We were separated by only a road, but the gap between us was just like a chasm. Everything seemed frozen as time stood still for us. We didn't move, we just stared each other. Then Ego barked and brought us back to reality as I felt the chasm closing. I had to get away.. I turned around and walked quickly away with Ego following behind. I did not turn around to look but I knew he was following me. So I started running like a mad man. I could hear his footsteps as he started giving chase. Then I heard someone yelling my name but I covered my ears and ran faster, as tears fell from my eyes blurring my vision. But still, I pressed on and concentrated on getting away from him.

The next thing I knew, I heard a loud honk and turned my head to see a truck coming at me. I couldn't react. I was frozen. I could hear Ego barking and someone yelling my name and I thought that I was going to die at that moment as the memories of my life flashed through my mind.

I closed my eyes and used my hands to cover my ears as I shouted.. "Andy!"

At the last minutes, someone grabbed my arms and pulled me back to the sidewalk as the truck whizzed by me, screeching to a halt some distance away. I was inside Andy's embrace as I shivered at the narrow escape. I could see out of the corner of my eye the truck driver getting down from the truck, saying something. But I was so scared and couldn't make out what he was getting on about.

"Are you ok, Tin?" I heard Andy asking.

I was shaking but I nodded. After the driver made sure that I was fine, he started up his truck and drove away, leaving Andy and me standing on the sidewalk. I was still in Andy's arms and the old familiar feeling came back. It felt so good and calmed me down. Then I realized that Bouncer was yelling. The poor animal must have been suffering, stuffed up inside my clothes all this time. Suddenly I realized what I was doing so I pushed Andy away. His eyes showed his hurt at my rejection.

"Stop it! Don't look at me like that!" I shouted.

"Tin..."

"Shut up! Shut up! I don't want to hear your voice! Leave me alone!" I covered my ears again and started heading towards home with Ego trotting beside me.

Andy stood there for a few seconds before picking up the pace to follow me again. As I felt him nearing, I turned around and yelled, "I said leave me alone!"

"Tin..."

"Shut up!" I covered my ears but he caught my hands. I avoided looking at him but I knew that he was staring at me.

"Tin, at least give me a chance to talk to you!"

"Then speak," I answered coldly.

"Tin, I want to say that I am sorry."

"Ok, I accept your apology. Now release me and leave me alone."

He didn't release me. Instead he held on tighter to me. "No, I am not letting you go. I know you have not forgiven me. You are still angry at me."

"I was never angry at you."

"Huh?"

"Release me..please," I whispered. "Your grip is hurting me..."

He quickly released me and I turned around and started walking again.

"Tin, can you at least let me talk to you for a few minutes?"

"What do you want to talk about? We don't have anything to say to each other anymore!"

He ran in front of me and blocked my way as he pulled out a letter from his pocket. "Tin, you are lying. If you have nothing to say to me, then why did you mail this letter to me?"

"It means nothing."

"No, it means everything."

"I hate you!" I yelled. "I hate you! Why have you come back? Why...why..." I broke down and starting crying.

"Tin, I am sorry, I am very sorry." Andy tried to pull me in his embrace but I pushed him away.

"No, don't do that..." I whispered.

He stared at me. Ego was using his teeth to pull at my pants. I patted his head and we walked away from Andy.

I didn't have the courage to look back. I just kept walking, with Ego pulling me in the direction of our home. Then I heard someone yelling from the back, "I love you, Tin!"

I stopped but didn't turn around. I closed my eyes and as a lone tear fell down. I wiped it off and opened my eyes and I resumed walking, determined to get away from him. I would not fall into his clutches again, I told myself.

Then I heard him yelling again... "I know you still love me!"

This time I turned around and yelled out my answer, "Then why did you leave me 3 years ago?!"

"I...I..." The words were lost in his mouth as he struggled to reply.

I didn't bother to wait to hear more. I turned around and started walking. I didn't know how I got back. I just let Ego lead me.

When I reached home, I headed to my room and sat down on the chair in the balcony, staring at nowhere in particular. Ego knew that I was not happy so he lay down beside my legs, looking at me forlornly. Bouncer had already gotten out and was now sleeping peacefully on my lap. I looked at the sky. It was so blue, so clear and not a cloud was in sight. My mind, however, was confused. I didn't know what I should do. How I long to be as clear as the sky, not a single worry troubling me.

I sighed as I picked up the music box lying on the table beside me. As I opened it, the familiar music came wafting out from the box, filling the room with its sweet melody. I saw the little stars that were inside the box. I stared hard at the stars. How I miss you, Scott. Where are you now? I was the worst man in this world. When I thought I was going to die, I called for Andy. Why Andy? Why not Scott? I felt like the vilest guy in this world. I hate myself. Why did Andy have such a strong hold on me? How I wish to be free of him!

I don't know how long I sat there, looking at the sky. It was was blue, then turned to red, and finally it was dark. I didn't see the moon, I only saw stars twinkling as if they were smiling to me. They called out to me and reminded me of Scott's eyes. Scott, I need you...

Roy came back very late, whistling a happy tune. When he walked through my room, he noticed me sitting there in the dark and walked toward me. He kneeled down beside me and called out my name.

"Yes, Roy."

"Why are you sitting here all alone? Where is Scott?"

"He went to New York for business."

"That's why you are sitting here feeling down?"

I nodded. Sorry, Roy. I didn't mean to lie to you.

"Come back to the room, it's very cold out here." He tried to pull me up by my hands and noticed that they were very hot. A look of worry cross his face as he put his hand on my forehead.

"You have a fever!"

"I am fine."

"No, I am going to drive you to the hospital."

Finally the dam burst as I suddenly hugged Roy and broke down crying in his arms. He hugged me and patted my back as he kept asking me what had happened. I didn't answer him, I just kept crying, so he carried me back to the room and picked up the phone. He tried calling Joe but no one answered. He tried Joe's cell phone but still no reply, so he tried Amy but she wasn't in. Luckily, Ed was in and answered the call. Roy asked Ed if he could come over.

15 minutes later, both of them dragged me into the car and drove me to the hospital. The doctor gave me a shot and I felt drowsier and drowsier and dozed off.

 

Roy's point of view

Ed was driving us home and I was sitting with Tin on the back seat. I was so worried about Tin. What had happened to make him break down like that? Surely, it can't be Scott, can it? He's away on business but it will only be a short while before he returns.

"Do you think he will be ok, Ed? I rarely see him like this. He seemed fine yesterday."

Ed didn't answer.

"Ed?"

"He will be fine. The doctor said he will be fine, so don't worry."

"I'm not worried about his fever. I'm worried that he broke down like that."

"Maybe I know why," I heard Ed whispering.

"What?" I yelled.

"Shh, you don't want to wake him up."

"Sorry."

With that, we lapsed back to silence. I wanted to ask Ed what he meant but I knew that he would not answer until he was ready.

After I put Tin on his bed and let Ego and Bouncer sleep with him, I closed the door and walked back down to the kitchen. Ed was sitting there looking lost. I gave him a cup of coffee and sat down opposite him. I stared at him as I waited for him to tell me what was on his mind.

"Roy, you're making me uncomfortable."

"Sorry," I said and looked away. Silence descended upon us again. I hate the silence, I think Ed did too but none of us spoke a word as we each worked through our turmoil in our minds.

"Roy, I want you to calm down after I tell you this," Ed finally broke the silence.

"I will try."

"Andy is back and I think they met today."

I jumped up from the chair and ran out of the kitchen. Ed immediately followed and caught me from the back. I was breathing hard as I tried to struggle free from his hold. I was furious with that jerk, that Andy!

"You promised to calm down."

"I only said that I will try! I am going to kill that jerk!"

With a sudden burst of energy and determination, I broke free from Ed as he fell down on the floor. I was so mad. I ran into my car and pulled it on the road. Ed came out only moments later but he was too late so he got into his car and gave chase. We were having a race on the road. He wanted me to roll down the window but I ignored him. As I neared the intersection, the light was red and Ed screeched to a halt but I simply zoomed ahead. I was livid and couldn't be bothered by trivialities such as traffic lights. I ignored all the traffic signals and pressed the accelerator all the way to Amy's.

After parking the car, I jumped down and ran towards the door. I didn't bother with the doorbell, I just kept hitting the door and yelling, "Andrew Johnson! You jerk! Come out! What did you do to my brother?!"

Ed was arrived as the door opened. And that jerk was standing in front of me. I threw a punch to his face but he blocked it as he swung another in return. Then I heard Ed yelling from my back, "Andy, don't!"

His punch stopped but I already had a left hook in swing and it landed squarely on Andy's jaw. As Andy fell down and I got ready to give him another good thrashing but Ed grabbed me from the back.

"Let go of me, Ed! Let me kill this jerk! I promised myself I will kill anyone who tries to hurt Tin!"

Andy looked up at me when he heard Tin's name. He got up from the floor and grabbed my arms as he asked, "What happened to Tin?"

"You jerk! What did you tell my brother?!"

"Calm down, Roy!" Ed was yelling. He still had me in his hold and I was struggling to break free from him.

"Ed! Let go of me! I am going to kill this bum!"

"What happened to Tin?" Andy asked.

"I tell you, leave my brother alone! Don't go near him or I am going to kill you!"

Deciding that he was not going to get an answer from me, Andy went out of the house and drove Ed's car away.

"Let go of me, Ed!" and he did but Andy had already gone. I tried to jump back into my car but Ed stopped me.

"Roy, can you at least calm down?!"

"No! I am not going to let anyone hurt my brother!"

Then Ed slapped me on the face. I was so stunned as I stood there in shock.

"Sorry, Roy. I only wanted you to calm down. Can you do that for me?"

Suddenly, my legs felt like rubber and gave way as I fell down on the floor, sobbing. Ed quickly pulled me into his embrace, hugging me tightly. I returned his hug as we held each other tightly, seeking comfort in each other's arms. I think that was the moment we both starting having feelings for each other...

tbc