11- ralph

 

"Ralph, I am so, so sor-"

"Dan. Stop apologizing."

I shake my head, "No! It is all my fault that you died!"

"Dan," He says, soothingly, taking me in his arms, "It isn't your fault."

"Ralph, you killed yourself."

"So did Kyle. At least you know why I did it. And you know it wasn't your fault."

I shake my head, "No. Knowing why is worse than not knowing. You died because I was out of control. I was drunk and it caused old memories to come flowing back for you and for me. I strangled you, Ralph! It brought back memories of when your parents abused you, I knew that, but I didn't stop myself!"

"DANIEL!" Ralph shouts, taking my face in his hands, "You were drunk. It was my fault you were drunk. I told you Kyle didn't want you when-" He stopped talking, looking away, his face full of guilt.

"Ralph, what did you not tell me..." I ask, a bit pissed yet worried at the same time.

"Kyle loved you, Dan. He wanted to leave Janna, but he didn't have the balls."

"AND WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS?!" I shout. Anger builds inside of me, raising to my face, and causing it to burn. Ralph doesn't answer, all he does is sigh, "RALPH!" I scream.

"BECAUSE I LIKED YOU TOO AT THE TIME, DANIEL!" My anger fades away quickly. I take a step back, not believing what I just heard come out of his mouth. Not thinking, I ran off, back into the woods.