"Pookie," Augustine called out, placing his hands gently on Charles' shoulders. "Pookie, what's… what's going on?" he asked, his voice laced with worry, brows arching as his eyes searched Charles' face.
Charles swallowed hard, his throat tightening as tears streamed freely down his cheeks. "I… I'm sorry, babe," he whispered, his voice trembling as his lips quivered in fear.
"What? Why are you sorry?" Augustine asked.
He averted his gaze over to the front, staring at Reginald who was driving. "Reginald, please… just drive to the nearest place I can get a fresh bottle of water," Augustine said firmly, his voice dry and edged with exhaustion.
"Alright," Reginald replied with a quick nod, his hands tightening around the wheel. "I… I actually have—"
He stopped himself mid-sentence, stealing a glance at the half-empty bottle beside him.
The seal had been broken and his lips had already touched it… and somehow, offering it to Augustine now felt wrong.
