As the clubroom door swung open, Ezra's tear-streaked face transformed in an instant, an unknown force wiping away any trace of his prior breakdown. His composure was impeccable, a mask of strength that betrayed none of the emotional turmoil he had just experienced. A burst of excitement filled the room as an enthusiastic voice heralded the newcomer, and Ezra felt a warm left arm encircle his neck, pulling him into a friendly embrace from behind.
The voice belonged to none other than Carlos, whose infectious energy seemed to reverberate through the room. Ezra could almost sense the vibration of that booming voice. Carlos gave Ezra's arm a friendly squeeze, expressing genuine joy at his presence.
"Ez! You made it! I was half expecting you to bail on us and skip the club. This is fantastic – everyone's here!"
"Well, I wouldn't want to let minor inconveniences in human clothing overshadow my interests," Ezra retorted with a wry smile.
Carlos chuckled, playfully ruffling Ezra's hair before settling into a seat in front of him. Without turning his head, Ezra knew that the person to his left was Louis. To Carlos's sides, Max and Eloise took their seats, with Maximillian pointedly ignoring Ezra and Eloise extending her hand for Ezra to shake. Alicia, the final arrival, found her place next to Penelope.
The others began chatting and gradually immersed themselves in work, pulling out their laptops. However, 'Ezra' found himself distracted by Alicia and Maximillian. His gaze remained fixed on the subtle yet palpable tension as Maximillian's character took extreme care of Alicia's character. Unable to contain his curiosity, Ezra's character pulled at Louis's shoulder, drawing him closer. His hand delicately glided over Louis's neck, lips almost touching Louis's ears as he whispered,
"How did things escalate so quickly? Just a few days ago, they seemed utterly clueless about how to move their bodies without being painfully awkward around each other."
With no response after a long pause, 'Ezra's' eyes met 'Louis's,' seeking an answer. However, he found Louis looking down at him with a complex emotion in 'his' eyes, the tips of his ears tinged red. Looking up, the real Ezra could read in the changing lines how 'Louis's' heart raced at the unconscious touch and closeness exhibited by 'Ezra.' However, he merely unconsciously processed it, unable to comprehend it. His mind and heart were stuck in the scene with Micaela, leaving the present scene and the scenes hereafter to unfold despite his mental absence.
As 'Louis' withdrew 'Ezra's' hand from his shoulder, he offered a reassuring smile before leaning in to share a private observation, maintaining a discreet distance, "Maybe Alicia has unconsciously come to rely on Maximillian. The guy is extremely persistent, so..."
'Ezra' met 'Louis's' gaze and nodded subtly in agreement. Unconcerned about the others in the room, he swiveled his chair towards Louis, creating a more intimate setting. Leaning in slightly, 'Ezra' noticed 'Louis' responding by leaning back. A playful smile graced 'Ezra's' lips as he spoke in a hushed tone, "Hey, Louis. It's been a while, and amidst all the drama, chatting with you like this brings back a flood of memories—things I've realized over time when we all went our separate ways."
Louis, visibly uncomfortable under Ezra's gaze, shifted in his seat and replied cautiously, "Oh, is that so?"
"Uh-huh. Like the realization that, back then, you were the only one who never really liked me and Micaela going out," Ezra chuckled softly. His index finger tapped gently on Louis's thigh, heightening the tension. Ezra's voice dropped to a subtle whisper, "And the fact that our eyes met quite often back when we were in that cram school."
'Louis' remained silent, visibly on edge as 'Ezra's' finger traced an unusual path up his thigh. Attempting to intervene, Maximillian's veiny and well-proportioned hand gripped 'Ezra's', but he found himself powerless to halt the unconventional actions. Maximillian released a frustrated sigh, muttering as if trying to convince himself, "Don't get me wrong. I don't care. You're just making Hughes uncomfortable… Wow, I sound ridiculous."
Maximillian had come out of character. And so had the others apart from Ezra and Louis. Turning his attention to the rest, Maximillian remarked matter-of-factly, "A side couple in the making, I presume." There was a sour hint to his voice.
Penelope, seizing the opportunity to share her observations, interjected before she could be pulled back into character, "I have happened upon yet another revelation. Minor emotional intricacies, that are seemingly inconspicuous in their impact on the plot, could be dismissed until their potential influence is duly acknowledged. Earlier, Mister Ashton exhibited a vulnerability, shedding tears even as his character was expected to regain composure. In my capacity as the sole companion in this unfolding tale, I refrained from delving into his emotional turmoil, recognizing his distressful cries invoking the name 'Micaela' within his dream. The subsequent emotional state upon waking did not arouse my character's suspicion, as dreams can stir profound sentiments. However, as we navigate the intricate plot, it appears that his emotional condition might indeed intersect with the ongoing narrative if you all were to see him in that state and obviously question him about it. It was only upon the collective arrival of all participants that his demeanor swiftly reverted to a state of apparent normalcy."
Alicia shook her head and spoke in a cool yet doting tone, "My lady, I suspect they will be needing their time to desciper your words yet again."
Carlos agreed. "Uh-Huh. Didn't get nothing from that. I will be thinking over those words until I eventually understand it later on. Now let us dicuss other stuff worth mentioning and not dwell on one point for a long time."
The other's continued to talk amongst themselves as the focus of the narrative currently was only fixed on Ezra and Louis. The rest had come out of character. Neither Ezra, nor Louis could focus on the conversation going on there. Each for completely different reason.
Amidst the ongoing chatter among the others, Ezra's character persisted in teasing Louis. His finger traced dangerously close to uncharted territory, and he whispered softly, "I also realized… you're quite the stud, aren't you?"
Finally, Louis's character grasped Ezra's hand, putting a stop to the provocations. 'Louis's' voice, though hushed, sounded cracked and frustrated as he pleaded, "Stop it, Ezra. Please... Why are you doing this?"
'Ezra's' expression shifted to boredom, his voice dripping with extreme lethargy and disinterest, "Hmm… I do wonder. Maybe I was trying to see if using someone else, or relying on someone else as you say, might help me work through my monsters. But you don't seem enthusiastic about it, and I have no interest in forcing people, so guess that's that."
As 'Ezra' attempted to reclaim his hand, 'Louis' held onto it, locking eyes with Ezra. "You... You mean you'll consider giving me a chance?"
'Ezra' snorted, looking at 'Louis' with a hint of interest. "Do you have selective hearing, or are you delusionally positive? I am not a good person. Seeing Alicia looking somewhat better with that punk with anger management issues, I just wondered if relying on somebody like that... somebody interested and having unconditional goodwill towards me can be helpful. I'm basically saying that I intended to use you."
'Louis', undeterred, responded, "But I don't care. If I let you do so, there's a chance that I might just be able to woo you..."
'Ezra' scoffed. "Well, aren't you just like a dog? If you're so eager, then I won't stop you." The tension between them hung in the air, a complex interplay of emotions and intentions weaving into the unfolding tabletop narrative.
After those words, the scene shifted, and Ezra and Maximillian found themselves back at the party. Maximillian turned towards Ezra, about to share the things discussed earlier with the others in that world, but his words abruptly halted when Ezra collapsed into his arms. Ezra's breathing was ragged, and his legs trembled uncontrollably. In a state of confusion, Ezra's hands aimlessly hovered in the air before gripping Maximillian's suit tightly. Tears welled in his eyes, and a wave of nausea washed over him.
"Ashton! Hey, can you hear me? God, you're hyperventilating," Maximillian exclaimed, concern etching his features. The unfolding scene drew attention, gazes turning towards the distressed pair. Maximillian, however, was focused solely on Ezra's red-rimmed, shocked eyes, as if he had witnessed something deeply disturbing. The weight of the gathering eyes and Ezra's worsening state momentarily blanked Maximillian's mind.
In a swift decision, he cast aside any pretense of animosity towards Ezra. Maximillian removed his long coat and draped it over Ezra's head. Kneeling down, he circled his arms around Ezra's back and the curve of his legs, lifting him gently with Ezra's head resting over his shoulder.
"Damnit, Ashton... I'm only doing this because people might think I was the cause of your current state," Maximillian muttered, his protective gesture overriding any earlier acted-out animosity. The unfolding scene held a poignant mix of vulnerability and care, as Maximillian shielded Ezra from the prying eyes of the onlookers, prioritizing the well-being of the boy in his arms.
He sprinted along the hallway, and when Minerva caught sight of him, Maximillian shot her a pointed look, gesturing towards Celeste. Minerva understood that something must have gone awry, and Maximillian was likely asking her to keep Celeste company, preventing her from noticing her cousin's sudden absence. With a nod, Minerva watched as Maximillian hurried past, a sense of worry gripping her heart for Ezra's well-being.
Maximillian reached a guest room in the hotel, a floor reserved for invited guests to rest or handle unexpected situations. He gently settled Ezra on the bed and took a seat at his feet, looking up with deep concern. It was a rare sight to see Ezra in such a state, the only comparable instance being when Ezra had received the devastating news of his mother's accident a few years ago. Maximillian couldn't recall anything similar happening now, and fear clenched at his heart. He didn't want Ezra to face another tragic event.
"She... I... couldn't... I couldn't save her," Ezra stammered, his breaths coming in gasps.
"Breathe, Ezra. Take a long breath. Deep breaths," Maximillian urged, extending his hand to gently wipe away Ezra's tears. The gravity of Ezra's reaction perplexed Maximillian; what could have triggered such an extreme response that he allowed Maximillian's comforting touch?
Amidst the heavy atmosphere in the room, their phones buzzed simultaneously, signaling an incoming notification. Maximillian paid no attention to it, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Ezra and his fragile state. The notifications persisted, an unrelenting intrusion into the solemn moment.
Once Ezra seemed somewhat composed, his exhaustion and numbness evident, he spoke with a nasally voice, carrying a hint of a deeper understanding, "Check your phone… It must be the group… I want to know what got shared just now."
Maximillian, though feeling skeptical and somewhat uneasy, reached for his phone. The synchronized buzzing of both their devices suggested the notifications were from their group chat. Opening the chat, he was bombarded with numerous messages, mostly from Damien. Skipping over the initial emotional outpourings, Maximillian focused on Damien's final revelation – an article.
The article, published a few minuites ago, had only garnered a small corner of the page in their city's crime-ridden context. Its title sent shivers down Maximillian's spine: [Unsolved Mystery Resurfaces: Burnt Corpse of a 12-Year-Old Girl Discovered Behind School Years Later]
The article detailed the discovery of a decomposed and burnt corpse in a restricted area behind a school building. This section, closed off for over a decade due to deteriorating architecture, had once been part of the school structure. It had been deemed hazardous, barring student entry for safety reasons. The recent decision to demolish the building unveiled the gruesome find, a burnt corpse hidden in a remote location deep inside the structure.
Strangely, no signs of a fire were apparent, leaving investigators puzzled about the circumstances leading to the corpse's condition. After meticulous identification processes involving dental records, DNA analysis, and extensive forensic examinations, they determined the body to be that of Micaela Wintour, the girl who had gone missing seven years ago.
Maximillian's eyes widened with shock and skepticism as he read the chilling details. His gaze snapped to Ezra, who met his eyes while nervously biting at his lower lip.
"Well?" Ezra prompted.
"It… It's an article," Maximillian stammered.
"About what?" Ezra pressed, his eyes searching Maximillian's face.
Maximillian hesitated, feeling the gravity of the information bearing down on him, especially in relation to Ezra. His voice trembled slightly as he broached the sensitive question, "Did… you witness her death?"