Page 84 of His Untoward Hate

“Please…” he whispered weakly. “Let go of me…”

“I’m sorry.” Sky’s voice cracked. “I’m so sorry. I really am. I won’t hurt you again, I promise. Just…just please don’t say things like that anymore.” Sky begged.

Every word came from the deepest part of him.

Sky kept his arms wrapped tightly around Jude, refusing to let him go, no matter how much he struggled. Eventually, the fight drained out of him. Minutes later, Jude stopped resisting altogether.

All Sky could hear were the quiet sounds of his sobbing. Jude rested his forehead against Sky’s arm, his fingers clutching the hem of Sky’s shirt as though it were the only thing keeping him grounded.

More minutes passed.

The sobs gradually faded until they disappeared completely. Jude’s breathing finally evened out, though the heat radiating from his body still had not subsided.

Then, in a voice so soft and fragile it nearly broke Sky’s heart, Jude mumbled, “I just want to die, Sky. I mean it. Please let me die.”

The words sent a chill through him.

Jude’s stubbornness, the hopelessness in his voice, the way he spoke about death as if it were a comfort, terrified Sky more than anything else ever had.

Sky lowered his gaze to him.

“Then what about me?” he whispered, even if Jude was already asleep in his arms. “Are you just going to abandon me?”

32

Stealing one last glance at him asleep, Sky quietly shut the bedroom door and headed downstairs to make breakfast. The moment he stepped out, a sharp burning pain flared across his back. He stopped and reached behind him, fingers brushing the sore spot. The black shirt clinging to his body was slightly damp with blood, and he could tell from the heat coursing through him that his temperature was far from normal. He chose to ignore all of it.

With his hands buried in his pockets, Sky descended the stairs, lost in thought. He spotted his brother lounging on their old vintage sofa, casually munching on a green apple—his favorite—while flipping through the morning newspaper.

Sky paused with only two steps left to go, studying him for a brief moment before continuing down. Jasper was already dressed in his school uniform, looking neat and polished, carrying himself with the confidence of a young professional.

“Wasn’t class canceled because of the weather?” Sky casually asked.

“There wasn’t any announcement from the school. The mayor only suspended classes for elementary,” Jasper replied.

Sky wished classes had been postponed, especially since Jude could not attend. He was worried that Jude might miss out on earning extra points. Sky wanted him to be the class valedictorian after all.

“How was your first day at work?” Sky asked as he walked toward the refrigerator and grabbed a glass of water.

Jasper shot Sky a glance before returning his attention to the newspaper.

“It was okay,” he replied. “A little confusing at times, especially with all the medicines. And I still have to get used to dealing with customers, mostly the hot-headed senior citizens. But that’s all normal when you’re just starting.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with it?” Sky asked, concern evident in his voice.

Jasper sighed and lowered the newspaper slightly.

“Are we really having this conversation again? We’ve already talked about this.”

“I know,” Sky said quickly.

Sky took a sip of water before adding, “Just remember, you can quit anytime if you want.”

Jasper did not answer. Sky immediately knew he was starting to get on his nerves.

“What’s with all that stuff?” Sky asked, eyeing the extra bag on the couch. “Are you seriously going to school carrying two bags?”

“I packed some things,” Jasper replied, causing Sky’s brows to knit together in confusion.