Losing Battle

The chatter and laughter around the table doesn’t cease as everyone begins to eat their pizza. Kyle keeps his end of the table in stitches, while the humor filters through the others. No one cares about what time it is…no one wants the evening to end.


Carson almost grins and pulls Misty closer with just enough force that she bumps into him, so his arm can go around her shoulder. “You’re something else, you know that?” He sighs, starting to give up fighting this whole thing. He felt different…strange…but apparently it was a losing battle.

The walk back to TJY is quiet, and they make their way back inside, Carson aiming back for the infirmary. He stops outside the door and takes back his hat, reaching out to run his hand through Misty’s messed up hair. “Do me a favor and don’t get into any trouble tonight, eh?”



Two men enter Mom and Pop’s nonchalantly and scan the people at the tables. One is a uniformed police officer, the other in plain clothes. They exchange several quiet words, then the one in plain clothes points to the table in the back. They move slowly, scanning the faces as they approach the noisy group.

“Jason Stevenson?”

The group very suddenly goes quiet as everyone looks up to the two strangers. The gaiety feels as though it was abruptly sucked from the room. Jason looks between them, a tension rising in the air. Something wasn’t right. “Yes?”

The two men approach him from behind, the policeman reaching out to take his arm. “You’re under arrest for the murder of Blake Thomas.”

Jason is so stunned that he doesn’t even resist being pulled up from his chair as his arms are placed behind his back.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law…”

Con rises from his seat, shocked by what’s happening. “Whoa, whoa, what is all this about?”

“Sir, please sit back down,” the officer instructs, showing that he has a gun.

Con numbly sits back down. Though a rage is building inside of him, he knows he has to keep calm…he has to stay cool, otherwise it will just make things worse for Jason, whatever it was that was going on.

Jason’s mind reels. Blake Thomas…Blake Thomas…. It had to be the guy back in Texas. He feels the cold handcuffs being tightened around his wrists, and looks around the table, seeing the paled faces and looks of shock. But he can say nothing, lest he convict himself.

He lets his eyes land on Nate. “Call Reese,” he instructs quickly, “and…” He’s twisted around and pushed towards the door, and he resists just a little, trying to see back over his shoulder, and raising his voice. “Talk to Carson to see if it’s legit!”

Con is back on his feet again as the two men’s backs are turned, pushing Jason towards the door. He opens his mouth to say something, but the shock seems to have taken his voice.

JetStream exchanges glances, completely confused by what just happened, and very concerned for Jason. But no words seem appropriate. No one knows what to say or how to react. The current mood is a shocking and stark contrast to the fun that was happening only minutes before. Jason had just been arrested for murder.

Laura stands up quickly, laying a hand on Maggie’s shoulder, but speaking to Nate. “Go to TJY and do what Jason asked. I’ll have Con take me and Maggie back to your place and I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

Con glances down to Jamie. “I’m sorry. Laura’s right. Let me take you three back. We shouldn’t stick around here if something bigger goes down.”

Jen looks to her brother with worry. “What’s happening?”

Kyle shakes his head. “I don’t know.”


Jason is shoved towards the police cruiser and then into the back seat, his head barely missing the door frame. The door is slammed shut, and the two men get in the front without a word. The ride to the police station has never seemed so long, and Jason’s mind is reeling. How could this be happening? What had gone wrong? What had slipped through the cracks? What did this mean for him? What if TJY couldn’t pull him out? Murder… that could mean one of two things, if he was convicted… life in prison, or the death penalty himself.