( @DaBookNrd ) :)
Jordan's eyes were red. Not just groggy or cloudy, but bloodshot. Small pupils, frantic eyes...he hadn't slept in a week. At least not very much. Every time he allowed himself to doze off he woke up with an awful feeling of guilt churning inside him. It was easier just to stay awake.
The man had turned off the screen showing David, so he was left with his horrible thoughts that did nothing to console his anxiety-ridden state.
He pressed his lips together before clenching his teeth and tapping his foot rapidly against the ground. His hands were folded loosely across his legs that were hugging against his chest.
He'd been allowed to sleep, been offered food and water, and hadn't been touched in nearly two weeks. And every second of it was torture. Despite the "gifts" he was given, he often refused to take any that he had a say in, only eating when he felt like he'd pass out. He often found himself zoned out and staring into the black abyss of what remained of the screen, picturing David in a million and one different situations. Each one made his head spin.
Jordan's eyes darted towards the door as it opened, his tapping slowing to a stop. He didn't want to sound anxious or desperate but he couldn't help the question from escaping his lips.
"Tell me David is okay."
The guy remained silent, placing a glass of water by his shackled feet.
Using his free hands to his advantage, he reached for the glass, tears of anger brimming his eyes.
"I don't want your fucking water." He stood up without warning and chucked the glass toward the ground by the mans feet. His voice sounded strangled. "I don't want it."
The man seemed unphased by the events which only made Jordan bubble with more anger. He pushed at the guy and walked up as close as he could get given his restraints. "Hit me. Go on." He pushed him again, voice getting louder. He was right in his face now. "You want to, don't you? But no...you gotta play by the rules of your sick, twisted game."
He reeled his arm back to take a swing at him but the man stopped him with one motion, and before Jordan knew what was happening he was meeting the cold ground.
He woke up with an intense ringing in his ears. His vision was filled with black splotches and his head felt warm and tingly inside. He let out a small groan as his eyes squinted in an effort to adjust to the light of the room.
He could hear his name faintly being called.
A hand was wrapped around his wrist.
"Jordan. Can you hear me?" He blinked hard, yearning to focus on the sound. "Jordan."
He curled his hands into fists to try to regain movement again. "David?"
Using his hand to push himself up, he allowed himself to spare a second to glance around the empty room before inspecting his friend.
"Oh my god..." He trailed off, raising his hand to touch the side of David's face where a fresh cut oozed thick blood.
It had only been two weeks, but he looked like he had taken months worse of damage. He had lost weight without a doubt, and his cracked and bleeding lips made Jordan wonder when the last time was that he'd been offered a glass of water. Like the one he had recklessly thrown to the ground.
"You're a fucking asshole." David spat suddenly.
"W-what?"
"I can see you from my room, you know. I can skip a meal and then watch you shove yours across the room out of spite. I can go all night without sleeping and watch you do the same thing for no reason. That isn't how this is supposed to work."
"I'm sorry," Jordan whispered, pulling back his trembling hand to run through his hair. "You're right. This is my fault. This entire thing is my fault."
"No." David tried easing up a little. "It isn't."
"Bullshit." He blinked back the tears in his eyes and tried to keep his voice from shaking. "Look at you. You're dying David...a-and I can't even..."
He trailed off upon seeing a growing stain of blood on David's shirt. He reached out to lift up his shirt but David stiffened and latched onto his wrist, weakly attempting to keep him away. Jordan easily maneuvered through, and a sinking feeling grew in his stomach.
He quickly tore off his own shirt and wrapped it right around David's stomach, forming a knot in the back. He winced.
"Sorry," He said hurriedly. He used his hands to press down on the cut and keep pressure on it, but the blood was already seeping through the shirt and covering his palms.
David was getting more and more pale by the minute, nearly unable to speak from the shock of it all. Jordan grabbed his shoulders and looked him square in the eye.
"Hey, you gotta stay with me, okay? No leaving. Can you hear me?"
David nodded slightly and took in a shaky breath of air. The distant look in his eyes faded ever so slightly as he focused on Jordan.
David swallowed hard, trying desperately to stay awake. "C-can you hold my hand? Please."
Jordan's stomach did a flip. He nodded. "Okay buddy."
He extended his hand, covered with David's blood. David latched on tight and took in a sharp breath of air.
"So," he rasped. "What do you think happens now?"
"We find a way out of here. Fast."
