. So you can meet them all."
"Dude that sounds awesome. I'm sure the guys are totally up for that,"Mikey gushed. It was so good to hear his voice and know that he wasn't in trouble or anything.
"Yeah... How are you guys getting here?"
"Oh uh we havent actually sorted that yet- in fact I've got the guys coming over so we can sort it all out. I'll talk to you later okay Gee? See ya,"Mikey said quickly and hung up.
There it was again. The weird goodbye. Fast and not- normal for Mikey. I shoved my phone in my pocket and sighed. This week was going to go by at a snails pace I could tell.
"Time to go do something productive I guess..."I sighed and went into the kitchen to start preparing to make dinner for Frank.
Frank had been going to tell me something. And it had seemed important. I had just gotten home and was lying in bed trying to get to sleep but I couldnt because Frank was worrying me. He had seemed so distant. I did not buy that 'trying to talk to Lily' crap. And what was up with him randomly stopping the hallway? I needed to call him. Now.
"Fuck,"I muttered. My phone was in the kitchen. I groaned and threw the blanket off to get out. I had finally bought new sheets and had flipped the mattress to put them on as well so I felt better about being in bed. It had been so long since I had actually slept in this bed.
I jerked my head up from my stumbling in the dark as my home phone started ringing. Who the fuck would that be? It was almost ten o'clock. I switched the main light on and went to answer the phone.
"Hello?"I grumbled.
"How's your course going? Good? Oh no I forgot. You finished this year didnt you. Its funny, you'd think they wouldnt let you stay in one of their apartments while you're not actually going to the course aye."
"Excuse me? Who is this?"
It was pretty amazing how fast I could be filled with that suffocating fear. I couldnt place the voice but I knew it was a bad thing that they had called me. I darted over to the window looking down on the courtyard. Everything was still. There wasnt even a breeze disturbing the few trees.
"You dont recognise me? Ugh I'm heartbroken Gerard,"The guy said as a figure stepped out of the shadows of the fence, looking up here.
I swallowed and took a deep breath,"Cole."
"Well done. Now, thats not actually me down in the courtyard. Thats one of my buddies. He's been keeping an eye on you."
I cleared my throat and yanked the curtains across.
"What the fuck do you want? How do you know we're in California?"I blurted out as I quickly turned the light off and fell onto the couch.
"You think I'm telling you? You'd probably tell Frank and then he'll find our base. Geez, how stupid do you think I am?"
That didnt make sense. At all,"What? Your base? What do you mean?"
"You dont know? Oh my god this is going to be so much fun! I cant believe Frank hasnt told you anything,"Cole started laughing like the insane person he was.
"Dont know what?! Cole fucking tell me!"I shouted as I got up and moved to the window.
Very slowly I pulled the curtain open a crack and peeked out. Fuck, the figure was still there.
"Nope. You cant even ask Frank cause if you do I'll kill Mikey. Its quite funny watching him try and lead Frank's cause. He's not nearly as good as Frank is,"Cole said smugly,"If Frank was here he would sniff us out like a dog sniffing out its own scent."
"You stay the fuck away from Mikey,"I dropped the curtain and went back to the couch.
"Dont tell me what to do. I have spies everywhere Gerard. Do you know how easy it is to hack into a shitty apartment building's security? Pretty damn easy. So tell me, and spare the details, did you and Frank enjoy your little romp after the elevator?"
I squeezed my eyes shut and bit my hand to stop from screaming at him.
"What about the problems at Frank's home. He and Lily all right? No domestic problems over a guy? Hmmmm?"Cole drawled. I was shutting down. I could literally feel each and every part of me just shutting down. Maybe this was a hallucination.
I opened my eyes and blinked multiple times but nothing happened.
"What do you want Cole?"I said quietly, completely defeated.
"I want fucking revenge you bastard. Ever since you and Frank left my mates have been attacked. By disgusting fags like you. If you guys wanted a fucking war, then its a war you're gonna get,"Cole spat, suddenly full of rage.
"What the fuck are you on about?! We never started any fucking war!"
"Oh sorry I forgot you're in the dark about all this. Alright Gerard listen here, you tell anyone and I mean, anyone at all, I will kill Mikey. And then I'll kill Pete. And Ray. And then I'll find Bob and I'll fucking kill him. Then I will come over there and I will kill Claire. And Linda and then, when you least expect it, I'll kill Frank right in front of you. Right before I kill you. You feeling me?"
"You c-cant kill Mikey or anyone,"I stuttered.
"Yeah? Frank works at Starbucks. Claire goes to San Diego Elementary. Room 14. You live in apartment 815. Mikey still works at the comic book store. He got a new boss not long ago. Jerry. Jerry's a good friend of mine. Pete isnt really doing anything except helping out that Ryan Ross kid and Brendon Urie. I know a shit load more than you think Gerard. Mikey? He trusts his new boss. Really likes him. Big mistake there. Pete, Ryan and Brendon spend most of their days at the bean place trying out different music when they're not with Mikey trying to find us. Or more, me. That Spencer guy and his friend? They've left Jersey. Gone to New York for some reason. But they're not important. Whats important is that you understand what I mean when I say, I will kill everyone if you breathe a word of this phone call,"Cole growled and hung up. I dropped the phone, wrapped my arms around my torso and started sobbing.
My body was shaking with how freaked out and worried I was. I thought about calling Frank and asking him what Cole meant but I couldnt. I didnt know who to call. My sobs slowly subsided into little sniffles and shaky breaths. I took one deep breath and stood up and went back to bed, falling asleep staring at the picture of Frank and I at Disneyland.
-time lapse-
"What the fuck?"I groaned and opened my eyes. They felt swollen and sore. I had the worst headache and the thumping on my door was not helping.
"Gerard! Are you in there?! Open up!"It was Chloe. I could have pretended I wasnt home but the thumping wasnt stopping and her disappearing on me held too many answers.
I sighed and dragged myself out of bed and out into the lounge.
"Ha, I knew you were here. Have you been sleeping?"Chloe raised her eyebrows at me and punched me.
"Shit what the fuck was that for?"I stumbled backwards and let her in,"Why are you wearing all bla- fuck."
"Yeah. You fucking missed both of the funerals. You bastard,"Chloe glared at me.
"Chloe I'm so fucking sorry. I completely forgot I've got- a lot on my mind right now,"I fought the urge to cry again as the call from last night flooded into my mind.
"So much that you cant even remember Jim's funeral? What the fuck Gerard?!"Chloe put her hands on her hips and glared at me.
"Chloe I dont know what you want me to say. Frank and I had an argument last night. A- a bad one and I just- havent slept and I'm- I'm so sorry!"I wailed and fell down onto the couch. The phone was still lying there from last night and it made me sob even louder.
"Oh Gerard,"Chloe's face broke into sympathy. She sat down next to me and gathered me up, rubbing my back and shushing me.
"What did you guys fight about?"She asked quietly, a weird tone to her voice.
"Uh-"Shit. Come on Gerard, improvise,"He- He's been getting a lot of phone calls lately and- then two nights in a row he wouldnt tell me where he was and I accused him of cheating and he said that our relationship is never going to work if I cant trust him,"I blurted out in a rush. Not bad. Although if Chloe confronts Frank he is gonna freak out and she will find out adn then everything will come out in the open and Cole will kill everyone.
"Oh baby. Its gonna be okay. You just need to talk it out. Because you do trust him right?"
"Of course I do its just the fact that he doesnt trust me enough to tell me where he was and who the phone calls are about,"I sighed. Okay that was real. The fact that Frank was keeping some sort of conspiracy for me was a little worrying.
"Well you need to tell him exactly that. Frank's a- a really sweet guy I'm sure he'll understand once he hears how you're feeling,"Chloe smiled.
"Yeah... You're right. Thanks,"I smiled back.
"So uh what- what time was this?"She asked, semi casually.
"Oh about after dinner time? 7 o'clock or something. The only reason I left was because he had promised Claire she could sleep in his room for the first time in months so I didnt want to ruin that for her,"I muttered.
"Right right... Okay well I'm sorry for yelling at you before,"She stood up.
I stood up as well and picked the phone up,"No no its fine you had every right to. I'm sorry for missing the funeral. Was he buried or cremated?"I asked as I put the phone back in its holder.
"Buried. You should go visit him. Say goodbye,"Chloe said quietly. I nodded and leaned against the bench.
"Well I've gotta get going. I need to pack my shit from next door and go back to Mum's. I'll see you around Gerard,"She smiled and walked out before I could ask where she disappeared to. I stood still for a second before grabbing my cell and calling Mikey.
"Hey Gee, whats up?"Mikey said happily. He was okay. He didnt sound- stressed. Like he was trying to lead a fight or fucking whatever. Maybe Cole was just trying to scare me and worry me. Just the idea that Mikey could lead an- army or whatever was ridiculous.
"Gerard? You there?"
"Right right sorry I was just um- thinking... Whats up? Anything interesting going on over there?"I said casually.
"Oh no not much umm... Pete is determined to find a band for himself though. He said he found a guy called Andy who might be convinced but otherwise he just cant find anyone. Its actually quite funny, watching him whine to people at The Magic Bean. Everyone there that can play is already in a band,"Mikey chuckled.
Okay, Mikey definitely wasnt the face of a war cause or- fucking whatever,"Aww man that sucks.Tell him to come out here, I havent found a place like the bean yet but there are bound to be people wanting a band I mean come on, this is California."
"Well he's just gonna have to wait a week before he can scare people. Whats up with you? Anything nutty over there? How are you doing?"Mikey huffed.
"Oh no not really. Uhh..."I'm scared to death because Cole is watching me and is probably listening to this phone call right now,"Just boring stuff. I'm trying to organise a halloween party for when you guys get here. Just me, Frank, you and the guys with a few of Frank and I's friends. So you can meet them all."
"Dude that sounds awesome. I'm sure the guys are totally up for that,"Mikey gushed. It was so good to hear his voice and know that he wasn't in trouble or anything.
"Yeah... How are you guys getting here?"
"Oh uh we havent actually sorted that yet- in fact I've got the guys coming over so we can sort it all out. I'll talk to you later okay Gee? See ya,"Mikey said quickly and hung up.
There it was again. The weird goodbye. Fast and not- normal for Mikey. I shoved my phone in my pocket and sighed. This week was going to go by at a snails pace I could tell.
"Time to go do something productive I guess..."I sighed and went into the kitchen to start preparing to make dinner for Frank.
7/10/13