With every step I took, the more blinded by my rage I got. No matter how hard I tried to focus and get my act together I could only think about one thing; killing my best friend. Finnigan followed close behind me. Would he stop me? Should he stop me? I came to a halt at the foot of the stairs. Jared glanced up at me with tired red eyes, "oh great, you've brought the pain in the ass with you. Just when I thought you and I were getting somewhere."

"I know what you did," I muttered. My eyes fell on one of the chair legs. I couldn't meet his eyes, I knew if I did I'd rip his heart out."

"Yeah. I got rid of the only thing holding us back from greatness, it wasn't a secret," Jared spat.

My fangs flicked down and I drew my own blood biting my lip. Done. "I'm done," I whispered, barely audible.

"What?"

The rage completely clouded my vision now. I blinked hard a few times, trying to bring it back. I was suddenly in front of him, my hand clasped in a death grip around his throat. "An auction house. Hourly sedatives. A stranger buying MY girl! You clearly want to die. Allow me to grant that wish for you." My free hand penetrated his chest and grabbed onto his heart.

"Don't," Jared whispered, "you'll never see Jess again if I die."

I heard him, but it didn't register. Anger this potent sent me into a one-track sort of mind. Kill him. Kill him now. "See you in hell."

"No, Tanner wait!" Finnigan yelled, temporarily jading my grove.

I took my now blood covered hand out of Jared's chest cavity. Long goops of blood fell to the floor in front of me. "Why," I heard myself say. My voice was distant and unfamiliar.

Finn was at my side, "he said something about Jess."

I let go of his throat and let him catch his breath. "Can we talk without him here?" He finally spoke after minutes of coughing.

"No. You talk now, or you die." I was beyond tired of his games. If Finn hadn't of stopped me, Jared's heart would have been on the ground.

"It was a temporary thing. You and I were going to go there after we cleared things up, I swear." His voice sounded weirdly sincere for once.

"Where is she then? Give me the address." Finnigan demanded.

Jared shook his head, greasy curls bouncing as he did. "Doesn't work like that. I'll take you to her, Tann, but only you. Just untie me."

"He's tired of your bullshit, Jared. Just give us what we want before he kills you." Finnigan's voice was beginning to rise.

"The longer you take, the worse off Jessica is. They know not to let her go with anyone without hearing from me first. I wonder what that clan is doing with her right now...."

My mind raced. What if he's telling the truth? He had no reason to lie, I'm going to kill him whether he leads me to her or not. At the same time, if I untie Jared I guarantee he will attack Finnigan. They were still talking but I couldn't hear them. All I heard was the loud steady sounds of my breathing. "Finn, go check on Kara and Zach." I said.

"What? Tanner, listen to me––" My hearing faded in and out. "Don't––lying to you. Please––mistake again."

"I know," I lied, "I'll be up in a moment." I closed my eyes. Focus Tanner. You're tired, stressed and so, so angry but Jess needs you. Don't let her down again. I heard the door slam in the distance. "Don't make me regret this."

---------

Ugh. Tanner, Tanner, Tanner......

Quick warning:

Till next time :)