𝓖𝓱𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓟𝓪𝓼𝓽 ... 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

23

Aiden's eyes slowly blinked back into consciousness, squinting because of the blinding lights. He felt a throbbing pain on his face, specifically on the right portion. That's the spot where Jesse had punched him. Man, she's got a good arm. He was barely able to pick up the voices coming from down the hall.

"-no surprise there! For all we know, he's plotting against us right now!"

"Well, if they were working together, then it's in our best interest to get as much information as we can." Another voice spoke, Aiden believed belonged to Jesse.

A groan came from another. "Ugh, I can't even look that jerk in the eye without throwing up!"

"What if this is exactly what Herobrine wants? Like this is his plan?"

"Lukas is right, it's not safe to just go in there and talk to him. He could be under Herobrine's control as we speak."

Silence passed among the group.

"Only one way to find out."

"No- Jesse, you're not going in there."

"We don't have a choice! Every second we spend standing here doing nothing is putting my people in even more danger. If Aiden knows something that can help us take down this guy, I'm finding out."

She's not messing around, Aiden thought. Of course, he'd expect nothing less from Jesse. She was no longer the weakling he could push around. She had changed.

"Fine. But you're not going alone."

Only a few moments later did the cell door swing open. Walking inside first was Jesse, Lukas following right after. Jesse stood before him, intimidating as ever, staring daggers into the eyes of the prisoner. Aiden looked up hopelessly from the floor, tugging at the cold chains that cuffed his wrists.

"Start talking." She demanded bluntly, crossing her arms.

"I- I told you everything I remember. I swear!" Aiden shook, gulping hard.

Jesse stifled a laugh. "Bold of you to assume I would actually believe a word out of your mouth."

Aiden shifted, uncomfortable at the situation he was in.

"Do you know what you've done?" She huffed.

He looked down, avoiding eye contact with the black haired girl.

"Answer me!"

Aiden flinched slightly at the sudden rise in her voice.

"I never wanted this." He mumbled. "Any of this."

"Then, why?" Jesse asked, her tone quieter, yet equally as stern.

"I don't know! I just look at you and- why do you always get everything? For once in my life, I just thought... if you were gone, I could get something."

"You're insane," Lukas remarked, shaking his head.

"I get that. And I never would have done any of this after seeing how quickly you were to forgive me. I didn't deserve it, but you still did."

"That's no excuse. You knew exactly what you were doing. You made your choice." Jesse said.

"I know," Aiden admitted, letting his head thump back on the wall behind him. "I know."

Jesse couldn't tell if she saw a tear fall down his face, or if it was just her eyes playing tricks on her. Hesitantly, she took a couple of small steps towards Aiden, kneeling beside him. Lukas stood upright from his position on the wall, ready for anything Aiden might try.

"I don't know why you did the things you did. Hell, I have no idea why you hate me so much. Yet, here I am. I can't say I forgive you, because honestly, I might never be able to. But I'm offering you my hand. Take it, and I will show you mercy. You've been a horrible person to me and my friends, so take this as an opportunity to change."