Chapter 100: Don’t leave again
Ash sat slumped in the chair, his face buried in his hands, his shoulders shaking as quiet sobs wracked his body. He couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
Every time he thought about Elijah’s bloodied face, the tears only came harder. He hadn’t seen Elijah in three years, and now Elijah had reappeared—only to nearly sacrifice himself to save him. The thought made Ash’s heart twist painfully in his chest.
Kian stood beside him, shifting awkwardly as he watched his usually cheerful friend unravel. He scratched the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable in the tense atmosphere but unable to leave Ash alone in such a state.
Finally, he asked softly, "Ash...who is that guy? You seem to know him."
Ash tried to speak, to explain the complicated mess that was his relationship with Elijah, but all that came out was a strangled noise.
"H-He...h—" He choked on his words, his throat constricting painfully, the weight of it all too much to bear at this moment. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he shook his head, unable to even form a coherent sentence.
Seeing how distressed Ash was, Kian sighed and sat down next to him, his large hand awkwardly patting Ash’s shoulder.
"It’s fine. You don’t have to explain now," he said quietly. "Just take your time."
Ash nodded, his breath coming out in short, shallow gasps as he tried to calm himself down. But his mind raced with thoughts—Why the hell would Elijah come back now? Why would he try to save me after everything I’ve done? Ash clenched his fists, anger bubbling up inside him.