(Jaden POV)
Tic.
The continuous motion of the clock was the only noise in the room. I sat alone with sweaty palms and shaking legs. The cold metal of the interrogation table pressed against my skin as I lent my head down in regret.
Tic.
"Breathe," I mumbled to myself. "Just breathe."
Tic.
I closed my eyes and let the memories of the past few months take over my mind. The love. The hate. The blood. So much blood on my hands. I could've stopped this if I would've just opened my eyes. I could've helped. I could've saved-
"Jaden?" A soft voice called out from the opening door.
Startled, my body shot up. Tears filled in my eyes as I looked at the face in front of me. My mouth opened to form words but all were suddenly lost.
"Excuse me sir, we're going to need you to wait in the lobby", a loud voice exclaimed. The police officer was coming back down the hallway. We exchanged one final glance before he was gone. This couldn't be real.
I tried to fight it. I tried to scream. I needed him here with me. I couldn't do this alone.
"Issac? ISSAC!", I stood and shouted at the top of my lungs to no avail. Three officers ran in at the noise. Two of them grabbed my arms to restrain me back, but there was no need. My wrists being chained to the table slipped my mind. Being shoved back into my seat, hot tears streamed down my face. I couldn't hold them in at the sight of him.
"Sit down and shut up. We're gonna try this again." A brown folder was slapped onto the table in front of me. He pulled out 6 pictures of faces I quickly recognized. I instantly looked away.
"Where were you the night of September 24th?"
That was the 13th time I had been asked today. I had started to keep track. As usual, I kept quiet.
"Was that your boyfriend? You seemed upset", the officer said with a snicker. I returned his comment with a glare. I wish.
"You know, we've got shit on him too. All of you. We just need you to answer what we already know. This whole quiet wall your putting up is only making your case worse. Keep it up and he'll be the first one we-"
"Keep him out of your mouth and out of this", I finally mumbled. He looked to each of his partners, smiled, and sorted the papers.
"Okay, we'll play your way. How about you start from the beginning of all of this and we'll go from there. I'm giving you the best option", he exhaled with a sigh.
Looking at the men across from me, I considered it. The others wouldn't want me to talk, but Issac would want me to have the best outcome for myself. Which was more important? Loyalty or my own well-being? I knew.
"Let's go kid, we-"
"Fine", I cut him off. "It started 4 months ago when we all met".
"Who?"
-
(May 17th)
My head had been banging for hours, but I couldn't tell what it was from. The club music? The drugs?
Probably the man on top of me.
"Ahh", the stranger moaned as he finished on my stomach. He gazed at me with his euphoric eyes and I forced a smile. Me being high never made this any better. I rolled from under him to get up and clean myself off. The motel's water was never warm but it did the job.
