His Love

Chapter 22: Jump

Jade POV

TW: Suicide Attempt 

March 20th, 2009

11:23 PM

My jaw drops as Alexis and Laura gasp. "They're gonna kill him?" Alexis whispers. Allison nods as she takes another sip. I slug down the rest of what was in my glass. "I need another drink." I say, blowing air through my lips. I walk around the counter and fill my glass halfway with vodka, topping it off with a small amount of juice. I sit back down and slowly chug. "They're actually going to kill him?" 

I think to myself. What would he do to me if I angered him? I don't think I can do this. I look at the clock on the microwave. Tom and the guys should be back soon. "I'm gonna go shower and get ready for bed." I say, excusing myself as I push my stool out from the counter.

My head spins as I stumble up the stairs. I shut the door behind me and rummage through my duffel for my knife. I pull it out and raise the blade to my skin as my hands shake. No, this isn't enough. I need something more permanent. I search the room, looking for something I could use to end it. I suddenly remember the balcony. I open the curtains, fumbling with my phone.

 I search for Tom's name and send a text, detailing that I just couldn't live anymore after all I've been through. I set my phone down on the bed and step out onto the balcony. The night air is cold and crisp. I run my hands over the railing, taking a few deep breaths in and out. 

I step onto a chair, and grab onto the low hanging roof as I carefully step onto the railing. My body shakes as my feet dance on the edge. The second story seems to be about 45 feet off of the ground, probably enough to kill someone if they fell. That seems good enough. I calculate how far I need to jump to hit the pavement. I close my eyes and lean forward.

Tom POV

11:30 PM

I wipe the blood off my chin in the rear-view mirror. No one will miss that waste of perfectly good organs. We're about halfway home, and I feel a buzz in my pocket. I pull my phone out and see Jade's name across my screen. I hand my phone to Bill. "Can you read her message for me?" I ask. Bill takes my phone from me and opens the message. "She says, 'I'm so sorry. I can't do this anymore...with everything that's been going on these last few days, I'm being pushed past my breaking point. I can't live in this lifetime anymore...'" Bill pauses. "'Goodbye Tom.'" his voice lowers.

My heart races. "Get home now! She's going to kill herself!" Bill shouts at me. My ears ring as I step on the gas as hard as I can.

 We pull into the driveway, screeching to a stop. I bolt out of the car, leaving the guys behind, and rush into the house. Laura, Alexis and Allison are sitting on the sofa watching TV. "WHERE'S JADE?" I scream, startling them. They all point up to my bedroom. I fly up the stairs, and sprint down the hall to my room. The door bursts open and I scan the room, not seeing her anywhere.

My heart is pounding as I start to hyperventilate. I look through the windows, and spot her, standing on the railing of the balcony. I rush out of the open door, breathing heavily. She turns her head, tears falling to the ground below her as she leans forward, about to jump.

 "Jade...come down please." I say, slowly walking towards her. She looks down, leaning further over the edge. "Baby please...come down." I ask again with a tremble in my voice as I start to cry. I can't lose her, especially not like this. I'd sooner kill myself than let her jump. I carefully stand up on the chair she had used to get up on the railing. Slowly, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her off of the edge. She falls into my arms as I sob.

I back up towards the couch, pulling her into my lap as I sit down. "I'm so sorry..." she whispers between sobs. I smell the alcohol on her breath. She must have been drinking heavily. I gently rock her back and forth, while kissing the top of her head over and over as tears fall from my eyes. "I shouldn't have left you here...I'll never let you out of my sight again." I say sniffling. I take her face into my hands, making her flinch aggressively. "Please don't hurt me..." she cries. My heart shatters. Does she really think I would hurt her? I squeeze her tightly. "Nothing in this world will ever make me hurt you, my love. I will always protect you."