Death Doesn't Discriminate •|• Sequel To If You Ever Come Back

3 - Did You Miss Me

Pete's POV

Thirteen hours, forty-nine minutes and twenty seconds.

This is how long it's been since I've last spoken to Dil. This is how long it's been since I've last spoken to anyone at all.

This is how much time I could've spend learning my oath. This is how much time I've actually spent walking circles in my room and mumbling to myself.

Thirteen hours, fifty minutes and thirty-three seconds.

How easy it is to waste time on things that aren't important while letting the important things slide by. Scratch that, that's not poetic at all. That's just called procrastinating.

Thirteen hours, fifty minutes and fifty-two seconds.

Dil was so young. So how could Dan have been his father. Dil told me he was adopted though.

Why the hell am I wondering about the age gap between father and son? How is it possible Dan is alive at all?

It could have just been a coincidence. But the striking resemblance is unblushing. The haircut, which Dil probably copied from his father in an attempt to please him. His jolly and excited way of walking. The way he's a little too shy to make friends, but keeps talking when he opens up to them.

This isn't just a boy. This is Dan's son.

Thirteen hours, fifty-two minutes and nine seconds.

My feet feel like they're made of stone as I attempt to walk towards the hall where Andy is waiting for me.

I failed. I lost the bet. And now I have to stay in the place I have tried to stay away from ever since my worst nightmare is locked up there.

And damn, am I afraid.

"Wentz!"

Shit.

"Did you learn it?"

I could lie and tell him I did learn it. Or I could tell him the truth and say I've found Dan's son, with the risk of being called crazy.

"No, I didn't." Was this smart? I don't know. Probably not.

"And why is that?" Andy doesn't sound mad. Just very, very calm.

"Because I had something more important to think about." Okay, this was definitely not smart.

"Oh?", Andy scoffed. "And what is that then? What could possibly be more important than practising for your coronation?"

"Finding out one of my best friends is still alive", I blurt out

"Excuse me?"

I stay silent because I really don't know what to say next. To be honest, I don't even know for sure that Dan's still alive.

"Pete, if you've forgotten to learn you can just tell me", Andy says in an annoying fatherly way. "Instead of telling me this bullshit."

Ah, goodbye fatherly way of talking.

"Andy, I swear. I think Dan's still alive and we've found his son." This sounds crazy. Why couldn't I say it more eloquently, or at least in a way that I didn't sound like an idiot.

Andy slowly backs away before stepping towards me again and laying a hand on my shoulder. What the hell is he doing?

"This is hard for all of us", he softly says. "But you have to understand that Dan isn't coming back. If you want to talk about it..."

I slap his hand away. "Are you trying to be my therapist or something?", I shout angrily.

"Fine then!", Andy shouts back. "Then I'll say what I really think; this is absolute madness, Pete!"