Change of Heart

Chapter 92

Alex was so focused on Zeke, almost as if they were in a different universe all on their own. It was a bit strange, but even Zeke seemed a bit wary of Alex's actions. Did he seriously not account for this? If not, then why...

Jake grabbed a hold of my shirt collar and pulled me off the ground. I held onto his arm trying to pull them off. I desperately called out to him again. "Snap out of it, Jake! Please! I know you're in there!" His hand gripped around my shirt and he lifted me into the air. A small shriek escaped my mouth. He can't hear me. How can I snap him out of this?

Wait...could that work?

Looking deep in his eyes, they didn't change, still empty. He pulled out a small pocket knife from his pocket throwing the blade out. My stomach tightened at the sight of it. I called out to him as he pushed the blade up and forward. "I know you didn't want to hear it...but I told Caden I would tell you!" His body tensed for a split second and Jake's hand stopped. The blade hovered inches away from my neck. "Caden wanted me to-"

Reacting again, I was dropped to the floor and he took a hold of his hair, shaking his head. I kicked myself back a little bit before standing to my feet again. I could slightly hear him mumbling to himself, but it was hard to make out the words. Swallowing hard, I spoke again. "He wanted me to tell you he's-"

"Shut up!" Jake shouted out, looking over at me. His eyes began to waver, as if going back to normal. I don't know how, but just the mention of Caden to him was actually working.

I shut my eyes and blurted out the words with no delay. "He said he's sorry, Jake! Sorry for everything! That you-"

He came up and held me by the throat slamming me into the ground. "I said shut up!" Jake's eyes blinked a few times, changing back to his original color. Quickly releasing me, he threw himself back and fell to his knees. "Get out..." I heard him whisper to himself, his voice a bit strained. It sent a chill down my spine. He said once more, this time a bit louder and angrier. "I said, get out!" Jake punched the ground causing it to shake.

Sitting up, I noticed the ground began to crumble underneath him. Something began seeping from his mouth, almost like smoke. It all traveled in Zeke's direction and Jake shrieked out.

Looking around, he looked terrified. He was breathing heavily, unable to process what was going on. "Jake, are you-" I started, but was cut off as the floor began to shatter beneath him. As he fell through, I leaped forward barely taking a hold of his hand before he was unreachable. I shouted out from the sudden weight pulling on my arm and desperately tried pulling him back up. I brought my other arm down and held onto his wrist, but I still didn't have the strength to pull him up.

"Serine...what, where, what happened...?" He doesn't remember a thing. I tried pulling him back up again, but my hand only began to slip. Jake was quiet for a moment, staring up at me as I looked past him into the dark, bottomless-looking pit below. Shutting my eyes, I tried not to think about it. His voice narrowed as he spoke again. "Your hair, it's-"

"That doesn't matter!" My arms were beginning to tremble. I tried pulling up again once more, and we both groaned. "Damn! It's no use...I'm not strong enough to pull you up." If only Alex were in his right mind right now...

His hand was beginning to slip from mine, and he took a hold of my wrist with his other making it even harder to bare. "Serine, listen." Opening my eyes, he was staring straight at me, so focused. "I have an idea. What if I climbed up?"

"What?"

"I know it sounds crazy, but I'll climb up your arms in order to reach the edge." I thought about it for a second and nodded.

"Alright."

Taking a deep breath, Jake spoke. "Sorry in advance." He brought his left arm up and grabbed above my right elbow, and I slid forward a bit biting my tongue. Swinging his body a little to the side, he launched his right hand up taking a hold of the edge. Releasing my arm, he quickly took the edge with both his hands and started pulling himself up. Unlike him, I didn't have that body strength. I began pushing myself back up with Jake helping me to my feet.

"Thanks." I muttered.

A small laugh escaped him. "That's supposed to be my line." He smiled patting me on the shoulder. Smiling in return, I averted my eyes looking over at Alex and Zeke. My smile disappeared. They were head to head, both covered in blood. But from the looks of it, Alex appeared to be on top. "What's going on?"

"No time to explain." I quickly responded before running off. My arm was jerked back keeping me at bay. "Jake, let go."

"Why? So that you can get yourself killed?" I froze as he said those words. They reminded me of Alek's words back when Alex fought Zander...

**

"Stop, you can't go over there!" He grabbed my arms turning me towards him. "You'll only get in the way. You could get yourself killed!"

"I don't care!" Right now it didn't matter if I died or not...I just had to go to him...

Alek's grip began to hurt and I winced. "How would Alex feel if you gotten in the middle of this? All of his efforts would've been for nothing if you just threw your life away like that! Besides, you're already hurt as it is." My body froze, and I stared into his eyes. "Alex isn't as weak as you would think, especially when it comes to someone he loves. Believe me...I know." Alek was right...how could I have thought so selfishly? After losing Caden...I lost everything...everything but Alex.

**

This is just like that time...even now, I still can't do a damn thing! I looked back at Jake, his face expressed such anger. I nodded and answered. "You're right...I'll only get myself killed if I marched right on in there." Reverting my eyes back over at Alex and Zeke, I suddenly saw him and Zander fighting once more. I remember how terrified I was that day...how unstable I was. And right, all those emotions are flooding back.