What If He Didn't Die?

Chapter 53: The Game

Beth resumes her presentation although, her active audience is now even smaller than earlier. People are busy in sharing looks and jokes, typing on their phone screens, and sharing pictures and videos.

My phone soon vibrates in my hand and I slide the call icon, adjusting my AirPods yet again as it connects me directly to Eric and Jack's conversation.

"Take a breath Jack, what happened down there?" Eric asks in an irritated voice.

"No. No, I can't. Fuck. I can't. It can't be. It can't be. It has to-"

"What can't be Jack? Chill the fuck out. Tell me what happened." Eric hollers and a violent thud silences Jack's blabbering.

"T-there on th-that phone, I g-got a v-voice message." Jack stutters between heavy breaths.

"Okay. And?" Eric asks in a confused voice, doing great in his acting.

"And it was from h-him."

"Hi- who?"

"D-daniel."

"W-what?"

"Shit I know! It sounds stupid. But I heard it, it was him- and I-"

"Dude he's dea-"

"I know Eric!" Jack shouts making his voice echo in my ears. "You think I don't know that? I fucking know he's dead. But I also know that it was him. I-"

He stops.

"You- you've got my phone? Here, give it to me. Yes now. I'll show you, it was here. Just here- just a minute I'll- one second. No- it was. Hell- it was here. I heard it, where did it go?"

"Jack."

"No wait, it is just somewhere here, I- fuck. Where did it-"

"Jack!"

"Shut the fuck up Eric. I'm trying to look for it, it's-" his voice starts breaking, sounding like nothing I've ever heard coming out of him.

"Look for what Jack, are you crazy? There's nothing to look for. It's not there. It never was. There's no Daniel. There's no voice message. He's gone. You get it?"

"Fuck you man!" Jack's voice breaks into sobs and I hear faint whimpers reaching me from the other end.

Taking one deep breath of victory, I disconnect the call and shift in my chair to listen to whatever Elisabeth is explaining to us about a huge flow chart with 'Personality Development' written in the centre of it.

I try to feel satisfied but I find myself nowhere near it. Perhaps, it isn't such an easy prize to win.

When I walk into the cafeteria with Robert's hand in mine, the first thing I spot is Jack, looking much better than earlier. Walking back towards his table where Hannah and Jacob sit whispering something to each other.

Secretly, I share a look with Robert next to me. He winks mischievously at me and a smile curls up on my lips that I try hard to suppress by biting my inner cheeks.

Taking in a deep breath I start walking. With eyes lost somewhere, I advance straight up to him and before he knows it, the coffee in his hand is all over his white shirt, while I draw myself back just in time.

"What the fuck, Easter? Where are your eyes!" I know it isn't a question but I still make a sorry face at him.

"Oh my God Jack. Are you okay?" I ask in completely fake concern.

"Do I look okay to you?" He whines from behind gritted teeth.

"Keep it down bro." Robert cooes like a long-lost friend.