At Fault For a Loss

Jack listened to the rain drum against his window relentlessly as he sat on the foot of his bed, consumed in his own thoughts. The same thoughts had been plaguing him for days. He shut himself out from the rest of the world and had overturned the recent events in his mind, but could never find closure. Of course, people tried to coax him out using promises of fun, trying to sway him from his current mental state. But to no avail. Why should he venture out into a world so cruel? It wouldn't be the same, not without him.

"Hey Jack, I was just wondering if you wanted to meet Bob and Wade outside of town with me?" Mark flashed his oh so brilliant smile, his brown eyes trained on my blue ones.

The smile he would never see again.

"I dunno Mark, isn't it getting a little late?" Jack sunk down into the fabric of the couch, showing his unwillingness to move from such a comfortable position.

"It's never too late to have a little fun! Come on, please? I'll never ask for anything again." He stared down at him, hopeful for a simple 'yes'.

Jack rolled his eyes and sat up. "Alright, fine. I'll come. But if we get caught in the rain, it's your fault."

If he wouldn't have went, Mark wouldn't have either. He gripped the bedsheets under him tightly, wishing the thoughts away. It was his fault.

Grinning, the goof grabbed Jack's hand and pulled him to his feet. "Get ready to have the time of your life, Jackaboy." He raised his voice in a comedic manner and lifted a fist into the air, "You won't regret your decision to join me on this adventure, and together we shall conquer the night!"

Jack chuckled and slipped on his sneakers, following Mark out the door. Hopping into the car, he asked the obvious question, "What are we doing all the way outside of town? There's nothing out there."

"Fun stuff."

"Wow, thanks for clearing that up for me." He rolled his eyes and buckled up, ready for the journey out of the comfort of his home.

Within an hour of singing to the obnoxious tunes on the radio and laughing at their own expense, they arrived on the outskirts of a large, dark forest. They stepped outside, looking around as the tall trees loomed over them menacingly.

"Um, Mark? Where's Bob and Wade?"

He stood quietly with his hands in his jacket pockets, making Jack question if he had heard him. Although eerie, the scenery was quite peaceful. Mark seemed transfixed by it all until he spoke, breaking the silence, "Hell if I know."

He was confused by the response before putting the trip so far out and the absence of their companions together. Mark wanted them to be alone. "... They were never coming, were they?"

"Ha... nope." He shifted the gravel on the road under his feet with the swift kick of his shoe. "Just trust me, okay? You're gonna love this."

"With all my heart, Mark. Always." Tears began to prick his vision and he blinked a couple of times to clear it. They slid down his pale cheeks and landed in his lap.

"Of course, always. I trust you." With those few words, he followed Mark blindly into the woods.

Mark held his hand tightly, guiding him. The wind slowly began to pick up, causing Jack to shiver a bit as the cold air nipped at his skin. Mark noticed and smiled warmly at Jack, causing him to blush and feel what little heat he had in his body to rise to his face. Jack stared at his feet as they walked, hoping he didn't notice under the cover of the darkness.

"You cold?" Mark didn't wait for a response and already begun to take off his jacket and offer it to him.

"It's your coat. It's my fault for not bringing one."