Gerard's POV

As I stood in the background and watched, I realised something was different about Frank. His eyes lacked the usual spark. If he smiled at someone, it was only for a second and it never reached his eyes. As soon as he looked away, his face would go back to this sad determined boy. He seemed hell bent on making sure we had the better position. Seeing as Cole hadnt stated where to meet him, Frank had said that we would choose. And he was desperate to be in the winning position. It scared me how different he was. It was as if all he was thinking about was killing Cole. Even though it had only been almost two weeks since Linda had died, I'd have expected his bloodlust to die down a bit but it just seems to be strengthening.

"Gerard why are you looking at me like that?"Frank asked suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Just thinking what an amazing boyfriend I have,"I smiled and took a sip of my coffee. He smiled at me, and this time his eyes had that glint as well, but when he looked down his face dropped about a mile and returned to that desperate for revenge face. I brushed my hair out of my face and walked over to see what they were doing.

"What about outside here?"Mikey suggested,"I mean they think the place is affiliated with gangs that havent shown their face in a while. People stay away from here so there arent going to be any innocents in the way either."
I watched as they discussed this even more before an idea popped into my head,"What about the forest?"

Everyone looked up at me so I ploughed on,"We know he is somewhere in there. Why dont we surround the place and draw them out. Its definitely underground so we could get people digging and everything. Why bother telling Cole we agree. Why not just turn up on his doorstep?"
I watched Frank turn the idea over in his head. I saw the exact moment he agreed. The spark of anger grew even larger as he stood up and smiled at me,"I love you Gerard."
"Love you too Pumpkin."

-time lapse-

"Does Frank seem different to you?"Mikey asked casually as we loaded guns. We were sitting in the dining room of Pete's house. His parents had gone away again for god knows what reason. But it meant that we could use the house so we weren't complaining.
"How do you mean?"
"Like- I dunno... Not like Frank..."
"Like he's lost that bubble of happiness?"I suggested.
"Yeah..."
"I think it popped when he shot Malcolm,"I sighed.
"What popped when I shot Malcolm?"Frank walked into the room suddenly, giving me the fright of my life.
"My ears. Ever since then they've felt like they're blocked and its pissing me off,"I mumbled and wiggled my finger in my ear to further solidify my lie.

"Hmm. Thats weird. So anyway, I'm thinking we need explosives,"Frank completely disregarded my 'bad ear' proving that he was way too focused on getting Cole. There was a huge part of me worried about what would happen once he did.
"How are we gonna get explosives? She's not answering your calls is she?"I muttered and continued my work.
"Let me handle that side. But what do you guys think?"
"I dunno,"Mikey stopped what he was doing and looked up at Frank,"Wont it attract too much attention?"
"Cole's got them. Why cant we?"

"Yeah but Cole has been planning this for years. And I think he only set them up as a precaution. You know, for leverage. Like getting us to meet him,"I spoke up. Frank jerked his eyes to me like I had just killed his puppy.
"Yeah but-"
"Frank. I think you need to take a step back for a day. You're getting way too far ahead of yourself,"I stood up and went to hug him but he took a step back.
"How can you say that?"He took another step back,"I've already organised for us to get some explosives so you're just gonna have to deal with it."
"Frank you need to-"

"Dont tell me what I need to do Gerard. Just dont. I need to do this. I have to kill Cole,"He closed his eyes, his fists clenching at his sides. I glanced at Mikey who looked way too focused on loading a shotgun than a normal person would. I grabbed Frank by the arm and dragged him into the next room.

He went to move away but I grabbed his other arm and held him in place,"Frank. Listen to me. You need to take a breather. I know, you want to kill Cole. I do too. We all do. But you cant rush into this. You cant just organise for us to have explosives without talking to anyone else. It puts us all in danger because we dont know anything about them."

"I need to get him Gerard. Do you not understand that? I need to do this for Mum,"He whispered.
"Do you wanna know something?"
"What?"Frank sighed grumpily.
"Dean shooting himself did not make me feel better about my Mum's death. Okay? Yeah, I was glad that the bastard was dead but it didnt bring my Mum back. She's still dead."
"So you're saying that I shouldnt be going after Cole?"Frank glared at me, shoving my hands away from him.

"No. Thats not what I'm saying at all. What I'm trying to tell you is that no matter how much you miss her, killing Cole wont make you feel better about her death."
"So you are saying I shouldnt-"
"No! Frank, you're not listening to me! You're blinded by your hatred and grief. If killing Cole isnt going to make you stop missing her, then you dont need to rush it! Racing in to try and get him will get you killed. Okay? Why cant you see that?"I sighed. I watched him process it before giving up entirely and going back to Mikey.