**Chapter 2: The Weight of Secrets**

The silence in the room was oppressive, heavy with unspoken emotions and unresolved tension. Ron held Jason close, trying to comfort him as he struggled to process the revelation. Jason's body was tense, his muscles rigid as he fought to hold back tears. The others sat in stunned silence, unsure of how to react. Silky, still grinning from his earlier joke, looked like he had been punched in the gut. His eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape from the uncomfortable situation. But there was no escape. The damage was done. Rage, always the hothead, was the first to break the silence. "Silky, what the fuck is wrong with you?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You think that's something to joke about?" Silky's grin faltered, and he looked down at his feet, his face reddening with shame. "I'm sorry, Jason. I didn't mean to...I didn't think it was that serious." Jason's voice was barely above a whisper. "You have no idea." The room remained silent, with all eyes on Silky. Adapt spoke up, his voice firm but controlled. "We need to get Jason out of here. This conversation is not going to happen tonight." Ron nodded in agreement, helping Jason to his feet. Jason stumbled, his legs unsteady beneath him. Ron caught him, holding him upright as they made their way to the kitchen. As they walked, Jason's tears finally broke free, streaming down his face as he struggled to hold back a sob. Ron guided him to a chair, sitting him down before fetching a glass of water from the fridge. "Drink this," Ron said, handing Jason the glass. Jason took a sip, his eyes welling up with tears again. Ron pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly as Jason's body shook with sobs. The others followed them into the kitchen, their faces somber. Lacy and Max sat down at the table, their eyes fixed on Jason with concern. Adapt and Rage stood by the counter, their faces set in determined expressions. Silky hovered by the doorway, looking lost and unsure of what to do. "Guys, I...I'm really sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. But no one responded. The room was still heavy with emotion, and Silky's apology seemed hollow. As the minutes ticked by, Jason slowly began to calm down. Ron stayed by his side, talking softly to him as he sipped his water. The others began to murmur among themselves, their conversations hushed and subdued. But the atmosphere in the room was forever changed. Jason's revelation had brought up dark secrets and painful memories, and it was clear that nothing would ever be the same again. As the night wore on, the group began to disperse, some leaving for fresh air, others to grab a smoke outside. But Jason remained seated, his eyes fixed on some distant point as he struggled to process the weight of his secrets. Ron stayed by his side, a constant presence as Jason navigated the dark and painful memories that he had kept hidden for so long. And as they sat there in silence, it was clear that this was just the beginning of a long and difficult journey towards healing and recovery.