Chapter 2

Jeroen looked up at the house he called his home for years now. His hand grabbed the handle and opened the door. He limped inside, his ankle still hurts from the time he jumped of a building. Jeroen looked around. Somewhere he hoped he wouldn't see his roommates. But since when was he ever lucky? Appie stared at him from the staircase.

"Jeroen!" He screamed happily. "You're home." His eyes where full of concern.

"Yeah." Was the only response that Jeroen could muster. Before Appie could say something else he made his way to his room. He let himself fall on his bed. His head hurts even more then before. His leg felt like it would fall of any moment now. He was hungry and thirsty. But he didn't care about all that. The true is, he just wanted to sleep.

"So Appie didn't lie." A voice sounded from the door opening. "You're really are home." There was a bitter under tone.

Jeroen opened his eyes and looked directly at Noa. "Noa.."

"Don't." She silences him. "I know you don't have an aunt living in these neighborhood." A feeling of hurt fills him. She knew and did nothing to stop him. She didn't search for him. She just let him walk away. But that is what he wanted right? He needed to just walk away.

"What do you know?" He spitted out. He needed her to hate him. He needed her to let him walk away even if it hurts. Even when it kills him inside. "Maybe I just needed some space from you."

Noa shakes her head like she is disappointed that he is trying to out her. She walks up to him and grabs his hands. "What is happening Jeroen?" She looks at him with a look full of love and it makes him want to throw up. "Why do you want to run away so badly?"

"Shut it." He pulls his hands back. "I think we need to break up." He thinks back to Raven.

"Wait what? Why?" Noa shrieks. "I thought you love me."

"I suppose I don't anymore." He smirks. "Or never did, idunno." His hearth hurt for her. But he did need to do this. Raven is out there and he knows how much Noa means to him. So if he shows that she is nothing to him.. she would be safe right.

Noa runs away and Jeroen didn't stop her. He just laid back down and closed his eyes. He doesn't even feel the tears that leaks out of his eyes. The only thing he notice when he falls in sleep is the voice of Zeno Therpstra getting closer.

I am cursed, Jeroen and so are you.

The curse got me and you will be next.

It will come for you boy.

You're next.

Mwhahahahahahha

Appie stays silent while he was watching his friend turning and mourning in his sleep. It wasn't even the first time he was doing so. Appie never told anyone but Jeroen was having nightmares for months now. Sometime it even scared Appie. He remembers the first time Jeroen started screaming at night. He hadn't been there very much with the club and all.

It wasn't until a couple days when he realist it was becoming a real problem. The circles around his eyes becoming slowly darker, the trembles in his hands from caffeine overload and the way his voice cracks like he is to drained from his energy to even talk.
And still he didn't tell.

Appie told himself that it was because Jeroen deserved everything he got. Alright, he was his best friend but still Jeroen betrayed him, used him and black mailed him so many time.
He says he understand and sometimes he does. Jeroen is deadly afraid of Zeno.
If anyone just said the name the boy would hide away. It was concerning, worrying even.
And still he didn't tell, he didn't do anything.

And now he realist he may be to late. He just talked to Noa and his best friend is running again. Running away or hiding away from the few people he actually let inside. Something happened and he hadn't been there to help his best friend. He had been worrying about Nienke and the club so much that he let his friend down, big time. If somebody knew Jeroen it was him and he knew that Jeroen didn't have an aunt. Yes, an aunt in America maybe.

Appie was brought back by a horrible scream. He stood watching his friend shoot up from his bed. Screaming and frightened. Without thinking Appie walked over and lays his hand on his shoulder. Eyes still filled with concern.

"You're alright mate?" He asked. A bit afraid of the answer.

"Yea.. I.. I'm alright." Still the same lie. Appie backs away immediately. He smiles as he walks to his own bed and lies down. Glad that he didn't have to act. Maybe he will tomorrow.
Then he could make up a plan. Maybe pester it out of his best friend.

"Alright. Night then." He close his eyes. Never bothering to look if Jeroen goes back to sleep also. He nods to himself. Tomorrow he would act.
He will help his friend even if he doesn't know how...

tbc.