DON'T CHEAT ON ME!

CHAPTER 17: Tied Up

Dave's POV:

"Where am I?"

I asked myself silently, my mind racing as I fought against the fog clouding my thoughts. My body felt heavy, numb even, and as I tried to move, the realization hit me like a freight train-I couldn't. My wrists and ankles were bound tightly, the coarse rope biting into my skin.

I was in a kitchen, the dim light flickering above me. My eyes scanned the room, searching for answers. Whoever did this made sure I couldn't scream-my mouth was covered with tape, pressed tightly against my lips.
I could still breathe through my nose, but each inhale felt shallow, strained.

But my eyes-they were my only freedom. I could see everything clearly, even in my disoriented state. And that's when I heard it.

Footsteps. Heavy, deliberate, each step reverberating in my chest. My heart raced as the sound grew louder, closer, until finally, I saw him.

Jordan.

A wave of dread washed over me, paralyzing any thought of struggle.
I shut my eyes immediately, squeezing them tight. Play dead, I told myself. Pretend you're still out cold.

I could feel his presence looming closer, his breath slow and steady. The air around him seemed to shift, thick with a malice I had never felt from him before. This wasn't the Jordan I once called my best friend.

He leaned down, his voice low, menacing, and full of venom.

"I told you, Dave. You wouldn't like it if you took what's mine."

My heart pounded so hard I thought he could hear it. I stayed still, refusing to react, but my mind screamed with fear. What's he going to do to me?

"You were like a brother to me..
and what did you do? You made me look like a fool. Over and over again."

He continued, his voice trembling, not with sadness but with rage.

He knows. Of course, he knows. My stomach churned, guilt mixing with terror. I had broken the promise we swore to each other. I didn't just steal Patricia; I slept with her. Over and over, knowing full well what it would do to him if he ever found out.

Jordan's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.

"Don't worry, Dave, in just a few minutes, you'll be cooked. Patricia's probably hungry by now.".

My blood turned to ice at his words. My mind raced, trying to make sense of what he meant. Cooked? The absurdity of it almost made me doubt my ears, but the malice in his voice was undeniable.

He's lost it.

I remained still, feigning unconsciousness, hoping he'd leave or lower his guard. My mind was a whirlwind of questions and self-blame. Why didn't I stop? Why did I think I could get away with it?

Jordan started pacing, his footsteps echoing in the silence.

"You probably thought I wouldn't notice.."

He muttered to himself, loud enough for me to hear.

"You and Patricia... sneaking around behind my back. Do you know what it felt like, Dave? To realize the two people I trusted most were fcking behind at me?"

I felt a lump form in my throat, the weight of his words crashing down on me. He's right. We betrayed him. But
I never thought it would come to this.

Suddenly, he stopped pacing. I heard the clink of metal-something being set down on the counter. My stomach dropped as I realized it was a knife. The sound was unmistakable.