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Epilogue

Jacks POV

I woke suddenly with a gasp, and panicked when I found I could not see. Everything was black, until my vision became clearer, and the blood supply to my brain regained its usual pace. I could see Mark, standing beside the nightstand, straightening his tie. He looked over at me when I gasped, and I looked at the clock.

"Mark, what are you doing awake at 3 on the morning?"

He didn't falter with his answer, but it seemed very thought out, if you know what I mean. Like it was scripted.

"I couldn't sleep. So I'm practising for my interview tomorrow....Was it nightmares again?"

I frowned at the obvious change of topic, but nodded tiredly. He looked at me with a sad smile, and climbed into the warm bed beside me. My eyes were heavy with tiredness, but I was kept awake by Marks voice as he gently stroked a wisp of bright green hair as it fell across my forehead in a curl.

"You should start seeing Sharon again" he whispered.

"I don't need a therapist Mark".

"Yes, you do. You're suffering alone, Jack, and I want to help. I love you".

He twirled his golden wedding ring around his finger as he said this, and he looked me straight in the eyes.

"Please, Jack. I know what happens at night. You never wake me up, but I know the tears on your face in the morning aren't simply there by accident"

I nodded, and pulled him into an embrace. I didn't have to say anything, he knew how much I loved him already. He kissed me to sleep, and the last thing I remember was him getting up again and standing by the dresser. He straightened his suit, which I didn't know he was wearing and walked out the door, looking at me sadly before he left.

Marks POV
The woods was dark at this hour, and I didn't know it as well as Jack did. I found my way to the clearing eventually though, where, as promised, he was waiting for me.
His voice was deep, even deeper than mine, and smooth like butter.

"Ah, hello Markus. I can't say I was expecting you. You must love that little boy very much, to come traipsing out at this hour..." his words rolled off the tongue, and he reminded me of a snake.

"I do. Nothing you can do can make me forget that."

"Oh, Mark, I'm not trying to make you forget it"

"Then what do you want?"

"Steady on, now. Firstly, I want your ring"

"What? No!"

"Fine. Then I guess you wouldn't mind if I...." he signaled cutting his throat with his finger. I got the message. This man wanted something desperately from me. The trouble was, I didnt know what it was.

"The ring?" he interrupted my thoughts. I looked at it one last time and bit my lip. I handed it over reluctantly.

"And the rest of the stuff".

I winced and handed over what he had asked for. The lock of Jacks hair I had been twirling. Blood, from my forearm. A picture of the two of us, on our wedding day, laughing.

He took them all with a satisfied smirk.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

"Wait! You've done what I wanted?"

He chuckled. "Oh Mark, don't worry. Everything will work out fine in the end. If not for you, for somebody".

With this he was gone. I went home to Jack, and kissed his forehead as he slept. I couldn't stop the guilt and tears forming inside of me.

"I'm sorry...." I whispered into his ear. He over a little closer to me in his sleep. I might have been dreaming, but I thought I heard him whisper,
'I forgive you'.