lights out in london

…even if it was ridiculously romantic… Soft lips… Smiles… Footsteps echoing… content… happy… the best prom night he could have ever imagined…. “Justin!” Turning back to see… Justin struggles to open his eyes, but the pain quickly intensifies. Shutting them once again, his mind returns to the familiar parking lot. “And don't forget who's taking you home…” Brian’s voice whispers along with his, “and in who's arms you're gonnabe…” “Did you see their faces?” he asks, smiling. Brian smiles as well. “Yeah. We gave them a prom they'll never forget.” “Me neither” …..Soft, white scarf…. Perfect ending… “It's the best night of my life.” ”Even if it was ridiculously romantic.” Justin tries to open his eyes a second time. He was in a car. He knew that much. The car was moving… fast? It felt fast… was Molly with him?... he tries to speak, but the pain hits him again and he is pulled back into the darkness. … soft lips… tender kiss… Brian’s caring voice that isn’t supposed to care, “Later.” ”Later.” Footsteps… echoing… perfect night… best prom ever…. “Justin!” Frowning, Justin wills himself to stay conscious. He could hear voices… two voices. One belonged to Molly. Molly.. Justin tries to speak, but everything hurts too much. “How could you do this to us?” She cries. No response and Justin wonders if he’s still conscious after all, when Molly’s voice cuts in, “I can’t believe you’d do this to us!” “They contacted me, Molly. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse… I would have been an idiot to refuse.” “Money?! Money is more important that your own family?!” She sounds hysterical and Justin forces his eyes to open so that he can at least see her. “You are not my family. Bertrand was my family. And I’m not going to let any fuckin’ brat take what is rightfully mine!” Justin tries to take in their predicament. They were in the backseat of a car. The car was driving way too fast. It was raining incredibly hard. Things did not look good. “So you’re just going to let them get rid of your lover’s son?! You’re as horrible as they are!!” Molly shrieks. “Like I said,” Richard explains, “They gave me an incredible offer that I couldn’t, and wouldn’t refuse.” She begins to sob into her hands, “I hate you! I hate you so much!” He shrugs, “Doesn’t bother me, Molly.” Looking up, she starts to scream, “I hope you die! I hope they kill you too!” He pauses, and Justin can see that Richard hadn’t thought about that possibility. She shakes her head, “You’re leading us to our death… you’re a fuckin’ murderer!” “Okay, already, just shut up! I’m sick of hearing your voice. Keep it up and I’ll knock you down like I did your brother!” And suddenly the adrenaline hits him and Justin can feel his entire body vibrating with rage. It was as if he was no longer in his own body, but watching it from somewhere in a distance. He lunges over the seat and pulls Richard backwards by the throat. “You fuckin’ asshole!” Justin screams as he somehow manages to climb over the seat and throws a punch at his uncle. Richard, keeping one hand on the wheel, shoves Justin back against the passenger seat. “You little shit!” He yells, turning his head slightly to glance at the road. Justin kicks his feet out towards Richard, kicking him straight against his ribcage. With a curse, Richard doubles over and the car swerves. Railing against the side of the road, one of the tires hits the curb. Justin is flung forward and Richard uses that to his advantage: hitting him square in the jaw before steering the wheel back onto the road. Justin moans, fighting to stay awake. He can hear Molly’s piercing screams from behind. He doesn’t move. Letting Richard think he’s lost consciousness. His head pressed against the glass, Justin looks outside. They were nearing a bridge, and Justin knows right away that Richard was planning on taking them out of London. He moves slowly, exaggerating his weakened state as he leans back against the seat. Moaning softly, he whispers, “Why would you do this, Richard? After everything…” “I owe you shit, Justin,” Richard retorts. “My life is in France, and it was with Bertrand. Soon it will be able to continue… a deal was made. I turn you two over to them, and in return, they get rid of Bertrand’s hooligan of a son.” Justin blinks slowly. The car continues to speed down the street and is only seconds away from starting the trek over Lambeth Bridge. “You’d be responsible for three murders… all for money.” Justin sums up softly. “And freedom,” Richard adds with a smirk. “Fuckin’ freedom.” He swallows hard, tasting the blood in his mouth. The hate he felt was overpowering. This man, this man that he had spent all those years writing to, exposing his soul to… was leading them to their fate. NO. Justin narrows his eyes. Richard had no right to choose their fate. He had no right, no say, no authority… this man was a traitor. A fuckin’ traitor. His uncle… the man he knew when he was just a child, and the man he envisioned as he grew up to become a man himself… that man, that uncle: was dead. This man was a stranger. A horrible stranger that stole something so precious from Molly and himself… and that was inexcusable. The rage boils through his body and without warning, Justin leaps over Richard, screaming uncontrollably as his fists fly. He would not go without a fight. The car zigs and hits the railing before sliding across the pavement. Justin flies forward, his back hitting the windshield… and the car begins to jet at top speed. Richard’s head slams against his side window and he slumps forward. Molly screams, “Justin! Justin! Do something!” Rolling down, Justin tries to maneuver the car, but Richard’s body is in the way. He kicks and pulls, trying to sit over him to hit the brakes… but it’s too late. Molly’s scream fills the car as Justin finds gravity pulling him forward, knocking him up against the windshield once again…. And Justin knows the car is going down…. Falling down at a quick speed… the wind buzzes into Justin’s ear and his stomach falls deep somewhere into his gut… Closing his eyes, Justin can only brace himself before the car hits the water below.