The Truth at a Cost

"OH SHIT!" Jake's voice shattered the stillness of the night, his panic evident as he saw the shadow of danger closing in.

Sebastian's heart pounded in his chest, fear surging through him. "RUN!" he shouted, grabbing Jake's arm and pulling him into motion.

"Of course!" Jake responded, his mind racing. They didn't dare stop to look back.

Behind them, Vault's voice rang out, sharp and chilling. "You thought I'm a killer?"

Jake's stomach dropped. "Sorry," he muttered, not even daring to look behind. "But, concentrate on running."

Vault's voice grew more distant, almost mocking. "Yup."

Sebastian, however, slowed down, his breath heavy and labored. "Wait," he said suddenly, his voice trembling. "He's not behind us."

He stopped dead in his tracks, eyes scanning the dark street for any signs of movement. "Stop!" Sebastian barked, his voice tight with urgency.

Jake came to a halt beside him. "Oh... yes, yes," he muttered, trying to make sense of what was happening. "I don't know what just happened."

Sebastian was breathing heavily, but he felt a spark of realization. "You were wrong," he said quietly, looking at Jake with a mix of disbelief and frustration.

Jake shot him a glance, a smirk forming despite the tension. "But I'm always right."

From behind them, Vault's voice was as cold as ever. "But not this time."

Jake's smirk faltered as he raised his right hand, as if some invisible weight had just shifted. "I'm going to meet Andy," he said, his voice firm.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Now?"

Jake nodded, his mind already set. "Yes."

Sebastian sighed, hands on his hips. "Okay then, I and Vault would wait here."

Vault's voice cut through the air, sharp and serious. "Are you mad? Mr. Black could come here anytime."

Sebastian waved him off, trying to mask his own unease. "Don't worry, I'm with you."

At Andy's Home

Jake opened the door to Andy's house, walking in with a determined expression. "Hey Andy," he greeted, his eyes scanning the room.

Andy looked up, his face flushed with exhaustion. "Yup, hh," he answered, his voice weak.

Jake raised an eyebrow. "Did you just run a marathon? You're sweating too much."

Andy wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, a frown creasing his face. "My AC isn't working," he muttered, irritated.

"Okay," Jake said, his voice softening. "Come on."

Andy gave him a confused look. "Where?"

"Just come," Jake urged, pulling him along.

Andy sighed, but followed him into the next room. "Okay."

Jake handed him a bottle of water. "You should drink this, it's cool."

Andy hesitated for a moment but took the bottle. "Thanks," he said, opening it and bringing it to his lips.

Meanwhile, at Sebastian's Location

Sebastian looked down at the water bottle in his hand, his fingers tightening around it. He had been carrying it with him, planning to drink it when he got tired. But now, standing with Vault, he had a sudden, strange impulse to offer it to him instead.

He stepped toward Vault and held it out. "Would you like to drink this water?" Sebastian asked quietly. "It's cool."

Vault glanced at the bottle and then back at Sebastian, a puzzled look on his face. "I was carrying it to drink when I'd get tired, but you need it more than me."

Sebastian nodded slightly, sensing that something was off but unsure of what. He turned back toward the front of the house, his thoughts racing.

Back at Andy's House

Jake stood watching Andy, his expression growing more tense as he saw Andy's hand trembling as he reached for the water again.

"Drink it," Jake said softly, almost like a command.

Andy nodded, still unsure but feeling the need to trust his friend. He raised the bottle to his lips.

Then, a message popped up on Andy's phone. His hand froze, his eyes scanning the screen. The message was simple, yet horrifying. "DON'T DRINK THAT."

But before Andy could react, Jake's voice cut through the silence, his words urgent and commanding. "Hey, hey! Don't look at your phone while drinking. Just drink it."

Andy, hesitating, gave Jake a confused look but ultimately nodded, lifting the bottle again and taking a long drink.

Jake stood watching him, his heart hammering in his chest. "Well," he said softly, "killing someone whom you don't like isn't a good job."

Andy froze mid-swallow, his throat constricting as the words hit him like a punch. "What?" he whispered, confusion and disbelief written across his face. "What do you mean?"

Jake stepped closer, his voice steady but cold. "I know you and Vault are both working together, and you both become Mr. Black... turn by turn."

Andy's eyes widened, his body tensing as realization began to seep into his mind. "How—how do you know?" he whispered, his breath shallow, but before he could say anything more, his vision blurred.

Suddenly, his body went limp. He collapsed to the floor, his head hitting the ground with a sickening thud. Jake's heart skipped a beat as he knelt beside Andy, trying to shake him awake. But it was too late. Andy's breathing had stopped.

Jake sat back on his heels, his eyes wide with shock and horror. The truth was there, but it came at a cost—one that no one had expected.

The silence in the room felt suffocating, and Jake couldn't help but wonder if they were all now trapped in a game far darker than they had imagined.