The days were dragging by so slow. We barely made any stops at all and come tomorrow we'd be back in Baltimore. The guys wouldn't speak to me very much, unless they were trying to get me to eat. Matt did buy me a case of beer the night that Ember left, mostly because I freaked out and started crying again. I don't think anyone understood that I couldn't do this without her. I wouldn't do it without her. She was, and would be, the only reason I got help. And now she's gone.


These were dark days for me. My back was stiff from rarely leaving the bunk. My eyes were sore from staring at my phone for so long. Ember hadn't texted or called me once. I refused to do so for her, because if she was leaving me, that was the end of it. She was gone. We were over. Alex finally took her from me, just as I always assumed he would.


"Hey Jack?" Rian poked his head in the curtain of my bunk, dark circles under his eyes from the lack of sleep we've all been suffering. "We're making a stop to fill up and get food. Want me to bring you back anything? You've had one meal over the last four days."


"I'm fine, Ri."


"You know we're doing this for your own good, right? We have to make sure you get better."
"Whatever you say, dude."


Giving up on his pep talk, Rian left me alone with my thoughts again. I knew everyone would be leaving the bus, everyone except for the one person that could hold me back: Zack. But that wouldn't stop me from doing exactly what I needed to do. Sitting up, I managed to pull my shorts off and slip on a clean pair of jeans without even moving the curtain to let Zack know that I was active. The shirt I had one would do for now. My fingers wrapped around my wallet and phone, which were each shoved into my pockets.


Now to play the waiting game.


I sat up in my bed, waiting, until I heard Zack carry himself to the bathroom and shut the door. It was now or never. Slipping out of my bunk, I tiptoed past the bathroom door and quickly pulled my shoes onto my feet. Poking my head out of the door, I made sure no one was there keeping watch, and sure enough, they weren't. As quietly as I could, I closed the door behind me and took off running.


The ground was wet from rain below my feet, splashing about with every step I took. There was a thick fog around my head, but in a sense, I found it comforting. Honestly, I had no idea where I was going. I just had to find some place that no one could find me. I'd made up my mind about this days ago - I refused to go back to Baltimore and be locked up if Ember wasn't there supporting me. Alex didn't realize the damaged he'd done by taking her away. She was my only hope, the only light in the darkness, and now she was gone. Maybe I was gone, too. It's not like anyone really cared, either way. They just wanted Ember to be safe and happy. My well-being was none of their concern. I'm sure they'll all be happy when they search my bunk and find that my clothes are still in tact and the keys to my home in Baltimore are right where I left them.


I wasn't going back.


My feet were sore by the time I reached a bed and breakfast that agreed to take cash instead of a card. There was a bitter old man working reception, he didn't even ask for my ID. Unless someone was following me - which I'd made sure they weren't - There was no way anyone could ever find me here. Handing over the cash, I took the rushed key for my room. This place was old, it smelled, and it fit my mood entirely.


The room that I'd been given wasn't much better. The wall paper was cracked, the bed hurt my ass and the lights were so dim I could barely see anything. At least there was a phone book in the desk drawer. Wrapping my hands around the bent up paper, I flipped through the yellow pages until I found exactly what I was looking for. A deep breath left my lungs as I yanked out my cell phone to make the call.


This probably wasn't the best idea I'd ever had, but the rest of the world was better off without me. I'd let my fans down, my friends hated me and my girlfriend was finished with me. Aside from my mom, who I couldn't even tell about this without breaking her heart, no one cared. It was me against the world now. I'd settle down in some crap town, take care of myself and be alone for the rest of my life. Just how I was intended to be when my brain turned against me.


The ringing in my ear made me anxious. Would anyone even answer? Was there even hope for me now? My question was answered when a kind old woman answered my call. At least now I knew someone was there for me.


"My name's Jack Barakat and I'd like to make an appointment, please."

Notes

This is short, I know. But we needed to see things from Jack's side of the break down. Loves yewwsss<3.