Captive

chapter 53

a mistake to love you?

The cemetery was eerily quiet, the sound of rustling leaves barely breaking through the thick silence. Jeff stood in front of Pong’s grave, his eyes red and swollen from hours of crying. The fresh soil was a cruel reminder that his friend was gone forever. The wind was cold against his tear-streaked face, but nothing compared to the icy void settling in his chest.

He felt a presence behind him before he saw it.

Bible.

Jeff's jaw clenched, his shoulders stiffening as Bible's footsteps drew closer. He didn't turn around; he couldn't bear to see the concern—or worse, the pity—in Bible's eyes.

"You shouldn't be here," Jeff's voice came out hoarse, brittle.

"I heard about Pong," Bible said quietly, his tone gentle yet firm. "I wanted to be here for you."

Jeff let out a hollow laugh, bitter and sharp. "For me? You shouldn't pretend to care now."

Bible took a step closer, his brows knitting together in frustration. "I’m not pretending. I know you're hurting—"

Jeff whipped around, his eyes blazing with fury. "You know I'm hurting? You think you know anything about my pain? You think your presence here is supposed to make it better?"

"Jeff—"

"No!" Jeff's voice cracked. His hands balled into fists. "You're the last person I need right now. Everything you touch turns to ash. Loving you was the biggest mistake of my life."

The words were out before Jeff could stop them, cutting through the air like a dagger. He saw Bible's jaw tighten, a flicker of hurt passing through his eyes before rage settled in its place.

Bible's hand shot out, gripping Jeff’s arm tightly. His voice was low, dangerous. “Say that again.”

Jeff’s body shook, his chest heaving with a mix of pain and defiance. He looked Bible straight in the eyes, his voice trembling with suppressed anguish. “It was a mistake to love you.”

A muscle in Bible's jaw twitched, his grip tightening just for a moment before he let go, his fingers leaving behind a ghostly heat. His eyes glistened with something unspoken, something raw. He turned away abruptly, his footsteps heavy against the ground, echoing like distant thunder.

As Bible walked toward his car, Jeff felt his heart splintering into shards he could never piece back together.

Then it happened.

A sudden screech of tires, metal colliding, the sickening crunch that made the world tilt off its axis. Jeff’s head snapped toward the sound, his blood freezing.

“Bible?”

He ran, his legs barely obeying, panic clawing up his throat. The sight of the crumpled car, steam rising, shattered his soul.

His voice broke into a desperate cry. “Bible!”

The wind carried his plea into the empty sky, but no answer came.

All that remained was silence.

Jeff's heart pounded, the chill of the air biting into his skin as he stumbled towards the wreckage. The twisted metal of the car gleamed under the streetlights, a cruel testament to fate’s merciless hand. Smoke curled from the hood, the acrid smell burning his nostrils.

“Bible!” Jeff’s voice cracked, raw with panic. His legs felt like lead, but he forced himself to move. The closer he got, the more his vision blurred with tears.

He reached the driver’s side, his hands trembling as he gripped the door handle. It was mangled, refusing to budge. Desperation gave him strength, and with a scream of effort, the door finally gave way with a groan.

Bible was slumped against the seat, his head tilted to the side, a streak of crimson trailing down his temple. His eyes were closed, his face unnaturally pale.

“No... no, no, no!” Jeff’s voice wavered, terror clawing at his throat. He reached out, his hands cupping Bible’s face. His skin felt cold.

“Bible, please!” Jeff’s voice broke, his tears falling freely now. He shook him gently, his fingers trembling. “Wake up! You have to wake up!”

Bible didn’t stir. His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, each one fainter than the last.

Jeff’s vision blurred further, his mind spiraling into panic. He pressed his forehead against Bible’s, his tears wetting Bible’s skin. “I didn’t mean it,” he whispered brokenly. “I didn’t mean what I said. Please, just come back to me.”

The distant wail of sirens pierced the night, growing louder, but it all felt so far away. Jeff’s world was narrowing to just this moment, to the fragile thread of Bible’s life slipping through his fingers.

“Don’t leave me like this,” Jeff choked out, his voice a fractured whisper. “Please, not now... not like this.”

Paramedics rushed to the scene, strong hands pulling Jeff away. He resisted, his grip on Bible tightening, but someone’s voice broke through the chaos.

“Sir, we need to help him. Please step back.”

Jeff’s hands fell away reluctantly, his knees giving out as he crumpled onto the pavement. He watched, helpless, as the medics carefully lifted Bible’s unconscious form onto a stretcher, the flashing lights painting everything in harsh, unforgiving color.

As they loaded Bible into the ambulance, Jeff's heart shattered. The words he wished he'd never spoken echoed in his mind.

It was a mistake to love you.

But now, seeing Bible lying there motionless, Jeff knew one thing for certain.

The real mistake would be losing him forever.