Chapter Eight: I Have No Choice

Mark's POV

I got up before Jack and decided to go on my morning walk. I stepped out into the warm California sun and started walking, thinking about yesterday's livestream.

I lived in a suburban area not too far from the inner LA area, so there wasn't a lot of traffic. Some cars passed here and there, then one pulled over a couple blocks ahead of me. I didn't think much of it. Maybe they just lived at the house the were in front of. I was getting closer to the car, minding my own business, then suddenly they rolled down the window and pointed a gun at my face. I put my hands up, proposing I didn't mean any trouble. "Get in the car, now!" Terrified, I did as I was told. I was shaking. "Now our buddy Trent said that you were causing a problem. He's in prison now. He doesn't like you two being together. He wants Jack, and if he can't have him, nobody can have him, capeesh? Let's see, it's 10 AM now, so I want you completely moved out of there by noon, or we'll kill both of you. And we'll kill both of you if you tell the police, or, Jack. We're smarter than the police, understand me?" My heart was beating out of my chest. They still hand a gun pointed at me. I nodded. "Remember, out of there by noon," The pushed me out of car and onto the concrete sidewalk and sped off.

I started crying right there on the sidewalk. I didn't know what to do.

I ran home and opened the door slowly, Jack was sitting on couch, eating cereal and watching TV. I quietly snuck passed him to the stairs. He didn't notice me.

I hopped in the shower so I could cry without him hearing me. I was sitting on the shower floor, holding my knees to my chest and letting the water rain upon me.

. . .

I was shaking as I was packing two giant duffel bags. I checked to see if Jack was coming upstairs. He wasnt. A million thoughts were racing through my head. What will I say to Jack without letting him know why I have to do this? I'm gonna break his heart.

I checked the time, 11:05. I didn't have the heart to say anything to him, so I was just thinking about sneaking out. Maybe that's too mean. I don't know what to do! I have to say something. I can't just leave him.

I slowly went down the stairs, duffel bags in hand. My face was completely pale. I couldn't feel any emotion. I stood by the front door, looking at Jack playing a game on his phone. I didn't want to speak, so I just dropped the bags on the floor to get his attention. He looked up. My heart stopped. "Mark? Are you okay? What's going on? I didn't see you at all this morning. Why do you have those duffel bags?" I could see the worry in his bright blue eyes. "Jack," He walked closer to me. I felt like he thought he knew where this was going. I could see the life drain from his face. "Jack, I have to go, and you can't ask me why. Goodbye, Jack," Tears were streaming down his face. I felt so awful. "Mark," He said, still crying. "Please tell me why. Was it something I did?" The look on his face made me tear up too. "I'm sorry," I put my head down and walked out the door to my car and left, sobbing, finding a hotel to stay at.

Jack's POV

I fell to my knees, sobbing. Sobbing to the point of hyperventilation. I couldn't breathe. I hated myself. What did I do?!

I sat with my back against my bedroom door with a blank stare, tear stains on my face.