𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 27
3𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐯

— ORDER FOR JASPER!"
The barista called, Jasper gave a polite grin as he approached, thanking her as she handed him the cup holder loaded up with the three coffees he'd ordered. Carefully, he balanced the cup holder in one hand before grabbing the bag with snacks he'd bought as well, figuring they'd all need a little pick me up.

Swiftly getting out of the way, he made his way back to the outdoor seating which was empty save for the table in the corner the trio had grabbed when they arrived, grateful for the privacy as it seemed nobody else enjoyed the particular cold morning.

He was just rounding the corner that blocked his view of Sam and Colby when he heard a familiar voice, "I think we need to get him to leave the Manor, but I don't think he wants to."

Jasper paused abruptly, hiding behind the corner as he pulled the cup holder and bag close, his ears piqued in interest as Sam began to reply, "Maybe he'll change his mind now, after the whole stair thing." He paused a moment and continued, asking hesitantly, "Any clue what happened there?"

Jasper frowned, leaning against the wall as he listened for Colby's response, "I didn't see what happened. I just saw him falling." His frown deepened. Did they— did they think he'd merely tripped? Did he even want them to know the truth?

"But something in that house..." Colby continued before Jasper could lose himself completely to these thoughts, "It's coming for him."

Jasper shivered at the words he knew to be true. He'd felt the constant eyes watching him, the shadows lurking in every corner, and even the still burning sensation on his back served as a reminder that he was in danger every minute he was at the Briar Manor — but then how could he leave without the truth? Would he even be satisfied once he got it?

He didn't know anymore, all he knew was something was pushing him to find answers there and he couldn't discern anymore if it was his own curiosity or something else pushing him to this decision.

"I'm worried." Colby continued, "For him, for all of us. But I'm scared that even if we all make it out okay, he won't be the same anymore." He admitted quietly, Jasper straining to hear it.

"It's just a house." Sam attempted to comfort them, however Jasper and Colby shook their heads at the same time.

"I don't know man." Colby replied, "Something about this place is just different."

He glanced up, his eyes flickering across the room, though luckily never landing on Jasper. "It's taking him a while, huh?" He asked shuffling in his seat, "Maybe I should..."

Jasper's eyes widened as he attempted to right himself in a matter of seconds before he cleared his throat, fixed his expression, and popped out from around the corner.

He approached the table with a smile just as Colby began to rise from his chair. "Hey, sorry," the blonde called, "Line was a bit long." He chuckled, hoping Colby wouldn't look past his eyes into his very being (something it seemed only Colby was able to do) and simply take his excuse and by some miracle, he did, though his face twisted in concern as he took the cup holder from his hand.

"No worries, we were just having a chat," Colby replied, offering no further information as he ushered Jasper into his seat, setting down the cup holder before he took his spot next to Jasper.

Sam cleared his throat, "So, before making a decision, I think it might be a good idea to delve deeper into the history of the place." He began, "When we did our initial research, there was a lot that we couldn't find."

Jasper nodded in acknowledgment. He took a sip of his caramel Frappuccino — which he just knew Colby would tease him for getting despite the already cold weather, the amused look on his face confirmed this — before he spoke, "I can ask my grams," he winced, "actually maybe not." He amended remembering her anger when she found out he was at the manor.

"Does she know much about the manor?" Sam asked curiously, his brows furrowed.

He nodded, "She lived right down the street from it when she was younger, and Julian... well you know." He shrugged noncommittally. He winced again, "She's not too happy I'm here actually."

At this Colby seemed stressed, his brows furrowing, and his shoulders tensing, "Does she not like m— us?"

Jasper shook his head, eyes landing on the table as he admitted, "She kinda freaked when she found out I was at the manor, she says it's dangerous."

Silently, Sam and Colby shared a glance full of concern, "And you still went?" Colby asked, voicing the question in both their minds.

Jasper shrugged and let a small smile grace his lips, "I'm not known to be a rule follower." He joked, "I figured she was just... spooked from a childhood ghost story until..."

"Until?" Sam asked gently, urging him further but not demanding a response.

"Until I found out about Julian. But my grams... she never figured out what happened to him, not really, nobody did. If I can give her some sort of relief..." he shook his head, meeting Colby's gaze, his eyes pleaded for understanding.

"I have to find out the truth, for her."

✧˖*°࿐

        I have to find out the truth, for her, the words echoed in Jasper's mind even as he stared at the three red marks running down his back that had been stinging as though fresh for hours, since the stairs — the feeling of falling came back to him, the haze he'd been in that made him feel as though he was flying before Colby pulled him back — a knock at his door cut off his thoughts.

He took his hand off his shirt, letting it slip back over his back and adjusting it slightly before he cleared his throat, "Come in," he called.

The door opened slowly and Colby's head peered in with an easy grin on his face, "Dude what if that had been a demon?" He joked, lifting a finger in accusation, "You just welcome a demon in."

Jasper shrugged, eyeing Colby with a slight smirk, his brain-to-mouth filter failing as he spoke, "I mean I always have had a thing for bad guys, why not demons who look like sex on a stick."

A moment later, his words caught up to him, the only thing stopping an overwhelming sense of embarrassment to pair with his reddening cheeks was the amusement slowly creeping in as he watched as Colby's brain failed in real-time.

It took several moments (moments which Jasper wished he could record) before Colby gained his composure, clearing his throat, "Wow... I forget, everything." He chuckled, "Uhh I came to..." he snapped his fingers absentmindedly, gaze actively avoiding Jasper as his blushing cheeks betrayed him, "check on you!" He recalled, "You seem good," his eyes glanced Jasper up and down, "Are you good?"

"Oh yeah," Jasper replied, ignoring the pain in his back by focusing on his amusement as he smirked at Colby, "I'm good."

"Good." Colby nodded in acknowledgment, "So... ghosts?"

The blonde raised a brow curiously, "Ghosts?"

Colby nodded, his words making perfect sense, thank you very much, "See any ghosts?" He glanced around the room to emphasize his point, totally not to will the blush away until something... clicked.

His gaze flicked to Jasper, "I came here to have a serious discussion," he began trying his best to sound at least mildly annoyed, "and you go with your talk of-"

"You being walking dirty dream, no wait, blue-eyed dream boat, no— sex on a stick?" Jasper joked, letting out a hum, "I know it distracts me too."

"I could say the same about you, you know." Colby shot back, greatly enjoying the way Jasper's cheeks reddened even faster than his. He sat down on the edge of Jasper's bed as he sorted through his thoughts, trying to finally recall why he was here, "So you really wanna stay here, even after..." he made some vague gestures with his hand, "everything?"

Jasper turned more serious as he sat down beside Colby, "I do." He told him cautiously, as though testing the waters despite the determination in his eyes that said he'd jump in anyway.

Colby took a breath, he too was testing the waters. His eyes met Jasper's and he knew, "Okay," he'd jump in too. No safety vest. No care for the rocky cliffs or the ever-growing sharp currents of the ocean, only seeing... "I can't speak for Sam but I'll stay, I'll do it for you."

His eyes narrowed sternly, "But," he continued, "the second you get hurt, I'm pulling the plug and dragging both of us out."

Jasper ignored the ever-present pain in his back that now seemed to weigh against his heart as well as his skin, and gave a nod, "Okay."

"Promise me." Colby said seriously, "Promise me you'll leave with me if you get hurt or too scared or things go too far, promise me, Jasper, or I'll book both our flights tonight."

The blonde nodded, despite being tempted to point out he could simply refuse to leave and let Colby leave on his own (something he knew he could bear to do, not again), "Okay." He repeated, meeting Colby's blue eyes.

Blue shined against blue as Jasper continued, "I promise." The red on his back burned like a fire branding against his skin, guilt stirring with determination creating a dangerous and possibly deadly combination. He repeated, "I promise."

✧˖*°࿐
1,630 words

Welcome to hell week !
(except it's just the final chapters of medium and will not be posted in only one week)

we are officially in the final countdown! Only 5 more chapters left of this book and imma admit, this chapter was originally going to be much sadder, so you're welcome