Chapter 98 - Did you tell her? - Im the idiot who was too late. (1/2)

”You'd only hear me say that once.” He said.

”Well, I never really asked for anything. Just a simple head nod or a tap on the shoulder is fine.” I said.

”Haaaaa~ I'm not really used to do that but my wife asked me to. But she's right, we can't thank you enough for what you've done for my daughters.” He said as he rubs the back of his neck.

”I thought you're only gonna thank me once? Is that a second time?” I said as I smiled.

”Can I ask you something?” he said.

I just raised my eyebrow and he continued.

”Why did you decide to do all of this?” he asked.

”What do you mean why? Isn't it obvious?” I answered.

”If it was me on your shoes, I would've taken only my family and moved somewhere safe. The way back here… it… it was a harrowing experience.” He trailed while looking at the sky.

The clouds are moving in a slow pace though the wind would occasionally blow a strong gust.

”What happened on your trip? I calculated that you would be arriving here in less than 3 days after it started. Your daughters are starting to worry about you two especially Olivia. Kaley is staying strong for her and we could only do so much to busy ourselves to not think of what might have happened.” I said while I laid on the floor, staring in the sky.

”Did you tell her?” he asked with a worried look.

”…” I was silent.

”Look at me, did you tell her?!” he bellowed.

”I didn't.” I replied with a frown on my face.

”I'm sorry. I never believed you when you sent the email before. I really thought it was a joke.” He said with a disgruntled expression.

”It was a good thing that she didn't ask the right question, she'd found out if I lied. What she asked me before is if I've sent her the email. If she asked me if I ever emailed you, I'll get busted.” I replied.

”Bah! Those two women must be psychics or something…” he said with a bitter smile.

”Olivia's not the same as them though, I think. Anyway, don't get befuddled by not believing me, I would've still come to your place when the shit hits the fan.” I replied.

”You don't understand, I'm their father. I should've at least tried to listen to what you had to say.” He said while he clenches his fist.

”To be fair, it was around this time when I sent you the email. It's just after Halloween so it's underst-”

”NO! I almost got them killed! I shouldn't be away with my wife camping happily in the mountains! F.U.C.K! Did you even know what I did just to get here?! I had to kill people with my own hands! PEOPLE! Not those dead ones, those are alive! PEOPLE!” he shouted but it's not enough for the people below to hear us.

”If it's to protect your own, that is a valid reason. You 'had' to you said, you're an idiot if you let something happens to your family and you're too late to save them.” I replied solemnly.

”Hah! What would you know about that feeling huh?! It was either them or my wife! But they're still people dammit!” he exclaimed.

”I'm the idiot who was too late.” I said.

”...!” he stopped.

”You asked why I did all of this? It's because I know. I know that feeling you almost had to feel. To be honest, it f.u.c.k.i.n.g sucks. I've killed before this thing started and 'had' to defend myself once and 'had' to kill someone about to turn when we're in here. However, the purpose back then was for vengeance, not to protect someone.” I said.

I told him the story I told Kaley before. How my parents were murdered, how I reacted, everything. Surprisingly, my chest feels light now.

”Is telling it to Kaley before?” I said to myself.

”…” he was speechless.

”I'm an idiot right? If only I checked the commotion myself, if only I didn't hesitate, if only did I do what I should've done at that moment… they would still be alive. So, don't blame yourself for doing something you think you shouldn't have done but blame yourself if you didn't do something that you should've done at the moment.” I said while I got up and looked at him seriously.

He looks at me with a pensive and complicated expression. I could feel sadness from his eyes and he seem to understand what I'm saying. He removed his hat and I could see the gray hairs near his temple.

We just stared off the distance and I saw Jared from below waving at me.

”I'm going down now for another run outside. I'll leave you here for now yeah?” I said.