The shorts are under no obligation to cover a thing be the stock at $25.00 $24.00 or $29.00 it is whatever tolerance level they have to stay short and think they can make money. The being pinned at $25.00 or below benefits only those who sold calls at $25.00 as they take all the call money and rejoice. Now if the stock should be at $25.00 plus they may make money, but they could lose all their stock and would have to replace it in the open market. If the stock by some miracle should jump way up to say $27.00 some call writers would still make money others would lose money, but all would lose their stock. If someone sold a call for $3.00 even if the stock was at $27.00 they actually made money if they can cover below $28.00. I have a great deal of experience at losing as I have always been optimistic and bought the calls rather than making money like those that was smarter than me and sold the calls.