𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒚 ✓

Chapter 20

MAL STOOD IN THE KITCHEN, her heart beating fast. She wondered what was Jake Melrose doing at Bryce's door step and not in the police station, being held for questioning. She felt a strong sense of confusion inside her as she stood behind a wall.

Once Bryce was sure she was hidden, he opened the door, and was met by the sight of his best friend's brother standing before him. He gave him a side smile, but realized that it was useless. Because Jake looked like a mess.

He had black bags underneath his eyes, his skin pale as the moon, and his clothes were a little ripped and faded. Bryce stared into his eyes for a few seconds to realize that he wasn't directly staring at him- he was staring at something above him. The ceiling.

"Jake, are you okay?"

"Ah yes, everything is fine..." he then muttered something Bryce couldn't hear.

"Um, so what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to ask the Lord for advice."

Bryce was now shocked and baffled. He couldn't understand what Jake was saying, or why he was standing at his doorstep when it was almost nine o'clock. He also couldn't understand why he wasn't in the police station either.

"Would you forgive me if I did something wrong?"

"I... Sure, yeah. If it isn't too bad?" the other boy answered. Mal took slow, quiet steps towards the door, unnoticed by Bryce and Jake. She stood closer to them, wanting to hear the conversation more clearly. She let out her phone from her pocket and began to record the chat.

"What if I took something away?" Bryce gave his friend a questioning look, trying to figure out why was Jake asking all these weird questions.

"Something like... What?" Bryce asked slowly.

"Something valuable. Appreciated by many."

Mal had a baffled, thoughtful look on her face. She reached up to rub her chin as she tried to think.

"I... I'll find a way, I guess?"

"What if I'm about to take something away again? What if... I have unfinished business with someone? Would you still forgive me?"

"I..."

"What if I'm about to take something away, something very valuable to someone I know?"

"I... I don't know."

"What if I take some people I know would be hurt by that, some people whom I knew?"

"What are you..." Bryce shook his head in shock and confusion, still unable to process what was going on.

"What if I'm about to hurt someone my family knew well? Someone that I've met a lot?"

"Jake, I..."

"Would you forgive me if I hurt someone badly?"

"I... I don't know, Jake."

"I've always caused pain to those around me, but I'm about to cause more pain to another family. Would you forgive me then?"

Bryce had tears in his eyes. "What do you mean, Jake...?"

"I'm about to do something really bad to my neighbour. He has... black hair, and... And and his... name starts with a... B? Will you forgive me after that?"

"I... Yes, I guess." Bryce said hesitantly, fidgeting with his fingers as a sign of nervousness.

"I am eternally grateful for your forgiveness, my Lord. I will come back to you soon."

Jake then turned around to leave. Bryce watched him as he took a turn and began walking down the street, eventually closing the door after. He turned around to check on Mal, only to see her packing her things.

"M-Mal, where are you going?"

She stepped closer to him slowly, then reached up to brush her fingers as gently as ever on his cheek. She had tears in her eyes, which made him even more baffled than he already was.

"Bryce... We need to leave."

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