Snatched

Ch.30. Betrayal

"Jack? Jack! Are you okay?" I turn to Dark, who stood just behind me, "What's going on?!"

Jack takes a ragged breath and turns around. His face is... different. The memory I keep with me seems to be out of place among this new figure. Dark strafed forwards, closing the doors behind him. He stops next to Jack, and gives him a look I don't understand. A look that showed anger or even a warning. A smile surfaced onto his face as Jack gazes at the ground.
"It was all a façade, all the mushy stuff," Dark murmurs, "isn't that right, Mr Hunter?"

Jack avoids eye contact, from both me and Dark.
"Yes." He replies.

I feel broken. My very world crumbles before me eyes. My very motivation, my strength, keeping me safe from my overwhelming fears has now been destroyed. I travelled this far, faced men in suits, I only had him on my mind. Dread builds up Inside of me, I haven't even paid a single thought to Phil and Bella's wellbeing since we were separated. It was all for nothing? I don't want this to be true. It can't be. Tears start to form but I don't let them drop, not yet.

"...no, what's happening? Jack? Dark?"
"Summer, sit down. I'm sorry, it's okay." Dark comes to my side, "We just have to explain a little before I'll let you at him."

He leads me to the couch which I gladly collapse on. I'm further from Jack than before, and I feel more comfortable with the distance.
"Fine, so what's going on..." I try to get Jacks attention, "I thought they caught you, I thought you were hurt."
"I was! I mean, they... but I just... I didn't mean for..." He tries to explain, but Dark rests his hand on Jacks shoulder.

"Mr Hunter." Dark warns. Jack looks back to the ground.
"I... made them a deal... I made him a deal." He looks up at Dark.
"You made a deal with Dark?! How could... what was the deal...?"
Dark flashes a warning look to Jack.
"I... I would tell them the location of our HQ..." he mumbles, "so that you wouldn't get taken or hurt."

Disbelief surges inside my chest, rumbling and churning like a dark wave. Dark moves over and sits beside me, gladly blocking my vision of Jack.
"I am an honest man. I kept my promise... But I can tell you, I was never going to hurt you or your friends... not intentionally of course. But Mr Hunter here... he was relentless, he didn't even ask me first. Just made me promise..."

"Why!?" I try to call to Jack, who I now notice has left the room.
"Don't worry about him, you can talk to him when you know the whole truth." He declares.

I'm distraught. I feel like I've been betrayed. Questions swirl through my head, questions such as: why did he do that, what does Dark want with the supers, was it all lies...? Before I know it my vision is blurring. Tears stream down my face, the small doubt has vanished. Surprising both me and Dark, I instinctively draw him into a silent hug. His broad shoulders are comfortable, despite slowly being soaked by my silent tears.

It's not romance, but something else. Once an enemy and now a friend. We sit like this for a little while, until I have the strength to depart his brotherly arms. Dark stand up, gesturing for me to follow. He head out the door silently, and I follow numbly. The knowledge I had about the supers were all based around Jack. I... I don't know what to feel. What to do. At least not yet.

He ushers me down the hall, only stopping when we come to a door. I half expect another room full of darkness and/or despair, but I'm met with a cosy bedroom. With a single bed on one side and an empty desk on the other, the room looks tidy and spotless.

"I'll let you rest, you've had a rough couple of days. I can promise you I'll answer any and all questions you might have..." Dark gestures me to enter the bedroom, and I'm surprised how exhausted I feel. "I'll send the maid in the morning so don't worry about getting lost here... I'm sorry the truth came out like this... Just remember, I'm not the bad guy here."

With that he shuts the door, leaving me to my own silence. In another time I would have felt alone and worried, but today has taken its toll. I shuffle over to the bed, surprised to find a full set of pyjamas. After changing into them, I feel more tired than ever. I fall into bed, and pull the covers over myself.

Darks last words swirl around in my head, and I slowly begin to believe them. If the man I thought good is now bad, then why couldn't Dark be good. I don't even know the reasons why he keeps the supers locked away...oh wait. The supers! How could I forget. Perhaps they were doing something wrong to which I wasn't aware of? I need to bring that up.

Within minutes, I've fallen asleep. A last thought of Jack seeps into my mind before I become fully unconscious.

................

Sadness. Longing. Hope. Fear.

Emotions surge and fade around me, both quickly and slow, showing me what could of happened and what might happen.

Just one little flicker of hope, smothered by heartbreak. How could an emotion of betrayal, so raw and powerful, fade away so quickly before my very eyes. I understand, but I don't know what I understand.

This is a vision. Not anything like the other though.

I have power. So much power. I can do anything to anyone, anywhere. I am omnipotent and omniscient - I am all powerful and all knowing. All this power I contain is beautiful, a secret wish has been granted. I want this, but this power is evil. I don't want this. There is too much. No one could stop me...

I am faced with a decision. One which I am not prepared to make.

All power and suffering.
Or
Sacrifice and life.

There is no happy ending.