Captive

chapter 54

Back to him.

Jeff sat in the cold, sterile waiting room, his hands clenched into fists on his blood-stained shirt. The red had dried in patches, but the sight of it felt fresh, like a wound refusing to close. His mind was a swirl of panic, dread, and guilt.

The door swung open, and footsteps echoed in the hallway. He barely had time to look up before he saw them — Tong and Apo. Their eyes found Jeff immediately, narrowing with unspoken anger and suspicion.

Tong’s gaze lingered on the blood on Jeff's shirt. His jaw clenched, a sharp flash of resentment crossing his features. Apo’s eyes, usually filled with warmth, were cold, distant. Jeff opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His throat was dry, his voice swallowed by the weight of the situation.

“What happened?” Tong’s voice was low, edged with restrained fury.

Jeff’s lips trembled, his mind replaying the crash over and over. “I —” he croaked, but the words stuck.

Tong’s glare hardened. “Haven’t you done enough already?”

Jeff’s heart splintered, the accusation like a knife to his gut. He lowered his head, guilt gnawing at every fiber of his being.

Just then, a nurse stepped into the room, her expression neutral but firm. “Bible is stable, but he’s still unconscious. Only one visitor at a time.”

A tense silence settled over them. Jeff’s breath caught, his eyes pleading silently with Tong and Apo. He needed to see Bible, to make sure he was still breathing, to whisper the apologies that were tearing him apart.

Tong exhaled sharply, his shoulders stiff. “I’ll go.” His voice left no room for argument. Without another word, he turned on his heel and followed the nurse down the corridor, his figure rigid and unyielding.

Jeff watched him go, a hollow ache expanding in his chest. Apo remained, his gaze fixed on Jeff, eyes filled with disappointment and hurt.

“You should leave, Jeff,” Apo said quietly, his tone devoid of warmth. “You’ve done enough damage.”

Jeff swallowed the lump in his throat, his vision blurring. He didn’t argue. He couldn’t. The truth was, he wasn’t sure if he deserved to stay.

As the door closed behind Apo, Jeff’s world felt like it was collapsing in on itself. The walls of the hospital seemed too tight, the air too thin. He looked down at his hands, stained with Bible’s blood, and a shuddering breath escaped him.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen… I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

But the universe didn’t seem to care about intentions. Only outcomes. And right now, everything he touched was falling apart.

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The door to Bible's room swung open, and Tong emerged. His face was unreadable, a mask of stoicism that barely hid the storm brewing underneath. He stopped in front of Jeff, his eyes cold and assessing. The silence stretched between them like a taut wire, ready to snap.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Tong said, his voice low but edged with steel. “Haven’t you done enough damage already?”

Jeff’s fingers dug into his palms, the crescent-shaped indentations sharp against his skin. He forced himself to swallow the anguish burning in his throat.

“I just need to see him,” Jeff whispered, his voice trembling. His eyes were desperate, searching Tong’s face for any hint of mercy. “Please, just for a minute. I need to know he’s okay.”