Chapter Twenty-four: Old skeletons

Thunder rumbled in the clouds above, Jack stared down at the coffin he had spent the last few hours shovelling mud off of. It was time for some answers he decided.

'Please be inside,' he whispered as he prayed under his breath, 'please be dead...'

He closed his eyes firmly, counting in his head. He could do this, he just had to open it and look inside.

1...2...3...4...5-

He opened his eyes and turned his gaze downwards so he was facing the coffin.

'Jack...?'

Jack looked up, jumping slightly, he frowned as he squinted through the darkness. He knew that voice.

'Kate?'

Kate cast a glance at the empty bottles of alcohol that had been strewn aside on the grass, she looked saddened as she looked down at the man she was in love with and the mess he was becoming again.

'Don't do this Jack.'

Jack fought back a pang of annoyance, 'I need answers Kate-If he's not in here-'

'Jack. WE buried him. WE were at the funeral, remember? Both of us...' her voice was soft, it was laced with defeat as she spoke.

'No Kate- if he's gone-then why won't he leave me alone? Why is he haunting me?'

Kate studied him, 'you've had alot to drink. You need to come home with me. Just let this go-'

Jack considered her offer, he shook his head, 'I can't Kate-'

'Jack-' her reply was cut short as Jack pulled open the coffin, he scowled and grimaced as he stared down at the decomposing body inside. He looked up at Kate, she had seen the body too. It was real, his father was dead.

Kate covered her mouth with a hand, she felt sick as she looked at the rotting corpse. Enough was enough, she shook her head and began to walk away.

Jack stirred as Kate began to leave, 'Kate, wait...'

Kate carried on walking, Jack, closed the coffin door, he climbed out of the ditch and ran after her, it began to rain as he grabbed her arm.



'Hey Kate-'

Kate pulled away from him immediately, Jack frowned as he studied her, her tone was firm.

'Look at your self Jack. What are you doing? Digging up skeletons in the middle of the night? Drinking?' she shook her head, before he could answer, she cut him off, holding his gaze firmly with hers.

'You're losing me Jack.'

The gravity of her statement hit him slowly as she walked away, the clouds rumbled again, the rain fell heavily as if it was filling the growing distance between them.

End chapter twenty-four: