I stared at the ticking clock and realized that is how my life is right now, ticking towards the end. My condition was worsening, I had blindness sometimes and sometimes my whole body went numb. My nose bleeding happened at the most abrupt timing and sometimes I struggled even to speak and form proper words.

But that was not that troubled me what made me mad and miserable was the fact that Jeremy was not ready to give up. No matter what I did to make him believe that I hate him nothing mattered to him anymore. He was not leaving me and I shouldn't feel this way but that made me happy deep down.

Sam said I needed to tell the truth and let him decided but it scared me to see him break while I was still alive. But some part of me knew, it was too late now.

I was hiding out in a house which apparently belonged to Jack's ring buddy. They met as opponents but became friends. I have never seen the friend come home so I just stayed her. Jack started working at a diner which doesn't require applications and stuff so they didn't know what his background was and I had some idea who helped him get that job.

The clock struck seven and I knew that by this time Sam would come with some message or flowers or something nice as a mediator between me and Jeremy who still didn't know where I was hiding. I was terrified to face because last time I did, his kiss dissolved all my thoughts and I came to a realisation that I weak against him. My feelings were too strong and my mind listened to my heart.

On cue, there was a door knock and I opened it. The breath left my body as I saw Reggie and one other guy standing there. Panic build inside me and I staggered back. How did he find out?

"I missed you, Reen, you managed to escape last time but not this time." He said and caught hold of my wrist and started dragging me away.

I gripped the nearest possible thing to stop from being dragged off and looked for something to hit him.

"You think you can stop me from doing this? " He snarled, "Ma and Pops want to see you."

"Reggie, why are you doing this?" I was crying, unfortunately.

"Because I am family Reen." 

His smile was sinister and it made me recoil in fear.

"Kill me now then," I said.

"You made my parents rot in jail and I had to face so much trouble because you ran away that night Reen, it's time you paid us back. You are going to be our little breadwinner now. I will sell you to the highest paying mob boss." He said with utter hatred in his voice.

"You scum leave her or I will shoot you now." Jack's voice resonated with power.

"Jack, my dear Jack. How is Sam?" He threatened not leaving my hand.

And Jack shot the friend Reggie brought along.  I looked terrified at what just happened. Jack just killed a person and I was getting helpless by passing second.

"You can't shoot me, Jack, if you do you will always be on run. And your sweet heart and sister will be in danger." He warned but the little perspiration was a dead give away.

He was scared as murder flashes in Jack's eyes.

"Let. Her. Go. or I will shoot." Jack was not playing any games.

And this time Reggie left my hand but pulled out a gun instead.  This was a scenario not even scripted in my nightmares. If Jack shot Reggie then Sam will be in trouble and there is no way I can let Jack get hurt.

They both were aiming guns at each other and Reggie was dangerous. I saw the glass bottles lying around and that night came into view. I was gasping for breath again but there was a new found determination as I shattered the bottle making it a sharped edge. I felt broken pieces prick my hands as I lifted it to hit Reggie's head as he was solely focused on Jack.

Tears were streaming down my eyes and adrenaline drained away as Reggie fell on the ground, dead or unconscious I was not sure. Before I could fall down Jack was there. I could see them, I could hear but I was still numb as I felt nothing in that moment as blood dripped from my injured hand.

"Jeremy told me to watch out for you if he hadn't-" Jack left the horrible scenario unsaid.

Jeremy saved me, again.

The clock is ticking Maureen. 

"Where is he?" I managed to mumble.

"Nagging Sam for your whereabouts." I felt my weak lips lift in a small smile in this absurd moment.

"Is Reggie dead?" I asked my voice shaking with emotion.

"Who is he Maureen?" Jack asked in a stern tone.

"My foster brother." Jack knew about my nightmares and why I ran.

His silence made me grateful that he didn't scold me for hiding this from him.

"He is not dead but for now we can breathe."

I nodded as he almost carried all my weight, my hand around his shoulder.

"You are safest with Jeremy, why did you leave him?" Jack asked in a curious tone.

"I don't want to hurt him."

"Staying away from him is hurting him more."

"Whose side are you on Jack, mine or Jeremy?" I asked perturbed at his explanation that was so valid.

"Yours Maureen." He said and I understood his obvious tone.

He was letting me go the person that made me the happiest. He was simply helping me even now.

"Why are you so nice?" I asked my voice wavering now as my energy left my body.

"Just around you Maureen, just around you." He said smiling at me.

***

When my eyes opened I felt the blurry image in front of my eyes exasperate me. I blinked multiple times hoping to see clearer but it didn't help. Two people were talking and from the voice, I knew it was Sam and Jack.

"It's her secret to tell Jack not mine. I can't tell you." She protested.

I felt guilty for putting Sam in such place, lying to his own brother.

"She is dying, is that true?" Jack's voice was strained.

I have never heard him sound so hopeless.

Sam was silent.

"Yes," I answered for her and my vision got better.

Jack walked to me, his eyes red and I felt something sharp hit my chest. A tough person in your life when becomes vulnerable your whole support system breaks down. 

"Why?" He asked like a lost kid and not someone who protected me from everything bad.

I shrugged not sure I had any answer for him.

Tears spilled down his eyes and I saw fear, hopeless, pain flash in his eyes. I realized I hurt some part of him irrevocably.

"I am sorry," I mumbled.

He gulped and just looked at me. He was holding back his pain, I knew from experience.

"I want to blame you for not telling and other things but I just know you so well Reen, I can't," He said in a hopeless tone.

"Take care of each other,"I asked both of them crying in front of me.

There will be someone who will remember me fondly after I die.

Jack surprised me by bending down and softly kissing my forehead and walked out. Such a guy.

"I hope you realize how we will be for the rest of our lives," Sam said with an accusing tone.

Just like Jeremy a part of them will scar.

"But that doesn't mean we don't want to leave us, keep us in dark. we want to spend every living moment with you."

I knew what she was getting at and I was scared.

"He will hate me," I whispered.

"And that is what you want." She simplified for me the lame reason I have been giving myself.

"He is still not recovered from his sister's death." I defend my actions.

"And what good hiding from him do. If you wanted that you should never have gotten closer Reena." She sounded frustrated.

"Can't I just stay with him till-till-" I couldn't get myself to say.

"And vanish one day without answers?"

"What should I do then?" I asked.

"You love him?" Sam asked and I nodded immediately.

She smiled amidst her tears.

"Then allow him to feel that, love for as long as he can, true selfless love." She said and for a moment I fell in the trap.

I so wanted to do that but the question still lingered in my head, should I, allow him to get more attached?

***

Two days after the incident I was bed ridden and suffered from even worse nightmares. Jack came back with Shawn and we argued over the treatment and Shawn was luckily on my side and told them that I was a lost cause now. I let my disease reach a dangerous point.

I switched on the TV at room Sam was sharing with two other girls at the shop. 

And unfortunately, Jeremy popped up on the screen. My heart ached at his beautiful vision but allowed myself to endure the pain as he talked to the reporters about his upcoming movies. They were scared of him to a level and did not ask any stupid questions.

"I have heard that you are close friends with Miss Sapphire here." A beautiful looking actress came and linked her arms with him.

I tried not to feel violent and edgy on that sight.

"She is a delight to work with, natural and gorgeous." He complimented her.

"Are we seeing some smoking chemistry in the movie?" One asked.

Jeremy gave his familiar sly smirk, "Sure."

And I know for sure that I was going insane as felt like punching the woman for no reason.

Sam came barging in and I quickly turned the channel.

"Trouble, Reggie is alive and you are in the system and your foster parents are looking for you."

My dreams never came true but here my nightmare was.

"We need to hide you."

"Where?" I asked almost fumbling to get up.

"Jeremy's, who else?" She said the dreaded words.

☘  ☘  ☘

Don't worry, I am not making it tragic! xD

Jack knows...and he is going to mourn in silence since he is not the one to display his emotions...I hope this makes sense! Therefore I didn't showcase his emotions too much on the reveal.

And Reggie will be back :D