shane-mc - Tumblr blog

[shane-mc]

Hi guys! It’s been so long. Happy to see that Duskwood community is still so alive here in tumblr. I have a lot to catch up on. I’m not sure if I can still continue my fan fiction but I’ll try my best. Also, I have a lot of favorite fan fictions written by my friends here that I wasn’t able to finish yet so I want to continue where I left them. It would be a waste if I don’t finish them. They are so good. ❤️

I’m not fully back yet because I’m so busy at work but I’m going to check in here from time to time. I’ve missed you all! 😘

[shane-mc]

Hello to all my followers and friends here. It's been so long since I was last active. I wanted to get back up so I could update my fanfic or post a new one shot and read all the chapters of others' fanfic that I missed. Unfortunately, the situation wouldn't allow me. I have been busy with work and I fell in love. It's a feeling that I missed so I invested my time to that person I fell in love with. I was so happy I thought it's not gonna end. I thought he's going to be the one but in the end, he just broke my heart. Now, I'm a mess. I need time to heal. I'm so sorry that instead of getting back up here I have to say goodbye. But this is just tempory. I promise that after I heal, I'll be back. I'm confident that once I come back, the fandom is still here because Duskwood fandom is the best.

'Till next time friends. I promise I'll be back.

[shane-mc]

This is great. I love it! ❤️

DUSKWOOD-

JAKE X READER

Hi, this is my first ever post on tumblr so I beg you to not judge it- I’ve only ever used Wattpad so tumblr is a mystery for now. This is oneshot inspired by a TikTok video that I saw (will be at the bottom of this text). Big big thank you to @shane-mc for being such an inspiration. I had another account and asked for advice because I love her work. None of this would be written if it wasn’t for her! 🫶🫶 enjoy I suppose and take care!

Inspired by this: 🫶

Tw: nothing expect a mention of past sex but it’s purely fluff!

I get up from the bed, walking towards the bookshelf to place the book I just finished. I look to the clock and see it’s time to feed Jayne again.

Jayne was an accident. But not a bad one. Jake had finally managed escape the government once more so we finally meet in duskwood like we fist planed.

I got to meet everyone and also Hannah! She was going to therapy and the hospital had already let her leave. Slowly things were getting back to normal..well most things.

Jake escaped the mine and took richy out of there too. He left him somewhere the cops could find him but Hannah was the one that actual saw him, she told the cops and now he’s in jail.

But everyone’s happy, jessy is getting better too and I.. I couldn’t be happier at the moment.

When me and Jake meet we got carried away and even tough we were protected Jayne somehow came!

When I told Jake he wasn’t rude or angry, he was just in shock. The fear of not being a good dad, or just not present enough into her life got to him. Obviously he didn’t want to be like his father who disappeared.

So he decided to get himself arrested of purpose. I didn’t like the idea at all but he convinced me that he would be back.

“I’ll come back for both of you.” He leaned his head on mine “and when I do..I ain’t leaving anymore.”

I cried the whole night, I was at the start of my pregnancy alone without him and scared. He left me with all the girls from the group but I only needed him.

It was hard at first but after a month he came back. I was in shock and couldn’t believe it. Apparently he got hired by the fbi and would be able to stay.

We would be able to have a family together.

So I spent the rest of the pregnancy pretty happy with things. Jessy always came over with a few of Cleo’s goods because Cleo was busy working.

Me and Jake bought a house in duskwood, it was close to a school and close to were we first ever meet.

Jayne was born a few weeks ago but she’s already spoiled with love from us. But Jake definitely spoils her a lot more!

When sit down on my side of the bed I look to Jake and he had his head delicately placed on top of jayne’s head who was laying on his arm and shoulder.

“Can you please give Jayne to me?” He sniffs and I see him crying silently, he shakes his head silently.

“Jake, you have to give me our daughter” recently he always wanted us too close to him because winter holidays were gonna end and he wanted to spend most of his time with us. “No!” A tear fall from his eyes and his words come out quietly.

I look at him and my gaze softens even more somehow. Seeing him like this with our daughter reminds me how much he loves her and this makes me want to sob.

“She’s so cute Y/n!” He leans his head back on the pillow and more tears fall from his eyes. I let out a few giggles but not because he’s crying but..his attachment to her, his love. He’s cute like this and it’s funny to see that such a small human holds so much power over the two of us.

“I love her too much… I don’t wanna give her to you, because then she’ll be away from me”

“But you have to”

“No.”

I laugh again “she has to eat one last time baby”

“No.” He holds her closer “no, I don’t”

A big tear fall from his eye and I use my thumb to remove it, I look at him and smile softly.

“Y/n, I love you both so much” I lean my head against his and put my finger close to Jayne’s. She takes it and I can’t believe how small her hands are.

I let out a tear too and I speak softly.

“I love both of you too Jake” he kiss my temple and I smile “and I’m sure she loves you too” he spread his leg on the bed and gestures for me to sit on the space he made.

I do as he says and I let out a small help when he pushes me against him. He hand me Jayne and hold my waist while I feed her for the last time today.

“Just look at hair y/n. She has your face, your nose, and your mouth too.” I look at hair while she eats “she has your beautiful eyes, your ears and we can kind of tell that she has your hair color.” I point out and he drops his head on my should.

“Thank you for this y/n.”

THANKS FOR READING GOODBYE HOTTIES

[shane-mc]

It's my 1 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

[shane-mc]

Been MIA for a few weeks already. Have a lot to catch on, others' fanfiction and my own. Just had a lot on my plate. Hopefully I'll be able to get back on track. But thank you to all who have been reading, reblogging, and liking my old posts. It means a lot. ❤️

[shane-mc]

Who I am now?

Part 19.

Pairing: Jake x Mc.

Genre: Angst, comedy, dark romance.

Warnings: Strong language, angst scenes. 18+ content can be found.

Words: 6.2k

Author's note: This story contains mature topics and is not fully related to the duskwood game. A different parallel with different personalities. Thank you everyone for following and liking this! lly.♡

•

.

Mc focus.

.

"Alright, what's your question for me?" Nymos muttered, driving one-handedly as his other hand used a balled-up paper towel to clean up any traces of coca cola on his skin.

"I don't have anything in mind, to be honest." I coughed, adjusting my shirt. "Um, do you have any photographs on you of you and Jake when you were kids? Like the ones in your home?"

"...I'm giving you the most perfect opportunity for you to find out more about my brother through me but you just wanna waste the opportunity by looking at our baby photos?" Nymos tutted, shaking his head in disapproval, but still reaching inside his jacket pocket for his mobile phone.

"Like, I can tell you so many things about bro that he'll never bother to share with you. Things like the first time he had sex with someone. Wasn't a great experience for him I'm guessing since he accidentally knocked her out, because she squeezed his bud too hard. He woke me up at 3 am in the fucking morning and made me drive him home because his dick hurt too much to do it himself." Nymos concluded, laughing and handing his unlocked phone to me. I took it with my eyes widening at his words.

I glanced down at his phone screen to see I was in his photo album app, staring at a grainy photograph of young Jake and Kaden grinning so hard at the camera.

"Swipe right for more." Nymos smiled. I did that as he said, giggling at the next photo which happened to be of either a ten-year-old Jake or Kaden glaring viciously at the camera whilst being kitted out in a black turtleneck, black skinny jeans, several pieces of chunky silver jewelry, and boots studded with little spikes. Additionally, the boy's eyes were heavily lined with black, and his face was powdered a ghostly shade of white. In the background, I noticed an infuriated elderly lady lifting a sandal in the air, seeming to be in mid-warrior cry.

Nymos, noticing me laughing especially hard at this photo, grinned widely.

"Bro tried going to school like that one day but our grandma saw and beat his vampire-looking ass, telling him she wasn't gonna drive him to the hospital if he got heatstroke."

I laughed harder in reply, swiping right with my thumb to find yet another low-quality photograph of both the twins in their final year at high school, dressed in muddied football wear and looking a lot more like how they look now. Tanned by the sun, muscular, dark hair tousled, and wearing grins that left me a tad bit breathless.

Fuck, I bet they were super popular in high school. I wanted to send this specific photograph to my phone so I could privately drool over them in their red and black colored football uniform. I suppressed the urge to do so and instead forced myself to swipe right.

"Oh my god, oh my god! What is this?"

"Hmm?" Nymos took a peek at the photograph and grinned widely.

"Oh, those are my old high school nudes," He hummed, amusement evident in his voice as he studied the image depicted on his mobile phone screen.

"Man, I was tiny back then. Don't worry, I swear I'm way bigger now."

"Why would I fucking worry about your dick size?" I choked out, hurriedly throwing his phone back as if the phone casing could potentially burn a rectangular-shaped mark onto my palm.

"Because you know, you might think Jake's tiny too. Because we're identical twins." Nymos shrugged, chuckling. "Don't wanna have Jake hunting me down later for spreading false information about his dick size."

"Kaden, please stop talking."

"So it's your turn to ask a question now, screaming baby."

We've been playing twenty questions for quite a while now, probably passing the limit of twenty long ago.

I thought for a second, chewing contemplatively on my straw before glancing at Nymos.

"Why...Why did you believe Ikari instead of Lex and Jake?" I asked, almost kicking myself for my incapable brain-to-mouth filter because as soon as those words spilled out from my lips. I found myself wanting to swallow back a very single word.

But what happened? There was nothing I could do to redraw the flinch that Nymos reacted with.

"Damn, we're going for the big questions now, huh?" He coughed, and the hand that was not on the steering wheel reached upwards to cup the back of his neck as he laughed awkwardly. I thought that he might have a habit of touching his neck whenever he felt uncomfortable.

I cleared my throat now, looking down at the half-empty contents of my can of coke that I stirred silently with my straw.

"Um, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to," I mumbled, feeling like I crossed the line with my question.

"No, I'll tell you. It's just a question that people surprisingly haven't bothered to ask me," He replied quietly.

-a year and a half ago-

.

Nymos focus.

.

"Try not to hate me too much for making Lex work overtime on your birthday," Black shadow called over his shoulder as he walked away with a grin forming on his face when he heard me groan behind him.

"It's hard not to, fucker!" I yelled after him, watching the black shadow languidly draping his winter coat over his shoulders.

"But thanks for coming, bro." I grinned, lazily wiping the messily smeared buttercream icing off my cheek.

"We appreciate it."

"Of course, I'll come. You guys are family." He chuckled, walking towards the front door whilst reaching into the pockets of his coat in search of his lighter and the hand-sized box of cigarettes.

I was about to reply warmly back to my friend's statement when I was suddenly interrupted by someone flinging their entire, full weight into my side, throwing their heavy arms around me, and engulfing me whole in an overly tight bear hug.

My attention was immediately cast down on the mess in my arms.

"Kaden, your younger bro wishes you a happy birthday!" Jake exclaimed loudly against my neck as he clutched at my denim jacket. I almost instinctively wrapped my arms around my twin brother and laughed into his dark hair, responding with a muffled. "Happy birthday too, baby bro."

"No, happy birthday to you." Jake persisted in a croak before he started sniffling loudly and just as I had preconceived it, my baby brother broke down completely, sobbing and crying into my shoulder and weakly mumbling something along the lines of.

"Wish mom and dad were here to see us." And. "Fucking hell, aasshole, when did you get such a nice physique?"

Whilst Jake sobbed quietly and distractedly squeezed my left bicep, from his left, I heard Sam groans.

"Oh god, who the hell gave the sad drunk alcohol?"

"I'm not a sad drunk, asshole!" Jake protested tearfully, pulling away from me to glare at Sam through narrowed eyes before returning to my inviting arms and bawling like the sad drunk he is.

"Yeah, yeah, sure you aren't, dick." Sam smiled fondly, rolling his eyes when Jake mumbled a sequence of incomprehensible words directed at him. I, still laughing, comfortingly petted my baby brother's soft hair.

"Babe, come on, you're stifling Kaden." Ikari giggled, coming out from nowhere and resting her hand on Jake's back, patting him comfortingly.

The rather emotional Jake reluctantly shuffled away from me upon hearing Ikari's softly spoken words. But he doesn't let up at all on being a baby because the next thing he was doing, was crushing Ikari in a bear hug.

Making the startled, smaller girl stumble a few precarious steps backward as he tearfully choked out.

"I love you so so so much, Kari, you're the best."

Ikari, in reply, laughed softly, letting her emotional hulk of a boyfriend wrap his arms around her waist and draw her suffocatingly close to his chest.

"Love you." Jake hiccuped, "I love love love love you."

"Mm, I know you do," Is what she hummed to him as she reached up and soothingly ran her perfectly manicured fingers through Jake's tousled, jet-black locks. Glancing upwards, she met my warm eyes and she shivered under my gaze, smiling sweetly at me before mouthing.

"I'm gonna take him to the guest room and let him sleep it off. Is that okay?"

In response, I nodded and smiled gratefully at my baby brother's girlfriend before shifting my attention back onto a disgruntled Sam.

"There's something off about her today," Sam muttered, folding his arms over his chest as he followed Ikari's back with narrowed eyes.

"I mean, there's usually something off about her but today it's maximized a hundred times," Sam explained, flickering his calculative brown eyes onto me. "Hm, just be careful, Nym."

"Bro, you make it seem like she's a witch out to get me specifically." I laughed, shaking my head with disbelief.

"She is one," Sam muttered under his breath.

"Sam, Ikari's not gonna grow warts and green skin overnight and attack me in my sleep, okay? I think that is near impossible so stop worrying. She's a good person come on, you know that, you've seen her with Jake-she loves him with all her heart." I grinned, feeling happy about my baby brother's relationship.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Sam dismissed, relaxing his stance and shooting me a small smile. "Happy birthday, sexy, you've grown well."

"You've grown well and sexy? What the hell does that mean? Are you a simp for me? Lex's going to leak your nudes to the government if she finds out, and Asher is going to get jealous." I laughed, raising an eyebrow at Sam. He just simply smiled knowingly at me before glancing over his shoulder and calling his friend's name. Asher was currently strewn across my and Lex's couch, chugging down the celebratory vodka he had bought for me and Jake as a gift.

"Ash, for god's sake, quit drinking already. I don't wanna have to spend all night holding back your bangs whilst you throw up," Sam groaned out loud as he walked away from me and towards Asher who giggled at Sam, not-so-discreetly tucking the bottle of alcohol behind his back and chugging some more.

I tore my attention off the 'couple' when a small "ding!" emanated from the phone in my palm, indicating that I'd got a notification. Glancing down at my phone, I smiled at the instant heartwarming message sent to me by Lex.

Baby L.

I might've missed out on your birthday party but I'm determined! To! Finish! Hacking this godamn database within an hour so we can celebrate your birthday a little before midnight comes. ;) Save me some birthday cake and alcohol if the dickwhores haven't downed it already!

Baby L.

So see you in an hour! I love you, my dumb idiot. <3

Baby L.

Oh and if Jake's still there at the apartment, tell him I said happy birthday and I love him lots and that his birthday gift's in the back of our wardrobe!

I pocketed my phone, smiling at my petite girlfriend's message. I was still smiling to myself like an idiot when I waved goodbye to an annoyed Sam and his bumbling drunk of a friend or boyfriend, we will never know. I was still smiling when I locked the door after them and moved to my hideously untidy kitchenette, fumbling around with the now-empty takeaway boxes of greasy pizza and the stray, half-melted candles decorating the kitchen countertops.

"Hey, there."

I glanced upwards at the sound of Ikari's greeting, offering her a small smile.

"Is Jake asleep?"

"Mhm," She reassured, "He's off to dreamland and snoring the entire way."

"Yeah?" I chuckled, heading towards the kitchen's bin and dumping the pizza boxes by its side, setting it as a reminder for me to take the trash out tomorrow morning. Remembering her presence I glanced back up at her.

"Oh hey, if you're tired, feel free to stay the night here with Jake. There's no need for you to make the journey back to yours so late at night."

"Thanks." Ikari grinned.

"No worries."

"Oh, and, Kaden, honey? You're not meant to clean up on your birthday," She hummed disapprovingly, shaking her head as she fully walked into the kitchenette's small space, her cream-colored heels click-clacked against the tiled marble floor.

"It's the unwritten rule." She laughingly announced as she strode over to the steel beast of a refrigerator, opening the appliance up and procuring more of Asher's celebratory iced vodka. Her neatly painted, red fingernails encompassed the glass neck of the bottle, its hand waving the said item tauntingly at me.

"I don't think that rule applies to the boyfriend of my beautiful baby Lex," I chuckled to myself, rolling up the sleeves of my thrasher hoodie and dutifully resuming my self-assigned task of cleaning the kitchen.

"Better to clean this all up than have my baby whining my ear off tomorrow."

"Oh, I'm sure Lex could let this pass," Ikari assured, walking towards the kitchen island where I was situated and she leaned against the polished counter.

"Come on birthday boy, I haven't seen you drink at all during the party." Ikari coaxed. Softly, settling the bottle of vodka down on the countertop with a pleasant 'clink'.

In reply, I raised a dark eyebrow at her persistency-to which she fluttered her eyelashes in response, smiling innocently.

"I really shouldn't-"

"Have one sip as least."

I rolled my eyes playfully.

"Just one sip?"

"Just one sip." Ikari agreed, handing me the bottle of alcohol for me to pop open. I did it with a soft sigh before lifting the opened bottle to my lips, tipping my head back, and swallowing more iced alcohol than just a mere sip.

"Thanks, Ari, but I think I should finish up on-"

"Come on, Kaden," Ikari drawled, gazing at me through her lashes, "Don't make me drink all this by myself."

-present-

"Next thing I know I'm in the hospital for alcohol poisoning and my friends and family fucking hate me." I sighed, almost tiredly. I glanced at Mc, "Screaming baby, I never intended to drink that much, and I never intended to do anything with Ikari. That night, I had no fucking clue what I was doing, I wasn't moving off my own accord. The selfish bitch just kept pouring alcohol down my throat until I was so fucked I could barely think."

"For fucks sake, I didn't even realize, she had drugged me and manipulated me into her selfish game. I broke my brother's and Lex's hearts. But the worst thing is she had recorded something when I was unconscious, and she pretended that I was harassing her. She told me everything when visited me in the hospital and told me she'll post the video online if I tell Lex and Jake the truth."

"God she's so fucking disgusting," Mc stated quietly. She looked up at me. "Why haven't you tried to talk with them still?"

"As soon as I was discharged from the hospital, I tried to meet up with Jake and explain what'd happened but he didn't let me speak, didn't even bother opening the door when I went around to his apartment. And then Black shadow who took Lex in didn't allow me to speak to her. All of our friends stopped talking to me after they found out what I 'did' with Ikari. I didn't have anyone apart from fucking Sam who kept staying over at mine. Yeah, he's the only one who knew the truth and kept it to himself when I begged him to. I was an idiot, I should've found a way to tell them. Now they're just hating me."

"You're not an idiot. You were alone and hurt. I knew you weren't the bad guy and Ikari was the bitch in your story."

I looked momentarily startled by her words. I wasn't expecting Mc to believe my words so easily let alone console me.

"And Kaden," Mc mumbled, gnawing on her lower lip, "You didn't give consent. So what Ikari did to you is sexual assault. You, you need to explain this to Jake and-"

.

Mc focus.

.

"I know what she did," Nymos mumbled and I noticed his blunt nails digging into the soft leather of the steering wheel as he spoke softly.

"But I'm not gonna file a complaint because it's kinda unfair, don't you think? Me getting her charged with sexual assault when I've done so much worse? Screaming baby, for god's sake, I once worked for a fucking human trafficking ring when I was eighteen."

Swallowing hard, I looked away from him at that, feeling so fucking angered, disgusted even, by what he just claimed. Looking plenty disgusted himself, Nymos continued speaking with his nails burrowing crescents into the leather of the steering wheel.

"And, I've already thought about explaining it to Jake or Lex but after really thinking it through. I've decided not to tell them because I despise nonconsensual sex, and I don't even remember what I told them that night, yeah. But in a way, I've still cheated on my baby bro and Lex. It's, it's just pointless now to explain my situation back then and try to win them back. It's been a year and I don't want to open the old wound I caused especially to Lex."

I didn't reply to his words and Nymos made no effort in trying to change my response from me. We both sat in the car in heavy silence and air too thick to breathe in without feeling suffocated.

Isa's passive-aggressive growls can't even mask the tension within the car as she was sleeping peacefully in her carrier.

"Do you, do you love her?" I asked quietly.

"Yes," Nymos replied firmly without a second thought.

"Then why aren't you still with her? Why are you not trying to win her back?" I asked simplistically, staring at his side profile as he was driving. "Win her back already and make amends with your friends."

"It's-" Nymos sighed, "It's not that easy, screaming baby."

"You make it sound like Lex is nothing to you anymore. But she's indeed your life support." I turned away, mumbling, "Maybe she's mad and hurt but I know that she loves you too, she even trusted you with her pup."

Nymos didn't say anything for a few seconds and again, I didn't press him for a response. I rested my head against the headrest of my seat and stared out of my window at the scenery flitting by until Nymos spoke up.

"... I know that she loves me. But I am bad for her." Nymos murmured, not looking at me but keeping his eyes on the road ahead. "That's why I keep my distance from her. I pretend to be playful and we end up having one-night stands and all. I'd rather suffer instead of hurt her."

Furrowing my brows, I swiveled my head to face Nymos.

"What?

He sighed.

"I'm not a good person, screaming baby. I'm a bad guy, and bad guys never get the good things they don't deserve it. It's practically a written rule that they should never get the girl, or in this case, Lex. They don't get good friends or a nice, easy life. I don't deserve to have Jake or Lex, I deserve nothing, of course, I try to stick by them but-. Do you..." He exhaled tiredly, "Do you get what I'm trying to say?"

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"That has got to be the most idiotic ideology I've ever heard in my entire life."

Nymos frowned at my strong words.

"Screaming baby, I-"

"Yeah, you're a bad guy. But so is Jake. He does bad things for a living, but that doesn't stop me from loving him, does it? Kaden," I exhaled, "Love has no bounds." I started almost fiercely. "Just because you're bad, it doesn't mean you can't love and be loved."

He didn't say anything in response.

The two of us were quiet after that. He was driving silently and I was resting my elbow on the ledge of the window, cupping my palm and staring past the glass. The radio was still on, playing so softly that it was not soon before it lulled me to sleep.

.

Nymos focus.

.

I noticed her head tilting forwards and jerking back suddenly with her bleary eyes blinking in bewilderment at her surroundings before closing once more.

"Screaming baby, if you wanna lie down, you can sleep in the back with the rabid bitch." I suggested.

"I'm okay," It was what Mc replied softly but made no movement to climb into the back. I quirked an eyebrow at this but let her doze off, not bothering to wake her up.

Five minutes later, whilst in traffic, I reached into the back for my denim jacket that lied across the seats and picked it up, balling the item into a makeshift pillow for Mc to use. Unbuckling my seat belt, I leaned over to cup Mc's cheek, lifting her head slightly to shuffle my denim jacket under before letting her go.

I smiled when I noticed Mc cozying up to my makeshift pillow. Drawing the seatbelt over myself, I turned away, still smiling.

"Thanks screaming baby. Thanks for believing me." I murmured.

Isa decided to wake up at that moment, immediately starting her bout of incessant growling. I rolled my eyes and replied to her.

"Oh, fuck off."

.

Mc focus.

.

I stirred in my sleep at loud laughter coming from my left, the sound of persistently loud chatter made me reluctantly open my eyes and blearily study my surroundings.

Isa yippee excitedly behind me, causing me to tear my gaze away from the denim jacket sitting on my lap as a crumpled mess, at Isa's little barks. I looked over my shoulder to see the small pup looking up at me expectantly, pink tongue lolling out of her mouth.

I was surprised, to say the least when she started whining, nudging at the latch of her pet carrier dejectedly-so dejectedly, it pulled at my heartstrings and I immediately found myself reaching for the latch. I stopped myself short though, remembering this morning when she looked like she wanted to dismember me.

Isa whined again making me feel conflicted.

"Please don't bite my fingers off." I finally said, sighing before reaching for the pet carrier with shaky hands, unlatching it slowly, and allowing the pup to gingerly nose the front open. Delighted, she barked in what presumed its joy. Cute.

"Hey," I peered to my right when I heard Nymos by the car door opening. I sleepily watched him slide into the driver's seat, a packet of strawberry laces in his hand which he soon proffered to me.

Still half-asleep, I took the packet and simply held it in my hand, yawning.

"Are we nearly at my angry bird place?" I murmured, finally looking out of the window to see that we were currently parked at a busy petrol station and the cacophony that had woken me up and the smell of petrol that I now wrinkled my nose at. I wasn't one of those people who liked the smell of petrol.

"Yeah, we'll be at his in around thirty minutes." He hummed nonchalantly.

I, suddenly awakened, swiveling my head around to face Nymos with my eyes widened and jaw slackened with surprise.

"What? Thirty minutes?"

"Yeah, it's-"

Isa barked at Nymos. He glanced at the pup through the rearview mirror and immediately sharply inhaled at the sight of her proudly parading around atop the backseats of his car.

"Who the hell let the rabid bitch out?"

"I did," I muttered, distracted with tearing open my packet of strawberry laces, "She looked sad."

"Oh god, oh god, don't make eye contact with her," Nymos told to himself, "Don't make eye contact. Making eye contact with her is like challenging her to pee all over the seats. Or worse she's gonna claw the leather upholstery apart-"

"She seems sorta sweet," I said, chewing on a strawberry lace. "Come here, isa," I said, setting my gifted confectionary down on my lap and reaching carefully for the elated ball of caramel-colored fluff that practically jumped into my arms.

Giggling, I pulled her close to my chest before turning around to beam at scared Nymos.

"Fuck, screaming baby. She turned you over to the dark side-"

I burrowed my cheek against her soft fur and rolled my eyes at his words.

"Oh, don't be dramatic, Kaden."

Isa glanced up then and Nymos could swear the puppy was smirking at him.

Thirty minutes passed by in a flash.

Panicked I scarf down my strawberry laces, hurriedly shoveling them into my mouth and only slightly choking on them. I dismissed the concerned expression Nymos was wearing on his face when he glances over at me.

I climbed haphazardly into the back, taking isa with me and settling in the back seats with her. Nymos frowned at me through the rearview mirror, wordlessly questioning my actions with furrowed brows.

Completely oblivious to his quizzical eyes on me. I set isa on the leather seat beside me and once she was comfortable, I moved quickly to work on my appearance. I re-tucked my white tee back under the waistband of my jeans, throwing it atop the striped sweater I'd taken off earlier when it got too stuffy in the car, and carefully retied the laces of my sneakers.

I felt a little shy though when I unzipped my backpack and draw out my small vanity bag-feeling a tad bit self-conscious about the possibility of Nymos playfully teasing me for trying to look my best for Jake. But all Nymos said when I applied my moisturizing face cream was.

"Damn, that smells like fucking roses."

I smiled at his words.

Satisfied with my efforts, I climbed back into the passenger seat, not bothering to take isa this time as she was too busy gnawing away at one of the seatbelts much to Nymos' chagrin.

I draw my seatbelt over my chest, settling against the leather upholstery and sigh softly as my lidded eyes study the slow sunset taking place outside, the grey winter sky now consumed with soft pinks and delicate purples that had me smiling subconsciously.

"Excited?" Nymos asked, smiling.

"Mhm. Nervous too."

"I'm excited too," Nymos grinned. "I don't have to deal with you and Jake moping around me anymore."

"Oh, shut up," I laughed. "I know you've enjoyed this."

"I have, I have." Nymos agreed, chuckling.

I started biting my nails distractedly, staring at the sunset absconding behind silhouetted skyscrapers that tower overhead, resembling large, black, ugly shapes. I swallowed nervously.

Nauseating nerves overwhelmed me, easily outweighed my excitement from before.

I feared I was going to throw up. There are two minutes left.

There is one-

"Alright, we're here."

"What?" I choked out, straightening up in my seat and watching Nymos unbuckle his seatbelt with a grin on his face.

Busy with overthinking the idea of Jake casting me away with a look of distaste and a new partner on his arm, I hadn't even realized Nymos had pulled up to a six-story apartment that exuded the amount of wealth invested into the building.

What was stunning about the apartment was its sleek, smoked glass that covered a good two-thirds of the entirety of the building, the glass easily reflecting the city's bright lights and creating a kaleidoscopic effect of a thousand differently colored lights playing on the glass.

"Oh fuck," I cursed, turning away to face Nymos who already had opened his car door, slipping out without a word to me.

Panicking, I hurriedly opened my door and stumbled out, swearing under my breath when I nearly tripped over my own feet.

"Fuck, fuck. Kaden, I can't do this." I breathed, locking eyes with Nymos over the roof of the car.

"Yes, you can, screaming baby," Nymos replied, leaving his car door slightly to check on isa.

"But, I- Wait! How do I punch someone?"

Nymos quirked an unimpressed eyebrow at me.

"Is this necessary to know right now?"

"I swear this is necessary." I quickly said, resulting in Nymos. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Make a fist like this- Not with your thumb tucked away, okay? Because, like  I don't know? Some bad shit could happen to your thumb?" Nymos sighed sounding resigned.

"Screaming baby, you really shouldn't ask me this since I've dislocated my thumbs, fractured my hands, and bruised up my fingers way too many times to count."

I was oblivious to his warning and only focused on balling my hand into a fist like how he had demonstrated it. Nymos rolled his eyes at this.

"Alright. You practice, making a fist while I call up Jake and make sure he's at home."

"Wait, what?" I halted my ministrations, frowning at Nymos. "You drove us out here and you don't even know if he's at home??"

"He will be, he will be. Don't worry."

.

Jake focus.

.

I regretted not bringing my leather jacket with me to the convenience store opposite my apartment complex. Because now I was shivering in the winter weather, my nose and cheeks colored a soft red courtesy of the wind.

I sighed at my stupidity, lifting my lit cigarette to my mouth, inhaling the grey tendrils that creep down my throat and burn in its wake, at least now I had my cheap cigarettes to warm me.

Exhaling softly, I crossed the road, haphazardly. Ignoring the angered drivers I left behind, pressing their horns aggressively and spitting harsh insults in my direction. I didn't bother replying, just lifted my cigarette to my mouth and breathed in its dangerous fumes, continuing walking.

I was in one of those moods. One where you're oblivious not passive to almost everything. You just don't care about anything. I didn't care for the winter weather biting my fingertips numb. I didn't care for reporting that twelve-year-old kid who stole a packet of strawberry-flavored bubble gum. I didn't care what brand of cigarettes I wanted to smoke. I didn't care now for the crude words a middle-aged man threw at me from his cruddy-looking ford fiesta.

I continued walking, walking down the pavement towards my apartment complex, smoking my cigarette distracted. However soon I was broken away from the trance I seemed to have fallen into when my phone vibrated quietly in my pocket.

Taking my phone out of my pocket, I swiped a thumb over the damaged screen. Courtesy of when I was in one of those moods, angry, frustrated, and desperately needing an outlet to vent my rage into. I placed my phone against my ear, listening and smoking.

"Hey, bro? Are you at home right now?"

Nymos said at once, almost excitedly. Rolling my eyes at the realization that Nymos was calling me. I sighed, replying with.

"Why do you wanna know? Are you coming over again with another one of your shitty mixtapes?"

"Shitty? Excuse me, you fucking love that mixtape, and no. Unfortunately for you, I'm not here with another one of those mixtapes."

"Then why the fuck are you coming over?" I grunted, stepping into the private parking lot allocated beside my apartment complex, walking past parked cars, and smoking.

"Wow, I'm hurt. Can I not visit my favorite brother without an ulterior motive?"

"First of all, you only have one brother, fuckass."

"And that's you! What a lucky boy."

"Kaden, I'm not in the mood to deal with you today so-"

"But I brought you something!"

"If it's not food, you're not coming in."

"Well... I guess you could consider it to be food."

"What the fuck does that mean?" I snorted.

"Because you could eat her between her le-Ow! What the fuck, screaming baby?"

I frowned, hearing indistinct, angry muttering over the phone but waited impatiently for Nymos to return to our conversation. Whilst waiting, I placed my cigarette between my lips, using my now free hand to run it through my tousled hair. Contemplating distractedly whether or not I should cut my overgrown mess of hair.

"Sorry, so sorry about that." Nymos wheezed, sounding ready to burst into a bout of laughter. I raised an unimpressed eyebrow despite him not being able to see me.

"Kaden, if you've seriously bought me a prostitute, I'm gonna-"

"Hahahaha, he thinks you're a prostitute-Ow! Fuck! Screaming baby quit it!" More angry muttering ensued, causing me to sigh. I was tired already of this conversation.

"Kaden, I'm hanging up."

"No, bro wait! I gotta- Hey, is that you?"

"Huh?" I frowned, glancing at my surroundings but I was utterly unable to identify if there was anyone around what with the weak, artificial light of the streetlamps limiting my sight to only my nearby surroundings.

"Shit, hold on." With that, Nymos hung up abruptly, without another word.

Furrowing my brow at the rather crude conversation I just had with my twin brother, I slid my phone back into my jeans pocket and with a sigh, I dropped my cigarette to the cemented ground below, purposefully crushing the cigarette to a stub underfoot.

I walked my way towards the entrance of my apartment, praying that there wasn't a- God save Nymos if more than one prostitute was warming my bed for tonight.

Shaking my head at the rather absurd thought, I was about to climb up the few steps leading up to the entrance of the building when someone timidly tapped me on the back, causing me to glance over my shoulder and- And abruptly get hit in the face by a fist.

Somewhere to the far left of me, I swore I could hear Nymos choke out an

"Oh, shit!"

Almost at once, pain pulsated throughout my nose, causing me to cry out, alarmed. Stumbling back and nearly tripping on the steps behind me, instinctively, my hands fly to my face, protectively cupping my nose, seething with both blinding pain and rage.

Who the hell dares to attack someone from behind? A coward, that's who.

My eyes blazed with fury, I looked upwards with pure anger thrumming through my veins, looking ready to swing my fist at my attacker when-

"Mc?" I breathed, with my eyes widening.

Mc fucking Estrada was standing a couple of steps before me with her tiny balled-up hands trembling by her sides, her shoulders were shaking with sobs she failed to suppress and her eyes were shiny with tears. That fell steadfastly down her cheeks, staining them. My breath instantaneously got caught in my throat.

"M-Mc? What-What the?" I choked out, all of sudden incapable of making eligible sentences for myself. Out of shock, my hands fell from my face, causing Mc tearfully wince at my now bloodied nose.

"Y-you! You were supposed to come back for me, you asshole!" Mc cried out, "Y-you were supposed to come back! I waited so many months for you!"

"Mc, fuck. Mc, I'm so- I'm so sorry." I breathed with tears prickling my eyes, "I'm so sorry for leaving you alone. I- fuck, I'm sorry. So sorry, baby."

Mc cried harder at my words, stumbling blindly towards me and reaching out for me. Her hands found purchase on my white tee and used her grasp on the soft cotton. Mc drew herself into my inviting arms. I wrapped my arms around her almost instinctively.

Now, I almost sobbed when I ducked my head slightly, burying my face in the junction of Mc's shoulder and inhaling vanilla and freshly washed cotton sheets. A scent I've missed sorely over these past few months.

"Fuck, baby. I missed you so much." I croaked out with tears falling freely from my eyes.

"I missed you too, angry bird."

I can't tell if I was laughing or crying at her words but I pulled away from her neck a little reluctantly though and lifted a hand to Mc's cheek. Cradling my face when I caught her tears with my thumb.

"Sorry for punching you on the nose." Mc breathed out shakily, her eyes flickered downwards with evident embarrassment on her face.

I chuckled softly in reply, tilting Mc's chin upwards so I could meet her gaze.

"It's okay, baby. I deserved it."

"Hmm," Mc nestled her head against my neck, finding relief in my touch and the slight warmth I emanated. I murmured something softly in her ear and noticed in the corner of my eye, Nymos leaning against the side of his car with arms folded over his chest and smiling at the two fondly.

I had caught his eye and mouthed a "Thank you. Thank you so much." To him. He simply chuckled to himself, shaking his head slightly when Mc started crying again.

[shane-mc]

Who I am now?

Part 18.

Pairing: Jake x Mc.

Genre: Angst, comedy, dark romance.

Warnings: Strong language, angst scenes. 18+ content can be found.

Words: 9.2k

Author's note: This story contains mature topics and is not fully related to the duskwood game. A different parallel with different personalities. Thank you everyone for following and liking this! lly.♡

•

.

Jake focus.

.

The cold air bit harshly at my knuckles and the tip of my nose, coloring my features with a soft hue of red. The crude winter weather refused to relent as it further weakened my once-strong frame. My body now turned stiff by the rather mean winds that jeer at my pathetic form.

Sitting there on the bench stiffly and alone, holding tightly onto a small bouquet of too-bright tulips that seemed odd when compared to the bleak atmosphere graveyards tend to carry, odd or not, they were my mom's favorite flowers and it was a yearly tradition for me to bring tulips for my mom's death anniversary.

Don't take me wrong. I love my nonbiological mom but I could never forget my real mom.

I twirled the said flowers in my hand now, my eyes studying the soft pinks and delicate whites when my mind flit back to the remnants of my eleven-year-old fragmented memory.

-back to his childhood-

"Kaden, Jake, make sure you fall in love with someone like your mom." The twins' stepdad murmured to himself, dazedly staring at their mother as she slipped her foot into beat-up converses, tying the laces with a smile on her face.

She was dressed in faded white dungarees and a black tee. She stood up in one hand holding a small potted tomato plant. Its green unripe bulbs swayed back and forth as she childishly hopped off the last step of the staircase.

She was a florist, an avid one at that, and a little bit of a gardener. But mainly she attended to flowers she tended to them from her backyard to her many potted plants dotted around the house to the small florist situated in the center of the town that she owned proudly. She did love plants. Especially pink tulips, tulips were often found sweetly decorating the patio and the window sills of their family home.

The twins have practically been living in a jungle since their birth. Constantly having to teeter-totter in and out of their mother's overgrown plants growing inside their home since they were toddlers, "helping" out in the garden.

Now at age eleven years old, the twins refused to partake in acting florists and instead kept to their increasing collection of action figures and video games. They did, however, help out on Saturday by watering the plants. Well, Jake did because Kaden was too busy crawling through their mom's few cabbages, dirtying the knees of his jeans as he determinedly eyed the green vegetables to find a pet snail he could lovingly name as "Snail".

"And kids, make sure you become someone as loving and sweet as your father." The twins mother now replied, pushing her too-long bangs out of her eyes and grinning at the two of boys who sat at the dining table, coloring in their penciled drawings of dinosaurs copied from their stepfather's book about the aforementioned creatures.

"But dad, I'm going to fall in love with Selena and she looks nothing like mom."

Kaden stated dejectedly as he colored his stegosaurus purple with those chubby wax crayons they've never got around to growing out of. "She got long hair, not short hair."

Their father snapped out of his lovestruck daze then and looked over his shoulder at Kaden with his bright eyes narrowing at the boy.

"Young man, you are too young to be falling in love just yet."

Their father, Alex, worked at a local high school as a science teacher, and both of the twins were fairly educated about science as their father, regularly, read excerpts of stories he assigned to his high school students. The twins never really understood their father's bedtime jargon but twins adored hearing him recite stories in perfect words.

But something lethal stewed behind his softened gazes and quiet laughter, something very ugly remained dormant inside him, only surfacing when a certain something triggered it.

And that certain something was godamn exam season. When exam season came rolling by, most people who previously flocked around him, adoringly kept their distance knowingly and allowed the man to have peace and space as marking a good thousand exam papers often caused the Beast as twins had dubbed it to emerge.

The Beast was their father's personality during exam season, he resembled a beast down to a capital tee. His mouth was constantly twisted into a grimace and his thick brows were often tugged together in serious contemplation as he maniacally graded several lit papers with his red biro furiously scrawling away on the surface of his student's papers.

"Honey, let the boys live." Their mom grinned, delightedly settling her potted tomato plant on the window sill near her before padding over to her husband and pressing a kiss on his cheek to console him for not taking his side in the debacle of whether their kids were too young to love. Their father was quick to forgive as he smiled, returning the affectionate action by leaning his head forwards and bopping his nose gently against his wife's. Twins having mistaken the bopping of noses to be a kiss, squealed at the sight, playfully yelling.

"Ewwww!"

They received loud curses from their startled grandmother who stood in their kitchen, baking something sweet for the twins to consume after today's lunch.

Their mother flit her eyes towards Jake who giggled quietly at the grandmother's spew of threats before returning to coloring my drawing.

"Jake honey, what about you? Do you have someone you want to love?" She asked slyly, smiling at her youngest twin who promptly ducked his head, distractedly coloring in his messily drawn pterodactyl as he mumbled.

"Maybe."

"Oh? And who's the lucky person?"

"I think, I think I love red eye."

Kaden snorted derisively at this.

"Brother! You can't fall in love with your car model!" He claimed, referring to Jake's jeep car toy model. Their parents stifled their grins at this, not wanting to hurt their sensitive son's feelings.

"S-shut up otherwise I'm going to tell Selena you like her." Jake stuttered, glaring at his twin brother.

"Bro, no! You can't!"

"Jake, let your brother tell Selena himself. She's his crush and it's his choice to choose whether he wants to ask her out or not. And Kaden, your brother can love whoever or whatever he wants, even his car toys. It's okay to do so." Their mother reprimanded with a small smile as she parted from her husband's side to walk over and plant lipsticked kisses against an embarrassed Jake and a protesting Kaden's foreheads.

"Isabelle dear get going already! I'll take care of the kids!" The twins' grandmother yelled over the deafening clamor of pots and pans clattering together in the kitchen. Their mother glanced towards the kitchen with a grin on her face.

Their parents were going to a different city for their annual visit to see the lush flower gardens where they first met each other. When the two stood in a field full of brightly colored flowers as a teary-eyed twins mother had yelled at a perplexed Alex for picking the flowers so crudely fifteen years ago.

"Alright, mom!" She called over her shoulder, addressing the kids' grandma before walking over to her patiently waiting husband who now stood by the front door.

"We'll be back soon! Be good boys, I love you!" She claimed enthusiastically, blowing kisses over her shoulder to the twins who simultaneously groaned with embarrassment. "Stay safe! Don't trouble your grandmother! Eat all the foods she makes! Don't make too much of a mess! And-"

"Honey, we're going to a garden show for a couple of hours, we're not leaving them forever." An amused Alex raised his eyebrows at his wife before glancing over to his boys, simply and using his best teacher voice sternly saying.

"No fighting, okay?"

"Okay, dad."

"Bye, dad!"

The car crash happened later that evening.

"Locals, high school science professor, D.Alex, and florist, D.Isabelle, were reported dead this evening at 10pm. The couple was said to be traveling back home to their family from flora gardens when a drunk truck driver hit the car headfirst, immediately causing lethal head injuries that ruthlessly killed the inhabitants of the car.

The driver had then continued to drunkenly drive, brashly forcing the vehicle aside where it promptly crashed into the weakened railings of the city bridge, breaking poor infrastructure away and causing the car to topple backward and fall into the icy river below.

Both the car and the bodies have been retrieved from the water a few hours ago by emergency services called in and informed of the accident by a local in her late twenties who additionally stated the driver's number plate. The offender, the thirty-six-year-old man, has been arrested by local police officers and is now put on trial for later this month when his prison sentence will be determined. We predict he will serve a ten-fourteen year sentence."

-present time-

I sighed heavily, shakily. I blinked away hot tears that threatened to spill at the resurfacing memories that hastily consume my mind. Biting my lower lip to suppress the myriad of emotions I was experiencing, I tightened my grip on the tulips wrapped with pale pink cellophane and stood up, walking the couple steps to the two gravestones inscribed with the names of my parents.

Swallowing the constricting lump in my throat, I crouched down by the off-white slabs of stone and settled the tulips by the head of my mom's grave, deeming them okay. I exhaled heavily and forced myself to rise to my feet and rake a hand through my dark hair in an attempt to console myself.

I pushed my hair off my forehead and gazed down at my stepfather's grave with lidded eyes and the overbearing feeling in my heart almost suffocating me.

Flowers weren't present on my father's grave, meaning that Nymos hadn't come by yet.

After our parents death, me and Nymos had unknowingly appointed ourselves the roles to procure flowers to offer to our mom and dad. I was self-appointed to buy my mom her favorite tulips and similarly, Nymos was self-appointed to purchase our father bunches of baby's breath wrapped in the same brown wrapping paper our mom used to package them with.

I desperately hoped today wasn't the day when Kaden will forget to buy our dad his flowers. Frowning at the thought of Nymos perhaps forgetting about today's event. I pushed myself off my haunces and stood up, distractedly brushing myself off before turning away. Picking my way through the off-white snow, careful not to step in puddles and dampen my boots when I walked back to the bench.

Straightening my leather jacket, I seated myself down on the bench and folded my arms over my chest in an attempt to gain warmth.

"Hey."

I jerked my head to the left to see Kaden standing by the bench, similarly dressed in a casual suit but more concerned about the weather, wearing a warm winter's coat that sit perfectly on his shoulders. My twin brother smiled at me, waving the bunch of little, white flowers in my direction in a warm greeting.

I looked away, retraining my gaze on my parents.

"Piss off."

"Good to see you too, brother," Kaden replied cheerily, walking past me and stopping by the two graves placed side to side with each other.

Standing there with his eyes closed, Kaden looked the epitome of peaceful, and comfortable. As if he had practiced in looking so serene standing in the middle of a graveyard on a wintry morning.

I blinked at him. Was this the kid who bawled like a baby as soon as he stepped foot inside the godamn graveyard eight years ago, crying hard about something regarding zombies and brains spilling out of heads?

Kaden finally opened his eyes and crouched by his father's grave, placing his purchased flowers nearby. I looked away when Kaden stood up and turned around, childishly refusing to meet my brother's eyes.

"Came here a little earlier than usual to see you and-" Kaden hummed, walking towards me with something in his hand. "Give you this little bad boy." Grinning, Kaden outstretched his arm, offering the item in his hand to me when he was standing a couple of steps in front of me.

"It's a compiled file of songs that helped me through my break up with Lex last year. I guarantee you that by listening to this song, You'll instantly feel better." Kaden explained, sitting down beside me and taking my hand, pressing the item into my pliant palm.

"It's got some Coldplay in it because I know you like his song, oh and some of the neighborhood is in there somewhere."

I glanced at the item laying flat on my palm and snorted derisively at the shared words scrawled onto the protective plastic casing of a cd.

"Kaden top fifty songs to listen to, to get out of a break-up period." I read in a bored, condescending tone before glancing upwards to look at Kaden with my eyes narrowing.

"Why the fuck would you need to get over the breakup? You're the one who broke up everything and everyone, you fucker." I spit out with my hand tightening in my hold on the cd. Kaden warily studied my eyes for a few seconds before mumbling out.

"Just because I was the one who ruined everything doesn't mean that I didn't feel an ounce of heartbreak at all Jake. I still miss you and Lex of course. I-"

I cut him off by chuckling bitterly, looking away. I was softer when Mc was around but when she's not around I can show my anger towards Nymos at its fullest.

"Maybe if you hadn't fucked around with all of us, I would've missed you too, but you did fuck up so what do you expect me to say? I miss you too. No, all I have to say now is fuck you, you fucking fucker. You brought this upon yourself." I grit out before abruptly standing up and starting to walk away from my brother with shoulders tensed and hands trembling.

"Brother, wait!"

I didn't realize I took Kaden's cd until arriving home and noticing the item sitting dejectedly on the passenger seat of my jep where I had angrily thrown it without thinking.

After Mc's sudden departure and my mother and father's death anniversary, my life continued as a routined sequence, bearing little to no fruits of happiness or success. Only heartbreak seemed prominent in my life.

~

In the morning, I'll wake up, lie on my side and stare at the other side of my bed, painfully contemplating what it'd be like to have Mc by my side, arms wrapped around her lithe frame and burrowing my face into the junction where Mc's shoulder meets with her neck, breathing in her comforting scent of cool vanilla mint? Or was it just warm vanilla? No? Maybe?

When the thought of Mc started to distress me, I tore myself away from my crumpled sheets, leaving my unmade bed looking very dejected and dragging myself to my bathroom, seeking resolve in a warm shower that'll hopefully comfort me.

After the shower which brought little ease to my aching muscles. I fell into yet another lapse, standing there in the bathroom, reminiscing memories of a grinning Mc singing to me through a mouthful of froth and using her toothbrush as a substitute for a microphone. I reminisced finding a frenzied Mc wrapped in a cream-colored shower curtain whilst thrashing around in our hotel's bathtub, crying out in bewilderment as her hands flail around manically in an attempt to pull the slightly damp material off her face. I reminisced-

Once again, I drew myself away from the bathroom, wandering lifelessly out of the suddenly suffocating room as yet again, memories of Mc kickstarted my distress.

~

Most of the morning passed by within a blink of my eyes as I was focused solely on distracting myself through a terse game of overwatch and halfheartedly gnawing at the burnt toast I had made for breakfast. Memories do not surface at this time of day.

~

I finally parted from my computer, deeming myself incredibly hungry and needing to ingest some food as soon as possible. But as soon as I entered my kitchen, my bare feet pattered against the cold marble tiles, I find out that I had barely any food present for me to eat. I hadn't gone grocery shopping in weeks.

Closing the refrigerator with a small sigh, I rested my forehead against the thrumming appliance and contemplated whether I should throw on a hoodie, grab my keys and go grocery shopping or order takeout like I was doing straight for this past month.

Deciding that I don't care anymore about breaking out after binging on greasy fast food, I took my mobile phone out of my backpack and dialed my local pizza place with my stomach growling loudly. I ordered a large veggie supreme pizza just to be healthy, garlic bread, one small portion of potato wedges, chocolate chip cookies, and two cans of coca cola.

~

Once I realized I've spent half the day playing overwatch and snacking on cold pizza, I licked the tomato sauce off my thumb and switched my computer offer, pushing myself off my chair when the screen blanks, leaving only a mere reflection of my face staring at me in the eyes.

Hastily looking away from the haggard, expression that was settled long since on my face, I drew the grease-stained pizza box and plastic bag into my arms and padded out of my bedroom, walking down my set of winding stairs before setting foot on my living room and stumbling towards the kitchen, dumping the items in my arms onto the growing pile of rubbish seated by the already overfilled bin that I should clear out. I tugged my refrigerator open and grabbed a water bottle, uncapping the bottle and lifting it to my lips, sipping at the water as my thoughts finally spurred again.

Fuck, I miss Mc.

I miss her soft eyes. Her wide smile, her long hair...Her soft touch. I miss her so much.

Her loud laugh, her 'good morning' kisses, her habit of mumbling quietly in her sleep, her tendency to look good in shitty shirt and tacky flip flops-

I want her back. I want her back in my arms. Her cute fixation on my tattoos, her soft stomach, her awkwardly small hands that envelope my hands like a baby's.

I'm so pathetic.

So weak, so stupid, so fucking dependent on someone who I knew would leave me.

Of course, she'd leave me. Everyone does soon. I dropped my eyes to the tiled floor, parting from the bottle of water, and capping the container before resting it on the countertop with shaky hands. I feel like I was going to throw up.

I reached for the refrigerator, placing my clammy palm against the cool surface, I breathed in deeply and breathes out equally the same until I fully suppressed the need to hurl my veggie supreme and instead released the floodgates to my tears, allowing myself to bask in my self-hatred.

~

Like all evenings since I parted with Mc. I climbed into bed early in hopes of getting a good night's rest to start the next day with a renewed attitude. Of course, that doesn't happen, but it doesn't stop me from being hopelessly wishful.

Despite my rather optimistic attempts, I find myself lying on my back in the center of my king-sized bed with my arms and legs splayed out in a starfish form.

Hoping that my bed will seem more occupied if I take up more of the space myself. It doesn't work out too well as seconds later, I retracted into my usual sleeping form. Sleeping on my side and securely enclosing my arms around my body pillow.

Sighing in defeat, I burrowed my face against the cotton material of my body pillow and closed my eyes, purposefully slowing my breathing to trick myself into falling into a deep slumber.

Again, it doesn't work out too well, and I find myself crying. This time crying more out of my frustration at not being able to fall asleep soundly than my heartbreak that seemed hellbent on making my life a misery.

Crying is something I now considered a ritual to do to fall asleep. This past month I've been doing so without fail, only falling asleep after I was emotionally drained. So I cried myef until I've fallen to sleep. A sleep which only bring my four hours of rest before my routined, mundane daily life kickstarted again.

However, the boring cycle I inhabited came to an abrupt halt when someone hammered a heavy fist against my front door one day, indicating that I had a guest. I hadn't had one of those for quite a while now because I'd been refusing to meet my best friends, feeling that if we did hang out I'd only depress the others.

So it's more than just surprising for me to comprehend that I had a visitor at my doorstep after long months of plain solitude and silence.

Still, I managed to pull myself together through my bewilderment, throw on a hoodie to conceal the white tee messily stained with specks of soy sauce, grapple for my round, silver specs, and descend my winding staircase with my eyebrows furrowing together in wonder.

"Hurry up and open the door, bro! It's cold out here!"

My footsteps faltered almost immediately at the voice emanating from the other side of the door. My movement came to a total stop in the middle of my staircase with my eyes narrowed at my front door with suspicion.

"Bro, you dickwho-! I know you're in there! I can't believe you'd let your dear brother freeze to death on your doorstep!"

I scoffed at his words before turning around and walking back up the stairs to ignore my brother's rather dramatic wails.

"I can hear the neighbourhood on the other side of the door you're playing 'afraid' one of the fucking tracks on my mixtape!"

I stilled at Kaden's quick identification of the song playing softly on my surround system speakers. The song which, yes, partakes a four-minute slot in the stupid disk Kaden had offered me, and the song which I had grown excessively fond of over these past couple of weeks. Constantly finding myself replaying the song a good few times before I pretty much have the entire set of lyrics embedded into my memory.

"Oh, come on! This is not fair! I love the neighbourhood and you know this so why are you depriving me off by closing me off?" Kaden whined. "Afraid is one of my favorites, godamn it!"

Silently I rolled my eyes, tucking my hands into the pockets of my ripped jeans, continuing my ascension to the comfortable confine of my bedroom.

"Hold on, wasn't Sam's birthday the passcode to your house?" Kaden thought aloud, causing me to stiffen for the umpteenth time that day and swiftly look over my shoulder, slightly alarmed. I watched, wide-eyed, at the silhouette moving behind the glass paneling of my front door.

I run down the stairs before I know it, unsteadily taking two steps at a time, dashing towards the front door that beeped softly. An indicator that the door was unlocked. As soon as the door edged open almost tentatively, I sprint toward it, slamming my side into the hardwood door and pushing the door closed with my upper body weight, all the while feeling determined to not have to deal with my irritating older brother.

Kaden didn't let the door slam shut in his face though, as he counteracted the sudden propelling force behind the door by pushing back just as hard, grunting a little with the effort.

"I don't wanna see you, you fucking fucker." I gritted out, annoyed at my brother's almost admirable persistence.

"Bro, this is so embarrassing! People are staring!" Kaden hissed lowly before raising his voice, speaking in a friendly, light tone to someone I can't identify.

"Oh, hey there, Mrs. Barnett! Long time no see!"

"Get off my doorstep before I fucking lodge a bullet in your forehead."

"I came down here from my apartment with homemade fried rice and some of my video games, hoping I could be a good brother by distracting you from your break up, but this is what I get? Threats?"

"We haven't broken up. We've just temporarily disbanded!" I grunted out with evident rage.

"Stage one of a break up: Denial." Kaden said in a light, sing-song tone that only managed to infuriate me further.

"Oh, fuck off!" I roared, bare feet digging into my plush carpet, with my shoulder pressing the door hard.

"Come on, I got sushi too!" Kaden whined, ramming his sneaker-clad foot into the small gap in the door and pushing back with so much force, the bottom of the door caught onto my little toe, making me yelp out in alarm and hurriedly retract my foot away before it was squished completely by the door.

"Fuck." I cursed under my breath when I noticed a grinning Kaden standing before me, fried rice boxes balanced in one hand whilst the other languidly pushing his hair off his forehead.

"I'm loving what you've done with the place." He hummed with a pinch of blatant sarcasm, waving a lazy hand at the incredulously messy state of my penthouse home.

"Just what the fuck do you want from me, you persistent fuckass?"

"Your time, that's all I ask," Kaden beamed at me. "And your computer, and some forks." He said cheerfully, walking past me and heading into the front room.

With balled fists and gritted teeth, I stormed into the front room to see Kaden settling himself on my white leather settee, placing the fried rice boxes on the coffee table, and tapping his foot to the beat of the song playing on my sound system.

"Kaden, seriously I am gonna-"

"One game," Kaden glanced upwards with his eyes bright. "That's all I ask."

I suddenly felt so exhausted my body was so incredibly tired and weary from ingesting copious amounts of high-in-sugar energy drinks this morning after waking up a groggy mess.

Yet I was glaring at Kaden through lidded eyes. I just wanted, desperately wanted him to leave already perhaps leave the sushi here though so I can conform to my body's wishes and crash onto my warm, warm bed.

But I knew Kaden. I've experienced beforehand his high levels of pure adamancy and I know he won't let me sleep peacefully until he gets want he wants.

Weakened, I mindlessly allowed myself to drag my heavy limbs towards the settee adjacent to Kaden and allowed my burning hatred for Kaden to simmer down to something bearable when I seated myself near him.

"One fucking game," I muttered. "And then you're out of here."

"Got it."

The one game we'd both agreed on turned into two, then three, then four, and then to whatever number we were on now. We furiously thumbed at our consoles, staring at the television screen with narrowed, focused eyes.

Our half eaten fried rice long forgotten and sat idly on the coffee table's surface.

Despite my almost crippling descent from a high sugar rush to a high sugar crush, I forced myself to stay awake to resolve the increasing gap of character lives Kaden had over me.

I was really too competitive for my good, definitely too determined to not lose to my twin brother hence our elongated play and poorly discarded lunch. I noticed my younger twin yearning to hack off some well-needed weapons from my archive which made me laugh mentally.

All blatant displays of hostility were put on hold, temporarily causing my frustration to decimate into something that sit at the back of my mouth. Like the aftertaste of something bad concerning Kaden. I was so focused on the game and was entirely unaware of him sitting near me, curled up into the arm of my settee and cursing inaudibly under his breath, frantic thumbs twiddling the controls.

'It's almost nice'

Is what the little voice in my head stated plainly, and it was true. It was sorta nice competitively playing with someone for once and it was sorta nice of Kaden to swing by or 'force his way in' with some food and video games and his company. He didn't have to, but it was nice.

That was until Kaden purposefully killed off his character, wordlessly setting his games to console down on the coffee table, and starting packing away our half-eaten fried rice and stained forks.

"Why'd you do that for? You just killed off all four lives-"

"You need to sleep." Kaden shrugged. "And eat healthily, and exercise and drink plenty of water. I mean, just look at the state of you." He murmured pointedly, wrinkling his nose at my disgruntled self.

"You look nasty. Add showering regularly to that list too."

"We could've finished off that level at least, it was basically done and-"

"Bro?"

"Mm?" I grunted out almost aggressively.

"Sleep, okay?"

"Fucking okay," I muttered bitterly, bringing my socked feet up onto the settee and tucking them under my body, reluctantly adjusting myself to fill the expanse of leather and get myself semi-comfortable enough for a well-needed nap.

I set my head on the arm of my settee and watched through lidded eyes a calm Kaden tying the simply red material of his box up into a knot.

"Bro?"

"What?" I mumbled with my eyelids fluttering close.

"Do you love Mc?"

"Yeah. A lot."

"Do you miss her?"

"I'm trying to sleep here not play fucking twenty questions," I muttered, "But yeah, I do."

"Then why haven't you gone back for her yet? I thought you'd be on it to get her back but you're here, losing your six-pack to pizza." Kaden commented, patting my stomach lightly which I replied by kicking him off the settee and onto the carpet below.

Groaning from where he was splayed out on the carpet with a dull ache in his back, Kaden retorted with a grunt.

"So what gives? Why aren't you mounting your trusty steed and riding into the sunset in hopes of finding your damsel in distress?"

No reply.

"Well, bro, I'll let you sleep but I'll be-"

"I'm scared...I'm scared she doesn't want me anymore." I said staring into the distance with a glazed look in my eyes.

"She's not Ikari, bro."

"I know," I said softly, fazed eyes meeting Kaden. "But that doesn't mean she won't leave. Everyone leaves me eventually. It's almost a curse."

And with that, I sighed shakily, and turned on my side, looking away from Kaden and closed my eyes.

"Have a safe journey back, fucker."

.

Mc focus.

.

The camera was placed on the bed, tilted slightly upwards to capture me. I cupped my face with my hands and puffed my cheeks out endearingly. I laid on my front on the unmade bed, staring at the camera's lens with lidded, tired eyes.

"Hey Jake. I went to Nymos yesterday and he offered to take me to yours. I'm sorta contemplating on going because of two reasons though." I lifted two fingers in the air, using them to visually tick off my reasons. "One, because I'm putting all my trust into this guy I barely know and who could potentially harvest and then sell my precious organs on the freaking black market. Two, I-" I hesitated with my speech faltering suddenly.

"I... I don't know if you still want me."

I looked away from the camera, swallowing noticeably before speaking softly. "Is that, is that why you haven't contacted me yet? Because you maybe don't want me anymore?" I send 'him' a strained-looking smile.

"If that's the case then that's, that's okay. It's okay. I understand. It's normal for people's minds to change quickly. I just wish-" I duckd my head, fixing my spectacles. "I just wish that if that's the case, you rather have told me immediately than have me come down here, looking for you like some, I don't know, really desperate idiot?" I let out a shaky breath, humourlessly laughing a little at my words.

"Maybe it's because I haven't been the best girlfriend? I mean, I did get you hit on the forehead by that baseball bat-wielding freak and made you sleep on all those stained couches and tried knocking you out with that vase but that was before we got together so does that count? Oh, and I ate your food sometimes when you weren't looking and..." Feeling guilty I suddenly looked away, biting my lower lip slightly.

"Let's concentrate on more pressing matters like the fact that I'm going to god-knows-where with your brother. He could potentially sell me off to some bastard. But if he tried to, it'll be okay because you see, I called up Dan yesterday about what I'm doing and he's still sorta upset with me, but he grudgingly activated a tracking device on my phone so he can monitor my whereabouts."

"Also, I gotta call him every hour to reassure him that I'm alive and relatively well. If I don't call him, he's just gonna have to assume I'm in trouble and send a SWAT team to my location. But hopefully, it doesn't come to that resolution."

I crossed my fingers for luck at my words, trying to look optimistic for the camera.

"But anyways bye, for now, angry bird. I'll see you soon if your twin doesn't decide to kill me!"

Smiling at the camera's lens, I reached over to thumb at the "stop recording?" button, promptly causing the recording to halt abruptly, submerging itself into darkness.

~

Slightly uncomfortable, I shifted the camcorder to my hands, unknowingly turning the camera to capture my face from a low angle, gifting Jake a lovely view of my chin. I plastered a small smile at the wary man before fumbling with the camcorder, wandering over to the elevator that was open for the taking uneasy, I stepped unsteadily inside the mechanical beast of an elevator and punched the button indicating 'fifth floor'.

Settling into the back of the elevator whilst glancing anxiously at the four walls of the metal compartment that trapped me in momentarily, I shakily exhaled before lifting the camcorder to my face, sending a small smile at the lens.

"Claustrophobia."

I said weakly with my eyes flickering upwards at the band of numbers that line the ceiling of the elevator, glowing a soft red when the elevator passed said numbered floor. In a focused manner, I subconsciously mouthed numbers that light up a faded crimson, accounting for the floors of the apartment complex.

"I can do this, I can do this, I can do this, I can do this."

"Please stand clear of the elevator doors as they open." The robotic voice spoke.

"Well, damn, don't you look like a real cutie?" Nymos spoke suddenly. The camera still concentrated on my face through an awkward low angle, clearly capturing my perplexed facial expression. My eyes widened a fraction at the sight of Nymos crowding me frontwards. I choked.

"Uh, thanks! And you look really cute today too!"

My cheeks immediately colored crimson at my words. My embarrassment made obvious. "Fuck, that's not what I-"

Nymos chuckled just before the camcorder was suddenly switched off by a flustered me with my fumbling fingers hurriedly digging into the "stop recording?" button and cutting my video to an abrupt halt.

~

Internally, I cursed myself at my absurd compliment, because Kaden Dalton looked nothing like cute in those sinfully torn-up jeans and that long-sleeved white sweater that practically strained under the guy's toned biceps. An denim jacket in one hand and in other...

A tiny, caramel-colored pup? A tiny, caramel-colored pup that had its sharp canines sunk into the sleeve of his sweater, gnawing away at the woolen material almost petulantly, said animal now hissed violently at me upon noticing me frowning down at her.

"Ah," Nymos hummed, noticing my widened eyes on the pup in his arms.

"This is Lex's precious pup. Isa. I call her rabid bitch lovingly though. Don't I, sweetheart?" Nymos smiled down at the pup, raising his other hand to pet isa between her ears.

The small pup was quick to nip harshly at his fingers, causing Nymos to grit out a strained "Fuck!" And hastily retract his hand away. "Rabid bitch is fitting, no?" He asked, seething.

"She's pissy with almost everyone except fucking Lex."

"Rabid bitch, huh," I said, gulping at the threatening growls emanating from such a fluffy-looking, small animal.

"How come I didn't see her yesterday?"

"The rabid bitch came back from Tokyo last night, because Lex couldn't take care of her. Because she's with Sam supporting him on his race. I'm put on dog-sitting duty for the day or even week." He scowled, glaring at the dog clawing his sweater to pieces.

"Oh."

"So, what's with the camcorder?" He queried as a distraction, stepping forwards into the elevator and taking place beside me. "Haven't seen a model as old as that since I was a kid." He suddenly commented, leaning past me slightly to press the button labeled 'G' for the ground floor.

I, practically pressed up against the wall of the small compartment due his incredible build and studied him through the corner of my eye, watching his movements warily in case he decided to suddenly break out of character and pull out a menacing looking, serrated knife from behind isa tawny fur and slice me to pieces then and there.

Struggling to breathe regularly with Nymos standing so close to my side...He was so close. I could fucking smell Nymos mint-based cologne. I squeaked out a reply.

"I'm using it to make videos for Jake to watch so he doesn't feel like he's missed out on anything."

Nymos, slightly surprised at my response, turned his head to face me then, warm silver eyes studying me as a small smile breaks out on his face, a cute dimple that had me gulping hard presenting itself.

"Bro hit the jackpot with you, hasn't he?" He said, turning away with a grin on his face. I reddened at the comment.

"Thank you?" I replied uncertainly, self-consciously fumbling with the clunky camcorder in my hand.

The elevator doors parted once more, revealing the square space of a lobby that Nymos stepped into first, distracted by an impatient isa trying to scramble out of his grasp. I followed after them, keeping a safe distance just in case isa decided to launch herself at my face and embed her sharp claws into my features.

"Is isa coming with us?" I asked, hoping the temperamental pup wasn't going to be the one to accompany us.

"Unfortunately, yes. Her mom thinks we're going out for walkies at time like this." Nymos gritted out, jerking his face away from isa when she hurriedly scampered up his chest, pressing the mouthful of soft fur into the his mouth.

"Little does she know that we're going for a three-hour long 'walkie' to the outskirts of Duskwood."

"Nymos," I exhaled, stopping in my tracks, "If you know where they are, why don't you just give me their addresses and I'll make my way up? you don't need to make all this effort."

.

Nymos focus.

.

"It's not necessary no, but I'd like to do it."

"Why?"

Seriously though, why do I wanna take her to him and them? Why not just send her off on her own? Is it because I feel like playing cupid?

Because I wanna see Jale happy again by reuniting him with a screaming baby? Because I wanna be in my brother's good books again? Because I wanna be spiteful and ruin Ikari's efforts to separate them?

.

Mc focus.

.

"Well," Nymos drawled out, turning round slowly and thinking through his answer. "Because I wanna get to know my future sister-in-law?" He suggested lazily.

His suggestion had me choking on my spit, coughing hard when I tried to surpass the sudden choking.

Nymos simply grinned, turning around and walking towards the opened entrance and heading straight out of it whilst I spluttered with disbelief.

Recovering from my fit of disbelief, I jogged after him, red in the face from choking on my spit and my backpack thumping loudly against my shoulders with every movement I made.

"Wait!" I yelled after Nymos, "That's a.... sorta plausible reason but!" Still jogging, I shrugged my backpack off my shoulders and unzipped the accessory.

"There's bound to be a reason why you're doing all this for me when you don't have to, so  just state your price!"  Breathless I rummaged messily through the contents of my backpack, stumbling after Nymos, finally grasping my checkbook and pulling it out.

Nymos stopped by an Mercedes parked just outside the apartment complex, glinting almost dangerously under the winter sunlight.

"Mc, I own the latest Mercedes model. I own even more expensive cars that are stowed away in three garages all over the country. I own eight penthouse suites, six villas, two private jets, night clubs distributed in Tokyo and Duskwood, fucking farmland somewhere in the middle of China that I don't even bloody need-

"You'll do this all for free then?"

"Huh? When did I said that? Money is money," The grin on his face only made me roll my eyes in response. "Kidding. I don't require anything in return but you can always pay the fast food order I'm gonna get at the drive-thru." He hummed, rounding the hood of the car with an upset isa still pursuing her bout of scampering about with little grunts emanating from her mouth.

I was standing a little off to the side of the Mercedes and sighed at Nymos words, shoving my checkbook back inside my backpack, and zipped it up distractedly. I stifled a laugh at the sight of Nymos wrestling an outraged isa into the bright pink travel carrier seated in the backseats of the car. Smiling to myself, I walked towards the passenger seat of the car and tugged at the handle of the door, remembering something.

"Oh, and just wanted to warn you now that you shouldn't try anything iffy.  Because I have a fifty men swat team tailing your ass and they won't be afraid to shoot you down without any proper warning. So no slicing me open and selling my organs on the black market, okay?"

Nymos snorted at my garbled words, saying nothing else but a simple.

"Alright, that's noted." Which was just about enough to convince me to relax my stance and slide into the seat of his car.

An angered isa jabs at her chew toy with her front paw, snarling at the way it squeaks in response to her squishing, Nymos glanced at the rearview mirror, noting the way she hisses at him from time to time, reminding him just how much she disapproves of him.

Nymos just simply rolled his eyes at her hostile behavior and retrained his gaze on the asphalt road stretching out before him, completely disregarding her behavior.

I was seated on his left in the passenger seat, and rested my elbow on the ledge of the window, cupping my cheek and staring outside, seeming to be in deep thought. Ten minutes, I've been like this. ten minutes, we've been driving and Nymos slowly, slowly growing restless at the lack of speech, just the irritating squeaks of isa chew toy filling the silence between them.

The twin wasn't one to feel comfortable during quiet, slow drives. He preferred racing down streets with his heartbeat hammering against his ribcage and listening to the radio churn out mainstream tunes which only act as background noise for him to relax in.

"Wanna listen to some music?" Nymos finally gritted out, his tone concluding he had enough of listening to the auditory abuse.

Dazed I broke away from my thoughts and glanced out at Nymos, blinking, "Hm? Of what genre?"

"It's burnt disk I made a while ago of rap, r&b its a jumble, really."

"Sure. I'm pretty much open to all kinds of music so," I shrugged, looking away and returning to gazing out of the window, "Hit me with what you got."

Nymos grinned, placated with the idea of no longer having to be ensconced in infuriatingly loud squeaks. He reached over with one hand, sliding a cd into the slot and pressing play-

"What are the rules for breakfast today?

What are the words I'm forbidden to say? I need to let my hair down and grow up like a real ass bitch

A real ass bitch, bitch

What are the rules for breakfast today?

What are the words I'm forbidden to say?

I need to let my hair down and grow up like a real ass bitch

A real ass bitch, bitch

I've been beat up my whole life

I've been shot down, kicked out twice

Ain't no stoppin' me tonight

I'ma get all the things I like

I've been beat up my whole life

I've been shot down, kicked out twice

Ain't no stoppin' me tonight

I'ma get all the things I like."

Started, I hurriedly reached for the pause button, abruptly halting the song with a stuttering laugh following.

"Hah, ha, fuck. How about we just stick to the radio, hm?" Nymos raised an amused eyebrow at me.

"Thought you were open to all music, though?"

"Oh, well yeah. But I actually, you know what? It's your car, your music."

"Yeah?"

"Yup-"

"Break necks, I'm the chiropractor

Come on down, you know I got ya

Real shit, feelin' saturated

Real love, this might fuck the haters

Break necks, I'm the chiropractor

Come on down, you know I got ya

Real shit, feelin' saturated

Real love, this might fuck the haters!"

"-Okay, Jesus Christ." I wheezed out once I cut off the music again. "Can we just uh, listen to some radio?"

Nymos laughed nodding and moved to remove the disk.

"Radio, it is." He hummed, and seconds later, random calm music spilled out of the car's sound system, causing me and Nymos to immediately burst into song well, sing along enthusiastically for 0.5 of a second before they trail off, perplexed by the other's bout of singing.

"...You like Selena Gomez too?"

"Do you like Selena Gomez?" We both asked simultaneously. My eyes widened when a grin formed on Nymos face.

"Yeah!"

"Yeah!"

Chuckling, Nymos leaned over and turned up the volume, singing along with a laughing me. I soon accompanied him, following up with slightly off, wild arm gestures.

The six minutes it takes to slide into the Mcdonald's drive-thru was full of an apt conversation about what song we favorite the most in Selena Gomez's album.

It was safe now to say that I was reasonably comfortable around Kaden Dalton. I settled against the leather upholstery of my seat, sipping at my can of coca cola through a straw and smiling to myself, mouthing along the lyrics to Lyus to you and me.

"Hey, screaming baby you sure you don't wanna order anything?" Nymos asked for the third time, glancing over his shoulder at me. I was caught off guard and shook my head quickly.

"Alright," Nymos hummed, returning to reciting his order to the Mcdonald's employee who seemed to be more concentrated on Nymos' car than his order of burgers and fries. I stifled a chuckle at this, leaning down slightly to haul my backpack onto my lap, unzipping it to gain access to the camcorder shoved inside. I felt in the mood to film a little for Jake.

The camera flickered on to show me frowning at myself, attempting to sort my locks by using my reflection in the camcorder's lens. Soon becoming distracted by how unkempt my hair was, almost forgetting the camcorder's recording my actions until I feel a jolt coursing through my body. I smiled sheepishly at the camera with my hand falling from my hair. My embarrassed, little smile was hurriedly replaced with a scowl when two brown paper bags, stained with grease courtesy of the fast food inside were both placed on my lap.

"The healthy shit is for you in case you get hungry. Figured you'd prefer carrot sticks over the big mac." Nymos turned away, taking the takeaway cup of coffee off the McDonald's worker and thanking her.

"Thanks for that Ele- Elena? That is your name? Huh, a cute name for a cute girl."

I listened to Nymos flirt, rolling my eyes at the camera and pushing my spectacles further up the bridge of my nose. Oh, Lex is so going to kill you, Kaden.

I rifled through the paper bags in search of my 'healthy shit' and I soon found it with my fingertips grazing across a couple of packets of bite-sized carrot sticks. Pulling them out of the bag,  I scrunched my nose with distaste at the sight of condensation mingling with warm carrot sticks.

I leaned forward to set the camcorder onto the dashboard before me, making sure the lens faced me before tearing the packet of carrot sticks open and taking one out. Hesitantly I nibbled slightly at one end of the vegetable stick.

"It's not that bad? A little warm, a little watery but otherwise it's alright."

Isa growled from the backseats emanate, causing me to glance over my shoulder at isa sitting inside her pet carrier and glaring at me with something akin to dislike in her eyes. I glanced down at my piece of a carrot stick and looked up at Isa.

I offered the carrot stick in her direction.  And to my surprise when I slotted the carrot piece inside the pet carrier through the latch isa immediately grabbed ahold and started gnawing furiously at the vegetable piece, whilst making what sounds like passive-aggressive yips at me. I turned back around to face the front.

"Did it hurt when you fell-"

"Sir, I have other customers to attend to, so please leave now unless you'd like to order something else from the menu."

"Are you on the menu?"

"No."

"Damn, El, why you gotta be so cold?"

I ignored Nymos' attempts to flirt with that girl. Because I knew damn well Lex will beat his ass for that. Instead, I distractedly rummaged a little through the brown paper bags, taking note of their cloying contents which I pulled a face at. The stench of meat overwhelmed my senses.

"Why are there three of everything?"

"Huh?" Nymos glanced over at the greasy paper bag I was holding up, heavy with the three messily parcelled burgers inside. "Oh. they're all for me."

"All of them??"

"Yup." Nymos tore his gaze off the girl again to beam at me, evidently happy with his choice of breakfast. The wide grin he wore on his mouth dropped however when he noticed the clear disapproval etched onto my face. "What? I'm a growing dude. I need the extra junk." He muttered defensively.

~

The camera was kickstarted awake by me. I was currently sipping at a can of coke, languidly placing the camcorder on the dashboard of Nymos car, making sure both of us are present within the camera's focus. Whilst I adjusted the camcorder's placement and waved a little hello in greeting, Nymos spoke over his mouthful of burger.

"So," He swallowed his mouthful of burger. "I said I wanted to get to know my future sister-in-law better, and like what's a better method to do that that by playing twenty questions?" He took another bite of his second burger. "I'll start first."

He was chewing slowly, thoughtfully, whilst I sat back in my seat and picked up my mobile phone. Nymos cleared his throat smiling slyly.

"So screaming baby... what are your kinks?"

I glanced up from my phone to blink at him confusedly. Is he serious?

"Hm? What are kinks?" I asked sarcastically, crossing my arms.

"..."

"Okay." He inhaled sharply before raising his voice, startling me. "Folks, don't panic but we have an Innocent among us-" isa barked in alarm at his volume of voice.

"Nymos, what wait-"

"We keeping things PG-13 for screaming baby here on now for her to stay pure and a child of god-" isa joined in with his exclaiming by barking loudly. Creating a commotion that had me wincing. I rolled my eyes unimpressed.

"Oh god, will you stop I know what kin-"

"It's happening, everybody stay calm, stay fucking calm, Isa!" Isa barked harder.

"Kaden it's none of your business!" I groaned, making him laugh even harder.

"Of course, you'd say that. Miss innocent screaming baby."

Annoyed I furrowed my dark brows at his side profile.

"Yeah? Well, what are your kinks, Mr I'm not innocent?" As soon as my words left my mouth, Nymos' laughter slowly trailed off to awkward little chuckling.

"Hmm," Nymos' warm silver eyes darted away from my questioning gaze, coughing unsubtly as he does so.

"How about we try not to make things awkward for each other since you're gonna be marrying my bro soon, hm?"

I rolled my eyes at his lame response. Isa seemed to think it to be a poor excuse too as she sent a dismissive glance at Nymos, growling softly with distaste.

"But! I can inform you on my bro kinks if you wanna know?" Nymos shoot me a sleazy wink which only made me laugh in response. I shook my head with disbelief at his personality.

"So?" He looked expectantly at me, suggestively raising his eyebrows. I was embarrassed now.

"Alright, alright. What are Jake's kinks?"

Nymos stifled a smile that I doesn't see when I very unsubtly pretend to seem uninterested by examining the ingredients listed on the side of my can of coca cola.

"Hmm," Nymos almost laughs at how quickly my head snapped upwards. A clear indicator that he had my full attention.

"Mm... I'm fairly certain about one kink he's into. Like I think he's super invested in it." He side-eyed me carefully. In reply, I chewed unconsciously on my white-striped straw.

"And what is that specific kink?"

"I think bro's biggest kink is," Nymos lowered his voice ominously. "Bestiality."

I gulped nervously.

"And what is bestiality?" I took a measured sip of my coke to perhaps brace myself for what he was about to say

Nymos brought a fist to his mouth, biting down on his knuckles to stifle a heart-wrenching sob that had me shuffling in my seat, looking so fucking scared.

"Bro, he- He likes fucking little animals."

I choked and unintentionally spewed coca cola all over Nymos. Isa barked excitedly deciding then and there that I was her favorite, second to Lex though for spraying Nymos with lukewarm coco cola and offering her those delicious carrot sticks earlier.

[shane-mc]

Bitter - oneshot

Four year…. Four years its been since Hannah was found.

Jake and I were madly in love, i had heard he was going to propose. However, we both after three years realized we weren't going to work. Did it hurt? You bet but it was a mutual feeling and no hurt feelings.

Today we are all at Hannah's and Thomas place. They are having a baby shower for their second child, which is a little girl. it's been three months since Jake and I ended things. He's here with a new girl and it brings up emotions I didn't think it would. It's almost like when your out and want coke and all they have is Pepsi, or when your on the outside of an inside joke.

Everyone seems to like her but I can't bring myself to go up to them. She's gorgeous and calm but I notice Jakes hand on her lower back. 

I'm sitting at the table outside with a drink of whiskey and coke. I look over their backyard and remember the first time we were all here. The yard backs up tocthe forest and theres two big oak trees perfect for shade and fun. The porch is huge with a table and chairs and extra sitting. This is perfect for the gang to grow as couples with all the future kids.

I notice one of the chairs next to me move out and I see Dan. "You okay boo?" He asks, looking at me. His brown eyes are soft and I know he's worried.

"I'll manage" I say as I down my drink. I swirl around the ice in my glass as I look at it.

"You have every right to miss him, MC. I know how much you loved that man." He softly says so noone else can hear this conversation.

"We ended things mutual. I can't even say it hurts. He's a catch, for certain. But seeing him bring someone here, I'm bitter." I bit the inside of my cheek regreting what I said as I look up and see him and her standing across the table. He's staring right at me and she's looking at him. My heart breaks as thaf use to be me at his side.

I push my chair back and head inside without saying anything to him. Dan grabs my arm "stay" he states trying to get me to meet her.

"I need a refill," i can't even bring myself to look at Jake again. I know he heard what I said and she probably did too.

As I walk away i hear him say to Dan "i just want them to meet."

"Give her time, hackerman. A wound was reopened." I hear Jake sigh. 

I know he just wants things to be good between us but it's too soon in my mind for him to bring someone new to this. I know his heart and he doesn't seem to love her.d

I bite my lip as I reach for the door to head inside and a hear a voice. "I'm coming for a drink too" she states.

It's not a voice I recognize and I turn and see her. I sigh as I have to bit my tounge if she wants to talk, specially about Jake. I hold the door and as she grabs it I bolt into the kitchen. I pour myself a shot and down it and then put some in my cup.

"Hi, Im Amber." She grabs two cans of coke and hands it to me.

"Hi, I'm MC." I grab it and open it.

"Wow! Your prettier in person then I imagined" she states.

She's gorgeous, dirty blonde hair and green eyes. Shes tiny though, what most people expected Jake to be with when he would introduce me to people. "Thanks" i say with a fake smile.

"You know, everyone tells me you and Jake dated. Is thst true?" She's blunt and wants an answer.

"Yeah, three years. You have nothing to worry about though, Amber," as I say her name I look to make sure I said the right name. She doesn't even look at me.

"Honestly, I'm always worried about the ex when they are still around" she softly smiles.

I sigh "we ended, i guess you can say on good terms."

"Then why not talk to him or me until now?"

I take a drink and as I look up I see Jake standing in the door way. "Yeah why you ignoring me?" His voice sends chills down my spine.

This was a question I wasn't prepared for and I can't answer it without telling the truth. It isn't right for me to break them up. "I haven't been very social in general today" i go to walk past Jake bit he grabs my wrist and looks in my eyes. 

The look, I know all to well. He knows me too well to know that there is more. "Amber, can you give us a bit to talk" his eyes don't move from mine.

She walks past me and he grabs her and kisses her without letting me go. I turn my head bit not before I notice him kissing her but looking at me. I know he's trying to make a point and fuck does it hurt.

Amber walks away back outside to everyone and he pulls me into the guest bedroom. This room is simple but Hannah made sure cozy. The bed is in the center and theres a dresser and desk with a wooden chair and a tan pillow and a soft blanket on the back.

"One rule with us has always been no bullshit MC so don't start now." He grabs my chin to look at him. As I look into his eyes the walls inside just break down with him alone.

"Hearing about your new life and a brand new you.I heard you got a new job but I heard you moved.  I don't wanna hear it, don't wanna hear about you. I don't give a fuck but yet I do." I raise my voice as I pull away from him and turn my back. I feel the tears forming and I can't let him see me like this. He's here with her. She's the one that he's leaving with and going home with.

"Then you tell them you don't want to hear it. You tell me how your feeling when I'm around." His voice raises as I know hes trying to keep control.

"IM BITTER!" I yell turning around and he's right behind me. His cobalt blue eyes staring back at me. He doesn't say or do anything. I see his jaw clench at that. 

"I know she thinkin' now she found herself a winner.I know you fucked her on the counter right before you cooked her dinner, yeah.  That you threw out all our furniture and pictures. I bet you sugarcoat the truth, I bet you're real sweet with her, yeah. I know you think about me when you kiss her. I left a taste in your mouth, can she taste me now? I'm bitter." I state holding my ground.

He steps away and runs his fingers through his jet black hair. His eyes close and he sighs. "MC, we both agreed we weren't good for eachother. We didn't hurt eachother when we left so why? Why now?"

I feel the tears in my eyes. "Maybe…." I stop. I never was one to break apart a couple and I won't do it now. "Just forget it" i state going to leave but he steps between me and the door.

"No say it." His voice is stern as he grabs my wrist. I look at his hsnd on my wrist and I freeze. My mind goes back to when we ended things and he tried to change my mind.

I look up at him and i lose all control of my mind. "I thought maybe we would take a break and return to each other." I turn around and cover my mouth.

I feel his hand on my right bicep. "Your the one to say for us to start seeing other people." His voice is soft now.

"I just…" theres a knock on the door and it opens. It's Amber and Hannah standing in the doorway.

Hannah instantly knows whats happening by my tears but I just bolt through them and outside from some fresh air.

I turn around as I hear the door swing open and see Jake running but Dan stops him. I can't hear what is being said but by Jakes face I have a feeling. I hear Jake say 'we need to finish our conversation'

He turns and walks away and Dan stands there watching me. Amber is completely unphased by what she walked into and clings to Jake but he pushes her away. I know what's happening. I know that man all too well not too. He doesn't truly love her, he's just trying to fill the hole we both have.

She stands there and looks at me but I look away. Im staring off into the words when theres a gentle tap on my shoulder. I look up to see Thomas with a drink and he hands it to me. I take it and drink it, i smile softly as Dan made it for me.

The rest of the time I stay away from Jake and Amber. Which is hard as she grew a liking to Jessy and Dan.

—---------------------------

It's been six months since the baby shower. Hannah and Thomas had their little girl, named April Rose. They had asked me to be a guardian for her and I gladly accepting knowing that meant I was staying apart of Jake's life.

It was hard at first seeing him and Amber so much but i came to terms that he was happy. He at least acted like it, up until recently. He had started spending more time away from her and with me and April as I would be watching her a lot.

I had the night off from everything and was curled up on the couch watching some random TV. Amber and I had grown somewhat close, she didn't see me as a threat anymore with Jake. However, she didn't see how he was with me when we were we are alone. It feels like old times and its breaking my heart. I refuse to be the reason they break up but I see it in his face when he looks at me and at her. I keep telling myself no but my heart keeps getting pulled back to him.

I hear the doorbell ring and I wasn't expecting it so I check the camera. I see Jake standing there with flowers and what looks like a bag of takeout. I sigh, knowing I'm going to have to break our hearts. I get up and open the door. The smile he has melts my heart and I let him in. He closes the door and looks at me.

"You should be home with Amber," I state, trying to keep my distance from him.

"I can't keep this up anymore. I miss you, MC." His soft voice makes me weak as he stares into my eyes.

He steps closer to me and I back up until I'm at the wall but he doesn't stop until he's right against me. His scent is one I had bought from him and I hadn't been smelling it on him when we hang out to watch the kids or even when we have game night with everyone, including Amber. The mint with a tropical scent drives me crazy. I smell the hint of orange, lemon, apples, tonks beams, amber, a woodys vanilla, and moss. I also smell the leather from his jacket and oh the memories. 

This cologne is one I had picked up for special nights between us. It's one I would spray on his hoodie and curl up on the couch with when he had to work late. It's one that when we ended things drove me crazy because I smelt it on all my clothes for weeks.

I close my eyes, not wanting to be the reason they break up. Amber had confided in me that she thinks there is someone else but I shut down those feelings of hers. I couldn't let her know he's been trying to win me back. I had gone on a couple dates but everytime Jake somehow manages to get between us. I hate the control he has over me but I can't help it. Not after what I said at the baby shower. I feel his hot breath on my skin. I feel his body heat between us.

I open my eyes and his mouth is inches from mine. "Jake you're with Amber. I refuse to let you cheat on her." My heart breaks as the words comes out of my mouth.

He steps back and pulls out his phone and sends a text. Before I can stop him he sends it and puts it back into his pocket. He pins me against the wall again "there now I'm not."

"Jacob Evans! You will not break a girls heart over text" I push him away. I hear my phone go off with an incoming call from Amber.

I pick it up and answer before he can stop me. "Hey Amber, whats up?" I state glaring at Jake.

I hear the tears in her voice as she's unable to speak. "What did he do?" I ask walk away from him. I know what happened but she can't know.

"He ended us in a fucking text! He said he loves someone else and he wants to win her heart." She manages to get out.

"Let me deal with him okay?" You just grab that icecream and a movie. I have a guy I've been seeing over tonight and tomorrow we will deal with him. Okay, sweetie?" I feel Jakes arms wrap around my waist as I'm trying to calm her down.

"Oh god I didn't realize you were seeing someone." She exclaims.

"Hey it's okay, I didn't tell anyone. I didn't want to jinx it." I sigh. She can't know I'm with him. "But we will talk over coffee tomorrow. And I will knock some sense into his head." I smile into the phone.

"You always know how to fix things with Jake. I seriously don't see why he walked away from you." Her voice is soft with that last bit but I heard it.

"Bye Amber" I state, hanging up the phone and putting it down on the counter.

"Don't fight us, this anymore. We were meant for eachother." His words in my ear as he pulls me closer to him.

I can't look at him but I feel his breath on my neck. His finger are playing with my shirt hem and he knows he's breaking down my walls. I pull away from him and grab another drink, this time whiskey. "We both said we weren't good for eachother." I manage to get out as he stays where he was but grabs my hand.

He hold my hand with my back towards him for a moment. He spins me around so I'm facing him. The look in his eyes is pure love. It's like when we first met. "Damn it MC! What do I need to do to prove to you that I can't live another day without you by my side?"

His voice and words hit me like a ton of bricks. I realize in that moment he never stopped loving me. "You call Amber right now and you tell her the truth. You tell her everything. You don't get to break her heart over text and not hear her cry." I state crossing my arms.

He tilts his head and grabs his phone and pulls it out. He puts it on speaker as he calls her. She answers and you can hear the tears in her voice.

She doesn't say anything and neither does he until I motion for him too. "Amber, I'm sorry for how I ended things. You need to know something though." His words sting as I know she will hate me for this.

"Well spit it out, I can't hate you anymore. Even MC knows what you did already," you can hear her wiping tears away.

"I still am in…." He stops mid sentence and I know he's struggling.

"Still what?" She asks.

"Love with MC. I thought I could move on but I was wrong." His head hangs low.

"Are you with her right now? Have you been with her since you sent that text?" He doesnt answer her. He knows what he did was wrong.

I tap his arm and he shakes his head no as he goes to hang up but I grab his phone. "I'm sorry Amber. I had no idea he was going to do this tonight." I say shakily into the phone. All of a sudden the call ended and I put the phone down. I slide down to the floor and realize I'm officially a homewrecker.

He grabs us both a drink of whiskey and hands it down to me. "I'm sorry, MC" his voice is soft.

"How long? How damn long have you been trying to fight us?" I look up at me.

"Eight months. I thought in the start that's what you wanted so I found her. I really thought I loved her, until you spilled your guts to me." I hear the tears in his voice.

"Jake, you could of said something then," I hear the frustration in my voice towards him.

"I fucking tried, MC, Dan stopped me. I told him I still loved you then. His words 'both your wounds have been open give her space' then you kept your distance." He kneels down in front of me and cups my face to look at him.

Without any thought I lean in and our lips meet. I feel the passion as he kisses me back and those walls left standing just crumble down. My hands grab his biceps as I pull myself closer to him, not wanting to believe this but not wanting to let him go.

He finally pulls away from the kiss and leans his forehead against mine as we both our out of breath. "I thought we couldn't work this out. I thought…" I say stopping mid sentence as I look into those blue eyes.

His smile drives me crazy as he looks at me. "Thought what?" His voice is filled with lust and love.

"When we started falling apart it was over and no fixing it." I sigh.

"We can always fix our problems. Its us against the world." His voice sends chills down my spine but I can't stop looking into the blue eyes. "Let's eat though I went to our favorite Chinese place."

My face must of light up like a kid in a candy store as he says that. He stands up and reaches his hand out for me.

We both decided in that night of Chinese, cuddles, and movies to let our hearts be whole again with eachother.

[shane-mc]

Who I am now?

Part 17.

Pairing: Jake x Mc.

Genre: Angst, comedy, dark romance.

Warnings: Strong language, angst scenes. 18+ content can be found.

Words: 8.6k

Author's note: This story contains mature topics and is not fully related to the duskwood game. A different parallel with different personalities. Thank you everyone for following and liking this! lly.♡ This chapter is very tricky and confusing so read it carefully.

•

Dear Jake, how long should I wait I should've asked and you should've answered during the last few hours we were together because now I'm sitting here by the window, watching life pass by as I stay stuck still and unmoving, wondering whether I have to wait another day or a week? a month even? maybe more?

Maybe...A year?

No. I know you'll come back for me. You said so yourself so I believe your words, love.

~

Dear Jake, one of the multiple psychiatrists Jessy assigned to me gave me a black pen and a plain notepad.

She told me to write down or draw anything that's on my mind but the only thing that's on my mind is you. Hence the reason why the pen and the notepad sitting beside me are completely untouched despite my fingers practically itching to sketch out your tattoos or write out a string of words describing your eyes.

~

Dear Jake, I miss you so much it almost hurts.

~

Dear Jake, I hope you're well.

-back on the day of departure-

Flashes of blue and red and wailing sirens awakened the city from its deep slumber. The cacophonous sight makes the city startle awake and notice the loud sounds and visuals streaming by outside their windows.

People blearily scramble out of their beds, hastily throw crumpled bathrobes over their shoulders, and stumble out of their houses, staring wide-eyed at the never-ending amount of police cars speeding down their usually quiet streets. Flitting in between these police cars are a few normal cars that race down the road.

The people gape at the sight of the torrential amount of vehicles bracing their roads and running the road's tarmac smooth with their wheels, and if that wasn't enough for the astonished people, two, maybe even three, helicopters fly low overhead, almost deafening the civilians with its mighty roar.

The vehicles continued their descent to their destination. An inconspicuous motel residing on the very outskirts of Duskwood. The tacky building now stands utterly defenseless before the vehicles that surround it mercilessly and ruthlessly.

Bright headlights alight the dark, blaring sirens ring, officers stand ready to shoot on sight, helicopters whir overhead, heavy boots hammer against gravel and the echo of guns snapping alert resounds throughout the atmosphere, but neither of the aforementioned concerned Jessy who dashed out of Dan's car, elbowing past officers and running straight for the motel's entrance despite police officers shouting after her, running after her.

The girl was smiling, grinning from ear to ear as she made quick haste for the poorly lit doorway of the motel. She's ecstatic, so ecstatic to know that she found her best friend again that she doesn't care for the commandeering police officers chasing her down. She doesn't care for her bad mental state. Right now, she doesn't care for anything but Mc.

Jessy pushed past the doorway of the motel and stumbled into the tact lobby where she immediately caught sight of two people. One was an exhausted-looking woman seated behind a desk, who hastily lift her hands in the air, visibly trembling at the sight of Jessy and the police officers outside, and the other person was-

"Mc," Jessy panted, breath coming out ragged and fast she stood mere meter before Mc who was leaning tiredly against the wall. Her dull eyes stared at the chipped floorboards and looked ready to feebly pass out right there and then.

"Mc," Jessy repeated softly as she gingerly stepped closer to Mc.

Mc heard this time and looked up with lidded eyes finally noticing and recognizing the girl before her.

.

Mc focus.

.

"Je-Jessy." I stuttered before stumbling over to her with salty tears pooling in the inner corners of my eyes. I reached out for my best friend with trembling hands.

"Jessy," I repeated, this time in a sob, drawing myself towards her. I wrapped my lithe arms around her neck and buried my tear-stained face against Jessy's warm chest.

"Mc, don't cry," Jessy murmured against my hair as she comfortingly ran a hand through my hair.

"I'm here now."

But Jake's not...

~

Dear Jake, It's been hard, I know I said to let me deal with things on my own. But now I regret saying that because it's just too hard for me to handle.

There are too many people. Therapists, doctors, police officers, and news reporters. There are too many medical examinations, stupid questions, and too many fucking playdoh pots.

It's so tiring and I'm completely and utterly worn out by everything and everyone. Now, all I want is to just go home. I hope things are going smoother for you, Jake.

~

Dear Jake, I've never felt this detached before...

-back to that day-

I don't know when I'd fallen asleep exactly but when I next opened my eyes. I was too stunned to find myself lying on a hospital bed, carefully being monitored by a group of doctors who fussed around me.

I winced at the dazzling LED lights overhead that threaten to pierce my pupils, the unnecessarily bright lighting made me weakly tilt my head to the side.

Now facing my side, I spotted bright city lights filtering into the airy room through the large window. The large window indicated to me that it was barely morning with the hues of orange streaming into the room due to the lit streetlamps standing tall just outside the hospital building.

Not realizing I grew distracted by the startling glow of amber against the dark of the winter night sky, I harshly jerked my head back when I felt warm fingers rest on my shoulder. Wide-eyed I stared at the female who smiled softly at me.

"Where...Where am I?" I croaked out timidly with my voice cracking due to the lack of water I haven't ingested in the past few hours. The nurse immediately latched on to this and hurriedly grasped the tall glass of water sitting atop the bedside table.

"Here you go, ms Mc," She offered it to me but felt more than just disorientated. I carelessly pushed the glass away with my eyes drifting to the other four. Maybe five, people flock around me, busy checking charts and notes and murmuring to one another quietly.

"The patient has woken up go and inform her friends outside." One of the doctors in the middle of jotting down a scrawl spoke up with an authoritative tone in her voice.

"Hello, Mc Estrada, you're in Duskwood medical university and hospital."

"Check her vitals."

"I'm just going to check your breathing so, please relax for me-"

"You're in safe hands now so don't worry. I'm a senior doctor and these are my junior nurses. how're you feeling?"

"Whilst you slept, we performed both the usual and extensive check-up on you just to see if there are any problems and- oh my, don't look so worried there's nothing wrong with you-"

"Your friends are on the way but we do have a young man and a girl in our waiting room. His name is Dan and her name is Jessy. They're your close friends. Is that right? Would you like to see them?

"What were the results of her x-rays?"

"Nothing bad."

I was unsure about who to look at amongst the group of doctors that seem to simultaneously talk. I whimpered out Jessy's name, feebly batting away one of the doctors who attempt to hike my shirt upwards to examine my chest with a stethoscope.

The doctors, ignorant of my obvious display of discomfort, persisted in their actions whilst the senior doctor, a middle-aged woman, spoke up to me about certain procedures I have to follow up on.

I didn't bother to listen to the doctor's dreary-toned words, I drew the bedsheets closer to my body in a protective manner.

"We'd have to send you over to the sexual abuse referral center and examine your body thoroughly to find traces of sexual abuse. Now, I understand that this is a terrifying topic but ms-"

Upon hearing the doctor's tersely and abruptly spoken words, I jerked my head in the woman's direction. My eyes widened in bewilderment and grew increasingly panicked. I recalled just a few hours ago when I was lying beneath Jake, breathless with cheeks flushing crimson at the simplest of touches Jake gifted me.

"No." I choked out. "No. no, stop touching me. I don't want an examination. I just wanna go home, please let me go home-"

"Ms. Estrada, please-"

"No, stop!" I cried out when one of the junior doctors attempted to comfort me by placing their calloused hand over my clammy fist.

Although there was a rational part of my mind declaring that the junior doctor means no harm, a greater part of my mind, was consumed with irrational worry. I freaked out at the mental image of this stranger pulling my sweater over my head and hissing in disgust at the red, now-purpling hickies that decorate my warm toned skin. Jake's scent seemed to linger on my clavicle, at the fingerprint-shaped bruises pressed into the jutting bone of my hips.

Memories of our special moment created salty tears to arise in my eyes and spill uncontrollably. I curled into a trembling ball, resorting to crying loudly for Jessy and dan. The only people I trusted, besides Jake, at the moment.

~

Dear Jake, I just wanna be back in your arms, not laying in this hospital bed, alone.

~

Dear Jake, when my therapist handed me this pad, I didn't know I'd become so immersed in writing you these little, penciled messages.

Don't worry, I won't make you read all of them, half of them are ineligible anyway. I'm just using these as a "coping mechanism".

So please come back soon so I don't have to cope so hard.

~

Dear Jake, My heart hurts every time I wake up and remember you're not with me anymore.

~

Dear Jake, I hate this...

~

Dear Jake, I wanna go back to that cheap studio apartment you said your friend used to own, lie down with you on that pull-out couch and listen to you nervously confess your feelings for me one more time.

You don't know how happy I was to hear the words "I love you, Mc." fill the room. I want to hear those words, your voice, again.

~

-back to that day-

I sat at the center of my hospital bed, swathed heavily in multiple thick layers that prevent the cold from reaching my weak limbs. I was sitting with my knees drawn to my chest and stared aimlessly at the crinkles embedded in the cream-colored blankets surrounding me.

My lidded eyes have been transfixed solely on that particular area for ten minutes now, gaze unwavering and body stilled. I refrained from socializing with the policemen that stand, dotted around the room, as they exhaustively asked questions to mute me. But then there was Alan.

"Can you remember anything about your kidnapper? Any distinct features? Tattoos or scars or jewelry? Unique clothing?" Alan questioned worriedly.

I didn't bother looking up, instead, I choose to continue to regard my bedsheets with a blank expression consuming my face.

"Were there any habits your kidnapper had that you noticed? For example, biting his or her nails, smoking, constantly taking any sort of medication or substance..?"

"Could you tell me in detail about how you were treated during the period you were in captivity? Was abuse inflicted on you? Were you given drugs?"

"Did your kidnapper seem to be mentally unwell? Did they have violent tendencies, mood swings, or anything unique like that?"

"If you can, please list any significant places or people you remember-"

"Do you know the motive behind your kidnapping? Was it for money?"

"Just how did you get away from your kidnapper, Mc?" Alan questioned with a tired voice once he realized I won't speak up.

"Dan, I don't feel well," I whispered to the man standing tall and protectively by my hospital bed.

"Okay," Dan murmured, pushing himself off the wall and unfolding his arms as he took a step toward Alan. "I got you."

~

Dear Jake, Alan noticed that I wasn't going to speak anytime soon and he decided to transfer me back to my home where officials over there will take over. Meaning I'm finally going home. To my home and family. Dan and Jessy are coming with me. I'm so happy.

~

Dear Jake, sorry if my handwriting gets a little sloppy. It's super dark on the train and I'm supposed to be sleeping but I just really wanted to say I love you! And good night, I hope you sleep well tonight, wherever you are. :)

~

Dear Jake, I'm back home and only when I stepped into my bedroom, I remembered just how much I missed my apartment. It feels good to be back. :)

I'm sitting by my coffee table and the vase which I tried to knock you out with is standing atop it. Yeah yeah, I took it with me back here because looking at it now, makes me laugh. It makes me remember how I stupidly tried to take you down with the ugly thing and how deftly and easily you caught it with your hands, with that unimpressed look on your face too.

Oh god, I can't stop laughing and Dan's judging me hard right now.

~

Dear beloved hacker, I hope you're well, brat. P.s. I miss you.

~

"One iced, peach soda for the lightweight," Dan hummed, grinning when I scowled at him grudgingly. I thanked him before taking the item and struggling with popping the mouthpiece of the can opener.

"And one, mighty jack daniels shot for the big guy- Oh god, Mc. Just ask me to open it for you," Dan laughed noticing my brows furrowing hard when I tried to wrench the reluctant cap off. He eased the can out of my grasp and easily popped can open, handing the softly bubbling drink to me. I once again grudgingly muttered thank you.

I leaned back against the outdoor bench and sighed at the serene image of the water fountain spewing copious amounts of crystal-clear water. Water droplets glistened under the weak winter sun, creating an otherworldly effect on the impressive water fountain. I smiled at the sight of the magnificent piece that's been a clear centerpiece in my hotel's lush gardens.

"Remember Jessy wanted to go with you to the basement but you got scared and almost knocked her out?" Dan laughed, sipping his whiskey.  I took a sip of my drink calmly. I patiently savored the sweet taste.

"Fuck you, Dan," I mumbled bluntly.

Dan simply laughed in reply, making me allow a small smile to sit on my mouth.

"I missed you."

"You just 'missed me'?" I quirked an eyebrow, "Not 'I missed you so much'? or 'I missed you a lot?"

Dan snorted.

"No, I just missed you."

"Bullshit," I laughed. "You started crying so hard as soon as you saw me you should've seen yourself. All snot and tears."

"Give me the soda back," Dan threatened. "If you're not going to be nice, I won't be nice to you-"

"You brought up my embarrassing moment!" I squealed, laughing and moving away from Dan who tried to clasp his hand around my beverage.

"So we're joking now!" I gasped out, batting away Dan's hand, trying hard not to spill my soda over myself. "Dan! Stop!"

Laughing, Dan pulled away and relaxed against the wooden bench. He picked up his drink and sipped at the liquid thoughtfully whilst I settled down from my giggling.

"Uh, so. Mc, we haven't had the chance to talk properly what with your hospital appointments and examinations but if you ever wanna talk to me about-"

"I know, Dan," I said quietly, glancing downwards at my lap where my hands sat, folded around the can of soda.

"Thanks, but I rather not talk about it just yet."

Dan stared at me for a few seconds, assessing my state before turning away and clearing his throat.

"That's perfectly alright, Dan."

"Hey, Dan? Can we do something for old times' sake?"

Dan blinked.

"Sure, what?"

I smiled.

The gardeners working on the late winter blooms laughed and shook their heads at us, two grown, idiots. Wincing and yelping every time our body came into contact with the ice-cool water spraying from the sprinklers dotted around the garden. Although we can already see ourselves spending tomorrow in bed and nursing our colds.

~

Dear Jake, Jessy is back from Duskwood. I am so happy!

~

Dear lover, I've thought this through and... I think I'm making the right choice. It's sudden but...

~

Dear Jake, I trust Dan and Jessy so I told them. I told them about you, about us. I've told them everything.

~

.

Mc focus.

.

I licked my lips, surveying the almost domestic scene before my eyes. Assessing the state of my room with a small smile appearing on my features.

To my left, sharing the other side of my king-sized bed was Jessy, who continued to animatedly watch the film and manically shovel buttery popcorn into her mouth.

Draped over my feet was Dan who was similarly munching on popcorn and enjoying the film. I should probably also pay attention to the highly-rated film that Dan had suggested but my mind kept straying to a certain guy named Jake Dolton. A guy who happened to render me into a dazed, lovestruck mess.

But this time it was different. Rather than longingly daydream about Jake's softly defined features or deep voice. I was torn between two sides of a debate occurring behind my aching temples.

An ongoing internal debate that argued the increasingly irritating question. Should I share about Jake with Jessy and Dan or should I just stay quiet?

If I wanted to, I could suppress any knowledge of Jake for as long as I wanted. Still, it was getting a little lonely solely harboring the fact I dated. No.

I am dating an utterly amazing guy that isn't so amazing in other people's eyes. I just want to share the fact that I am in love with someone without being judged mercilessly.

It was the slightest bit upsetting too to hear insensitive police officers easily ask preconceived questions that portray Jake in a bad light. For example.

'Did your kidnapper ever pressure you into sexual abuse?'

No, I was the one who instigated sex between us, officer. But I couldn't say it could I?

Hearing the same, tiring questions being asked over and over again drove me insane. It made me almost want to oust my secret to the world. Scream the fact that I have fallen in love with my hacker boy, my captor, and that the feeling is utterly mutual.

I sighed now, the need to express my feelings amounting to a considerable amount of irritation bubbling within my body. I just want people to know that I'm not mentally unstable as my therapists have described me to be, but in love, in love with a handsome guy that makes my heart ache painfully the further away, I get from him.

Upon hearing my small sigh, Jessy tore her gaze away from the film and sent me a quizzical look, cheeks endearingly stuffed with sweet popcorn and retaining her unable to speak her concern. I smiled apologetically and hurriedly glanced away before Jessy could question my slightly off behavior.

"You good? You don't seem particularly entertained by the film." Jessy commented, slowly chewing her way through her mouthful of popcorn.

"If you want, we could always switch to one of your old favorites?"

Still pretending to look entertained by the scene depicted on the flat-screen television. I shook my head.

"No, this is good. Don't worry."

Jessy looked unconvinced for a second but turned away nevertheless, retraining her gaze onto the television but not before she mumbled.

"Mc, if you ever wanna talk about what happened in the past two months or if you ever wanna discuss utterly random topics like the freaking weather, then feel free to." She murmured, staring at the screen, "I'm here for you. I might not always be here physically because of my work but I'm only a phone call away, Mc. I hope you know that."

I swallowed thickly at her words. My best friend was always been supportive of me, always. Ever since we first met in real life and not just texted over the phone. She always encouraged me, always motivated me, and made me strive to be my best. I knew she'd always got my back.

"Jessy, there's something I'd like to say. Something I've been meaning to tell you for a little while now."

What are you doing, Mc?

Jessy flickered her gaze towards Dan who was still strewn over my feet languidly, enjoying both the popcorn and the film thoroughly, completely unaware of Jessy's eyes boring into him.

"Do you want Dan to be involved?" She asked quietly, motioning towards Dan with her index finger.

No, no- I don't want anyone involved!

I simply nodded, knowing that Dan similarly had got my back. Licking my suddenly dry lips, I wordlessly watched as Jessy childishly flung a popcorn piece at Dan's head, effortlessly causing him to turn his head and frown at us, already digging into his bowl of popcorn to return the attack. He was abruptly stopped however by Jessy.

Mc, no, don't tell them about Jake!

"Mc has something she'd like to tell us," Jessy said slowly, pointedly, the frown on  Dan's face was immediately wiped off.

I gulped. Fuck. No-Don't do this.

"Firstly, promise," I gulped. "Me that you won't speak about whatever I'm about to tell you to anyone else except us three."

"Promise," Jessy replied easily, readily.

Oh god, Mc. you're going to do it.

Dan, on the other hand, was less ready to bear the possible effects of my promise.

"Mc-"

"Dan, you are my best friend so shut up and promise." I quietly reminded with my eyes flickering upwards at Dan.

Dan bit his lip hard in thought as he regarded me carefully, mentally contemplating his choices before sighing heavily seconds later.

"Alright, I promise."

"Thank you. I have another request to make." I said in a tentative tone, detaching my gaze from Dan to look down at my fumbling, nervous hands. "I don't want to be distracted so no comments until I've finished. Is that okay?"

Mc, don't-

"That's perfectly fine."

"Yeah, yeah that's okay."

I took a deep breath in, then a deep breath out as I glanced upwards at Jessy and Dan who give encouraging nods and small smiles, nodding at me. I smiled softly thankful for the two not forcefully pressing me for information.

"Jake Dalton." I swallowed, "Was the guy that kidnapped me-"

"Mc, this-"

"Dan, you just promised her!"

"Jake Dolton is as well the name of my... boyfriend."

Jesus Christ, Mc, you've gone and done the one thing you weren't supposed to do.

Immediately Jessy and Dan abruptly halt in the middle of their sentences with their heads jerking to face me to study me with widened, unblinking eyes. I bit my lower lip to reprimand myself for already wanting to burst into tears at the looks on Jessy's and Dan's faces.

"Mc?" Jessy choked out.

Rather than bawling like a baby, I took a deep breath yet again and continued, despite the hefty lump forming in my throat.

"I know what you're thinking already but it's not like that. Jake didn't do it for a bad purpose. He was just protecting me from someone." I whispered not mentioning Richy because Jessy was still hurting. I balled my hands into it. determined fists.

"We were in love online and then we fell in love with each other again. It sounds like a shitty romance novel, I know, but listen to me..." I continued to describe my story from the start.

From when Jake had stepped into my bedroom, armed with a gun, to when he was laying with me in tacky cotton sheets, spending the last few moments together in that rundown motel keeping the explicit details to myself, of course.

"Yeah that's it, do you have any questions?" I finished bluntly and awkwardly once I was done. My hands clenched and unclenched as I was waiting for Jessy's and Dan's response.

Glancing upwards from where I've been staring hard at a small crinkle in my satin sheets, I looked at the two, timidity obvious on my features. Jessy was thinking for a second before tiredly rubbing her eyes.

"It's your life Mc, you choose how to lead it. You always protected that guy and if you wanna love him, then love him. I'm not going to stop you and instead I will support you."

"Really? Are you serious, Jessy?"

Jessy shoot me a weak smile.

"I do have my doubts and worries but from what you're telling me, and from what I've seen throughout your interactions before. This guy seems to genuinely care for you and I guess that's all that I want from him. As long as he will treat you right."

My heart was filling with warmth and positively I beamed at her words.

I turned my attention to Dan who stared into the distance, looking to be in deep thought.

"Dan?" I prompted, feeling immense joy. overcome me.

But my evident happiness wasn't shared as a stony-faced Dan climbed off the bed and without sending a glance, let alone a few words, he tersely walked out of the bedroom, leaving me and Jessy behind. A warm smile slipped off my face.

~

That was four months ago. Four months later and I am still waiting for Jake.

I rested my small lined notepad to the side of me, the black pen I'd been using to scrawl notes to Jake followed suit, lying beside the third notepad I had managed to dutifully fill with letters to Jake.

Sighing heavily. I fell back onto my pillow and lay there, staring upwards at the ceiling that towers above me and upholds the extravagant chandelier that I've come to adore over the years. My lidded eyes lazily studied the beautiful ornamental piece. I sighed once more, this time it sounded increasingly heavier.

"If you want attention, just say so, Mc."

I smiled weakly at Jessy's words and sat up with a groan, lazily pushing my hair out of my line of vision. My eyes found amused Jessy laying across my armchair, lazily tapping away at an iPad and sipping on her lukewarm green tea.

"I don't want attention, I want my angry bird." I hummed.

"Who?"

I ignored her question and continued inaudibly speaking with a tired expression on my face.

"It's been four months, Jessy, and he's still made no indication of him coming back for me. Just how long should I wait?" I asked her rhetorically. "Another month? Maybe more? A year?...Forever? Maybe he's not even coming." I sighed heavily.

"Or maybe I'm thinking too much into this, maybe he's on his way but he's just got a little delayed? I just... I'm just worried about him." I finished, sounding defeated.

.

Jessy focus.

.

I was thinking for a second whilst believing in her words when she claimed Jake as caring, loving, sweet, handsome, kind-hearted, adorable, etc,

I was hesitant towards their relationship after all, Mc supposedly dating him it's not the best combination in my eyes.

Still, this is my best friend I'm talking about, so when Mc stutteringly and nervously announced that she is in love,

Me being the best friend just simply smiled and put on a supportive front for her. The front concealed the back well though, the back of my mind which was exhaustively worried about Mc.

I think I should let her down easily. No bullshit, just simply explain to her that you don't think Jake's going to be coming anytime soon and she should start thinking about moving on. It's the best for Mc right now, yeah, that's-

My thought track got abruptly halted when I momentarily glanced at a quiet Mc who sat on the edge of the bed, looking expectantly at me with hopeful eyes, gnawing on her lower lip and reddening the soft flesh as she waited for my response. Immediately my sure decision diminished into thin air.

Look at her, she looks so fucking lost.

I can't do this, I can't do this to her. I don't want to be the one who doused all her hope and broke her heart. That's not my job, no, I can't break it down for her. Not when she's looking so vulnerable.

What do I advise her?

Put yourself in Mc's shoes and think, Jessy. Think about what Mc would like to hear, think about what she needs.

"What I think is that you should do is stop the poor damsel in distress act and take the reins instead. You should go get your stupid man, instead of waiting for him." I murmured pointedly, "Or in this case, angry bird."

"Don't feed him bullshit ideas, baby," A stern-looking Dan muttered as he stepped into the room, folding his arms in a determined fashion and leaning his upper body against the open doorway of Mc's bedroom.

Unlike me, Dan's been the opposite of accepting and warm. He tried to, he tried for Mc but he can't help but feel dislike towards Jake. But Dan never liked Jake so it made sense why he was like that. I shrugged nonchalantly, continuing to take sips of my green tea.

"It's only a small suggestion."

"A suggestion which I won't allow you to take, Mc," Dan muttered in a warning.

"You've only just got back to us, I'm not letting you go back to the hacker boy again." Dan crudely put, but the assertive tone his voice possessed didn't match at all with his tired, lidded gaze.

.

Mc focus.

.

"I know you won't," I mumbled almost inaudibly, looking down at my slipper-clad feet.

"Mc, you don't need anyone's allowance to follow your heart." Jessy hummed before walking out of my bedroom, with her iPad tucked under her arm and green tea warming her left hand.

"Baby, I just said not to-" Dan argued upon hearing Jessy's words but I failed to hear what he said next. My mind was too busy processing Jessy's words.

'You should go get your stupid man'

'You don't need anyone's allowance to follow your heart'

I looked down at my fumbling hands and chewed on my lower lip thinking.

-three weeks later-

For the past three weeks, I've been apprehensively and carefully considering Lex's words. I should put an end to this damsel in distress act I've created for myself and go get my beloved hacker.

A part of me, an increasingly large part of me, wants to desperately put a stop to my pitiful pining for Jake. But another part of me, a more rational part, refrained from hurtling towards my walk-in closet and hastily packing my things. A part of me that doesn't want to cause my friends grief by leaving again.

I found it too difficult to decide by myself and found myself yearning for someone's fair, just opinion on what I should do, to have someone gently push me in the right direction, guiding me

That someone seemed to have sensed my helplessness because a few seconds later, my phone vibrates loudly against the oakwood surface of my bedside table.

I checked it and smiled at Jessy's text.

JS: Go and get him, Mc. You deserve your happiness.

~

Okay dear...No actual Jack Daniels.

I've left home.

You might've sussed it out already judging by the clothes missing in my closet, by my tidied bedsheets, and just by, well, the lack of me.

Before you scrabble for your phone and call the police commissioner, demanding for police officers to be posted all over Duskwood or start frantically questioning the poor Jessy, I want you to sit down and for once in your life, listen to what I have to say. Can you do that for me, Dan?

I've left home because I want to be my person, I want to live life to the fullest and with no regrets, and I want to decide things for myself, Dan. I want to be free.

Thank you for being such a great friend and Dan...I knew about your deal with Jake. Jessy told me and believe me I'm not mad because I know you had good intentions. Goodbye, Dan. We will see each other again when the right time comes.

~

At four am in the morning, the camera switched on to fuzzily show my face pushed close to the camera, I studied my reflection carefully whilst cursing under my breath at the quality of the camera.

"How the hell does this thing work?" I whispered words that were lost over the sound of a vehicle starting up, It was a low thrum reverberating loudly, and the sound of a radio juddering awake, softly allowing a popular western song to fill the confines of the taxi cab I was in.

The previous, almost overwhelming, darkness of the taxi cab dissipated gently as a dimmed orange light flickered overhead, causing a similarly colored glow to be cast down upon me.

I gave up adjusting the old settings and defeatedly settled back onto the leather upholstery with a smile taking place on my face. A feature directed solely at the camera as I started to talk.

"Hey Jake, it's me, Mc. Haha. yeah."

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, thinking about what to say.

"Oh! You're probably wondering why the hell I'm addressing you through a camcorder and not writing you the usual notes, right?" I grinned knowingly.

"It's because I'm traveling to the outskirts of Duskwood and I thought that I'd much rather visually show you the experiences I collect than have to write them all up with maybe not as enough emotions that I felt firsthand. does that make sense?" I frowned to myself thinking of an explanation.

"Well, whatever, basically I'm making videos for you to watch until we meet up. Yeah, you heard that right, Jake." I grinned.

"We're hopefully going to see each other soon. I say hopefully because I'm traveling down to the outskirts of Duskwood to meet up with Nymos and I don't know if he'll be able to give me the correct pointers on where you might be. He might not even be helpful but he's my only lead at the moment so I'll try to find out something. I just, I hope he does help me out." I sighed, looking out at the window I was sitting beside, gnawing the flesh of my lower lip red.

"But wow, jesus christ," I turned to face the camera again, chuckling. "I can't believe I'm doing this. I've been planning this shit for weeks now and you'd think I'd be ready by now but nope. Physically? I'm ready. But mentally, I'm nowhere near as prepared as I wanted to be. Oh well, at least I've managed to leave." I narrowed my eyes, looking into the camera with a grin.

"It was like four am when I left and I wanted to ditch the whole plan and go back to bed. But I persevered," Proudly I curled my fingers into a determined-looking fist. "And I dragged myself to the cab."

Looking past the camcorder, I brought the camera closer, cupping my mouth, and whispered.

"The cab whose driver is currently judging me real hard for speaking to you." I pulled away, clearing my throat.

"So I'm in the taxi now. I'm gonna be in here for a good hour and a half until we reach duskwood outskirts. Mm, I think I'm gonna use that time to sleep a little so I'm gonna turn this off now, baby. Bye, goodnight Jake." I lazily waved goodbye at the camera before reaching over and halting the recording.

~

I sighed quietly to myself before proffering the camera a weak smile.

"Hey, Jake. I felt like speaking to you a little before going to bed. I felt like conveying my feelings a little." I licked my lips bringing the camera closer.

"These videos and letters probably show me as super happy. right?" I forced a smile. "All super happy and cheerful and all the other good emotions in the world, and I am those. Don't get me wrong. I love being here. There are so many different sights that I've missed out on the few times I've visited this place and it's great to see them and all. but, uh..."

My eyes flickered away from the camera, looking elsewhere and biting my lip with my free hand, I ran a hand through my hair, pushing them out of my eyes. I swallowed hard before speaking.

"At the end of the day, when I come back after grabbing dinner from the convenience store downstairs and come up to my room to eat it alone. I just, maybe I'll eat and watch the tv a little, or maybe I'll just sit by the balcony and watch the world pass by but either way doesn't stop me from feeling so incredibly lonely. It doesn't stop me from thinking that everything could be ten times better if you were here with me." I sighed shakily, looking down at my lap.

"Right now, all I want is for you to be sleeping on the other side of the bed, holding me as you sleep and snoring loudly like the irritating boyfriend you are." I chuckled but my slight laughter failed to match the tears pooling in the corner of my eyes.

A tear escaped from my eyes and I lift a hand to brush it away, sniffing.

"Ah. It's just that, I just am sitting in this too-big hotel room and eating dinner alone. It just makes me wanna cry myself to sleep." My tears continued to fall steadfastly despite my wiping them away quickly. My voice was slowly growing shaky.

"I just wanna be back with you, Jake. I don't like being alone anymore. Oh god, Jake hold on, I need to grab a tissue." I said, forcing a short-lived laugh before abruptly pulling away from the camera and climbing off the bed, leaving the camera behind. I made my way to the bathroom and desperately attempted to suppress my sobs. The camera still picked up on them.

Several minutes passed by and the camera displayed nothing but crumpled bedsheets and a slightly tear-soaked pillow where I had laid minutes ago. Now muffled sounds emanated from the background but nothing that can be deciphered. I tried to stop crying and after 5 minutes passed and I finally reappeared on the camera.

"Ah, sorry about that. I don't know where that came from haha." I laughed, acting as if what had happened a few minutes ago hadn't happened at all. But my sudden perkier demeanor was a facade as there was red lining my eyes and I was still subtly sniffling.

"But um, it's been a long day so I think I'll sleep now. Bye Jake, hope you're feeling okay wherever you are, and I hope you're sleeping and eating well too. I love you my angry bird." I smiled tiredly and waved a hand at the camera before reaching over to turn the camcorder off.

~

"Hey Jake, I'm just getting ready to leave the hotel and meet your brother. I'm pretty nervous about this. I barely know the guy even if we spend time. I think he dislikes me a little and I don't even know what will happen to me if I set foot inside his home." I sighed, dropping my hand from my hair and looking utterly stressed.

"God, I wish Dan was here to accompany me there, that way I wouldn't have to worry so much. But Dan was not very happy with me at the moment and there was no way I can wait any longer for him to come down here. I feel that today just has to be the day I finally talk to Nymos and..." I sighed, abruptly halting my sentence and looking away from the camera lens.

"Let's just do this already. I wanna finally get this over and done with."

~

.

Nymos focus.

.

I woke up timid when a muffled knock sounded on my front door, informing me that I had a visitor waiting for me outside my studio apartment. Groaning, I craned my neck to blearily eye the small alarm clock placed haphazardly over my bedside table. It was glowing red letters indicating that it was 4 am.

Who the fuck think they have the right to wake me up from my sleep at freaking 4 am?

I buried my face deeper into his pillow, irritated I bluntly ignored the rather persistent knocking.

The soft noises of someone's knuckles knocking impatiently against the wood of my front door resound throughout my empty apartment, making me groan aloud once again. I kicked the blankets that seemed to entwine with my legs and trapped me in place.

Succeeding in loosening the binds placed around my kneecaps after a slightly embarrassing, long struggle. I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed and lazily stumbled through my home, heading toward the source of the rather infuriatingly repeated, quiet knocks.

"Who the fuck-" I grunted out, harshly tugging open the front door and at the same time, grasping for the loaded handgun kept neatly in the drawer of my hall side table, deftly pointing the weapon at the sleep-breaking perpetrator.

"Oh my god! You sucker! Oh my god!"

What the hell? What's she doing here?

"Mc? what're you doing-"

"Holy shit, I knew it, I knew this was such a bad idea." A panicking Mc managed to gasp out in between her manic hyperventilation at the sight of my gun aimed straight at her forehead.

Trembling Mc squeezed her eyes tightly shut and fearfully expect the violent impact of the gun.

"Wait, hold on-" I frowned, lowering the gun and tucking it behind the waistband of my sweatpants.

Seriously, why the hell is she here? I am already getting hunted by fucking FBI.

"Oh dear god, I'm going to fucking DIE-" Mc's tone drastically rises to extreme levels, her increased volume particularly highlighting the word "die" and most likely concerning my neighbors.

I rolled my eyes at her words and took her by the forearm, dragging Mc inside despising her struggling.

"Oh god, someone!"

"Jesus Christ, will you shut up?" I growled, letting go of Mc and promptly slamming the front door behind us. The mentioned flinched at the loud sound but opened her eyes timidly nonetheless, finally taking note of the lack of a gun in my loosened grasp.

"You are such a fucking psycho!" Mc immediately and accidentally blurted out without properly thinking through her words. "Who the hell greets their guests with a gun to their face?!"

"I do, and can I just remind you that that gun is still with me and I won't be afraid to use it if you don't watch your mouth?"  I reminded in a dissatisfied grunt, brushing past a stunned Mc with irritation evident on my face.

"So be a good little girl for me, grab yourself a little something to eat, seat yourself down, and wait for me whilst I go brush my fucking teeth. Okay? Okay."

And then, without waiting for her response, I stormed back into my bedroom, taking a second to longingly glance at my unmade bed, desperately wanting to climb back in and forget about Mc's presence.

But although my body still weakly cling to the remnants of my short-lived sleep, I find myself growing more and more curious as to why Mc was sitting in my living room space.

Wasn't she supposed to be back at home with her friends and family? So what's she doing here? And how the fuck did she get my address? Barely anyone knows I have another apartment in Duskwood. I only give them the penthouse's address. Jake hasn't told me shit.

Well, wherever the hell she found this information doesn't matter. The real question that matters is why she's here. Does she want something from me? Is she here for Jake? Maybe, she's looking for him?

I did my usual morning business with that confused curiosity still present in my mind. once finished with my morning routine. I walked out of the bathroom, feeling tonnes more awake and feeling capable of socializing with Mc.

Walking out of the bathroom, I removed the gun from the waistband of my sweatpants and lazily chucked the item onto the bed where it bounced slightly before stopping wholly. Now having rid of the annoying piece of weaponry roughly digging into my lower back, I walked toward the open doorway of my bedroom but I didn't venture any further.

I just was standing there silently with my upper body leaning against the door frame and my narrowed eyes fixating on Mc who hasn't realized my presence just yet. I watched her smilingly study the selection of treasured photographs hanging in an orderly manner on one of my living room walls.

The personal photographs involved decade-long, hazy polaroid shots of young me and Jake who smiled goofily at the camera as we held hands and made sandcastles together.

Dates to the school dance- I abruptly cast my eyes off Mc and the photographs. My heart constricted overwhelmingly at the sight of my once positive relationship held with my brother.

I tended to ignore these photographs daily as the photos only dust salt onto my semi-healed wounds. I'd remove them but the idea's difficult for me. I can't find myself storing away all these memories into a musty cardboard box and then placing the said box in my barely remembered storeroom. So I keep them positioned there, passively allowing them to do their job of reprimanding me for my mistakes whenever I walk past.

Now, I ignored the tightening hold on my heart and focused my attention solely on an unaware Mc who continued to chuckle softly at the three or four embarrassing photos on display.

.

Mc focus.

.

Is this baby Jake? I delightedly was coping over a photograph of a disgruntled toddler holding his mother's hand, which I supposed was Jake judging by the cute mole placed beneath his eye.

I grinned at all the photos, something akin to wonder glazing over my eyes.

"Mc?" Nymos called out, causing me sharply turn my head to face Nymos, looking as if I'd been caught doing something I wasn't supposed to do.

"Or should I call you the screaming baby?" The twin drawled lazily, his silver eyes flickered toward me.

Oh my god, this is not fair.

I gulped breathlessly at the sight of him. Looking at Nymos just makes my chest constrict so painfully I fear my tired heart will implode completely, feeling slightly weak in the knees, I tore my gaze away from Nymos, swallowing hard before speaking quietly.

"Mc will be fine." I still overly ticked after having been threatened by a gun, muttered. Self-consciously folded my arms over my chest and tried hard not to run my hand through my already messily styled hair.

"Hm." Nymos started, allowing himself to not so discreetly check me out, making me self-consciously curl my arms around my chest even tighter.

"So, screaming baby. Why have you bombarded me so early in the morning? What can I do for you?"

"Well, first of all, maybe put on some freaking clothes? And second of all, you could please go find me your phone and check if you have Jake's contact number?"

"Huh? Why? Is this distracting, screaming baby?" Nymos slyly remarked, glancing down at his torso with a languid smirk on his face. Flustered I snorted loudly.

"Ew, no."

Yes, yes, it's fucking distracting so please put on a godamn shirt. Jesus Christ, I feel like I'm cheating on Jake by just looking at Nymos.

"You shouldn't lie, screaming baby." Nymos reprimanded playfully, pushing himself off the doorframe he was leaning on, and striding over toward the kitchenette tucked away into a wall.

"I'm not lying," I muttered, watching Nymos swing open the door of his fridge and draw out a carton of orange juice.

"Forget about that because," Nymos turned around, taking a second to tilt his head back and glug down juice straight from the carton. I tried hard not to stare.

"The real question is who's got a better body? Jake or me?" He asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, a glint in his eyes as he waited for my response.

Dear god-

"Huh, it's so incredible how brushing your teeth can change your attitude so much," I forcedly commented.

"One second you're threatening to fucking shoot me in the face and the next you're drinking orange juice like at questioning me weird questions. "

"You didn't answer my question, princess."

"Jake."

"And you're saying that with no bias?"

"Yes."

"You sure because-"

"Jake Dalton."

"Yeah, but-"

"Can we talk about more pressing matters than deciding which Dalton twin has got the better body? Maybe, matters like, if you've got Jake's contact details or not? Or Sam's, or Lex's?"

"Mm," Nymos was thinking about my request for a second, sipping at his orange juice contemplatively. And again, I tried not to stare.

"I have them. Why do you need them?"

I studied his expression for a few slow seconds, chewing on the inside of my cheek before I decided to reply.

"Jake before we separated, told me that he'll come to find me soon, that he'll sort out Richy thing and come but...It's been four, nearly five months and I haven't heard a single word from him. It's just super worrying and I just wanna know if he's okay and not lying in some ditch, dead." I swallowed the slight tremble in my voice.

"But I have no lead on him or Sam, or Lex. I asked a friend of the head of police data, to try and track them down through their crimes but nothing came up. When we tried your name, you came up almost immediately and immediately, and sort of impulsively, I came down here to try and find a lead on Jake. So can you give me their phone numbers already? I've been waiting for long enough now, Kaden."

Please, just give me any helpful contact information. I'm growing desperate. I raised my lowered gaze to meet Nymos lidded eyes and I was surprised to see something akin to empathy lingering within his silver irises.

"Lex hacks into the police database every so often to wipe any criminal records clean for herself and for Sam, and mostly for Jake. That's the reason why you couldn't find them."

"Yeah, I figured that much."

"So you wanna find Jake?" Nymos confirmed.

"Yeah, do you know where he is? Or where he could be? Do you know his address or phone number? Or even his freaking email address will be fine-" I rambled on about other methods of communication, Nymos tore his eyes away from me and glanced out of the small window behind him, carefully studying the world through the raindrop-spattered glass.

"Kaden...Please, you're my only hope."

"Alright, fine." Nymos said suddenly, glancing back at me with slight determination setting onto his features, "Come back here at the same time tomorrow. I'll take you to Jake."

[shane-mc]

What if...? Duskwood Chapter 40

Chapter 39 ——————————————————————————————  

*Macie POV*

 I’m wondering how would I be right now if I wasn’t here in Duskwood? Probably hanging around my living room, alone, making Henry nervous with my energy. I feel better being with Jake. We both need each other right now. He needs me.

Keep reading

[shane-mc]

Who I am now?

Part 16.

Pairing: Jake x Mc.

Genre: Angst, comedy, dark romance.

Warnings: Strong language, angst scenes. 18+ content can be found.

Words: 10k.

Author's note: This story contains mature topics and is not fully related to the duskwood game. A different parallel with different personalities. I want you guys to prepare yourself for this chapter. It was a tricky part to write so don't rush in reading it.♡

•

.

Mc focus.

.

"So what's on today's agenda?" I asked excitedly, slipping into a free seat at the dining table.

"I'm glad one of us is cheery," Nymos muttered under his breath, paving butter onto a piece of perfectly browned toast. Sam hummed in agreement, halfheartedly massaging his forehead. Lex, sitting by me, gave up on breakfast and just let her head drop onto the glass table, creating a dull thud...

I frowned at their state.

"What's up with all of you?" I asked lightly, helping myself to a piece of toast piled high onto a plate. Lex's body was still slumped forward.

"Whilst you stayed in like a smart kid, we were out partying like crazy." Lex drawled tiredly before narrowing her eyes at something on my neck.

"Though it looks like you and Jake had a little party yourself."

I stopped my mid-chew at her words, looking at her confusedly.

"Huh?"

"You got a hickey on your neck."

I froze completely. because Lex was right. There was a purpling bruise the size of a penny marring my warm tone skin, located just below my jaw and looking utterly eye-catching to the intrigued three friends who grinned at me. This hickey was caused by none other than the one and only, Jake Dalton.

"The real question here is what base they got to." A sleepy Nymos pointed out, lazily prodding the butter knife at a startled me. I glanced over my shoulder, thinking about escaping from the smirking friends.

Nymos slyly smirked with his eyes lidded but glinting shamelessly with curiosity.

"So Mc, tell me what base you two got on to. Jake has always been stingy about letting out his sex life details."

"That's because I believe sex is a private thing that's done between only me and my partner." Jake smoothly stated, walking into the kitchen and passing by the table where we were all sat at. Jake blinked at Nymos blankly. "Meaning that, unlike you, Nymos. No one needs to know what we do except Mc and me."

"What do you mean by 'unlike you, Nymos'?" Nymos retorted. "For your information, I'm very protective about my sex life."

In the process of raiding the refrigerator, Jake snorted at Nymos comment, looking up and quirking an eyebrow.

"You, as if you haven't told Sam about the things you've done with your partner."

"You told Sam about my kink?" An incredulous Lex asked Nymos her brows drawing together in disbelief. Sam put a hand on his mouth to hold in laughter.

"Is that why you kept that maid costume in the back of your wardrobe?" Nymos asked slowly, his tired eyes widening in realization.

"Oh my god, you two are horrible at keeping your sex life to yourself." Sam rolled his eyes tiredly and bit into a piece of toast with a grin on his face. Jake and I were stunned because Nymos and Lex publicly talked about their sex life.

"Horrible," Jake repeated, laughing and agreeing with Sam.

I was too mortified to comment so I was sitting there, awkwardly heating up like crazy and glowing a bright shade of red. I gulped down mouthfuls of apple juice, noticing Jake shooting me a small smile as he pulled out a milk carton from the fridge.

Now, normally, I'd flash a friendly smile right back but today. I felt incredibly shy after last night's deeds. I looked away and hurriedly gnawed at my crunchy toast. Jake looked away to pour milk into his bowl of cereals whilst smiling knowingly about my behavior change.

~

.

Jake focus.

.

We were under the lush foliage surrounding penthouses, lying beneath the multiple evergreen trees and gazing up at the sight of sunlight poking through the dozen branches. We interlocked fingers with each other.

I was laying beside Mc on the ice-cold bonnet of the jeep, I was smoking the last of my cigarette, staring up at the trees beautiful is what I thought. Beautiful is what I think of the accumulating moments spent with Mc.

Beautiful is what I think every time I look at my girlfriend. Every time she speaks, laugh, frowns, cry. Mc's just so incredibly beautiful. I concluded, tilting my head down slightly to look at her sleeping peacefully on my bicep.

Flecks of gold and amber seemed to embed themselves into her skin, making her slightly tan skin tone all the more attractive as she was laying there with me on the bonnet of the jeep, under the warm sunlight.

Her thick, dark lashes lined her closed eyelids prettily and her dark hair fell delicately over her eyes, her pink mouth was parted slightly and I could hear her inhaling and exhaling deeply, indicating that she was fast asleep.

So fucking beautiful.

I looked away to stub out my lit cigarette on the gleaming paintwork of the jeep. crushing the flame and marring the dark coat of the jeep with a small burn mark. I dropped the cigarette butt into the now empty plastic container.

I turned to look back at Mc and in the midst of internally cooing at how well she slept, I tilted my head down slightly to press the utmost softest kiss on her parted lips, tasting strawberries and cigarette smoke, I pulled away seconds later, aiming to not wake her up from her seemingly deep slumber.

Sighing contentedly, I gazed up at the patches of the sky peeping through the branches and smiled to myself, feeling utterly relaxed and calm. Something I hadn't felt much the past year.

My peaceful thoughts were abruptly halted when my phone rang, the loud, dissonant chime alerted me about an incoming call. Hurrying to not startle Mc awake from her nap, I answered the call without taking a glance at the contact name displayed on my screen.

"Hello?"

"It's been nearly two months, hacker boy. I told you to take your time but damn, I didn't think you'd take this long. What's up? Is there a problem?"

I've been blatantly avoiding Dan these days, I was stunned at the audio of his sudden grainy voice on the other side of the phone and gulped hard, removing the device from my ear so I could read the caller I'd imprinted on the screen of my phone. The thing is. Dan figure it out it was me who took Mc away. He allowed me to have my moment but he insisted to get her back home.

"Nothing's wrong." I coughed out as soon as I pressed my phone against my ear again.

"Are you sure? you took a lot of seconds just there to answer me back so simply." Dan mused.

"I'm just a little busy that's all." I hurriedly replied, clearing my throat loudly.

"If nothing's wrong then where's Mc? Where are you?" Dan asked, I heard Jessica's voice from behind. I sighed and bit my lower lip, stressing out slightly.

"You should let her go come now. Give it some time and catch Richy." Dan ordered after Jessica's voice disappeared.

I held my breath, peeking at Mc.

No.

No, no.

Say something, Jake.

"Uh, I need more time."

"Look, Jake, you either bring her back or I'm coming myself to beat your ass."

"Fine." Wait, no-

"Alright, you better keep your promise." Shit.

Groaning at my weak attempt to talk to him about my and Mc's new relationship. I sighed, looking back up at the evergreen trees and suddenly they don't look so majestic to me. They're no longer just trees, they're tall beasts that loom over and seemingly entwine their hands over and around me, entrapping panicked me and closing off any possible escape route.

I will have to send her home. Powerless I ducked my head, reaching up with a hand to claw at my dark hair, frustratedly tugging at my thick locks.

They can't take my happiness away after only just finding it. That's too cruel, too cruel. I can't go back to how I was, I can't go back to hating myself, to distancing friends, to drinking and smoking away precious hours. I can't. I want to, no, need to stay with Mc. I don't wanna leave her side. I don't want to.

I don't want to become alone again. I felt sick.

I don't wanna lose a loved one again. Don't let me lose another. I now felt, truly sick-

"Jake?" Mc's voice broke me out of my suffocating thoughts. Shocking me into tearing my widened eyes away from the evergreen trees to look down at Mc.

My Mc looked so effortlessly beautiful lying there on my arm with her soft hair sticking up in tufts. She smiled at me lazily, completely oblivious to my heavy heart and desperate thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?" She yawned before nuzzling into my side and playfully swinging her leg over my body latching onto me. The simple feeling of Mc grounding me down pulled my panicking self back to the present moment, pulling me away from my rather hurtful past and the painful memories.

Mc wordlessly wrapped her arm closer around me before burying her face into my shoulder, receiving her daily dose of my scent.

"You're freezing," She mumbled. Recovering from the feeling of sickness coursing throughout my entire body, I breathed out heavily.

"Yea," I mumbled against her hair, closing my eyelids and trying to enjoy my happiness's warmth.

"Hey, babe?" Realizing just how much I needed Mc to touch me to awaken me. I curled my arms around Mc's waist, firmly holding onto her little frame.

"Mm?" She hummed, smiling against my shoulder.

"Just wanted to say I love you."

"W-what?" A startled Mc pulled away slightly to stare up at me. "You can't just suddenly drop that bombshell on me." She exclaimed. "I have to be ready when you say that."

I confusedly chuckled, getting distracted from the miserable dark cloud that hung over the future of our relationship.

"What do you mean 'ready'? You don't need to be ready to say I love you, just say it if you feel it, Mc."

"I have to be ready, okay? Saying those three words is a big thing, It's something precious and special. You can't just go around flinging it at me and expect me to say it back so easily." Mc whined, embarrassed by how inexperienced and extra she was being.

"That sorta stuff makes me shy so you gotta give me a heads up, Jake."

Now full-on laughing, I gently pushed Mc's too-long fringe out of her distressed eyes, totally disbelieving her demand to give her a 'heads up' when she says I love you to me.

"Alright, baby." I choked out, struggling to hold back my laughter after seeing Mc at me laughing.

"Am I allowed to say the three words now or do I need to give you a five-minute break? Or maybe a ten-minute break would suffice?"

Mc, growing beet red with embarrassment, shook her head.

"No. I am ready now."

"Okay." Grinning, I leaned in closer to an increasingly hot Mc whispering. "I love you, Mc."

Mc reddened and mumbled "I love you more." She nervously refused to meet my eyes.

"That's not possible." I hummed in reply, taking one of her hands and lifting it slightly up into the air above us. I smiled, pressing our cold palms against each other and locking our hands in place by entwining our fingers.

"Yes, it is possible," Mc murmured, squeezing my hand, "My feelings are proof."

"Oh?" I arched an eyebrow at her. "Then what about my feelings?"

Mc chuckled as we both gazed at our interlocked hands hovering in midair.

Things like Mc glowing crimson with embarrassment, her warm hugs, saying 'i love you' one more time. Holding hands together. This is all I lived for. These small moments, feelings, and expressions. They all make my heart swell, making me momentarily forget about the thought of leaving her.

I gave her hand a small squeeze and started up a meaningless conversation with her joining in brightly and smiling widely at me.

Smiling back at her, I listened to Mc attentively. I decided to ignore the fact that I'll have to leave her for the day and spend every moment I have with Mc today and fix up a fucking solution for everything. I have to protect her from Richy.

~

After driving back from the forest to the penthouse. Mc was sitting on our shared bed in between my thighs. She stared at my hand tattoo in awe.

"Pretty," She murmured, using the pad of her thumb to trace over the detailed curves and lines.

"Yeah?" I hummed, momentarily tearing my eyes away from the tv screen to look down at my beautiful girl wedged in between my legs. "I'm thinking about drawing up a few more designs and getting them done soon too." I mused, chuckling at how easily entranced Mc got with my tattoos. Mc hummed, nodding slowly.

"But what about you? Do you wanna get a tattoo done?" I patted her hip, motioning her to turn around on my lap so she'd face me. Her hands curled around my neck. I lightly grazed my fingertips over her exposed thigh.

"I'm scared of needles." Mc hummed out, growing hot under the feeling of my hand resting carelessly atop her upper thigh.

"And I have lo-low pain tolerance so it wouldn't work out." She stuttered, gulping.

"If you had high pain tolerance, would you want one?" I asked, half interested in her response and half just wanting to hear Mc stutter again. Now when I pressed my fingertips into the flesh of her thigh playfully. I smirked when Mc fumbled around more, mumbling out ineligible words and getting embarrassed before finally choking out.

"Y-yeah, probably."

"Oh? What would you want? Where on your body? Do you want it colored or just plain black?" I asked ruthlessly. Call me sadistic because I am finding it pretty enjoyable to see and hear Mc become so flustered at the simple feeling of my hand on her thigh. I focused solely on getting her even more winded.

"Colored ones sound nice," Mc breathed out, "And I think'd want it on my thigh. pretty flowers on my thigh. Ro-roses for example." She mumbled. Her words finally made me stop my actions and curiously regard her, a little startled by her exact wishes.

"Roses, baby?"

"Yeah, I want to have roses trailing up my leg. Small ones."

The gears inside my head started whirring when I conjured up a rather pretty mental image of Mc's soft thigh covered in inked roses. All of them messily trailed up her thigh and curved towards her lower stomach.

I was mesmerized by the fucking thought and found my right-hand itching to grab a pen and paper and draw it up before showing Mc, wanting to know if it was what she had had in mind. But then an idea struck me.

"I'll give you a tattoo," I said suddenly, making Mc frown at me slightly.

"Huh?"

Without answering her, I leaned away slightly so I could reach the bedside table to my left easily. I pulled the small drawer out, revealing the little content inside. A box of condoms, lemon-scented hand wipes, pocket tissues, spare batteries, and finally, a pen, a branded pen that I know is water-based and won't harm Mc with its ink.

"Baby, lie on your back for me," I instructed distractedly, hastily biting the cap off the pen and scrawling something on the back of my hand to see if the pen worked.

Mc sent me a questioning look, before laying on her back hesitantly. With a cap still wedged between my teeth, I grinned at her reassuringly before shuffling forwards to sit in between her legs and lifting the pen to Mc's exposed thigh.

"Wow, you're actually gonna give me a tattoo."

"Of course," I paused momentarily to rifle through the pockets of the leather jacket, searching for my pained. "And major bonus. It's going to be painless." I announced, finally grasping my mobile phone, bringing it out, and unlocking it. I chucked it lazily in her direction. Mc caught it before it landed flat on her face.

"To distract you," I said, ducking my head, refocusing on her thigh, and bringing the pen to skin.

"Why do I need the distraction?"

"One, you're gonna get bored because it's gonna take an age to doodle a shit ton of roses on your skin and two," I pointedly glanced upwards at Mc when she squirmed a little at the press of the cold nib against her flesh.

"And two, you're going to start to fidget if you're not focusing on something so have a go at the games on my phone. See if you can beat my high score." I said my last statement so cockily that Mc narrowed her eyes in a silent challenge.

"Oh, let's see, Dolton."

-A few hours later-

.

Mc focus.

.

Two hours later I still haven't mastered Jake's level on the highly addictive game.

I was sitting curled up on our bed. I one-handed enthusiastically played the game on Jake's phone whilst running my other hand through Jake's dark locks as he was napping on my untattooed thigh.

Sam, Lex, and Nymos were out to pick up lunch from the restaurant featured inside a nearby restaurant. The entire penthouse suite was quiet save for the sound of Jake's slow breathing and the soft sounds from the game.

It was peaceful and calming in my opinion and I wouldn't dare move from the comfortable position I was in.

One because I'm too engrossed in beating Jake's high score. Two, I don't want to smudge Jake's drawn artwork and risk having multiple black streaks ruin my "tattoo" and three. The warmth that emanated from Jake was way too comforting to retract away from easily.

So when the doorbell of the penthouse suite rang loudly and urgently, once, twice, thrice. I groaned out in irritation, reluctantly pausing the game and setting Jake's phone to the side. I gently pushed Jake's head off of my thigh and set the guy's lolling head on a nearby pillow whilst being careful not to wake him up from his seemingly deep slumber.

Why are they even ringing the doorbell?

I padded away from the bedroom space to the stretch of the hallway leading to the main entrance of the suite.

They all have those door keycards so why use the doorbell?

I hurriedly unlocked the latch and swung it open because godamn, judging from the person's incessant need to press the doorbell, my guest is eager for me to open up the door.

"Lex I swear-"

"Oh, thank god, it's you. Listen, I gotta tell you something real quick." A relieved Ikari breathed when her eyes flit around her surroundings, looking hesitant to be standing there before the penthouse suite, before me.

I stared at her stunned and rather confused. My brows knitted together with confusion when Ikari wrapped a small hand around the diameter of my wrist and hastily tugged me out of the doorway of the penthouse and into the small free space before the main entrance. I frowned at her actions.

"What do you want?" I asked slowly, carefully easing my wrist out of her freakishly strong grip, staring at her with a hefty amount of apprehension in my narrowed eyes.

What does she want? Why does she want to talk to me? Should I go and wake up Jake and-

"I need to warn you about Jake...I don't want you to be put through the same torture I had to face when I dated him. You don't deserve it, no one deserves to date Jake and to be faced with that. His terrifying abuse." She gasped out, her small hands curling into shaking fists, her shoulders similarly shuddering.

"Wait what?" I disbelieving gasped out. "Abuse and torture? Just what are you trying to say?"

"Jake, he may look all nice and good and great at first but let me tell you. He's not like that at all he's a demon." She burst out, unsteady hands flailing up to clutch at the material of her plain tee looking as if she was facing some sort of internal pain.

"He'll hurt you, call you names, will lock you up, and force you to do things." Ikark choked out, looking upwards at me and immediately catching me off guard with her eyes now wet with oncoming tears. "You need to run, you need to run away now."

"What? What the hell are-"

"He's so scary, he gets incredibly possessive and won't let you go anywhere without him following you. To public places, to meetings with friends and family, to everywhere." She took a sharp drag of air before continuing. "He once told me that it's a paranoia that one of his group's rivals will take me away and hurt me. But he was the only one hurting me. No one else, just him."

Ikari looked as if she was on the verge of experiencing a mental breakdown on my doorstep.

"I don't how the hell I managed to get here without breaking down." She commented, laughing mirthlessly through her tears. "I feel like I'd throw up if I have to see his face again."

"I, what, wait-"

"I'd have a new bruise decorating my body every day, you know." She whispered almost inaudibly as she was staring at the hardwood floorboards in a tearful trance-like state.

"I- no." I gulped with my fingernails digging into my palm and creating small crescent-shaped indentations as I was listening in on her traumatizing experience.

"No." I shook my head. "Jake would never do that. He's not like that at all. You're the bad one. You broke Jake's heart." I responded with my tone accusatory and disbelieving but there was a telltale hint of hesitation in my words. Ikari shook her head frantically, fat tears rolling down and staining her cheeks.

"Whatever they told you about me. It's all wrong. I didn't break Jake's heart and I never intended to break Lex's heart. I was just trying to save myself!" She sobbed, her chest now wracking with every breath she took.

"I tried to save myself from Jake. They're the ones lying not me, I promise you!"

"This doesn't make any sense!" My hands grasped my hair with growing frustration. "Why would Jake, how? I don't understand." I bit my lip, looking at her with hazed uncertainty in my eyes.

"I just wanted to run away from Jake to save myself, to free myself."

"But why would Jake act all nice now? Why lie to me about you?" I breathed out, dropping my hand from my hair.

"He's weaved all these lies and acts together to get you to feel love and sympathy for him, the fucking psycho." Ikari tearfully hissed out.

"No," I chewed on my lower lip. "I believe in Jake. He's the good guy-"

"No! why don't you understand?!" An exhausted Ikari cried out, fresh tears flowing freely down.

"He's not a good guy! He's abusive and disgusting. I thought he was protecting me, loving me but no. He's so fucked up, so fucked up that he's beyond even repairing."

"I don't know what to think." I swallowed thickly. "He's sweet and nice"

"Didn't you see the way he fought that guy Richy?" She asked imploringly.

"Didn't you see the way he repeatedly beat his head against that truck? He's violent and one day, he'll inflict that same violence on you. There's gotta be another moment when you've witnessed his violence." She pleaded when she noticed me biting my lip. She knows that I have seen another act of violence caused by Jake.

Unwillingly, I think back to when Jake had killed that thug, witnessing the very murder which had conceived that terrifying nightmare to follow onwards.

"Yeah, I've seen it," I mumbled weakly.

"You know what he's capable of and you're still here? Still, dating him? I know you're feeling confused and disarrayed by all this sudden information but Jake is truly bad for you. You need to escape while you have the chance." She begged relentlessly, grabbing ahold of both my hands and squeezing them with desperation as she locked teary eyes with me. "Every night, he'll hurt you physically, mentally, and sexually."

"I-"

"Just do it, godamn it! I can't see someone else unknowingly fall into his trap!"

"...Wow, you fucking disgust me."

Her head shoots upwards.

"W-what?"

All traces of hesitation and uncertainty was wiped off my face, leaving only a mirthless smile on my mouth and a quirked dark eyebrow.

I straightened up from my previous slumped posture and cocked my head to the side slightly. I gazed down at the girl. Ikari stared wide-eyed at me. I folded my arms over my chest and switched my lighthearted expression for one of contempt.

"Yeah, you fucking disgust me. Lying about something as horrifying as that just to get me to break up with Jake? Wow, how low can you get?" I chucked, shaking my head in disbelief before suddenly quirking my lips into a small grin.

"But hey! 8 for the acting skills. You nearly got me there but it's a shame that you didn't think this through clearly." I laughed quietly, lazily shaking my bangs out of my eyes.

Her slightly confused expression suddenly dropped, one of newfound amusement replacing it as I continued speaking.

"What did you say again? 'I'd throw up if I had to see his face again'? But oh my, how did you remain so calm and collected during the fight between Jake and Richy?" I questioned, feigning surprise. "Remember, you just strolled right up to them and didn't look anywhere close to throwing up or experiencing a mental breakdown upon seeing my boyfriend's face." I playfully taunted with a small, amused smile interlacing my features. Upon realizing that I had her fake person sussed out. Ikari brushed her hair out of her eyes lazily, laughing softly.

"Alright, you got me. Jake seems to have chosen you well, huh?" She commented dryly as she procured a clean tissue from her jeans pocket and used it to pat at her wet under eyes, deftly picking up the thin smears of mascara off her porcelain skin.

"Mm, I guess he did." I mused out loud before swiftly turning around. "Well, nice meeting you and seeing your little performance, Ikari, but I'm sorta busy at the moment so you'll have to excuse me." I nicely faked a smile before fishing out my keycard from the inside of my shorts pockets to open the now-closed door. I was about to unlock the door, swiftly enter the room, and pettily leave Ikari out on our doorstep but she quickly said words that stopped me from waving the keycard over the small sensor built into the door.

"Damn here I was thinking that you're probably nothing but a brainless bitch- But," She chuckled. "Guess I should've thought better of Mc Estrada."

I wasn't particularly surprised by her knowing me but I was rather surprised by my actions. I swiped the keycard over the sensor and using one foot to prop open the heavy oakwood door, I looked over my shoulder at Ikari who was staring at me.

"What are you trying to do? Get rid of me because you can't bear to see Jake happy. Or because you're just desperate for his attention now that he's distracted?" I asked a little too stiffly for my liking.

Fuck, I was meant to be all suave and cool.

"Maybe. Maybe not. Is it bad that that might be the reason why?" She laughed at me. "Need for attention? Boredom? Jealousy? Whatever the hell it is, it's telling me to get rid of you, honey, and you being smart just makes me wanna get rid of you more."

Though she was wearing a sweet smile on her features, the tone of her words was laced with sheer confidence and contempt.

"Oh yeah? Sorry honey, but I intend to go nowhere." I bit out.

"Ah," She sighed, fake sympathetic, "But remind me who you are again? You are the girl who's been missing for oh, nearly two months... right? What? Did you think I'd come here without a backup plan? My college drama classes might not have worked on getting you to leave but I'm sure the entirety of the Duskwood police force will me help out on this. Why don't you make it easier for us and just give up Jake by tomorrow, hm? Do us all a favor."

Whilst she spoke, I rigidly stepped inside the penthouse room and turned around so I could lean against the doorway and glare hard at her.

"Do your worst, Ikari," I spat out, "Jake and I are ready for the worst."

"Oh, we'll see about that, Mc."

I caught her beaming at me before slamming the door shut in her face. Maybe slamming it a little too hard because Jake woke up from his nap.

"Mc, who're you talking to?" He called out groggily from their bedroom, the sound of slow shuffling indicating that Jake was moving around.

I swiftly swallowed the growing lump in my throat and without thinking properly I spilled random words.

"Just room service. They got the wrong room."

I was not entirely sure why I lied to my boyfriend.

.

Richy focus.

.

Fucking hell.

I hissed gingerly applying an antiseptic cream to a stinging cut on my lower lip. I looked up at the mirror, at the bruises and cuts that decorate my fine features.

Well, what did you think he'd do?

I mentally rolled my eyes at my thoughts.

I sighed heavily, moving away from the mirror and walking out of the rather spacious bathroom.

Nah. Maybe it's for the best to stay away after all, I don't wanna face the wrath of hulk again, and let's not forget his twin brother that was eager to kill me.

I was soon brought out of my boredom seconds later when the sound of quick footsteps, my supposed girlfriend walked into our shared bedroom.

"I'm pissed," She muttered briskly as she entered the bedroom, huffily kicking off her high heels with pure irritation radiating from the entirety of her body.

"Well, hello to you too." I hummed out, lazily glancing at her rather disheveled appearance. But I decided that tv is more important than Ikari. I flickered my eyes back to the large screen, unsubtly ignoring her.

"I talked to Mc today." She sneered, angrily untying the hair tie that secured her loose ponytail in place. The word 'Mc' caught my attention.

"Wait, what?"

I sighed internally, I knew she'd try something with Mc.

"You didn't do anything, right?" I asked whilst narrowing my eyes at Ikari, mentally praying to the lords above that she hadn't done anything that'd inflict Jake's violent wrath on me.

Please, say you didn't do any damage.

"We just talked. I didn't do anything," She grumbled out, facing away from me and running a hand through her short, dark hair to untangle any knots.

However, my mental praise to whatever god is up there soon dissipates when Ikari looked over her shoulder at me.

"At least, not yet." She hummed with a smirk playing on her face. Knowing the look on her face means trouble which no doubt will affect me in some way shortly.

"Mc Estrada will regret being a smart ass and calling me pathetic for 'wanting Jake back now that he's so taken' which I so fucking do not want."

I raised an amused eyebrow at her.

"And just what exactly do you have in mind for her?"

It is funny for her to assume I'd let something happen at Mc.

"The entirety of the Duskwood city police force. Hm, and maybe national news too."

"Huh." I rolled my eyes, knowing I can get exposed too. "I don't think I like the sound of that very much."

(While writing this part I listened to Help round the corner by coldplay. It's up to you if you'd like to listen it♡)

.

Jake focus.

.

Soft, warm, pleasant, treasure, comforting, beautiful, good, and favorite. Those are a few of the many words that randomly popped into my mind when I was thinking about Mc. When I listened to Mc talk about something animatedly and with such fervor. I didn't realize I wasn't actually listening to her but simply staring at her. When Mc smiled at me and suddenly my entire being comes to a standstill. When I am touching her, kissing her, like when our lips are slick with saliva and we are utterly breathless with our hearts beating rapidly and chests racking with every forced breath taken. Only Mc seemed to reduce me to this state so easily.

Both of us pulled away momentarily to stare at each other hazily through lidded eyes as we hurriedly chased after our breaths. Utterly breathless, Mc grinned languidly at me as she adjusted herself a little more comfortably on my lap, and just like that, just when I thought I had regained my breath. My breath just whooshed right out of me, leaving me to dazedly look up at my beautiful, beautiful girlfriend.

Mc chuckled softly at the look on my face as she lifted both hands, lazily cupping my cheeks and caressing smooth skin with a barely-there touch, fingers grazing over cheekbones and a strong jaw. I caved into her touch almost immediately, allowing her to trace her fingers on my facial features.

"Where's this from?" Mc asked quietly when her thumb snagged over the small scar in my skin just under my eye. She glanced at the scar decorating my skin and run her thumb over the scar again.

"Happened when I was ten. I fought with Nymos for the phone."

"Who won?"

"Me, of course." I puffed out my chest a little.

"Of course." She laughed, still distractedly thumbing at the scar. "And tell me, Jake," She hummed. "Just how did you win?"

I looked less smug now.

"I ratted out him to mom."

"I thought so," Mc commented, grinning lopsidedly as she dropped her hands from my face.

"Mhm..." I murmured, sounding distracted. I tried to sneak my hands up Mc's t-shirt and feel warm, smooth skin beneath my fingertips. "I bet you were a troublemaker too."

"No, I was an angel," Mc stated defiantly. She allowed me to have my way and slip my fingers under her shirt and wander my hands coming into contact with her body.

She continued to carelessly chatter about her childhood and I mindfully reveled in her warmth as I gently pressed my fingertips into her waist, drawing her closer and mouthing relaxed kisses up Mc's neck.

Mc stuttered and faltered in her sentences when I pressed a deliberate kiss just above my made hickey, the sensitivity of the bruised skin kicking in.

"Jake." Mc whined quietly, "I was getting to the best part of the story."

"Who told you to stop?" A corner of my mouth curled up into a knowing smirk, I glanced at her with lidded eyes. "Go ahead and continue."

"Can't continue," Mc muttered grudgingly, although she tilted her neck slightly, giving me better access. "Because you're distracting me."

I simply grinned, tickling Mc's side to have her unwillingly giggle and paw weakly bat at my hand for me to stop with the unrelenting assault.

"Stop!" Mc burst out in between laughter. "Not fair, Jake! It's not fair!" She squealed, and with great difficulty she dragged herself out of my grasp, deftly rolling over to her side of the bed before I could recapture her and mercilessly tickle her to death.

I laughed at her when I saw Mc glaring at me and clinging to the edge of the bed, determined to be as far away from me as possible but not wanting to meet the hardwood floor with her body just yet.

"Not fair, Jake," Mc repeated less frantically as she watched me laughing loudly.

"Sorry baby but I couldn't resist," I said shrugging lazily with a shameless grin on my face. Mc rolled her eyes and reached for one of the pillows strewn over the king-sized bed, throwing it at my face, causing yet another rebuttal of my laughter.

"Thanks for the pillow," I chuckled, placing the cushion beside myself on the bed, and patting it thoughtfully.

"It reminded me to be a killjoy and get some sleep if we're gonna be a part of Sam's cheerleading team tomorrow," I said with an accompanying yawn.

Mc frowned now, faked annoyance dissipating as she sat up and climbed back into my readily open arms.

"It's only 11:30 pm." She hummed, and comfortably re-situated herself on my lap. "The night's still young." She mused as she lightly brushed a thumb over my scar.

"Yeah, but I-" I suddenly faltered as Mc's words sank into my mind. My brows furrowed the slightest bit. I turned my head around to confirm if her statement of the time was true. My eyes latched onto the little digital alarm clock sitting atop the bedside table. I suddenly tightened my grip around her, seeing that Mc was correct. 11:31 pm now.

"Jake, it's only 11:31 pm. What's the problem?" Mc commented confusedly, noticing the way my entire body had stiffened beneath her upon checking the time. "Jake?" She prompted quietly when  I didn't respond.

At the sound of Mc's softened tone, I reluctantly tore my gaze away from the alarm clock to look at my concerned girlfriend with a frown.

"Fuck, Mc. I've fucked up. Fucked up so badly. Shit, shit. Mc, get up," I cursed, loosening my grasp on her sides. "We've gotta get moving now."

Mc reluctantly detached herself from me and sat heavily on the center of the king-sized bed with a lost look on her face. She watched after me after I hastily pushed myself off the bed, moving across the room, lacing my fingers with my black hair, tugging on my locks with frustration.

"Fuck, how could I have forgotten?" I asked myself in a mutter, looking around frantically for my backpack and leather jacket.

"Forget what?" Mc asked, sliding out of bed and padding over carefully to where I was standing in the center of the room. "Jake, speak to me what the hell is going on?"

I didn't reply. I was too immersed. in the search for my backpack.

"We're staying here for Sam's race, right? So why do we need to go now? What's with the sudden rush now?"

"Because Richy's coming after you!" I responded exasperatedly, noticing and moving away from Mc to grab my backpack from off the couch.

"And we need to leave before he comes." It was all I said, walking back over to the bed, unzipping my bag with haste, and messily rifling through the contents. I can't tell her about Dan knowing about this. He's her closest friend and Jessica too. So using Richy as an example was good enough. 

"Richy is after me? But why do we have to ru-"

"Fuck, Mc, just stop asking so many fucking questions!"

She shut her mouth, staring into my widened eyes. I looked pained immediately after having said those frustrated and angered words to a startled Mc. I stuttered in my movements, cursing under my breath.

"Shit, I'm sorry but seriously, baby. We need to move and you standing there and questioning me like the FBI isn't helping, okay? So help me out here and please move." Although apologetic, my words were still laced with urgency and restrained harshness. Mc shook her head slowly.

"I'm not moving until you tell me why the hell Richy is after me." She said, attempting defiance. I in response sighed heavily and turned my body to face Mc wholly.

"Jesus Christ," I muttered under my breath. "He wants you. He was the danger I told you about. He's the reason I kidnapped you. He's here but me being a fucking idiot, forgot about it until now. But it's okay." I said more to myself than to Mc, "Because we can still run now and get away far enough from here. Yeah."

I resumed packing crazedly, picking up the pile of neatly and freshly laundered clothes, resting in the half-full wardrobe, and shoving whatever else I can inside the bag roughly. Mc blanched at my briefly spoken explanation. She stood there frozen whilst I stridden over to the bathroom, grabbing our toothbrushes and toothpaste and any other necessary toiletries.

On one hand, I feel like I am physically torn between choosing to either protect Mc and hurt myself or keep myself happy but potentially seeing Dan coming to get Mc in a hard way.

Neither option was particularly easing for me and I find myself feeling trapped, feeling so pressurized that I feared I was going to make a brash, sudden decision and severely regretted it afterward. On the other hand-

"Stop packing, I... I don't want to run."

At her stammered words, I abruptly stopped shoving a t-shirt into my backpack and jerked my head in her direction, regarding her as if I'd just been stunned.

"What?"

Mc's constricting chest heaved a sigh, she walked over to me and stood in front of me. Wordlessly, she leaned over a little and pries my fingers off the t-shirt in my hands.

When the t-shirt dropped onto the bedsheets in a crumpled mess of cotton, Mc entwined her fingers with mine, squeezing my tattooed hand comfortingly.

"Stop freaking out on me." She whispered, taking my other hand and also holding it. "And calm down, okay? I don't think I wanna run anymore."

"But you don't understand, Mc-"

"But I do understand. Richy is after me and he wants me. He wants to take me away and hurt me right?" Mc cut in quietly, looking me in the eyes. "Huh, seems like no one wants us together." She mused, chuckling as she continued.

"Ikari came by today when you were sleeping. She threatened to call the media and the police if I didn't break up with you by tomorrow morning."

"What?" I intercepted sharply with immense anger already culminating beneath my skin, "Why didn't you tell me about this? This just adds to the list of why we should leave right now. before that fucking-"

"Jake, I'm saying this for the third time in a row now," Mc stressed exasperatedly. "I don't wanna run away." She enunciated slowly, feeling my grip loosening around her hand.

"Why not? Don't you want to stay together?" I pressed my lips, staring at her. Mc shook her quickly.

"That's not the reason why. If we were allowed to, I'd never leave your side, Jake. I'd feed you chips while you do push-ups to those annoyingly loud gym playlists on your phone. I'd dance with you in the rain whenever and wherever, and I'd hold your hand through numerous tattoos. I'd bandage up your stupid injuries after you get into stupid fights with people. I'd- I'd do whatever for you." Mc blurted out with a beatific smile on her face.

"I'd even run away with you but, but... But what's the point?" Her smile faltered. "What's the point of running when we're going to get caught soon? Richy, Ikari, my duskwood friends, the police, the media, and the FBI. They're all after us. Me and you, baby. We've been against the world for nearly two months and I don't think we're gonna last any longer than tomorrow."

"What are you saying? I should just stand there and watch Richy take you away. No- listen, fuck them all, okay? I'm not letting go of you." I mumbled out in a decisive but quiet tone, slipping my hands out of her grasp to wrap my arms around and draw Mc close to my chest, holding her tight.

"I've only just got you."

"I don't wanna let go of you either," Mc murmured, ducking and burrowing her face against my neck, inhaling my scent.

"But remember our promise? The one we made when I was drunk off my ass and crying on your shoulder? About sticking together until it was necessary for us to part? I think now is the time to." She breathed out.

"But it's okay though because it's only temporary until we sort out everything." She promised in a barely audible tone.

"I'll handle my friends and police and you deal with Richy, okay?"

"Only temporary?" I looked uncertain.

"Only temporary," Mc assured.

"Okay then," I murmured begrudgingly. "But I'm coming back for you as soon as I've dealt with that fucker."

"I'll be waiting." Mc hummed softly, a smile present in her words.

~

We took the bus into the city, deciding that public transport would be much more inconspicuous than a sleek, black jeep speeding down motorways when the police will soon most likely check the CCTV cameras dotted around the city for any inkling of my whereabouts. Having taken the rather grim decision of traveling by public transport.

We were sitting at the back of a barely occupied bus, huddled together to keep the risk of freezing to a minimum. I tried not to inhale the muggy scent of sweat and greasy fast food that seemed to layer heavily over the interior of the bus. The rest of the few passengers seemed to be in similar conditions, warily but tiredly drawing their winter coats closer to their chests and rubbing their palms together.

I draped my shoulders with my leather jacket and draw Mc closer to my warm body whilst murmuring that Mc was an idiot for not thinking beforehand and grabbing a hoodie before we left. Mc laughed in response and reached for my hand, interlacing our fingers together in gratitude.

"Thanks." She grinned, side-eying me carefully.

"You're welcome," I mumbled, distractedly staring ahead of me. My eyes were looking as distant as they had been on the day Mc had first met me sitting beside her now. Her bright grin faltered at the sight.

"You know," Mc started. "This is quite fun. It's like we're on the way to the deserted island."

"Yeah with the girl I kidnapped and with whom I'm currently trying to run away from the damn police and FBI," I replied in a sarcastic mutter. "Mhm, exactly my type of fun."

Mc sighed inwardly at my response, feeling pretty dismayed at her failed attempt to properly construct a conversation with me.

"Uh, Jake. Do you remember when we first met?" She asked hopefully. I glanced at Mc.

"Of course," I said with eyes blinking at her hesitancy. "How could I forget seeing you suddenly scream like a baby after just seeing my gun?"

Mc rolled her eyes at my words.

"I was being threatened by a gun," She muttered. "I think my screaming is justified."

"Mm." I hummed, still looking at Mc, uncommitted.

"And what about when I kicked you in the balls? Do you remember that?" Mc tried again.

"Remember thinking I was a demon and then passing out in the middle of the road?"

"Remember saying I was that kinky for being tied?" Mc fired back.

"Remember climbing out of our motel and onto the convenience store next door only to sit there for five minutes and sulk before coming back in as soon as I mentioned food?" I returned with my eyes to Mc's delight, glinting with amusement.

"Oh? Remember hugging me in your sleep and then getting embarrassed?"

"Remember you trying to run away from me but only ending up tripping over your own two feet, landing face-first into concrete, and causing yourself to have a nosebleed?" I challenged, narrowing my eyes as intimidatingly leaning towards Mc slightly.

"Remember being too afraid to climb up that fairground's inflatable slide?" Mc was not afraid to challenge me, similarly tilting her head forwards, closing the meager distance between us a little more.

"Remember me having to pick you out of a ditch after you somehow managed to fling yourself in after seeing a tiny spider?" I commented with the corner of my mouth tugging upwards.

"Remember being shown up by that bratty fuckboy?" Mc swiftly replied, casually hooking a finger under the v-neck collar of my shirt, drawing the amused me closer.

"Remember being almost kissed by the same bratty fuckboy?"

"Hey," Mc breathed with her eyes twinkling under the bus's tacky fluorescent lights. Our faces were now millimeters apart, causing our respective noses to bump gently against each other.

"Remember our first kiss?"

I blinked at her before regaining myself, a corner of my mouth tugged upwards at her words.

"Remember me helping you dance in the rain because you sprained your ankle?" I asked quietly, smiling with my eyes distractedly flickering toward her lips. "And you insisting to later share beds because I was going to catch a cold sleeping on the sofa?"

"And remember getting this done randomly in the middle of the night?" Mc chuckled softly, gazing downwards and lifting her index finger to carefully trace my tattoo with a feather-like touch.

"Holding hands and later stumbling down the roads to the apartment, half asleep?"

"Remember going to the beach and sitting around the fire at night?" I mumbled, still distractedly glancing at her mouth, making the aforementioned grin.

"Remember the night we confessed to each other? Me sitting under that tablecloth like an idiot and you looking as if you were stunned?" She mumbled, I laughed quietly at the memory.

"Remember sharing granny's car with her bunnies?" I asked, causing Mc to duck her head slightly and laugh at the memory.

Grinning, I watched my girl laugh. Watching the way her eyes form dark crescents with crinkles lining them and the way her teeth bare adorably into a rectangular smile.

So fucking cute.

I thought before abruptly cupping the side of Mc's face with my hand and leaning forwards to kiss her hard on the mouth.

~

.

Mc focus.

.

"Hi, I'd like to book a room for the night," Jake murmured with the surgical mask strapped around his mouth, using it to hide his identity.

"Name?" A woman muttered, voice raspy after smoking a tiring amount of cigarettes throughout her lifetime.

Whilst Jake gave his details, fake ones, of course, and slid a couple of monetary notes across the sticky surface of the desk. I stared at Jake's side profile, randomly thinking back to when we first met.

In my bedroom, Jake looked utterly attractive in tailored black clothes, and his dark hair swept off his forehead effortlessly, revealing cold, hard-set eyes which now look at with me so much love. I found it incredibly endearing.

I wore a small smile behind my surgical mask now as I reminisced these past two months which seemed to have passed by in a blur, a blur which I know I've spent well with Jake, spent well-ticking items off my bucket list, spent well meeting new people like Lex, Sam, Nymos and experiencing new things. I discreetly as possible, slipped my palm into Jake's.

Jake, still speaking to the receptionist, gives my hand a small but incredibly reassuring squeeze. Smiling to myself and feeling lightheaded. A feeling I always seemed to feel when I was around Jake. I squeezed his hand with an equally small but effective squeeze.

~

.

Jake focus.

.

"So the plan is that after I leave, you go down to the lobby and ask the receptionist for the phone and call your bodyguard or the police, or whatever. You don't have to go down soon after I leave though, take your time, and maybe sleep a little before going down, okay? Don't rush yourself if you don't feel ready." I said, unlocking our assigned motel room and pushing the door, holding it open for a weirdly quiet Mc to walk through.

"So-" I started but goy abruptly cut off by Mc suddenly placing her hand on my chest and pushing me back onto the too-thin mattress with considerable strength that caught me off, guard.

Furrowing my brows at one of the mattress's springs uncomfortably wedging itself against my lower back, I tried to sit up to question her but Mc, once again abruptly gets there before I could get up. She hastily climbed over my spread legs and seated herself directly, comfortably, on my crotch.

I was more than just 'caught off guard' I stared up at Mc with widened eyes, astonishment clear on my features as I watched a red-faced Mc gaze at me, she gingerly pulled her top over her head, revealing a bare skin for me to distractedly marvel at.

"Baby..?" I ventured out quietly, placing my hands on Mc's thighs which sat aligned, by my legs.

"Will you..." Mc breathed visibly growing more flustered by the minute as the grip on her thighs tightened.

"Will you... will you make love to me?"

~

"I love you, love you so much, Jake," Mc chanted breathlessly. "Love you so much."

"I love you too, baby." I whispered, trailing my fingers over Mc's honey-colored thighs in a barely-there touch, teasing a breathless "Please" out of her pink mouth.

A corner of my mouth tugged up slightly at her wrecked state.

"Beautiful, so fucking beautiful" I eased gently into her, taking Mc's hand and interlacing our fingers, lifting our entwined hands to my mouth to press soft kisses onto her taut knuckles. "So beautiful for me."

"Only," She gasped with her lips parted. "Only for you." She smiled with her glistening sweat on her forehead, her tousled hair, and flushed cheeks.

"Only for me?" I asked softly, leaning forward and planting delicate kisses onto her eyelids which flutter shut, salty wetness escaping her eyes and rolling down her skin onto the white pillowcase below.

Lovebites, swollen lips, frenetic heartbeats.

"O-only you."

~

"Mc?"

"Mm?" A drowsy Mc hummed, laying there utterly still, her eyes hazy and body aching in a manner she seemed to be contented with slowly drifting off to sleep.

"I gotta go now," I murmured into the early morning silence of the motel room.

"I have to be there and put Richy in jai when cops will arrive..." I trailed off, no doubt checking the time on my phone screen. "A couple of hours left, so I gotta go now, baby. Is that okay?" I asked, tucking Mc under the starched bed sheets.

"Mm." Mc hummed. "I'll be waiting for you." She managed to utter comprehensively before sinking further into a deep slumber.

I, amusedly watched my adorable girlfriend weakly battle with sleep and leaned over to her.

"Good night, princess, "I whispered into her ear before kissing Mc's forehead firmly.

Feeling reluctant in detaching myself from Mc and the warmth of the bed, I dragged my unwilling body away from her and padded over to the bathroom, my heart growing heavier and heavier with every footstep I took.

Still, I forced myself to clean myself up a little in the small bathroom conjoined to the bedroom walls, using the square space to stand there, staring at myself in the slightly grimy-looking mirror. I tried to encourage myself to walk out of the bathroom, out of our motel room, and out of Mc's life.

Without evoking any loud emotion that could wake up Mc and then have her, too emotionally break down just like how my emotions seemed ready to do.

I just didn't want to let go of Mc so easily, but, to stick to our promise of temporariness. I hurriedly dried my face off with a nearby rough textured towel and promptly walked back into the room. I seek out paper and pen to hastily scrawl a goodbye message for Mc to wake up to and smile, rather than cry at my lack of presence.

Finding a ballpoint pen and a fast food restaurant receipt in the bedside drawers, I set to scribbling out a small message before tugging my black hoodie over my head and slipping my socked feet into beat-up boots, ready to leave the soon-to-be crime scene.

I hovered by Mc uncertainly before crouching down so our faces were level. A weak smile made its way onto my face as I scanned her sleeping features, feeling awed by her unbelievable ability to look so tranquil whilst sleeping.

I wished I felt how Mc looked like she felt but knowing that was impossible, I raised from my haunches and with a sigh, I placed my scribbled note onto the bedside table, then I walked away from Mc. Heading straight for the door without once longingly looking back over his shoulder.

~

I stepped out of the motel, escaping the nauseating smell of fried onions and the overwhelmingly suffocating heat with a tired sigh escaping my lips. My breath formed small clouds in the icy air and breathed out through my mouth in an attempt to keep myself calm and collected.

Who wants to break down completely in front of a sleazy motel and a shitty fast food drive-thru where drunks loiter around, wheezing out crude remarks as they loudly clink their beer bottles together.

I stand outside the rundown motel with a cigarette burning between my lips. I faced an internal battle within myself.

A part of me, my mind, told me to stop moping around and start moving back to the penthouse to prepare to face Richy and put him in jail but another part of me, my heart this time, ached painfully, reprimanding my actions and demanding me to step back into the motel and take Mc as far away as possible.

Right now, my heart overpowered my mind. Seeking Mc more than rationality but Mc's own words grounded me.

'It's only temporary.'

Her words were firm and promising to me, now I was standing there, drawing smoke into my lungs and blankly staring at the worn-down pavement.

Feeling nothing but helplessness, I shakily ran a hand through my dark locks. Conflicted I forced my feet to move one after the other along the littered pathway despite my heavy heart weighing my body down and making me utterly reluctant to move. I managed though and walked away from the motel slowly, leaving Mc, my heart, treasured memories, electrical bursts of warmth, and early morning butterfly kisses behind.

~

"So what did you say to her?" Lex asked, chewing on her lower lip, driving a silent me back to the penthouse after having Lex wake up from her sleep with a phone call.

"She was sleeping so I left her a note," I muttered now, looking out of the window of Lex's car with something akin to lose in my eyes. "I told her I'll be back but..."

"But?" Lex questioned quietly, glancing at the suddenly quiet me.

"But... That's not going to happen, is it?" I asked Lex softly. "I'm not going to be able to come back to her."

~

I slipped into my penthouse room with a facial expression unreadable and my posture hunched, I warily padded over to the edge of my unkempt bed. The bed I and Mc had laid in just a few hours ago, smiling, laughing, and feeling happy. Now feeling anything but happiness, I sat heavily on the bed and ducked my head downwards, staring at the hardwood floorboard with slight tears prickling my dull eyes.

~

.

Mc focus.

.

Waking up an hour later after Jake's departure, I finally allowed myself to cry into my pillow, marking it with salty tears and grasping tightly onto Jake's quickly scrawled note, the fast food receipt crumpled in my grasp but I didn't care. I was too endorsed in crying over my heartache despite having Jake repeatedly 'promise' to come back for me in between muttered adoring words said as we were laying in bed earlier, breathless as he leaned over and gently pushed my hair out of my dazed eyes.

Choking back sobs, I sat up in bed and drew the scratchy bedsheets closer to my body in an almost protective demeanor, gingerly unfurling my fingers to reveal the balled-up note in my hand and through tears that mar my vision. I unfolded the paper, smoothing out the wrinkles shakily and hastily wiping my tears away with the back of my hands and once again I read the message Jake had messily written to me.

"I'll be back for you, baby." I mumbled out, voice cracking at 'baby.'

I started to cry again.

~

"Hello? Who's this?" Jessy's weary voice met my ears, startling me slightly. I blinked at my best friend's voice which I seemed to have forgotten so easily over a mere span of two months.

"Jessy?" I whispered into the mouthpiece of the phone, holding the grimy handset of the phone tightly and breathing heavily. I tried to calm my breathing, finding myself on the verge of perhaps bursting out into tears once more, feeling utmostly miserable and exhausted with the past hour's emotional events.

"Mc? Is that you? fuck- Dan it's Mc!" Jessy's previously worn-out tone dissipated as one full of shock replaced a tone that Jessy used now to fire questions at me rapidly.

"Where are you, Mc? Do you know where you are? What city? Or fuck, what country? Are you in danger? Hurt? Hold on, I've got the police with me, we'll track your call so stay on the phone, alright? I've missed you so much Mc!"

And then I started to cry, fat tears rolled down my cheeks, nose unattractively runny and mouth parted as desperate sobs escaped the confines of my lungs.

But I was crying not because I missed Jessy too, or because I was glad she was coming to get me. No.

I was crying because I just remembered that I forgot to tell Jake before he left, that I loved him.

[shane-mc]

What if...? Duskwood Chapter 39

Chapter 38 ——————————————————————————————  

  *Macie POV*

 I try to let the hot water calm me down. This situation worries me a lot. I don’t know exactly what Jake is going to do now, but I hope we can find a way to protect the group.

 Have I really distracted Jake? Because of me, not being on the computer to see what happened, does the kidnapper know where they are? He told me that it had nothing to do with me… Yes. We’ll think it was nerves, his sister is in that house and he shouldn’t let anger cloud him.

Keep reading

[shane-mc]

Who I am now?

Part 15.

Pairing: Jake x Mc.

Genre: Angst, comedy, dark romance.

Warnings: Strong language, angst scenes. 18+ content. Don't read some of the parts if you're not comfortable with it loves.♡

Words: 7.8k

Author's note: This story contains mature topics and is not fully related to the duskwood game. A different parallel with different personalities. Thank you everyone for following and liking this! lly.♡ Pardon me for any mistakes loves.♡

•

.

Jake focus.

.

"Ikari?" I breathed, stilling my defenses upon seeing her grimace at the sight of me. Richy grinned at a suddenly opened me and slammed a heavy fist right on my nose, causing me to abruptly come to my senses and howl in total pain. I  roughly pushed him off, cupping his battered nose.

"Fucking son of a bitch." I hissed at Richy who was laying on the hard ground, smirking and watching me scramble to my feet. I ducked my head suddenly when my head rang out with immense pain, the barely healed baseball wound caused by that low thug.

Gripping the sides of my head in an attempt to stop the excruciating pain coursing through my temples, I managed to hear Richy snort out.

"Where's the awkward nerdy Jake?"

"Fuck off." I hissed, tasting copper-flavored blood on my tongue, unpleasantly snarling at him.

"Okay, time out for a sec," Richy coughed, making a capital T with his hands and proffering the gesture to me. I simply ignored him, staggering towards him and lifting my ready fists in the air.

Richy rolled his eyes and climbed to his feet, lazily pushing his hair off of his forehead when I pulled him in by his jacket collar.

"How about a proposition, hm?" Richy quickly offered before I could land a hit on his already bruised cheek.

"Rather than beat each other up and let all these people feed on our violence. How about we race it out, hm? We're on the race tracks so why not? If I win, I get to talk to Mc and if you win, I'll willingly let you beat me up. How does that sound?" Richy smiled lopsidedly at my fist hovering in midair.

I dropped my fist down, still clenching tightly on the front of his t-shirt. Fuck it.

"Fine, we're racing in ten minutes on the tracks. A nice, honest-to-god race. So no fucking tricks, you little shit." I warned him. "If I win, I get to beat you up to whatever extent I want and-"

"-And if win, I get to talk to Mc in private." Richy finished easily with a tone light and playful. I stared hard at the mirror image of myself for a second before violently pushing Richy away.

"See you in ten minutes nerdy." He smirked, waving a hand at me, looking all carefree and smiley despite the copious amounts of blood streaming down his nose.

I turned around, storming away from him whilst cussing him mentally. An unintentional glare and an unsatisfied curl of my lip set on my face. I marched towards Sam, Lex, Nymos, and Mc...

Mc, my Mc, who was so ready to burst into tears under my gaze. I slowed my pace down when I noticed Mc's chest rising and falling at an alarming rate. Her pink mouth was parted slightly as she was breathing in and out rapidly. Her fearful eyes widened a fraction and flit nervously between me and the people.

Still walking, I eased up on the angered expression and settled for a frown, wondering why Mc looked so nervous under my gaze.

"Mc?" I questioned carefully, nearing her but Mc didn't respond, instead, she gasped out at my oncoming presence and stumbled away. I frowned hard, trying to walk right up to her but Nymos slid up in front of me, effortlessly blocking my pathway. He discreetly coughed.

"Wipe off that pissy look on your face. You look like you're ready to beat the shit out of anyone. And no doubt, you're freaking the fuck out of Mc." Nymos ordered quietly, punctuating his point by firmly prodding my chest with his finger.

I administering his words, looked over his shoulder to see Mc hurriedly looking away, clearly not wanting to make eye contact with me. Still angered by Richy and now also feeling hurt.

I narrowed my eyes and looked at Nymos who scowled at the bloody marks marring my face.

"Look at your face." He muttered, taking my face in his grasp and turning it left and right. "Why do you have to jump into fights? Why give in to him? Why not be the better person and fucking ignore him?" He glared at me, riffling around his pockets for a tissue. I hated to admit but Nymos was right for once. But my anger didn't let me agree with him.

"Because he- you saw how he pressed himself up against Mc!" I hissed out, pushing him away and clenching my fists hard at the memory. "Don't act as if you wouldn't do that if Mc was Lex."

"Okay, fine. Fair point but listen, Jake, you most certainly do not have the right to make this stupid race. Because of you being an unthoughtful idiot, you're hurt. And fuck, you've got a girlfriend who's fucking scared shitless of you. Well done on handling the situation, bro!" Nymos sarcastically muttered, passing the tissue to me, pointing at my nose, and indicating me to mop up my nosebleed.

I pressed the tissue against my nose, my eyes flitting back to Mc who was rubbing at her forearm uncertainly as Nymos and Lex walked her somewhere and were telling her inaudible things.

"Let me talk to her," I said suddenly, messily wiping my nose with my eyes still trained on mc.

"Nymos handling it- Wait, Jake!"

I ignored Sam's warning yell and strode over to Mc, fixing up the bloody sheen smeared on my upper lip.

"Mc,"

She looked up with her eyes widening at my presence.

"Can we talk a little?" I asked, looking over at Lex and Nymos, mentally urging them to back off temporarily. Lex sighed and Nymos rolled his eyes but they understood my request and slowly walked away despite the longing look in Mc's eyes following after them.

"Are you okay?" I started. "You look freaked out," I muttered, dabbing at the bleeding cut on my lips. I didn't miss the way Mc frowned at the sight of the bloodied tissue in my hand.

"Jake, of course, I'd be freaked out. I just saw my suddenly scary boyfriend beat Richy."

"He was saying shit to you-"

"But that doesn't mean I want you to hit him and get hit in return. Just look at your face, Jake! I understand you hate him because he hurt your sister. But violence isn't the freaking answer! That psycho expects it!" Mc exclaimed exasperated,

"Beating him up will only satisfy his expectations and won't do anything to the things you hold over him and the things he holds over you!"

"Fucking hell! Just save it, Mc," I groaned, "I already heard this all from Nymos."

"Then you should understand this than dismiss it as bullshit-"

"I'm not fucking dismissing it!" I suddenly roared, closing in on Mc by taking a step closer, pressing myself up against a stiffened Mc who looked at me with fear in her beautiful eyes. But I was blinded by anger to see it.

"I know I shouldn't fucking fight him but I can't help it! Fuck, seeing him try to talk to you makes me fucking angry. Because he thinks he has a fucking right to talk to you when he doesn't have a godamn right!" I gritted my teeth with rage overwhelming me.

"Seeing you beat him up wasn't even the thing that 'freaked' me out the most. It was seeing you so angry, so angry and immersed in it that I couldn't pull you away until I made eye contact and begged you to stop."

I still held on to that anger but I felt it slowly, slowly dwindle at Mc's words and timid facial expression. I stared hard at Mc who chewed on her lower lip momentarily to stop herself from crying.

"I don't know why it's a surprise to me. I just-" Mc breathed out shakily. "Sometimes, I forget that anger and violence are a big part of your life."

That hit me hard in the chest.

"Mc-"

The anger swirling in the very pit of my stomach stopped completely when Mc took a step back, nervously biting her lip and looking at me.

"I don't feel like being here anymore. Can we go back to the hotel?" Mc mumbled, grabbing ahold of the bmw door handle and tugging it open, not waiting for my reply.

"Hey, Mc-" I tried to say, watching Mc slip into the passenger seat of my car and closed the door quietly behind me.

Frustrated, I groaned at the sight before looking over at Nymos, Lex, and Sam who stand not too far away, disapproving and unimpressed looks on their faces. Rather on edge, I run a hand through my locks.

"Fuck this. Fuck all this."

Nymos sighed, pushing himself off Lex's side and dragging his feet towards me with his hand outstretched.

"Pass me the keys," Nymos yawned, "Race in Sam's car, and I will take her home." He mumbled, rolling his eyes.

I nodded, shoving my hand into my leather jacket's pockets to pull out my set of keys but the words Mc's had told me a few minutes ago come into mind, abruptly halting me.

'Beating him up will only satisfy his expectations and won't do anything to the things you hold over him and the things he holds over you.'

'Seeing you beat him up wasn't even the thing that 'freaked me out the most. It was seeing you so angry.'

"What? Fuck Richy," I hissed suddenly, turning away and rounding the car's bonnet quickly. "I will get in jail when he least expects it," I explained over my shoulder, yanking the driver's seat door open and looking over at Sam.

"Tell that fucker that he won't ever get as close to Mc as he did today," I ordered, sliding into the driver's seat and slamming the door shut after me.

I started up the engine feeling tense, I peeked at Mc who was sitting silently, staring down at her shoes.

After a few minutes we arrived at the penthouse. Mc walked through the spacious living room to our shared bedroom, filing into the shower wordlessly and shutting the door behind. I trailed after her, wanting Mc to say something, anything. But Mc solemnly moved away from me.

It's been like this for our drive back to the penthouse. A quiet Mc resting her upper body on the window's ledge, listlessly looking out of the window whilst J driving through the busying roads, listening in on the wind whistling in through the open window and internally wishing for Mc to speak up.

Now, I slouched by the front door, watching Mc disappear into our room without a word spoken between us.

Disappointment burrowed into my chest. I sighed, dragging my feet through the penthouse with keys jangling in my hand.

Not knowing what to do, I slumped on the couch, aimlessly picking up the remote and switching it. I shrugged off my stiff leather jacket, feeling my body aching in protest. I sighed switching the large flatscreen tv on and flipping through the channels whilst thinking about how to possibly confront Mc. How to talk to her and tell her she's right.

Because yeah, my anger gets in the way and yeah, violence isn't the answer and yeah, I am an idiot.

I didn't know how to get that across when Mc seemed to ignore me, choosing to shower again.

Hearing the taps of the bathtub flow with water, I slouched further into the corner of the couch and sighed, cupping the side of my pained face, blankly staring at the program giving on tv.

I'm a huge idiot. The world's biggest idiot. I should've been smarter and walked away with Lex and Mc. But fuck, no. I'm really stupid. I groaned, massaging my bruised jaw gently.

But fuck, it felt so fucking good to hit that loser's face. I mean yeah, Mc's right: violence is not the answer. Yeah.

I didn't want to scare Mc and I didn't want to get involved in a stupid race with Richy. But I did it all in the end and now look where I am. Bruised up, weary, and desperately needing Mc to talk to me right now.

The feelings of rage and frustration have long since dissipated. Leaving only depression and longing for Mc to fill my heart which inflated further with the need to nuzzle into the warm junction connecting Mc's neck and shoulder and engorge myself on her homely scents.

I brought both hands to my face, groaning out at how fucking desperate J am to get Mc to talk to me and know that I am not a threat, that I won't crush her or pain her in any way.

I'd never do that to Mc, even if she hurts me first. I wouldn't have the guts to inflict anything painful on the girl, whom I cared for so deeply.

I'm so fucking weak for her.

Sighing in defeat, I dropped my hands from my face and started to watch the television show but also not watch it at the same time.

After five minutes of listlessly watching the national news, my attention flitted to my phone lying on the couch when it started to ring loudly. I attended the call, placing the device to my ear.

"Are you okay? I didn't get to talk to you before we left for the hotel." Lex suddenly asked with worry-filled in her voice.

"I'm fine yeah," I assured.

"Are you sure? Hey, I know you're worried about Mc because he's here." Lex mumbled quietly.

"No, it's fine. I won't let him near Mc ever again."

"And he won't talk to Mc, Jake. Because he lost- Sam didn't call off the race, he raced for you and of course. The top racer won and instead of beating him up as the prize, Sam got him to promise to not come near either of us." Lex murmured, distantly, sounding preoccupied with something.

"Yeah?"

Let's hope he sticks to this promise or else I will end up killing him before sending him to jail.

"Yeah. You went freaking crazy with Richy back there." Lex replied with concern filled in her voice.

"I'm fine, but-" I mumbled, feeling my mind drifting back to Mc. "But I- it's just...Mc. I scared Mc away and now she won't talk to me." I said, almost whining. "Said violence isn't the key and I agreed and all but now she won't let me speak to her because she's too busy avoiding me."

"Well, what do you expect? You looked as if you were possessed. Continuously whacking the living daylights out of Richy on the back of that truck. It was fucking scary as hell." Lex sighed, sounding exasperated, "Just pass her the phone, Jake. I will talk to her."

Relieved by Lex's request to convince Mc, I heaved myself off of the couch and wandered into my shared bedroom with Mc.

Walking in and heading over to the bathroom whilst internally praying that Lex wi work effective magic on Mc. I stopped at the closed-off bathroom, steadily taking a deep breath in. I knocked lightly on the door.

"Mc? Lex's on the phone and she wants to talk to you."

Listening to the sounds echo behind the door, I took a step away from the bathroom and waited for Mc to open the door. She did that five seconds later, gingerly opening the door enough to allow her arm to poke through.

Expecting to see Mc fully, I was slightly perplexed at the hand outstretched towards me but dropped my phone into the open palm, watching small fingers enclose the device and pull away before closing the door shut with a soft click.

Sighing at the lack of words said by Mc, I bother to go back into the living room area, instead, I walked to the king-sized bed and flopped backward, wincing when my pained head came in contact with the springy mattress.

I need paracetamol.

I propped the back of my head up gently by sliding my arm beneath it. Although noted in my array of thoughts, my head hurts too much to go find any painkilling tablets so I settled for staring up at the baby chandelier hanging over my eyes.

.

Mc focus.

.

"Lex?" I murmured into the phone, padding away from the door and walking over to the nearly full bathtub.

When Lex started to talk into the phone, I padded away from the noisy waters to the neat dressing area of the massive bathroom space. turning on the speakerphone and placing the phone on a shelf loaded with complimentary cosmetics.

"Hey Mc, Jake told me he scared you away. Is that true?" Lex asked blatantly, causing me to still my movements.

"Yeah. You saw him when he was fighting. It was scary." I chewed on my lower lip thoughtfully, tugging my top off and letting the garment drop to the floor with a soft rustle shortly afterward.

"Yeah, I know," Lex's voice audibly softened.

"But, listen Mc. Put yourself in Jake's shoes. Don't you think you'd get angry too if you saw someone sick and dangerous trying to talk with him?" Lex questioned, I stayed mum, thinking through.

I understand Jake's rage. Yeah, I would feel pretty angry but...

"Yeah, I'd feel angry but not angry enough to go berserker and nearly kill someone!" I exclaimed, taking off the rest of my clothes.

"Okay, good point," Lex replied before humming. "When people deeply hurt his friends and family members. Jake gets super mad only because he's protective over them. He doesn't want us hurt which is why he takes it upon himself to act as our protector and defend us." Lex sighed.

"Which isn't necessary at all but that's just how Jake acts in these types of situations. It's sort of like his defense mechanism." She hummed wistfully. "But you, yourself should know he isn't vicious like that, if you're worried about him hurting you in any way, don't be. Jake could never hurt someone like you. He adores you too much." Lex whispered into the speaker of the phone, stopping my ministrations once again and making me stare hard in thought at the shiny marble tiles beneath my toes.

I know that and I also know he wouldn't purposefully hurt me. He'd never do that. If that's the case Mc, why are you avoiding him like he's the freaking plague?

I bent down to pick up my strewn clothing, eyes lidding slightly as I was staring at the slightly crumpled garments in my hands.

"Yeah. I know that."

"I understand you're upset by Jake's actions but Mc, he told me he wants to talk to you but you keep avoiding him. Talk to him once and see what he has to say, alright?"

"Okay," I mumbled, hanging my bundle of worn clothes on the brass hooks drilled into the wall and taking the fluffy complimentary bathrobe in exchange, shrugging it on and wrapping it around my bare skin.

"I gotta go now, black shadow is coming on to showcase," Lex explained excitedly, sounding slightly like a hyped-up fan. "I'll talk to you in the evening."

"Okay bye, Lex." I smiled, hanging up and switching Jake's phone off. Now, I should probably move towards the door and hand it back to Jake but I just stood there, holding his phone and thinking through Lex's explanation on behalf of Jake.

.

Jake focus.

.

Regretfully, my head sharply jerks to the side at the sound of the bathroom door slowly creaking open bringing my attention to the figure standing by the doorway. Mc was wearing a thigh-length white bathrobe that complimented her honey-colored skin tone perfectly. Her long dark hair looked soft and bouncy.

At the sight of a nervous Mc fidgeting by the doorway, I jumped off the bed startled, and cleared my throat whilst ignoring the immense pain wreaking throughout my entire head. I halfheartedly smiled at Mc but she looked away in response.

"You can have your phone back."

It wasn't something I had envisioned Mc says to me after speaking to Lex. I had expected, no, I hoped Mc to fall for Lex's very convincing words and understand my actions. but it seemed to have had the opposite effect on Mc who now outstretched a hand holding my phone, indicating me to take the device.

"O-oh." I breathed out, dragging myself warily to her, feeling pretty heavy-hearted, taking my phone back and shoving it into the back pocket of my jeans. With a soft sigh escaping my lips, I looked at Mc to see her studying me silently, something unrecognizable in her eyes.

"I'll leave you to it," I muttered, pointing behind Mc at the ready bubble bath. She nodded, looking down at her bare feet. Knowing I wouldn't get a reply, I coughed out.

"Alright then, bye." I turned around and idiotically reached up to scratch the back of my neck, about to walk away when Mc suddenly spoke up.

"You should clean the cuts on your face."

Mid-scratching my neck, I looked over my shoulder at Mc.

"Oh, um. Yeah."

"Do you want me to do it? I saw a first-aid box here somewhere."

"Do you know how to clean them?"

"Yes and no but I can manage."

I nodded at yer sincere offer. She moved away from the door, allowing me to walk into the bathroom.

A whiff of roses hit me hard as soon as I entered the bathroom, the smell emanating from the rose-tinted water pooling in the porcelain bathtub.  Ignoring the bubbles practically teeming out from the tub. I blindingly followed after Mc who made a beeline to the mirror cabinet, pulling out a small first aid box.

"Sit on that stool," Mc ordered, opening the aid box. I located a small lone stool by the dressing area and sat down on it.

I dragged my gaze towards Mc, who was busy unpacking clear packets of plasters and sanitary wipes whilst subconsciously mumbling things to herself. A corner of my mouth tugged up in a small half smile and not wanting to disrupt the rather cutely focused Mc I looked away.

"Have you taken painkillers?" Mc queried, ripping one of the sanitary wipes open.

"No, don't worry just slap a couple of plasters over after wiping them clean," I replied, resisting the urge to quirk an eyebrow up at her.

"Okay, then," Mc murmured, too concentrated on unfolding the damp wipe and wandering over to me at the same time. Once she was there, standing between my spread legs, she focused her gaze on me.

"Look up." She mumbled towering over me, I was the height of her chest sitting down on that stool.

I willingly craned my neck upwards with a small, patient smile on my face. I stared up at Mc who suddenly can't seem to breathe with me looking at her so warmly. I could see her feeling shy as she gingerly placed her hand under my chin. I held my head up so she could have access to my various wounds. Focused Mc took the cool wet wipe and gently cleaned my face of any dried blood and gritty dirt.

I cringed at the ice-cold sensation lathering itself onto my skin but I stayed still for her. Wetting my dry lils I decided to speak softly, breaking the thin layer of silence between us.

"So are we. Ah well. Are we good?"

Mc didn't look me in the eye when she murmurs.

"I think so."

"You." I paused so Mc could wipe the crusted blood off my jutting lower lip. "Think so?" I asked, tilting my head to the side a little so Mc could access my jaw better next.

"Yeah, I mean," Mc bit her lip, folding the tissue up and binning it in the nearby waste bin before returning her gaze to me.

"Your anger was irrational and pretty scary but I know." Mc walked away to grab a handful of plasters and a tube of antiseptic cream from the first aid box.

"You're not really like that. I know you'd never hurt me like that and I know you didn't mean to scare me. And I'm sorry you have every right to be angry at him, and if hitting him makes you feel better then hit him, I guess." Mc mumbled, walking back over to me, and fiddling with the plasters in her hands. She looked up, with little watery eyes.

"But just don't go too far okay?"

I took her by the wrists then, firmly pulling a tearful Mc towards me and made her plonk onto my lap before reaching up to cup the side of Mc's face.

"Hey, hey, don't cry."

"Easier said than done," Mc mumbled, wiping a few tears roughly with the back of her balled fists.

"Look, baby, you're right. I give in to Richy by hitting him," I sighed, swiping a thumb under her wet eyes. "Don't tell me to hit him because you're correct. I shouldn't beat him up, I shouldn't get angry and I shouldn't even bother hating him anyway. Do you know why? Because you're helping me to forget all the bad things that had happened to me, Hannah, and everyone." I murmured with my hand trailing up to her soft locks. I couldn't tell her that he was after her. She would get too anxious and I can't bear to see that right now.

"What's the point of hating on him when I could use that time to love you instead?"

"Did you just-"

"Hey, Mc?"

"Y-yeah?"

"I love you so so much."

A stunned Mc switched the waterworks on to full blast.

"Oh god, Mc you're meant to say I love you back not wail in my ear." I laughed, poking her side playfully when a crying Mc refused to retract from my neck.

"I love you too Jake. So, so much.."

After a long five-minute period, Mc stopped crying. She fixed up my battered face with carefully applied plasters and ointment. Two plasters were decorating my cheek. There were several applications of antiseptic cream littering the whole of my face.

"There." A satisfied Mc leaned in to peck my lips before pulling away a millisecond later to cringe at the waxy taste of medical cream on her lips.

"All done." She hummed, wriggling off my lap to pack away the tube of cream and leftover plasters in the first aid box.

Grimacing at the taste of antiseptic cream adorning the cut on my lip, I watched Mc push the first aid box back into the sink cabinet.

"Were there any meds in there?" I asked referring to the first aid box. Mc shook her head.

"Only bandages and creams, maybe we probably have some in the kitchen," Mc suggested lightly, standing up and walking in the direction of the still-warm bathtub.

"Go find them. I have to bathe now." She hummed, parting the curtain that circularly surrounded the bathtub, and entered the bath area. Her body was immediately blurred by the iridescent, slightly transparent curtain. The curtains were made to connote privacy, but the shimmery material of the curtain failed to do its job allowing a hawk-eyed me to animatedly watch a blurry Mc tug at the belt securing his bathrobe. I cleared my throat loudly.

"But what if I wanna bathe too?"

Already knowing Mc would say no, I heaved myself off of the stool, chuckling at my words, and walked towards the bathroom door. I was about to excuse myself but I heard Mc's voice.

"Then come join me."

My grip curled around the doorknob of the door falters at her words. Startled I looked over my shoulder to see that through the curtain, Mc's blurred figure shrugged off the complimentary hotel bathrobe and let the garment fall freely to the tiled ground. My mouth suddenly went dry.

"Wait, w-what?" It was my turn to stutter now.

"I said then come join me"." Mc chuckled making me swallow the lump in my throat and intently watch a light-tanned figure step into the bathtub. I listened to Mc cooing over how nice the bubbles smelled.

"I-I uh- I- Mc-"

"Hm?"

"Are you for real?" I sputtered out.

"Mhm. So are you coming in or not?"

My grip on the doorknob slipped right off as I walked over to the curtain-shrouded bathtub, eagerly tugging off my ripped jeans and dirty shirt.

"Fuck yeah " I excitedly whispered under my breath and ditched my clothes along the way but leaving my boxers on in case she freaks out on me. I slipped in through the barely there curtain and. immediately started laughing when all I saw in the mess of bubbles was her dark locks and a grin aimed especially at my heart.

.

Mc focus.

.

"Are you just gonna stand there and laugh or are you gonna come in?" I queried teasingly lifting a foot in the air and wriggling my toes playfully.

"Be careful of your cuts though they might sting."

I looked away when Jake smoothly climbed into the bathtub and settled on the opposite end of the bathtub, facing a pink-cheeked me. I tried to distract myself from staring at Jake's incredible body by blowing at a couple of bubbles decorating my nose.

Once successful in blowing the bubble away, I dragged my gaze upwards to see Jake staring at me with one toned arm propped up on the ledge of the bathtub casually and the other arm busy slicking his black hair off of his forehead.

Jake caught me staring and quirked an eyebrow up with a small smile settling on his lips when I slid further into the bubbles with my cheeks glowing red.

Oh god, what was I thinking when I invited him in? What did I think we'd do? Shampoo each other's hair and make bubble beards or do something hot and heavy?

I only wanted to stay in his company for a little while longer but what do I do in his company? Inviting him in, was a last-minute decision and I can't tell if I regret it or not.

"Mc." I looked up and once again I was frazzled by Jake's slicked-back hair and glorious wet torso. Fuck, never mind. I don't regret this, I don't regret this at all.

"Come here." Jake smiled at me.

Fucking hell...

.

Jake focus.

.

Mc sat up, feeling sorta shy at the fact that her chest is completely revealed to my eyes and that I can see her nipples effectively hardening at the sudden coldness wrapping around her.

The army of small bubbles part where Mc waded through the scented water, linked up with the white foam trailing behind her. Bubbles adorned her fingertips, her waist, and her shoulders. The little soap and water all glistened under the hotel bathroom's fluorescent lighting.

"Nearly there now." I teased Mc's slowness, she just huffed at this. I held my breath when Mc smiled at me softly, casually slotting her body between my parted legs and wrapping her thin arms around my neck, and reaching it behind to fiddle with the dark hair at my nape.

"You know, you're so lovely, Jake. So damn lovely." Mc murmured dazedly, running her fingers up and down the back of my hair strands, slipping through her digits carelessly.

"Yeah?" I mumbled against the expanse of Mc's honey-colored neck, pushing my lips and gently brushing them against her skin. Mc shivered at the light, teasing, almost their touch, she curled into my touch, seeking more.

Noticing this I smiled placing my hands on her hips, fingertips catching onto her smooth skin. Mc looked at me with slightly lidded eyes and a parted mouth, looking at me as if I was the only human left, alongside herself, on this planet.

I cocked my head to the left, dragging my curious gaze down Mc's body. Her tiny torso was instantly marveled at by an eager me. I kept the idea of teasing her erect nipples in mind, looking further down, and smiling harder at the baby belly Mc wore around his gut. This a good indicator that she was finally eating well.

I claimed her hips with my hands, rubbing the pads of my thumbs over her hip bones, creating random shapes.

"Lovely Jake," Mc slurred in a love-drunk haze. I quirked an eyebrow. When she lifted a hand to my collarbones, slowly running her index finger over the jutting bone, following the curve of the bone down to my chest and down to defined muscles that tensed under her touch. With her hands still on my abdomen, hesitant to go any further. She made this clear to me by flickering her gaze upwards, blinking up at me through her thick set of lashes.

"Do you want to...?" I ventured, soothingly rubbing firm circles onto her skin. Mc readily nodded.

"Yeah, I want to. I wanna do it, Jake."

"Okay, baby."

The corner of my mouth tugged upwards at this. I moved one hand from Mc's hip and grasped the hand stilled at my stomach, guiding the hand of the rather breathless Mc down further. Feeling overwhelmed, she scrunched with her eyes tight shut when she probably felt my happy trail under her fingertip, delving beneath the wristband of my boxers. I smirked at this.

So fucking cute.

I unfurled Mc's fingers before settling her palm over the semi-hard appendage between my legs. Mc with her eyes still firmly shut, gasped out quietly before quickly clasping her pink mouth shut.

Smirking, I leaned forward towards Mc's neck, mouthing a few kisses up her skin before stopping just under her jaw, choosing this particular spot to relentlessly nip it playfully.

"Ja-" Mc started, shuddering slightly as I proceeded to press my lips against the tiny groove made on her neck by my incisor, sucking the area slightly as she whined at my hand entwining with hers. eagerly helping her to palm at my cock.

"Pretty baby. So pretty for me, Mc," I murmured, deeming the love bite now decorating her neck dark enough. Satisfied, I traveled upwards, peppering small kisses along Mc's jaw until I neared her lips.

Mc, the only thing she was relatively confident in, reached up with her free hand to cup my face before taking me by the lips, enthusiastically kissing me, whilst with my guidance timidly stroking up the length of my cock.

With a thin line of saliva connecting our lips, I pulled away at the sensation of Mc's feather-light touches on my cock, groaning and moaning lowly. I gazed at her with a playful look. She gulped hard under my steady gaze. She gingerly repeated the action, shyly wanting to hear more quiet moans cascading from my lips.

I stopped her, nudging my girlfriend's hand away and getting things fully underway by running my fingers down Mc's baby belly to her sensitive place, shamelessly rubbing my fingers against her sensitive place, eliciting a low whine to emanate from Mc's mouth.

"I'm not gonna go further than this, okay, baby?" I explained, rubbing my fingertip on the sensitive place of Mc. Her chest was rising in surprise.

"I don't wanna have our first time together unplanned. Is that okay, or?" I voiced out, placing a hand on Mc's soft thigh and gripping the flesh, pulling her onto my lap.

Mc, already unconsciously rocking against my cock, nodded frantically, wanting to get touched already.

"Touch me already," Mc mumbled, lowering her head. I chuckled at her whining.

"I heard you baby, but I'm gonna let you take the lead in this. Come on, use your pretty hands on both of us." I ordered with a hoarse voice, watching a willing and eager Mc curl her hand around my erection and lower her hand to her sensitive place, using both hands, set at the same slow but firm tempo. I was greeted with moans spilling out from both me and Mc.

"Ja-Jake." She moaned fisting my erections hurriedly. "Fu-fuck."

"Doing so good for me," I murmured in her ear, "So damn good." I groaned gutturally, making Mc shudder as she continued pumping her fist up and down.

It was not long before Mc's breathing quickened, her stomach convulsed and her eyes squeezes shut as she violently cummed. Shortly afterward, a tired Mc stilled her movements completely on my still-hard cock and fell forwards onto my shoulder, breathing hard against damp skin.

"Tired, baby?" I chuckled, raising a hand to brush my fingers through her long damp hair.

"No, hold on, I will-" Mc tried to protest but I didn't allow her to continue.

"It's okay, Mc." I hummed, running my digits through her hair, calming her. She fluttered her eyes shut and wrapped an arm around my neck, pulling me close when she sleepily nuzzled into my neck, sniffing my scents. I chuckled, patting her hair gently.

.

Nymos focus.

.

Swinging my denim jacket over my shoulder and holding onto the black rose in my hand, I walked into the nightclub hired by the committee of the illegal races and grinned at all the females and males eying me up. But although I flashed bright grins at them all, my attention was somewhere else completely. My attention focused on a certain small girl who made both my heart and cock swell double the size.

My eyes hurriedly scanned over the crowd, looking for Lex but it was difficult to see someone as small as my not-so-girlfriend. I gave up within five seconds and instead ran a hand through my newly dyed blue hair. Turning to Sam's side I rolled my eyes.

"Where's Lex?"

Sam checked his phone lock screen and looked up, yelling.

"Fifteen minutes! Are you gonna to see her? You're a bold fucker!"

Nodding, I pulled away from him and shoved a hand lazily into the pockets of my jeans before turning around to meet the group of 'fake fans' of Sam's. These fake fans perked up immediately, sultry looks were applied on their faces as they were showing off their best assets. Be it their butt or chest, or tiny waist, I was intrigued by neither.

I wished good luck to Sam before making my way through the dancing crowd, ignoring the piles of sweaty bodies attacking me and the stench of sweet alcohol that assaulted my sense of smell.

I had left Mc and Jake back at the hotel because both of them had decided to nap after their bath and refused to wake up even after Sam loudly sang the baby shark song. I picked my way through the crowd alone, heading over to the conjoining corridor where several doors were set into the wall. It's not simple to just walk in. Stocky bodyguards were situated around the opening of the corridor, all black-suited and wearing strict looks on their faces. And soon enough I saw her walking towards me, wearing a tight black dress, and cursing the damn heels she was wearing.

"Nymos what the hell are you doing here, and why are you holding black roses for?" She asked, rolling her eyes.

"Do you know who else I buy ugly black roses for?"

"Black roses aren't ugly," Lex argued, taking the single flower from me and rubbing the pad of her thumb over one of the gloriously colored petals.

"They're an eyesore." I retorted, staring at her beautiful face.

"You're an eyesore."

"Real mature, Lex, real mature." I rolled my eyes. Lex chuckled, looking down.

"I'm kidding and thanks for the rose." She murmured, giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. I smiled at the kiss and leaned my head down to rest my forehead against hers, forgetting about us not being together anymore. 

"I missed you, during those months."

"Stop it, Nymos. Don't say it in such a moment." She murmured, sounding distant while twirling the rose slowly in her hand. I pulled away from the smaller one, frowning slightly.

"What's wrong? You are not feeling well?" I queried, sounding concerned. I bent my knees slightly to come face to face with Lex and examine her rather pasty complexion. Growing a tad bit worried, I pressed a hand to her forehead, attempting to check her temperature but Lex pushed my hand away gently.

"I'm just worried about Ikari."

"What do you mean?" I questioned, straightening up and frowning down at her.

"Earlier, when Jake and Mc were talking after the fight, Ikari kept eyeing them up and she looked curious. I don't know, but I think she'll try to do something." Lex explained, exasperated. "I don't want her to break Jake again, not when he's finally happy with Mc."

"Mhm," I hummed, folding my arms over my chest. "Knowing her, she'll try something but I don't know." I grinned at her. "Mc and Jake aren't as brittle as you think, Lex. Because I left them when the both of them were cuddled up to each other and in deep sleep."

"Yeah?" Lex sounded unconvinced.

"Yeah," I pressed firmly, "Whatever Ikari does, I'm sure they will power through it and what makes you think Jake will let Ikari go anywhere near Mc? He's around Mc 24/7." I chuckled.

"Good point," Lex commented, turning and walking towards the dressing table. She stood by the mirror, looking at me through the mirror with a heavy sigh escaping from her pink mouth, "Don't think we're okay and back to being a perfect duo that never existed Nymos. I'm just stressed and you're the only one who knows how to calm me down."

I watched Lex gnaw on the inside of her cheek when she set the black flower down on the oak table's surface.

"You made it clear yesterday after you came in my room and sp-"

She didn't let me finish by pressing her lips onto mine.

.

Ikari focus.

.

Making sure my drink doesn't spill over my wine-colored leather jacket, I made my way to the DJ, climbing up the metal skeleton of a staircase leading up to his risen platform and smiling flirtatiously at the male. I flipped my hair.

"Hi honey, mind if I stand here for a little while?" I hummed in his ear when he took off his clunky headphones, grinning blearily at me. I nodded excitedly, not bothering to speak because he was too busy maniacally jerking his body to the beat and smiling like a high drug addict.

I smiled and walked to the thin railing surrounding the decks, leaning over the metal poles with my drink slightly sloshing around in my cup. There was a reason why I conducted myself to stand at the DJ's platform. The heightened space allowed me to easily access the crowd below and let my eyes drag over their faces, trying to identify one as a familiar brunette and my ex-boyfriend.

But it was to no avail. Thousands of people crowd the basement space, all pushing and pulling into each other and the red soft glow doesn't make it easier. I didn't let up though. I scanned the people's blurred faces at the bar silently and tilted my head to glance at the people who dance below me. I wanted to find out about this mysterious girl and label the relationship she have with Jake.

Who is this girl and why did Jake look so concerned about her earlier on? Is she a family member? A friend? A girlfriend of Sam's? Or is she Jake's girlfriend? If she's his girlfriend then wow. Jake managed to move on and find someone else. How unexpected. I chuckled softly, taking a sip of the sweet cocktail in my glass.

Ten points to Jake for choosing a real looker, J mused, remembering back to the dispute between Jake and Richy earlier at the quarry. I had noted her rather pretty presence after the racing proposition was made. When Jake had stormed off and immediately headed over to the girl, speaking earnestly with her. Whilst watching them converse with interest swirling inside me. I asked one of my friends to find out about her.

Now waiting for the informant to get back to me. I took my time to try and identify the female myself. Only it seems that neither Jake nor the female was here tonight. I easily spotted their friends. Sam, Nymos, and Lex had just entered the club with their hands locked together. How pathetic. But where are Jake and that girl?

Sighing in, perhaps, defeat, I half-heartedly watched people in black uniforms hurry all over the impressive stage, fixing up equipment pieces at the last minute before showtime. The stage constructed especially for tonight's artists is spacious and large, big enough for the singers and rappers to move about freely and interact with the audience should they wish to.

I tapped my manicured orange nail against the glass in my hand, the tinny tapping noise drowned out by the r&b music pouring into the nightclub's atmosphere.

I raised an unimpressed brow at them before turning around to look back at the dance floor where the audience broke out in a frenzy. All swiveling their head around just in time to see white tendrils of smoke caress the stage floor, creating an ethereal and solemn appearance.

I rest my elbow on the railing and cupped my cheek, smirking at Sam who lifted his hands in the air, beckoning for the crowd to scream some more. You couldn't see his face but you know he was smirking at the roar of his audience.

Blinding white strobe lights fly around eagerly over his and the crowd's heads, adding just the tiniest bit more excitement with their quick movement.

I started cheering when Sam brought the black microphone to his mouth, wetting his lips, and started up his made rap that meshed well with the soundtrack, causing the people to scream once again. Now I and Sam might have had enmity between us ever since I first started dating Jake, but I can't deny the fact that his performances on the streets as a racer and rapper are highly entertaining and his enormous stage presence is just incredible.

My admiration for Sam's talent got abruptly halted when my phone vibrated against my side. Looking down and pulling out my phone from my pocket. I swiped right at the notification sent to me by my informant.

My lips quirked upwards, patiently waiting for the message to load.

B: From what I've gathered from the hotel's room service they're "a pretty loved up, young couple."

B: I also found out about the girl's identity. Check it out on the link I've sent you.

B: [attached weblink]

Curious, I clicked on the web link and sipped my drink, waiting for the webpage to load. Seconds later the screen loaded to reveal a news article's bold headline and starring photograph which made my eyebrows raise in surprise as I stared at the missing girl photo.

"Oh wow, Jake."

[shane-mc]

What if...? Duskwood Chapter 38

Chapter 37 ——————————————————————————————

*Macie POV*

 It was my fault. He didn’t know when they would be, but obviously they would be at the house. He only needed confirmation that the phone was already in the position. Or worse… Perhaps he had followed them from afar. But it was all my fault. From the beginning. Why is he continuing with this? I don’t get it, they’re not a threat. And he already has Hannah! Why do he want to torture me like this?! What have I done to him?! I look at the screen and see that it is still dark.

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[shane-mc]

This is my favorite chapter so far!!! 😍😍😍

What if...? Duskwood Chapter 37

Chapter 36 ——————————————————————————————  

*Macie POV*

I feel like a fool for getting so angry and nervous. But at the same time, the guilt of not having been paying attention drags me down. The more I talked to Thomas, the more I calmed down. He loves Hannah very much and fears that she is dead. Like Richy. He’s freaking out every time we find out something else, powerless not to do something. I read the chat I’ve had with him.

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[shane-mc]

Who I am now?

Part 14.

Pairing: Jake x Mc.

Genre: Angst, comedy, dark romance.

Warnings: Strong language, angst scenes. 18+ content can be found. Long chapter.

Words: 11k

Author's note: This story contains mature topics and is not fully related to the duskwood game. A different parallel with different personalities. I wrote half of the chapter during the night so pardon me for the mistakes. Take your time reading it. And I'm really sorry for too long chapter, I couldn't split it because of the events. Thank you!♡

•

.

Mc focus.

.

We were currently standing outside the apartment building after Jake received a call saying that a car was outside, parked and ready for his use. Now we were standing by the car with an open-roof jeep and I waited for Jake to finish the call and give me some attention. I stared at the sky, recalling the last night's memories, smiling harder.

-last night-

"W-what did you just say?" I whispered softly with my back still turned to his front.

"I said, I love you, Mc." He replied quietly, loosening his arms around my waist. I eased myself out of his arms and turned around so I could see his face and confirm that this wasn't just a joke but a genuine confession.

"It was so hard for me too, Mc." Jake sighed heavily. "It was hard to hold me from telling the truth. From showing you my love and my promise to get back to you. You have no idea how painful it was. To have you here but not have you in my life.you." He looked into my eyes, licking his dry lips slowly.

"I had to do it because you were in danger even if you didn't know it. But if I turned up to you as Jake, you would've ignored the danger and focused on me." He shifted around nervously. I was completely frozen. My limbs refused to move and my breath was caught in the back of my throat as I was staring at him. He was genuine about it, I could've seen it in his expression.

"I hated seeing you sad, it made me feel upset because I couldn't tell you who I am. But then you started to make me feel kinda relaxed and alive around you. It was when you probably figured it who I was. I just wanted to say sorry and that I love you, Mc."

I really couldn't believe what I was hearing right now.

"On the train ride here, I realized that it would be too dangerous to tell you anything. But I'm happy because you know who I am now. I know this is messed up but I'm so fucking in love with you, Mc. You have no idea." Jake turned his head a little, smushing the side of his face further into the pillow, laughing quietly."This is so fucked up but. Y-yeah."

I let out the breath I was struggling to contain when Jake finished with finality in his tone. We were quiet for a second. Jake was waiting for me to say something and I waited for words to escape my suddenly dry mouth.

"What are you thinking, Mc?"

"I'm thinking that this is all a dream," I finally breathed out. "And when I wake up, I'm gonna be back in my real bed, and Jessy yelling at me to wake up," I mumbled in a hazy tone before closing my eyes.

I heard Jake chuckling beside me and soon felt his fingers scrape against my cheek before pinching my cheek slightly. Causing me to open my eyes with confusion.

"I guess you're not dreaming," Jake concluded when I just stared up at him with eyes widening.

"W-what?" I replied, startled. "Then is this a joke? Jake, I swear-"

"I wouldn't joke about something like that. You know that I'm serious. I love you."

I bit my lower lip, staring at him.

"S-say it again."

"The I love you?" Jake asked with a tired small smile. I blushed before, nodding.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"I know you do."

"I know you know I do, I just felt like I had to say it." I croaked out, still finding the fact that Jake did everything to save me from the danger unbelievable, in a good way.

-present time-

Biting my lip to stop smiling so widely, I cast my head downwards and fiddled with my hoodie's drawstrings.

"Having fun there?" Jake asked, pocketing his phone and regarding me with a quirked eyebrow. Feeling his gaze, I looked up shyly. Yeah, it was different now that we both knew about each other's identities.

"Mhm." I hummed distractedly. I couldn't believe that Jake and I are here and that we confessed yesterday.

"Alright, let's get a move on already. We have an excited Lex calling every five minutes, asking us about how far we are from the penthouse." He grumbled, walking around the jeep's bonnet and towards his designated seat as the driver.

"Oh yeah, okay." I nodded, pulling myself out of my wonderstruck state, and hurriedly climbed inside the car.

Whilst Jake had remained collected and calm after yesterday's confessions, I had turned into a shy, fumbling, and overly conscious mess overnight. Internally freaking out now whenever Jake smiles or even looks at me.

I was not sure how to react. I don't know whether Jake wants me to act like how I used to before or if he wants me to be something more clingy.

I shakily buckled myself into the passenger seat and stared straight ahead, too busy freaking out to make eye contact with Jake.

"Let's go then." He murmured, starting the jeep up, the engine roaring to life underneath the two of us. I nodded, waiting for Jake to start driving. Jake drove onto the road, the wind rushed in through the open roof and windows of the jeep, ruffling my hair locks.

.

Jake focus.

.

"Are we allowed to swim in there?" Mc gasped, craning her neck out of the jeep's window to stare after the glistening water.

"Yeah," I answered simply, passing by the calming waters and up the driveway leading to the actual hotel building. White gravel crunches under the car's weight, scattering around us and pulled to a stop at the entrance nearby the valet. I got out, staring at the building.

"Oh, thank you."

I noticed Mc being helped out by a considerate valet. Mc smiled at the valet and rounded the jeep, holding my backpack in her arms. She stared up in awe at the big building.

"What floor are we staying at?" She asked. I felt my skin going pale and taking my backpack I gulped pointing up at the very top building where the sun threatened to blind us.

"We're staying at the top," I mumbled. "Should be fun if I don't faint going up."

.

Mc focus.

.

"H-hold on, let me call Lex to tell her we're here. She will come to pick us up." Jake hummed, sliding a thumb across his phone screen. I heard shouts a few meters causing me to look over and grin widely.

This building was connected to a large lake-like a swimming pool. People were jumping in bikinis and trunks. I walked closer to get a better view, ignoring bickering people. Under the warm sun, the pool glimmered prettily.

Standing by the edge of the swimming pool, I crouched down and dipped my fingers, enjoying the pool's cooling temperature.

"So-" I started but before I could finish my sentence, someone pushed me into the water below.

I whacked my arms against the water, trying to propel myself upwards with my limbs. But it was futile. My swimming lessons as a kid failed and I struggled but...

Suddenly I looked at my feet and realized that I was in the shallow end of the pool. The part of the pool that comes up to my chest if I stand up.

Feeling embarrassed I stood on the ground and reached up to the wavering surface, pushing my body weight upwards.

My eyes were burning from the chlorine and I was coughing violently due to water up my nose and mouth. Reddening from my coughs and pure embarrassment. I lifted my head and glared with all my might at the person who had thrown me into the pool.

It was Jake. Of course, it was him.

Stifling an obvious laugh, Jake crouched by the edge of the pool and hurriedly converted his face from one of stifled laughter to one completely apologetic. He outstretched a hand and started to apologize profusely.

"I am so sorry. I swear I didn't see you, it was a total accident. I just backed into you and fuck, are you okay? You're kinda turning bright red."

I was turning a threatening shade of red. A shade of red that should indicate to Jake just how angry I was feeling but Jake was back to stifling little laughs as he waited for me to take his hand.

Absolutely fuming. I ignored the stinging sensation in my nose and eyes. I suddenly grabbed ahold of Jake's hand tightly and a glare sent in his direction. I tugged him hard, pushing him into the water. Jake let out a yelp before plunging into the water due to my force.

With a grin I watched Jake resurfacing, breaking water to cough and splutter water droplets in my direction. Anger was etched into his facial expression, his eyes glowered at me. I simply threw my head back, laughing and feeling satisfied with my revenge.

Using my hand, I splashed Jake in the face playfully to momentarily distract him, before swiveling around towards the pool's nearby steps with a grin forming on my mouth.

"Catch me if you can!" I yelled over my shoulder, now out of the pool, I turned around to see Jake's reaction. He was probably still shocked, trying to get water out of his nose, but I was surprised by how fast he was wading through the water, an evil smirk prominent on his face.

I intended to run faster, not wanting Jake to catch up with me anytime soon but as soon as I picked up my pace. My face slammed into someone's hard chest.

"Fuck," I whined, pushing myself off the person's chest and scrunched my nose at the pain. "I-" I started, looking up and stopping immediately. I blinked at the figure standing before me.

"That was quick, what the fuck?" I murmured, looking at an unamused Jake, a stony-faced Jake, and a dry...Jake.

He grabbed me firmly by the upper arm, not allowing me to move. I frowned at him. What the hell?

"Did he do anything to you?" Jake gritted out, looking over my shoulder at something. I still baffled at how he was completely dry, stuttering out a "W-what?"

Noticing that Jake doesn't reply but continued to stare hard at something behind me. I craned my neck around to see what was bothering him so much. My confusion suddenly disappeared. Then I saw it or rather him.

~

"Is this all your baggage? A plastic bag and a backpack? Wow, I'm so going to kill him." Lex commented, quirking an eyebrow at my and Jake's 'luggage' in her arms. I was too shocked to utter a single word let alone move a muscle.

Who the hell was that? Why was Jake so irritated to see him? I carefully side-eyed a laughing Jake who joked with Lex about something I didn't quite catch.

Laughing or not, Jake was furious. I could tell by the way Jake held my now reddening wrist in a bone-crushing grip, the veins coursing through my hand prominent as he tightened his hold around my wrist.

Jake suddenly hugged me and I was about to let a pained yelp escape from my lips but hurriedly I quashed the sound down not to alarm Lex. I can also tell that Jake doesn't want Lex to know about the encounter with Jake2.0 by noting his fake laugh and warning grip bruising my arm.

Suddenly we began to walk toward the elevator and I can't help but feel ashamed. Yeah, ashamed at the fact that I mistook my 'boyfriend' for a stranger. Yeah, he may have the same features as Jake but so many differences could've struck me that he was not Jake.

Differences like the fact that he was shirtless, the differences like his un-tattooed hand and chest. The differences like his unwounded forehead. The set of ring earrings that lined the edge of his left ear, the little scar under his eye. I can't help but feel that Jake's anger was directed toward me.

It was directed towards me for being so carefree, playfully dunking his copy underwater and splashing him easily without realizing it wasn't Jake. Walking inside into the elevator with Jake and Lex, I can't help but feel like shit.

-five minutes earlier-

Then I saw it or rather him.

I saw another Jake.

Another Jake who now made his way down the tiled floor towards us with drenched shorts. Another Jake had a dimpled smirk on his face as he pushed back his wet hair, revealing an uninjured forehead. Another Jake had no tattoo on his hand or chest. Another Jake doesn't have the same smile as my beloved hacker. Another Jake who isn't my Jake at all.

I jerked my head back to Jake by my side. Jake who I can rightfully identify by the wound on his forehead and the noticeable tattoos covering the sleeve of his hand, chest, and neck.

I gulped with my mouth parting weakly, struggling to find words. I just stared at him. not being able to do anything more but watch the two of them stare each other down and it confused my mind further.

An imposter? A doppelgänger? A twin?

"Jake, it's good to see you again." The twin finally hummed out, tilting his head to the side slightly. My dark brows furrowed at the sight and I turned my head around to look at Jake to see his reaction. My body immediately stiffened upon seeing his expression. It's one of pure anger that seep right out of Jake's body, his fists were clenched and his jaw locked into place as he glared at the twin.

I was ready to question Jake about the person standing before us. But before I could, the sound of Lex's strained voice met my ears, halting me momentarily.

"You asshole, my arms are going numb holding your freaking backpack! What do you have in here? Rocks?" Lex questioned loudly from inside the penthouse entrance. Jake, at the sound of Lex's voice, sharply looked towards the penthouse's open doorway.

"Lex, hold on! I'm coming now so don't bother coming out!" Jake yelled, brusquely grabbing me by the wrist and forcefully dragging me away from his twin towards the interior of the penthouse.

"We had met already, it's not that awkward between us. Will you shut the fuck up, Jake?"

Looking over my shoulder, I caught sight of Jake's twin rolling his eyes, his silver-blue narrowed eyes following after me and Jake. But Jake ignored him and simply stormed into the building, pulling me in whilst muttering something.

"If Lex wasn't around the corner, I would've punched you."

As we passed through the hotel doors, I heard Jake shout the words.

"We should catch up sometime! See you around bro!"

His hand gripping my wrist tightened when we walked inside.

-present time-

My eyes coursed around the spread-out room of the one-floor residence. A practically untouched kitchen fit behind a smoked glass sliding door. What took up most of the space was the huge living room and a large TV. I  turned my head at the fashionable black leather couch. Sleek black seemed to be the overall theme of the high-class apartment.

I didn't get too long to gawp at the interior of the suite because Jake suddenly tugged me towards his chest, pulling me close. Jake pressing me against his body smiled over my shoulder at a curious-looking Lex with a little shock written over her face.

"Lex, me and Mc need to talk for a bit so we'll be out in a few minutes." That was all he said, smiling stiffly at Lex before walking me towards a side corridor where a few doors line the wall with Lex calling after him

"Wait, I haven't even said hi to Mc yet, at least let me hug her and give her a tour of the suite!"

Jake just pushed random one of the doors open, walking in and finally letting go of my wrist. Instinctively cradling my pained wrist I looked up at him with furrowed eyebrows to see him silently locking the door.

He turned around to face me. I gulped hard because of the look of incredible rage that had come back to sit on Jake's features.

"Jake?"

"Did he do anything to you?" He repeated sternly, holding his arms over his chest defiantly. "Did he hurt you in any way? Did he say anything rude? Did he threaten you to leave?" With every question directed at me, Jake was taking an intimidating step forward, closing in on me.

I tried to stumble back but failed due to the bed blocking my path. Looking at Jake, I shook my head frantically.

"Nothing happened." I gulped, glancing over my shoulder at the bed obstructing my path.

"Nothing?"

"No, he accidentally pushed me into the pool and tried to help me up but I pulled him in because I thought he was you and ran away from him because I thought you would- I mean, he would be angry," I mumbled, looking away and clasping the hem of my shirt, wringing the material nervously.

"He didn't say anything?"

"He just apologized and laughed."

Jake dropped his folded arms from his chest and dragged one hand through his dark locks. He sighed heavily and walked past a sorta trembling me, saying nothing else but.

"I'm going to shower. Stay here."

And with that, he tugged his shirt off and marched into the bathroom, flinging the crumpled-up clothing item over his shoulder. Pretty miserable, I watched the wadded-up material fall by my feet.

Picking up the shirt, I waddled across the room, all soaked to the wall where my and Jake's belongings leaned against. I unpacked a new pair of panties, a red long shirt, and a towel. Packing my wet clothes into a plastic bag and then toweling myself dry, I changed into dry clothes and patted away the chlorinated water in my hair.

I am going to have to shower later. I sighed, placing Jake's shirt over his backpack, and walked back to the bed.

Who was that? Is he seriously his twin? Why hasn't Jake mentioned him before? Is he a bad person? He didn't seem like a bad person. But then again, I don't know him. He could be super dangerous. Jake seemed so angry to see him, so something must've happened between them. What, though?

Ah, this is so exhausting. Why can't he just tell me straight out who this guy is and what he had done to piss him off so badly? Did he do something that he can't even tell me?? Me, his 'girlfriend'?

.

Jake focus.

.

Gritting my teeth, I slammed a heavy fist against the shower cubicle's glass walls, leaving a mark the size of my fist in the layer of condensation that covered the wall's whole surface. Angry with myself, I pulled my fist away from the wet glass and slammed a palm over the cold water setting on the shower, wanting something to shock me out of his rage.

I gasped as soon as cool water trickled down my warm body, rivulets of ice water caused my fists to unclench and shudder slightly. But I didn't bother switching back to the warm water setting, I just endured the cold water, ignoring my body tensing and goosebumps littering my arms. I tried to force my mind to overlook my mean temperament and think.

Shouldn't have gotten so angry at Mc. She wasn't at fault. I shouldn't have held her wrist like that. Is it bruised now? Internally I beat myself up, reaching for the hotel's complimentary shampoos, picking one randomly.

I should've apologized, not asked stupid questions, scare her, and then left. Fuck, I bet she feels like shit now. I scrubbed my hair in an almost violent manner.

Fucking hell, Jake. Can't you contain your anger? Why aim it at Mc? It's that idiot, Nymo's, fault. Why the hell he is here? He lied to me about so many things, he manipulated me into believing Mc couldn't love me if she saw me for who I am.

He agreed with Thomas's bullshit about leaving Mc alone. And now he's here playing with her in the pool? Irritating Lex's feelings with his freaking presence.

Irritated by my actions, I washed off the frothy shampoo, tilting my head back so soap suds slide off of my hair and down my neck.

No point in beating yourself up about it now. No point in getting angry again. Calm yourself, finish your shower, and go apologize to Mc and explain the mess you put her in. Don't make her feel scared, making her feel scared is the last thing you wanna do right now.

.

Mc focus.

.

Still staring up at the ceiling and internally beating myself up, I sighed softly. I was laying on the bed with a shirt pulled up, revealing part of my soft stomach.

What is Jake going to do when he comes out? Will he be madder? Will he hate me for thinking that guy was him?

The door of the bathroom cranked open, alerting me. I jerked my head to the door to see a shirtless Jake walk out, wearing the slightly ripped black jeans he had worn before. I immediately started playing with my fingers.

Jake walked towards me, drying his wet hair with a small hand towel. I quickly looked away, using the silence settled between us to speak up and apologize to him.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you. I didn't know that guy wasn't you. I should've realized that that guy wasn't you. He didn't have tattoos and-" I got cut off by the bed suddenly dipping on my right, and looked over to see Jake climbing on with a weak, apologetic smile on his face.

Jake crawled forward on his knees over to my now stiffened body. Wide-eyed, I watched Jake hovering over my side for a couple of seconds before defeatedly lying down, placing his head gently on my part-revealed stomach.

Words failed to come to mind, I watched Jake get comfy on my stomach. Nestling up against my tummy, he looked up at the ceiling I was staring at blankly, a few minutes ago.

"Why are you apologizing for?" He asked simply whilst chuckling softly.

"Mc, we're identical twins. It's kinda hard not to mistake us. Our mom couldn't tell us apart before I got tattoos and piercings and besides, you're not supposed to be saying sorry. I should be. I'm sorry for venting my anger on you, you weren't at fault at all. Don't worry, but I still acted like a dick to you." Jake turned his head to look at me with his blue eyes looking sad. "I'm sorry about that, Mc." He mumbled sadly.

With breathing hitching in my throat, I managed to smile at him. Thank god, he wasn't mad at me, but at that guy.

"It's okay, Jake," I assured, comfortingly interlacing my fingers into his damp hair. Slowly brushing his hair back with his digits, Jake sighed quietly with relief, before fluttering his eyes shut.

"I suppose you have some questions you want to be answered, right?" He asked, looking utterly blissed out with me stroking his hair.

"Mhm." I hummed. "But you don't have to answer them if you don't want to," I added quickly. Jake's lips quirked up in a small smile.

"It's okay, go ahead and ask."

"Okay so. You two are twin brothers, huh? I thought he was trying to copy you." I mused. Jake chuckled, opening his eyes to look at me.

"Nah, he's my twin brother born 7 minutes before me."

"How come you never told me about him?"

"You never asked."

"Okay, fair enough. But, why are you so mad at him? What did he do?"

Jake was staring up at the ceiling, seeming to be in deep thought.

"He did a lot of things, including convincing me to leave you after this. I don't know if Lex will be okay with me telling away her personal information. I think you should ask her why I'm so angry with him. If she does agree to tell you, tell her I give her full consent to talk about Ikari, my brother, and Lex."

"Ikari?"

"My ex. She's probably lurking round here too." Jake commented dryly.

"Oh." I nodded before speaking again in a murmur. "Hey, stop moving, you're tickling my tummy."

"Hm?" Jake tilted his head to look at me, his hair sweeping across the exposed part of my lower stomach, tickling me.

"Your hair's tickling me." I chuckled, pushing his head gently off my stomach so I could tug my shirt back over my skin. Rather than lie back down. Jake sat up on the bed by my lower half with an eyebrow raised.

"Oh? Are you ticklish?"

"Yeah," I hummed, absent-mindedly, fixing my shirt. "Especially around my neck."

"Is that so?"

"What- Wait! Jake! Stop!"

Jake immediately attacked me under my chin and around my collarbones, fingers dancing over hypersensitive skin. Laughing and teary-eyed I coiled away from Jake's fingers, regretting telling him so easily about my tickle spots.

I tried to move away but only resulted in nearly falling off the damn bed. Luckily, Jake pulled me back, but only to continue his assault struggling to push away Jake, I simply laughed and squirmed around on the bed.

"Jake! Stop! I can't breathe-Oh god."

Grinning, Jake finally stopped his inflicted torture and pulled away, now hovering over my body, he leaned down to swiftly press a kiss against my forehead. I closed my eyes in response.

"As much as I love lying around and talking to you like this," Jake kissed my cheek. "I have a business to attend with Sam." He kissed my nose's tip. "So, we will continue this later, hm?" Jake hummed, finally pressing a kiss onto my lips. I smiled when Jake pulled away.

"I'll be back within an hour, okay? Lex will be here so hang out with her. Do not leave the suite and stay here for safety reasons. Okay, Mc?" Jake asked, climbing off the bed to go and rummaging through his backpack for a clean shirt.

I sit up with a giddy-looking expression, looking to be in an utter daze after his quick kisses. Jake laughed, grabbing his phone and hotel keycard, shaking his head, he walked out of the door.

"Bye, Mc."

"Bye, Jake," I said happily, hugging a cushion to my chest, listening to footsteps padding against the prim rugs recede. I burrowed my face into the soft cushion, sighing contentedly.

"Mc, entertain me now that he's gone." Lex smiled, walking into the open doorway of my supposed bedroom. I smiled widely, sitting up.

"Hey, it's good to see you, Lex." I smiled at her softly.

"Yeah, I thought I wouldn't see you again." Lex commented, walking into the bedroom, "So it's great to see you. Believe it or not, I missed you." She mused, plopping herself on the side of the bed.

"We've got about a week to spend so how about-" Lex rolled on the bed, glancing at me. "We make the most of it, hm?" Lex giggled. She's so cute.

"Today, I can show you around the suite and the hotel floors. There are amazing spas here and swimming pools. Although I think you already took a dip." Lex raised an eyebrow at the pile of my wet clothes gathering in a plastic bag on the floor.

"Oh yeah." I scratched the back of my head nervously.

"Is that the reason why Jake was so angry?" Lex asked smoothly, flickering her gaze towards me.

"Sorta. Um, I wanna ask you something."

"Hm?" She cocked her head to one side, waiting for me to speak.

"When you were with Jake in the lobby..." I told her about earlier when I had encountered 2 Jakes, found out Jake had a twin named Nymos, and the whole consensual asking about them thingy.

When I was done, I looked up at Lex to see the girl practically glaring at me.

"Question for you. Why do you need to know this? Why did he give consent for you to know his past?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

"Because we sorted out our relationship." I gulped at the accusatory tone in Lex's sudden questions. "You don't have to tell me, never mind."

"Sorry, that was me thinking out loud. I didn't mean to sound so harsh. And finally- I mean uh yeah." Lex coughed. "I can tell you about Nymos, it's okay," Lex mumbled, looking down.

"Only if you're sure," I mumbled, worrying internally about how bad the situation between them are.

"So Ikari hated to see Nymos with me when she was with Jake. In her opinion Jake was too nerdy meanwhile Nymos was a hotter twin. She broke us apart. She turned Nymos against me and she made the two brothers fight. They only speak when it's an urgent situation. And they talked only because of your safety too..."

~

After a warm, long shower full of vanilla-scented soaps and shampoos. I changed into my clothes and seated myself by the armchair situated near my bedroom's floor-to-ceiling windows. I was thinking back to what a glassy-eyed Lex had told me fifteen minutes ago, about her shitty breakup with Nymos. About how Ikari damaged Jake. And about two brothers who are on the bad terms.

I felt sympathy for Jake and Lex. Feeling saddened by how they were treated. Jake felt that he had to stick with someone toxic simply because he yearned for love and Lex gets her heart shattered because of the spread of lies.

Lex had left shortly after explaining, claiming that someone was summoning her and that she needed to go.

I walked to the massive living room space where a tall television waited for me to use. Switching the device on, I flopped back onto the couch, wanting to watch something.

.

Jake focus.

.

"So you're telling me you've found someone who got you feeling all sorts and you adore with all your heart?" Sam asked with an open mouth. I nodded.

Me, Lex, Sam and lastly favorited Nymos were leaning over the stairs on the second floor, nearby the casino. We were sipping alcoholic drinks provided by the mini-bar behind us.

"And that someone is Mc Estrada?" Sam questioned again. I nodded, listlessly swirling the contents of my drink around.

"So Nymos right. You've gone soft." Sam concluded, leaning away with a soft sigh. I nodded again, looking incredibly bored with their multiple questions.

"You love her and she loves you back, mhm?" Sam asked, rubbing his temples with a muffled groan escaping his lips. I nodded, now sipping my drink.

"You two interacted when your half-sister was missing and then your girl turned into a missing girl kidnapped by you. Isn't that sorta fucked up?" I nodded, simply. Sam finally give up with my lack of voice and looked away, staring at the casino's participants with narrowed eyes.

"I get it you love her and she loves you. But what's gonna happen to you guys when she's finally safe from Richy? I'm sorry but this whole 'relationship' is set to end from the start. Everything's gonna break off and you're just gonna end up getting hurt again, Jake." Nymos suddenly spoke, and Sam nodded in agreement.

"And how," Sam sighed exasperatedly. "What if she's just trying to escape you?"

"Mc's not like Ikari if that's what you're implying, Sam. She isn't fake, she's genuine. I'm sure Lex can tell whether Mc's good for me or not."

Sam and Nymos raised an eyebrow at Lex who munched on a sliced strawberry casually. Noticing that the attention was turned toward her. She licked her lips and nodded.

"From what I've seen and what you've told us, I think she's great but Nymos unfortunately does have a point. What are you planning to do with Mc when it's going to be safe for her?"

I sighed, quietly groaning out.

"Not you too Lex."

Lex just shrugged in response, biting off another piece of fruit decorating the rim of her glass.

"We're just worried about you, Jake. Mc might sound all nice, all sunshine but-"

"Mc makes me feel happy, Sam." I interrupted abruptly, now staring at the contents of my glass. Parting from my glass I spoke up again.

"I haven't felt happy in a long time. But then she came into my life. She makes me laugh, smile and fucking enjoy life to its fullest. She's fucking awesome. I swear you'll love her when you meet her." I said softly with a small smile. Feeling the warmth inside my body at the mention of Mc bubbliness.

"Yeah, this is all wrong. Yeah it's fucked up and yeah this isn't going to last but I'd like to keep the love we have for as long as possible and enjoy it while it lasts." I ducked my head. "She makes me feel human again, and I just wanna stay human for a little while longer. Is that so bad Sam?" I asked, tilting my head back to look at Sam who was immediately struck stiff when he noticed the slight wetness pooling in my usually bright eyes.

"J-Jake?" Lex voiced out quietly, upon noticing my glassy eyes. Sam sighed, shaking his eyes.

"Jake ignore us. It's your relationship you decide what you wanna do with it. If you wanna enjoy it, enjoy it to the fullest." Sam murmured, patting my back and rubbing his hand up and down soothingly in an attempt to calm me.

"If it's what you want, then go for it, brother," Nymos added with a small shrug after finishing his drink and dumping it on the nearest waiter's platter.

"But when do I get to meet Mc? I'm the only one left that hadn't seen her."

I blinked away my tears.

"Meet her whenever she's upstairs in the penthouse suite."

"Yeah?" Nymos raised an eyebrow, slapping me over the head. "I know we are supposed to hate each other but stop with the tears already you crybaby. She really has made you soft, hasn't she?"

I pushed a grinning Nymos away, glaring at him. "Shut up I'm not a crybaby."

"Yeah, yeah."

~

"Mc-" I called out as soon as I stepped foot inside, intending to ask Mc to come to the living room but the sound of music turned to full volume interrupted me.

I looked up sharply at the sudden loud noise and widened my eyes at the sight of a tipsy Mc dancing on the coffee table, singing along to I put a spell on you on the tv whilst waving around a bottle of strawberry-flavored alcohol. I raised an eyebrow when I acknowledged similar empty bottles laying around beneath Mc.

I hurried to Mc, stopping her by tugging at the material of the girl's shorts. Mc looked down at my side to see me raising an unimpressed eyebrow at her.

"Look at me dance, Jake!" She laughed, drunkenly pulling herself away from me to copiously spin herself around on the coffee table.

"How many bottles have you drunk, Mc?"

"Five!"

"Five?" I repeated, frowning.

"Yeah! It tasted so good, Jake!" Mc hummed happily, continuing to move around on the table.

I grinned up at her and shook my head in disbelief, ignoring the fact that Lex and Sam even Nymos were watching.

"Let's dance!"

"Mc, im not joini-"

"The song's nearly over, come here!"

Mc managed to drag me onto the coffee table, both of us were struggling to not fall off the small table.

Tipping my head and laughing at how cautious we have to be so as not to fall off. Mc's hands met behind my neck, pushing her face into where my neck and shoulder meet. She made both of us sway slightly. I chuckled over her ducked head.

"I thought we were supposed to be dancing?" I asked playfully, poking her side.

"I missed you."

"It's only been an hour."

"Shut up I'm in my feels-" Mc mumbled, the alcohol slurred her words slightly.

Grinning at the way tipsy Mc's brain works, I looked up and suddenly grew incredibly hot and embarrassed when I noticed my friends and brother standing before us and holding back laughter.

"Fu- Mc, let's get you sobered up." I managed to mutter out, pulling Mc away from my neck and stepping off the coffee table, helping a confused Mc off as well.

"I'm not drunk though," Mc muttered following after me. I guided her to the bedroom, holding her hand.

"Yes, you are. I need you to meet Sam sober."

"Sam?" Mc asked, looking over her shoulder to see three people. "Hi, Lex! Hi, dupe! Hi, Sam! I'm sober!"

I shut the door behind me and seated a mumbling Mc on the edge of the bed, stifling a small smile at how fazed Mc was. I grabbed the water bottle off the bedside table, uncapping and passing the drink to Mc who stared at it blankly.

"I don't want it."

"Drink it. The alcohol makes you dehydrated." I pushed on, handing the drink over to Mc who sipped the clear liquid.

"If you sober up real quick, we'll go down to the beach later to do a thing on your list. Sit around by a campfire and watch the sunset?"

"Deal!"

Grinning, I walked away from the tipsy Mc and shrugged off my jacket, dumping the material on the armchair.

"Your twin is good but misunderstood. Lex told me your history."

"Oh, yeah?" I murmured, flopping back onto the armchair and relaxing my worn-out limbs. Rubbing my forehead with a soft sigh, I stared out of the tall floor-to-ceiling windows with no particular interest.

"Your ex is the bad guy here," Mc mumbled, the alcohol slurring her words slightly as she stared at the water bottle in her hand.

"Yeah." I agreed quietly, still staring out of the window. I remembered the day I had found out my ex had ruined Lex's and Nymos' relationship by accusing Lex and me of cheating.

"If you want me to, I can fight her off for you," Mc whispered, sitting down on my lap, surprising me with her brave actions. Mc silently leaned against my chest with her head resting under my chin. My lips quirked up in a half smile, I wrapped my arms around Mc. Pressing my face against her vanilla-scented hair.

"Show her the Mc muscles, yeah?" I chuckled, enjoying the way Mc comfortably sat in my front.

"Yeah," Mc beamed, closing her eyes and clutching onto my shirt.

"Mc, it's okay," I assured softly, moving my hand towards Mc's exposed thigh, rubbing slow circles onto the honey-colored skin. I didn't miss the way Mc's breath audibly hitched in her throat or the tiny goosebumps that suddenly litter the skin of her thighs.

"Fuck her. She's not worth thinking about when I have you here with me."

My cold, unforgiving attitude aimed towards my ex-girlfriend lessens because yeah. They're not worth thinking about let alone clinging after her desperately.

"Yeah?" Mc breathed out. I looked down at Mc who was sitting comfortably on my lap, staring at the hand that distractedly drew circles onto her smooth thigh.

Regarding her, with softened eyes, I reminded myself of Nymo's point earlier.

'What're you going to do when she's finally safe from Richy?'

And what I had replied to it.

Fuck 'enjoying it whilst it lasts'. I'm not letting her go, I'm not letting her go home. I'm not letting her go even when her friends or the police and FBI get persistent.

I curled my arms a little more tightly around Mc's waist. I'm tired of letting people leave my life so easily this time, that won't happen because I'm gonna be holding on tightly.

"Yeah, Mc."

~

Three and a half hours later, I woke up to the feeling of someone on my lap moving around and groaning out in pain. Peeling my eyes open, I frowned at Mc who sleepily grasped at her hair, muttering something about 'Never drinking again' whilst massaging her head.

Wrapping an arm around her waist so she wouldn't fall off my lap, I reached for the water bottle sitting on the side table in front and handed it over to a pained Mc.

"It'll make you feel better." I croaked out voice deep with the remnant of my sleep.

"Oh, I hate this," Mc murmured, dragging herself away from me. I groaned out loud at the cool air settling on my thighs which Mc had warmed seconds ago.

"Baby," I voiced out with my voice deepened tone rich with sleep. Mc stiffened at the endearing nickname, the red on her cheeks matched her shirt. I smirked lazily when I noticed Mc's small reaction.

"Should we go down to the beach? If we will leave soon, we'll be able to hang for a bit before the sunset."

"O-okay. Hold on, let me get ready." Mc coughed, trying to hide her little smile by coughing unsubtly. I pretended to not notice, pushing myself and moving toward the bathroom.

"Be ready in five minutes, baby." Knowing that her cheeks will be glowing a prominent shade of red upon hearing the term of endearment, I grinned to myself and entered the bathroom, mentally commenting too cute.

Minutes later...

I looked over at Mc who was splayed out on the bed. Dressed in Lex's beach dress with her tanned long legs on display...Damn.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked, noticing the thoughtful look on her face.

"You," Mc raised an eyebrow. "And your family." She rolled onto her front to look at me better. "Don't you miss Lilly or Hannah? Why you're not contacting them? They're your sisters."

"I can't contact anyone from that area." I hummed, grabbing my packet of cigarettes from my back pocket, taking one, and lighting it up.

.

Mc focus.

.

"What about Nymos? Isn't he related to them? Why he's not doing anything to contact them too?" I asked, genuinely curious. Jake shook his head, chuckling.

"Because it's too risky, baby." He placed the lit cigarette between his lips and breathed in. Inhaling and exhaling. "I can't even go to my mom then how I'm supposed to contact my sisters?" He responded blankly, staring at me.

Immediately feeling bad for bringing it up so casually, I hurried to apologize but Jake cut me off.

"If you're going to say 'im sorry', please don't. It's not your fault that I'm a criminal."

"B-"

"I'd rather not talk about it, Mc," Jake murmured, parting his lips to allow white tendrils of smoke to appear in the air before him. I nodded slowly, still feeling guilty.

"Shall we get going?" Jake asked, turning his back on me, and making his way to the bedroom door. Verbally and physically shutting me down.

"Okay," I slid off the satin bed sheets, following Jake. Jake offered a small smile to me and slipped his hand into mine, squeezing it meaningfully. I smiled back leaning closer to his side as we walked.

~

"It's so nice," I said, turning to face the waters. "I just wanna jump right in."

"Then," I looked over my shoulder to see Jake emptying his valuables onto the sand below, creating a mini cloud of dust to rise at the impact. He slipped his boots off and took my hand in his, pulling me towards the sea, a smile displaying on his face. 

"Let's do it, Mc."

I grinned, running alongside Jake towards the cool waters that rushed to meet our bare feet. We were holding hands and wadded through water, splashing each other in the faces and laughing hard.

The moment was so pure, I don't ever want to let go of Jake's hand. I believed that this is the most beautiful moment in my life.

We spent the rest of the hours splashing each other, chasing each other. Before we know it, the sun was on full course to set, ready to rest for the night.

Jake took his lighter and set the dry wood aflame. At the same time, I decided to wade out of the water, wringing the heaviness from my wet dress. Jake was too busy lighting up the driftwood and then lighting up his second cigarette to make note of it, but once his cigarette was lit and perched between his lips.

He looked up, almost inhaling his cigarette because I dried myself off as best as I could. I felt his eyes roaming down from my face to the white almost see-through dress that clung to my torse and my legs on full display.

I wanted to ask him for a spare shirt, noticing his eyes linger over my back that conveniently stick to the curve of my ass. My breath hitched in my throat and words failed to come to mind. Suddenly feeling hot under his gaze.

Jake hastily looked away, taking his cigarette out to clear his throat awkwardly when he understood that he's been caught in the act. Soon enough he murmured out that he has a blanket in the back of the jeep before pushing himself off of his haunches and strolling towards the car parked not too far away.

I watched the colors of the sunset spread now slowly sinking into the horizon.

"Here." Jake proffered, wrapping the fabric around my body. I frowned.

"Wanna share the blanket with me?" I proposed shyly.

"Sure. Come here."

And that's how I ended up sitting comfortably between Jake's spread legs, leaning against his chest with only the damp layer of my dress between us.

Sitting in front of the campfire, I snuggled up closer to Jake's front, enjoying his body heat and the warm blanket wrapped around us. We listened to the fire crackle and fizz in front of us, filling up the silence.

The silence wasn't awkward or uncomfortable though. It was the complete opposite.

Words didn't need to be spoken, actions didn't need to be inflicted, and we were fine with sitting there, simply enjoying the fire and the soft waves.

"So pretty," I whispered. Jake hummed lazily in response, agreeing with my words.

Small shivers run up my spine when Jake moved closer, wrapping an arm around me and placing his chin on my bare shoulder. My dress strips had slid off my skin earlier. Jake tilted his head and pressed a light kiss to my shoulder.

"So pretty," Jake murmured.

Although I didn't know if Jake was talking about the moon or me, I still smiled out at the seafront.

~

Early in the afternoon, after a long sleep. Both I and Jake got startled awake by the sound of Sam yelling at us to get up.

"Get up, you little fuckers!" Whilst whacking his fists loudly against our closed bedroom door. I groaned at the discordant sound and snuggled further into the cozy duvet and thick pillow.

However, soon it seems that Nymos had enough when Sam suddenly started singing in a deafening pitch, practically screaming the lyrics to the baby shark dudu song.

"Sam, I love you but shut the fuck up before I used my spanner on you." Nymos hissed loud enough for me to be able to hear in the bedroom.

"You're meant to be up and wishing me good luck though," Sam whined extra loudly. "Today's day one of the races! You have to support your little brother, Nym!"

"Sam, fuck off. Don't you dare get inside the bed! For fucks sake take your cold feet away from mine, now. You have three seconds to either fall back asleep or get out. Choose one and let me fucking sleep. I'm gonna count. 1, 2-, Sam, move your fucking feet! Okay, you want me out? Fine, you pissed the hell out of me."

"Sweet." Sam sang. "Pissed or not you're up already."

Sleepy after being jolted awake once again I looked over to my right to see Jake sleeping soundly shirtless as usual but hey, I'm not complaining. I shook his shoulder gently trying to wake him up.

"Jake, Sam want us up," I whispered. Jake yawned and in response brushed my hand away sleepily.

I rolled off the bed and padded to the bathroom, planning to freshen up and get ready for the day but Jake's muffled voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Mc, come over here for a sec." He voiced out, tone deep and laced with sleep.

"Why?" I  murmured, walking over to Jake and blearily frowning at him laying in bed, rubbing his eyes.

"Come here."

Following the motion of his hand, I bent down to become level with Jake's face, whilst being slightly confused about his request. Jake raised his head a little to press a soft kiss onto my cheekbone.

"Morning, baby." He murmured lazily, before lying back onto the satin bedsheets, yawning loudly and turning onto his side.

I blinked my eyes, straightening my posture, and started to walk towards the bathroom with my fingertips grazing over the kiss pressed into my cheekbone. The wide smile made its way to my face.

"Good morning, Jake," I mumbled to myself, walking into the bathroom, deciding that all of a sudden I loved mornings.

.

Jake focus.

.

I walked out of the grand hotel entrance, walking down the steps hand in hand with Mc who chattered happily with Lex.

I rummaged around in the front pocket of my jeans, clasping my fingers around the set of car keys Sam had given to me minutes ago. I handed it to the valet telling him to bring the red BMW Sam had prepared for me.

I turned back to look at the two girls cheerily talking about something, I didn't bother to engage in instead I fixed my leather jacket to cover my chest partially.

"So where are we going?" Mc asked, sounding sorta muffled due to the surgical mask plastered over her mouth.

"Today's day one of the races. All the competitors will show off their skills and talents to impress people and get them to bet."

"But Sam is such a pro, he doesn't even need to attend day one," Lex added on in a prideful tone whilst fixing the thick black sunglasses onto her nose. "He already got a ton of people betting on him." She mumbled, looming at us.

"Eh, yeah he's a prideful one." I laughed and looked away, noticing the bmw slowly pulling up in front of us. Thick tires crunch the white stone gravel underfoot. once the valet has the car right before us.

"Afternoon isn't what's exciting though," I murmured, looking over my shoulder at Mc with a grin forming on my lips. I rounded the bonnet of the car, heading towards the passenger seat. "It's this evening you should look forward to." I winked at her.

"It's gonna be so fun."

"My girl looks so cute today."

In midway opening the passenger door for Mc, I looked up at the sound of Sam cooing over Lex. My eyes landed on Nymos walking out of the hotel entrance, sipping at his takeaway cup of black coffee and blatantly disregarding Sam who teased Lex with a proud grin on his face.

"Speak of the devil," Lex murmured, smiling at Sam and walking to BMW's backseat, tugging it open before sliding in.

"Sam I'm so close to punching you. Stop teasing Lex in front of me." Nymos whispered, sipping warily drink and silently handing a set of keys to the waiting valet.

"Oh but she's so cute," Sam murmured, sounding distant. "And tiny."

Nymos narrowed his eyes.

"Do it again and I'm cutting off your car's tires."

I whistled and closed the door carefully behind Mc. I watched Sam and Nymos fight, shamelessly entertained by their one-sided argument.

"That's it. I'm burning your car tonight." Nymos smirked evilly, sipping his coffee. Sam just grinned.

"Yet it won't make Lex fall in love with you again." He laughed. I shook my head, slipping into the driver's seat.

Nymos grunted, storming past Sam and heading to the backseat of my car, tugging the door open harshly before swiftly sliding in beside an amused-looking Lex.

"Ride your stupid car alone. I'm carpooling with Jake today." He rolled his eyes with finality in his tone, before slamming the door shut behind him and buckling himself in.

"Come on baby girl don't be like that." Sam teased Nymos making my brother fume in anger. "All this just because I joked with her?"

While they fought I noticed the black Bugatti sliding smoothly down the driveway behind me, the valet parking the car just behind him before handing the keys to Sam. Upon viewing this, I leaned out of the open car window.

"Sam, how about we get this day started with a little warm-up?" I proffered, eyes twinkling in mirth when Sam raised an eyebrow.

"Alright Jake," Sam sang over his shoulder, confidently striding over to his Bugatti. The racer slid into his assigned seat, slamming the door shut.

"Seriously, a race? This is too much for me. I'm too old for this shit. Just let me grab a taxi-"

"Fuck off and bear it."

Nymos coughed, settling himself comfortably in the back seat, sitting alongside a laughing Lex. I've noticed Nymos smiling at her laugh.

I pressed the pedal, revving the engine a few times and eliciting playfulness from the mini-race we were about to start.

Flickering my gaze over to the rearview mirror, I placed one hand on the steering wheel and offered the other to Mc, she took my hand with widened eyes.

"Ready, baby?" I mouthed to her, entwining our fingers over the car's gearstick. Mc was looking unsure but nodded nevertheless, making me smirk in reply. Finally steering the car out of the hotel's white gravel driveway and gradually brought my speed up.

The force acted up against us pushing our bodies to press into the leather seats. The strong gust of wind busily whipped our hair and clothes when I pushed the car to its limit.

Just then, I felt my hand tug a little and I turned to look at Mc leaning slightly out of the window, eyes scrunching up and a wide smile fixated on her beautiful face.

I didn't realize I was too busy staring at Mc that I unconsciously slowed the whole vehicle down a notch until Lex tried to warn me.

"Sam is-"

But before Lex gets a chance to finish. A sleek black car zoomed past us, traveling down the road at the insane speed that only fueled my competitive side.

I smirked, overheating the car into hurtling down the road toward Sam's powerful car. In the end, Sam won but only because I worried I might burn out my vehicle completely if I didn't slow the fuck down.

Following Sam's car, Mc studied street racing setting. The tracks that curled around the tremendous piles of dirt were being used by sports cars after, all of them speeding past each other, creating skid marks in the gritty ground.

The audience's eyes all followed one thing. The majestic black buggati, Sam's car. His vehicle and presence caused a stir in the crowd, all of them seemed to practically emanate sudden excitement as they watched the buggati roll into the venue.

.

Mc focus.

.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Jake asked when I watched the Lambo travel smoothly down the tracks.

"Just wait for Sam. He's gonna floor them all." Lex piped up, unbuckling her seatbelt and shooting me a grin. I smiled, unlatching myself from the leather seat and pushing the door open, hurriedly following after Jake.

I watched the door of Sam's car crank open, allowing the male to slip out and shut the door firmly behind him, locking it with a soft beep of his keys and flashing a ready smile at the squealing girls who stood around Sam with barely any respective distance between them.

I was about to turn around when someone patted me on the shoulder. Looking over my shoulder, I noticed Nymos, cocking his head at me now, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"Mc, I believe we haven't properly met yet. I mean, we did meet yesterday after I accidentally pushed into the pool." Nymos smirked. "I highly appreciated that little dance you did for us on the coffee table." Nymos chuckled, leaning slightly against the BMW.

"Oh, sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it. It was entertaining," Nymos laughed, looking away at the girls pooling around Sam.

"Alright. I'm Kaden but I prefer Nymos. I'm Jake's twin. But I guess Lex and Jake already spilled some beans about me." Nymos snorted leaning back on his arms and staring out at the people. I stayed quiet and just nodded. Jake is still mad at Nymos and me talking to his brother will make it worse.

"Hm well, nice to meet you, Mc."

"Yeah."

"I'd like to talk to you about Jake."

I looked up at him at his words.

"What do you want to talk about him?" I asked, worrying at his sudden statement.

"Do you think Jake has more qualities other than being 'exciting and dangerous"?"

"Yeah. He's kind, sweet, thoughtful, resilient-"

"Mhm okay, enough." Nymos nodded, looking at me. "Alright, tell me your sexual relationship with Jake. Is it good? So good you would only date him for the sex or?"

"What? We haven't done anything like that! We've only kissed twice!" I spluttered out, looking around to make sure no one had heard me.

"Alright, that was uncalled for." Nymos apologized, grinning slightly. "Last question. What exactly do you like about Jake Dalton?"

"I like how nice he is to me, how he holds my hand, his forehead kisses are also really nice. I love his little scar and he has this mole right under his eye that I love-"

"Okay, okay. Enough I might throw up from the softness." Nymos muttered.

"Jake is a guy who's easily swayed." He said suddenly.

"He may not look it or act it but Jake's emotionally frail. I believe you know why?" He looked at me seriously. "Either Jake or Lex must've told you."

"Lex," I mumbled in response.

"Because of that shithead and partly me, Jake's very wary of who to accept as a friend and I think that's a pretty good thing. He won't get hurt so much and he'll choose his people wisely." Nymos murmured, completely stoic. "So the fact that Jake's chosen you to be his girlfriend is a pretty big feat, Mc. I'm glad about this change but I'm also worried."

"I'm worried that you're gonna hurt him and leave as Ikari did. I know you genuinely like him, it's obvious from your answers, but that won't stop something coming in between you and breaking you up. Something like the police force, FBI, or your duskwood friends."

"What do you want me to do then?"

Nymos sighed, ducking his head to stare hard at his sneakers which hang over the boot of the car limply.

"I'm not telling you to break things off, Jake would kill me, but neither am I telling you to invest yourself fully in this relationship just yet. Take it slowly."

"I-"

"You seem like a good girl. You're working miracles on Jake but just be careful of what you're doing with him, okay? I don't want a relapse of last year's situation. That's all."

"I understand," I mumbled, looking back over my shoulder to see Jake with Sam, laughing at Sam's fangirls. "Yeah, I will take things slow." I agreed quietly.

"Yeah?" He murmured. "Good"

"There you are! Let's go check out the competition! Jake and Sam are gonna stay here for a while." Lex smiled happily, pulling me by the sleeve and out of the crowd lining around them. She left Nymos behind without even glancing at him. "I wanna see black shadow practicing his driving!"

"What's with the sad face?" Lex asked, studying my face. I silently swung my legs back and forth over the ledge of the pickup truck's back. Neither of us knew who owned the truck but we used it nevertheless.

"Mc?" Lex prompted, playfully poking my thigh when I didn't speak up. I sighed, looking away.

"Nymos told me to take it slow with Jake and that's all. What exactly is fast and slow? How do I know if I'm going too fast?" I mumbled, exasperated. "I've never been in a serious relationship before, Lex. Help me out here." I whined with my eyebrows knitting together in distress.

"Just keep doing whatever the hell you're doing if it makes both happy. Nymos don't know a thing about trust in a relationship and he treats Jake like a kid. Just ignore him." Lex sipped her cola before pulling the bright red can away.

"Don't worry about it because you're forgetting that Jake's experienced in this relationship stuff. If not you, he knows what to do." She finished by side-eyeing me.

"You're right." I finally uttered, lifting my head and putting a relieved grin on my face. I looked out at the cars freely hurtling around in the wide space before me.

"When's top-racer coming on?"  I hummed, trying to identify the Bugatti car in the mess of cars surrounding us.

"His team should be done checking his car," Lex mumbled. "Hold on, let me message him-"

"Excuse me?"

Both Lex and I looked up at the source of the grainy voice which had bluntly interrupted our conversation.

The girl's hazel eyes widened at the sight of Richy standing before us, hands shoved into his bomber jacket's pockets. Holding my breath, I stared at Richy, feeling my body freeze at the sight and my mind going wild crazy.

He's alive? Why he is here? What does he want? What is he going to do to us?

"Hello to you too masked sweetheart." Richy's attention diverted to me. His mouth tugged up into a half smile.

Lex slid off the edge of the pickup truck smoothly and took my hand, lightly tugging it.

"Mc let's go and find Nymos," she murmured. Feeling tensed under Richy's curious stare I panicked inside, breathing in shakily and too shocked to move. It's him. What do I do?

"Can we talk?" Richy murmured, never once taking his eyes off me. I was totally stuck still, unmoving despite Lex's tugging hand on mine. Richy is back, he suddenly stepped a little closer.

Lex narrowed her eyes at Richy and let go of my hand before sliding into the small distance between me and him with a glare on her face, firmly stopping Richy from inching any closer to me.

"Woah, there." Lex planted a hand in front of Richy, indicating for him to stop, "I'm gonna have to ask you to back the fuck up because you're all up in my personal space and it's pretty damn uncomfortable." Lex said in a sternly tone.

"Sorry, I'm not talking to you. You-" He pointed at me, ignoring Lex. "Why don't you remove that mask and speak up finally, hm?" Richy's previously concerned eyes now glint under the faint yellow sunlight as he stepped even closer, now fully pressing up against me. His warm breath fanned over my neck, subtly whispering followed into my ear.

"Or are you worried I will find out your identity, Mc Estrada?" Richy chuckled, the almost pleasant sound reverberated through the entirety of my stiffened body.

"It's a little sad that Jake had to fall in love with you and take you away."

My fingers curled fists, feeling anger now coursing through my body.

"No, it isn't." I disagreed, reaching up to tug the surgical mask off of my mouth. "But you know what's sad? Kidnapping your friend, threatening your friends, attacking Jessy, and now acting as nothing happened." I hissed, my eyes narrowed at him standing so intimidatingly close.

He opened his mouth, about to say something when someone grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and violently slammed his head forward onto the rusted brown metal of the truck.

The loud metallic 'bang' scared both of me and Lex. I stared at the person forcing Richy against the pickup truck.

"Jake," I uttered breathlessly. Shivering at the intensity of rage bequeathed in my boyfriend's eyes. The veins decorating his arms were bulging, his teeth gritted together, his broad shoulders were stiffened and his fingers curled into tight fists. Richy turned his face to the side to look at Jake.

"Oh hey there. A simple hello would've been less painful but okay-"

Jake pulled harder at Richy's pliant arms, causing him to hiss in pain.

"Ow okay, you're not in the mood for jokes." He commented, wincing.

"Jake, let him go."

I turned my head to look over Jake's shoulder, spotting a calm Nymos standing there with a satisfied Sam watching, arms crossed over his chest. I also noticed a small crowd appearing behind us, growing steadfastly huge by the minute.

"First, ask him why he's talking to Mc and Lex." a snarl ripped through Jake's throat as he continued pressing Richy into the truck floor, eyes practically glowing with violence.

Richy laughed despite his face being painfully smushed against the rough metal.

"You chose a real gem. Mc here is real feisty. Is she like that in bed, too?" He laughed, totally focused on making Jake even more furious and he succeeded. Jake gritted his teeth, lifting Richy's head by a handful of his light hair, and slamming his face back down on the coarsely cut metal.

"Hey, you haven't asked about Ikari, she's doing great with me-"

"Jake, stop it. He's not worth it." Nymos commanded when he noticed several people whipping out their phones to video the scene. Jake simply grunted, rubbing Richy's face further into the rust, dirtying and scratching up his face.

"Jake," Sam, this time muttered once he noticed the thick blood running down Richy's bruised nose and into his smiling mouth.

"Talk about Mc again, I fucking dare you," Jake growled, hand ruthlessly gripping the mass of light hair in his fist. I felt breath hitch inside my throat at the sight.

"Okay, Jake, that's enough." Nymos started, walking up and trying to pull Jake away from Richy but it was futile. Nymos was shrugged off, pushed to the side by a red-hot Jake who continued to exert all his strength in making Richy's teasing into pained, guttural groans.

I appreciated him 'defending' me. But he scared me and Lex. Richy was simply laughing at Jake's violent actions.

"Jake." I tried calmly, slowly walking up to them despite Nymos yelling at me to back up. I grasped onto his hand, the hand holding Richy's hair, and squeezed it slightly.

"Jake, we're both okay. Stop it."

"Mc, move out of the way now."

"It's just Richy. We can handle him." I whispered, trying to gain eye contact with the pissed-off guy. Jake, breathing heavily, dragged his gaze to me and stared at my worried expression for a few heated seconds before grunting out loud in frustration and letting go of Richy's hair, not forgetting to kick his weakened body.

Still furious, Jake took me roughly by the hand and started to walk away, heading in the direction of Sam and Nymos.

But hands gripped at Jake's jacket and he was suddenly tugged backward by Richy. He was abruptly thrown to the ground and tackled down to hold him there. Richy rolled his eyes as he forced an angry Jake down.

"I wanted her since the moment she talked to me." He paused to spit blood, "I wanted to leave nicely." Richy hummed, swinging a hard punch at Jake's jaw.

Jake groaned out in pain but blocked off another upcoming punch hastily. Alarmed I looked over at Nymos and Sam for their input but they shook their heads. Nymos tugged me away by my sleeve.

"Richy, what the fuck is this?" She asked, pursing her pink lips and folding her hands over her chest, looking very unimpressed.

"This is something between them now. Let them fight it out. If it gets too intense, we'll break it up." Nymos murmured, worriedly watching Richy land punch after punch on Jake and him struggling to block them off quickly enough.

Suddenly a female walked into the space cleared for the two guys' to fight. She wore almost transparent black tights and a large t-shirt dress. She frowned at them.

Her expression changed though when she acknowledges the male lying underneath Richy, her eyes blinking at the sight of Jake, jaw bruised and groaning as he effectively but tiredly blocked off Richy's persistent, excited punches.

"Jake?"

Jake looked up then, past Richy's attacks at the female looming over them. Breathlessly staring at the woman towering over him. He failed to defend himself from Richy and let him land a hefty punch by his eye.

"Ikari?"

[shane-mc]

What if...? Duskwood Chapter 36

Chapter 35 ——————————————————————————————  

*Macie POV*

 I read the messages that the kidnapper has sent me. I dare not answer him. For now. It’s better that I doesn’t tell Jake for now, he just found out that his sister is to blame for running over Jennifer Hanson. If I now tell him that the kidnapper has sent me a message, I think it will worry him even more. And I want to take care of him. I will try that he can come to his senses and that he stops all this.

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