Chapter 23
Live Or Die
"You're going to die for what you did to Sam!" John screams, forcing the dagger down on Caleb's neck. "You really believe that don't you pretty boy? Well there's only one thing you didn't account for." Caleb takes one hand off the knife and grabs John by the throat. John keeps trying to force the dagger into his neck as Caleb's grasp begins to block his airways. Caleb feels John loosening his grip and rips the bloody dagger from his hands.
John moves his now free hands to Caleb's wrist trying to find some oxygen. Caleb stands up still hold him. "Now that we've gotten that out of our way…" His eyes wander to the dagger in his hand coated with John's blood. John starts getting light headed. All that runs through his head are thoughts of Sam, and what she's been through. The thought that hits home is never being able to see her beautiful face again. Never being able to love her and kiss her the way he's wanted to for so long.
Caleb looks up at John again. John begins to see black dots and is about to go unconscious when he feels Caleb release his grip and throw him to the ground. John takes a deep breath trying to get airflow through his lungs. The dots begin to disappear with every new breath he takes. John looks back up at Caleb who is still holding the blood covered dagger. Caleb kneels down beside him.
"I'll give you one last chance John… Leave with your life… Or die a long and painful death." John says nothing. "Either way Livvie is mine…. Don't play the fool." John stares at him for a few more seconds before slowly standing on his feet. John looks at Caleb dead in the eye. "It's your choice."
John slowly turns and begins to walk away from Caleb. He has a blank stare on his face, refusing to show any emotion what so ever. "You're a smart guy John…. You know just when to walk away." John tones him out. "Too bad though. The game may be over….. But in your mind you'll always remember…..That she left you for the man she truly loves." John stops in his tracks. "I won't give up on you" he whispers to himself.
John turns around and charges full speed towards Caleb with his fists ready to impale him. Caleb stands with a smile as he watches his enemy return to the battle. John's heart is beating like a drum. Nearly within spitting distance John takes a swing at Caleb. He easily avoids the punch with one swift movement.
John tries to take one last swing, but Caleb grabs hold of him and throws John forcefully into the stone wall. John falls to the ground and doesn't move. Caleb slowly walks over to him and sees John's blood splattered on the wall. He looks back down at the dagger. "You should have walked out of here when you had the chance John…" Caleb stabs the bloody dagger into the wall right above where John lays. "I don't ever lose."