The End of Days

[34]

"Well this is it. Now what?" Jack asked, patrol cap wringing in his hands.

Maybe it was like Liam's shtick, helped vent the nerves a bit. He brushed off any lingering thoughts as he went for the nearby windows, drawing the blinds. "It's not what you think."

"Seems like it."
Green eyes watched the heavy jacket toss aside before resting on Liam's hands that grabbed at the hem of his shirt.

Jack was silent in the darkened room, Liam could catch the fingers plucking at buttons under the limited moonlight shining in.

"Dont."

The fingers dropped but not due to his demands. Jack watched the wrap on his chest, speechless. He only managed to meet Liam's gaze as he was called.

"Can I trust you?"

"We've been here before, man."

"You know what I'm talking about." Liam spoke with his chest enough for Jack to grasp his seriousness, despite the situation. "Just answer the question."

"You can trust me. I would've told you otherwise."

Liam considered the question for several moments but only found sincerity in Jack's features. His head dropped as he summoned courage where his fingers began to dig into the cloth gripping at his chest.

"Liam..uh, you don't have to do that. We can-"

He tore at the final piece and it unraveled from him quickly. The two men focused solely on one another as to avoid looking anywhere else. Liam stepped closer and the swallowing of Jack's throat was practically visible.

Jack reached forward slowly, hand grazing over sharp cheeks and rigid collar bones. Liam sighed as he was brought close by the hand on his neck, breaths clashing where he just barely held himself back.

Jack pulled back only as his palm traveled lower. Liam spotted the exact moment realization hit him, emotions flashed in his eyes repeatedly until it settled on fear.

"Where did this happen? The gate, the run? Did you sneak out?" Liam turned around as the gun was drawed from its holster. The questions ceased followed by warm digits trailing over each individual scar.

"They were right, I didnt make it. The men that did it took my friends. As far as they; and your guys, knew, I was dead." Liam hesitated, concentrating on the silence within him. "I think I am. I don't know anymore."

"..Liam. You can't be telling me this."

He thought to turn around but didn't, rathering Jack bare witness to his decimated back then anything else. His fists balled tight at the gentle grip of his arm.

"I know. I wanted the kids safe and they are. They are safe, right?"

"Yeah, I promise."

Liam nodded, talking over his shoulder in the dark. The hands gripped him further and he struggled to keep his ground.

"So I leave. Whatever's happening to me, it puts them at risk. Everyone. So Ill go but I need your help first."

"What about m-..what about us? Or Avery? Your gonna be on the run for the rest of your life?"

"I don't have a life anymore Jack." He snapped, facing him through the dark. "This is it. I got them here, I got to help, I promised myself I would. Those masked freaks you were talking about? They took my peo- killed my people. I..I don't know. I'm fine dying, man. But I have to know."

Liam flinched back at the thumb brushing at his cheek. It took a moment to realize what he was doing. He calmed briefly although Jack didn't attempt it again.