Chapter 35: Chapter 35

"Thank you for the statement Miss Wentworth," the officer says as I sign on the dotted line. I yawn, stretching my hands above my head.

"You're welcome. Can I go to bed now? I'm exhausted from dealing with my friends boyfriend drama." I tell him. The officer takes the statement from me and nods, looking tired himself.

"Awesome, goodnight." I smile, scraping back the chair and standing up. I give him a little wave before leaving the kitchen, shutting the door firmly behind me. Myra is waiting for me by the bottom of the stairs.

"How did it go?" She asks me quietly, looking worried. I give her a re-assuring smile, walking towards her.

"I told them the truth like we planned, we just have to make sure the police don't find Tobias or Jake. At least not until we find the real killer." I explain, speaking in a hushed tone. Myra nods, her eyes sunken and drawn in. I gave her one last smile before climbing up the stairs, heading for Jake's room.

"Emily?" Myra asks from behind me and I turn around, glancing at her — "Yeah?"

"Thank you," she says softly, giving me a small smile.

"It's my pleasure," I smile before continuing up the stairs, feeling exhausted. I drag my body up, each step more challenging than the last. My body protests against me, forcing me to stop and get some rest. I sigh heavily, pushing open Jake's bedroom door.

He's sprawled out on his bed, shirtless. His arms are above his head and the duvet covers the bottom half of his body. He's sleeping soundly, his chest rising and falling steadily in peace. I close the door firmly behind me, a smile on my lips from seeing him finally get some decent rest.

"How did it go?"

My head shoots towards the other end of Jake's room and I frown, noticing Tobias on a makeshift bed on the floor. He's surrounded by blankets, propped up by multiple pillows.

"As good as it could. What are you doing in here?" I ask him quietly, careful not to wake Jake.

"It made more sense to sleep in Jake's room seeing as we're both wanted. He has a lock on his door and mine's broken," he explains quietly, giving me a small smile. I nod at him, turning around and locking Jake's bedroom door.

I can't risk the police accidentally walking in here.

"You were awesome today by the way," Tobias whisper, giving me a small approving smile.

"Thanks Tobias, why aren't you sleeping?"

"I feel guilty for speaking to you the way I did." Tobias explains, mumbling his words. My eyebrow raise in surprise and I walk over to Jake's bed, taking a seat on the end of it.

I turn towards him, checking to see if he's still sleeping peacefully which he is. His mouth is parted slightly, dark hair messily falling over his forehead. He looks so beautiful and peaceful when he sleeps.

"It's okay Tobias, honestly." I tell him truthfully, turning back towards him. A few moments of silence pass between us until eventually, Tobias speaks —

"Do you think Jane regret's cheating on me?" He asks quietly, deep in thought. I pause for a few moments, thinking hard about his question.

"The only way you'll ever really know is if you ask her. I'm guessing she's pretty messed up over Dylan's death so it's probably not the best timing."

"What did I do wrong Emily?" Tobias sighs, briefly glancing at me before his eyes wonder back up to the  ceiling.

"You didn't do anything wrong Tobias. Sometimes relationships don't work out, it doesn't mean you're at fault. It's just the way things end up. It also doesn't mean you won't ever find someone else because you will. You have to give it time." I tell him.

Tobias sighs and nods at my words, his eyes growing heavy with sleep.

"Thanks Superstar." He yawns and turns over, pulling the blankets up to his chin. I crawl further up Jake's bed to lie beside him. I cuddle into his chest, pulling the duvet around me and allowing myself to relax.

Having him next to me safe and sound is all I need.

"Goodnight Tobias." I whisper in the direction he's lying. I hear him stir before he responds, his words spoken in a low sleepy drawl —

"Goodnight Emily."

*****

Bang! Bang! Bang!

My eyes snap open and panic immediately settles in.

What the hell is that noise?

I sit up straight in bed, my heart hammering against my chest. Jake is fast asleep beside me and Tobias is snoring on the opposite side of the room, blankets sprawled all over the floor. It's pitch black in the room, shadows looming over the walls.

Bang!

I gasp and turn towards the bedroom door, noticing it's almost coming away from its hinges.

"Wake up! Jake! Tobias!" I yell, shaking Jake's sleeping body. He murmurs in his sleep, turning away from me. Another loud bang causes my eyes to widen further and I let out a whimper. I shake Jake harder and he eventually opens one eye, groaning. I hear muffled voices outside the bedroom door and my heart hammers faster, pounding inside my body.

"Muffin?" Jake groans. There's another bang on the door, causing me to jump and Jake immediately springs out of bed, his eyes wide with panic.

Bang!

The door finally bursts open and I gasp as several black figures barge in and surround the room, shining a bright torch directly at us. I notice Tobias jump to his feet in surprise.

"It's the police, get down!"

I stare wide eyed, backing up into the corner of the bed. Jake turns towards me and his eyes fill with panic.

"Get down now!" The police yell repeatedly over and over again, gesturing at us to lower ourselves to the ground. Their voices boom in my ear and I watch as Jake sighs heavily, turning his face towards the police officers. Tobias remains rooted to the spot, hands held above his head in surrender.

"We didn't do anything! We're innocent!" Tobias yells back, his voice thick with emotion and sleep.

"Get the fuck down!" One of the officers threaten in his direction. Tobias falls to his knees, cursing under his breath. The officers turn towards Jake, yelling at him to do the same.

Jake remains silent the whole time, his body tense as he studies the entire scene. He turns towards me once again, his face emotionless. I watch in horror as one of the officers whips out a baton, ready to aim at Jake.

"No! Don't hurt him!" I scream, lunging towards Jake, my arms outstretched.

"Jake, get down! Please!" I plead with him, my eyes wide with terror. Jake swallows the lump in his throat, a glossy sheen covering his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Muffin, I'm so sorry."

His tone is broken as he reaches forward, his face twisted and contorted with pain.

"You have one last chance to get down!" An officer yells, stepping forward towards Jake threateningly. I drop Jake's hand from my cheek and he nods, turning back towards the officers. He slowly falls down onto his knees, placing his hands behind his head. The second he does, the officers lunge for Jake and Tobias, grabbing their hands roughly.

I watch in horror as the largest one grabs Jake, twisting his hands behind his back painfully before forcing him to get to his feet. He whips out a set of handcuffs, the metal shining wickedly.

"You don't have to apply so much force." Jake hisses in pain, struggling against the officers tight hold. The officer ignores him and twists his hands further, locking the handcuffs around them. Jake cranes his neck round, desperately searching for me. When his eyes connect with mine, I see his jaw visibly tense.

"Look away Emily, I don't want you to see this."

"Tobias and Jake Melvin, I'm arresting you on suspicion of Dylan Phillips murder. You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence." The officer yells loudly, shoving Jake towards the exit.

"We didn't do anything!" Tobias yells repeatedly as he's dragged out the door by an officer, still shirtless.

"Get off me! We didn't do it!" Jake protests, struggling against the officer's grip. He yells out loud and turns, his head snapping towards me —

"I'm so sorry Emily."

His eyes briefly fall to my stomach and I know he's thinking of our baby. My hand immediately shoots out, resting on my stomach and I shake my head, tears falling down my cheeks.

"He didn't do anything! Please don't take him!" I plead, my heart breaking in pieces as I watch the man I love and the father of my baby disappear.