The Loop (Book 2)

Facing The Pain

The group pressed deeper into the clinic, their every step accompanied by the distorted melody that seemed to resonate through the walls. Tension hung thick in the air, each of them clutching their weapons as they approached a room at the end of the hallway.

The door creaked open, revealing a large, sterile space bathed in green light. At the center stood the Predator, his axe resting against the ground, his face partially obscured by the mask. His wild grin was gone, replaced by something colder, more deliberate.

"Welcome to the end of your lies," he said, his voice low and menacing.

Evelyn stepped forward, her fists clenched. "Enough of the games! Who are you? Why are you doing this?"

The Predator tilted his head, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. "You really don't know, do you?"

He reached up, slowly removing his mask. The moment his face was revealed, Evelyn's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest.

It was him. Javier.

His features were older now, sharper, but his eyes—the same piercing, hurt-filled eyes she had avoided so many years ago—were unmistakable.

"Javier," she whispered, her voice trembling.

The others froze, exchanging confused and wary glances. Evelyn took a shaky step forward, her mind reeling. "How... how is this possible? What happened to you?"

"What happened to me?" Javier's voice was cold, venomous. "You happened to me, Evelyn." He gestured to the room around them. "This... this is what's left of me after what you did."

Evelyn shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I didn't mean for any of it to happen. I was scared, I—"

"You ran!" he snarled, his voice echoing through the room. "You didn't even try to help me. You just left me there!"

"I was a kid!" Evelyn's voice broke, desperation clawing at her throat. "I didn't know what to do. I—I was terrified. I've regretted it every day since, Javier. I swear."

His laugh was bitter, filled with years of pain. "Regret doesn't bring back the boy they broke. It doesn't undo the years I spent wishing someone—anyone—would come for me. But no one did. Not you. Not my parents. No one."

Evelyn stepped closer, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "Javier, please. I'm so sorry. If I could take it all back—"

"Sorry?" His voice cracked, his anger giving way to raw emotion. "Sorry doesn't erase the scars, Evelyn. It doesn't undo the years I spent turning into... this." He motioned to himself, his gaze burning into hers. "You made a choice that day. And now, I've made mine."

The group tensed, their weapons raised, but Evelyn held up a hand, stopping them. "Javier, it doesn't have to be like this. We can end this now. You don't have to hurt anyone else."

His eyes softened for a fleeting moment, a flicker of the boy she once knew shining through. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the predator's cold resolve.

"You don't understand," he said quietly. "This isn't about hurting you. This is about showing you the truth. About making you see what happens when you abandon someone."

Suddenly, the lights flickered, and the walls seemed to shift, images of Javier's memories flashing around them—the alleyway, the van, his cries for help. The group stood frozen, their breaths caught in their throats as the scenes played out.

Evelyn's legs buckled, and she sank to her knees. "Javier, please. I was a coward. I was wrong. But you're still here. We're still here. You can stop this."