As Aidan confronted Drake, his heart pounded in his chest, the weight of his suspicions pressing heavily upon him. Drake's sneer only served to fuel his determination, and he squared his shoulders, refusing to back down.
But before Aidan could utter another word, Drake lunged forward, grabbing him roughly by the collar and pulling him close. "You better watch yourself, nerd," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "I don't know what you think you saw, but you'd do well to stay out of my business."
Aidan's breath caught in his throat as he struggled against Drake's iron grip, his mind racing with fear and uncertainty. But before the situation could escalate any further, a familiar voice cut through the tension like a knife.
"Hey! Let him go!"
James's sudden appearance took both Aidan and Drake by surprise, his voice ringing out with authority as he stepped forward to intervene. His eyes blazed with determination as he faced off against Drake, a silent challenge passing between them.
Drake's grip on Aidan's collar slackened slightly as he regarded James with a mixture of annoyance and begrudging respect. "What's it to you, James?" he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.
James stood his ground, his gaze unwavering as he met Drake's gaze head-on. "Aidan's my friend," he replied firmly. "And I won't stand by while you bully him."
"Then tell your friend to stay away. Dare he again approach me"
For a moment, the two boys locked eyes in a silent battle of wills, the tension thick between them. Then, with a muttered curse, Drake released his hold on Aidan's collar, stepping back with a scowl.
With that, James reached out, gently prying Drake's fingers from Aidan's collar and pulling him away from the bully's grasp. Aidan stumbled backward, his heart still pounding in his chest as he watched the exchange unfold before him.
As James led him away from the confrontation, Aidan couldn't help but feel a swell of gratitude towards his friend. Despite his doubts and fears, James had stood by him without hesitation, offering support and protection when he needed it most.
Once they were out of earshot of Drake, James turned to Aidan, his expression gentle but concerned. "What's going on, Aidan?" he asked, his voice soft but firm. "Why did you go looking for trouble?"
Aidan hesitated, unsure of how to put his swirling thoughts into words. "He knows something about the murder," he admitted finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I saw him running from the scene with a terrified face while everyone else was heading towards it."
James's brow furrowed in concern as he listened to Aidan's explanation. "Not again, Aidan," he sighed, shaking his head. "Will you ever stop digging into things that aren't your business?"
"I can't help it, James. It does not leave my mind even when I try to avoid this."
"Then what do you want to do? Make yourself clear." Asked James.
"I want to know the truth. Whatever it takes" said Aidan.
"Why is it bothering you this much Aidan? May I know"
"You know it" said Aidan.
"No, I don't know. Please let me know." Asked James.
"What do you think? Why I saw that face that I have never seen in my dream" questioned Aidan.
"Maybe...you might not remember that well. It might be just your assumption that you have seen him in your dream. Remember, you told me that you couldn't recall the dream the same morning when this took place. Maybe you are just assuming things" said James.
"No, I am not. I remember it very clearly. After watching that man lying dead, I remembered everything. If you don't believe it, it's ok. I will get to know the truth by myself." Declared Aidan.
"When did I say that I would not be with you? I will support you no matter what it is. You are my friend Aidan. Whatever it might be, I will be by your side." Said James.
"I am glad that I have you. But do you believe?" asked Aidan.
"Yeah, I do"
"Aidan try to remember, did you ever see him? At least once." Asked James.
"No James. I have never." Said Aidan.
"Ok but in today's world, these things make no sense. You know right? What I mean" said James.
"Yeah, I understood. But I can't help it either" said Aidan.
"Ok don't stress yourself more on this. Let's try to find out what the actual truth is."said James.
"Hmm…."
"Now let's go home chill for the day and start our work from tomorrow."
"James…"
"Hmmmm…."
"Thank you so much."
"Shut up. There is nothing to thank for. We are friends Aidan"
After going home they both got fresh and were in a little peace after deciding what they had to do. But there was this feeling too, a feeling of anxiety, a little stress, curiosity, and many. They had mixed emotions.
It was nighttime now. The full moon was hiding behind the clouds, it was the perfect time to slip into the dreamland. And our Aidan was doing the same thing but at that time his phone made a ting sound.
"Who is it now?" thought Aidan.
Unknown: Hey Aidan!
"Not again", he thought.
Aidan: Hello
Unknown: What are you doing?
Aidan: Don't people usually sleep at this time?
Unknown: Oops! Did I wake you up? I am sorry.
Aidan: Nah! I was going to sleep.
Unknown: Oh.
Aidan: Yeah
Unknown: You still didn't recognize me.
Aidan: Will you please stop beating around the bush and tell me who you are?
Unknown: Uh huh. Why so serious and curious? There's a lot of time. Take your own time and get to know by yourself.
Aidan: I don't think I have time for these.
Unknown: Are you that busy?
Aidan: Yes.
Unknown: That was rude.
"Am I too harsh?" Thought Aidan
Aidan: I am sorry. Fine, I will find you by myself. Ok.
Unknown: All the best. Hehe
Aidan: But how should I believe if you are my well-wisher and really want to be my friend? If you want to be my friend, why don't you come meet me face to face?
Unknown: That, you will find out when you meet me. But trust me I am not someone who will harm you.
Aidan: Fine. Good night then.
Unknown: Yup. Good night.
"I really want to see who you are. Who wants to make me her friend? And there is this girl whom I die to see and she doesn't even spare a glance at me" He was sad thinking about this. After a while, he went to sleep.
The next morning, Aidan and James started walking to school, discussing where to begin from.
"You said that something is wrong with Drake right" said James.
"Yes. He knows something and is not ready to tell it to anyone" said Aidan.
'Let's keep an eye on him. Maybe we get to know something" said James.
"Even I was thinking the same. Let's do it"
They reached their class. As discussed they started to look for Drake. He was not in his seat. Aidan thought he did not come. But before his train of thoughts gets started James calls him and shows him where Drake is sitting. Drake was sitting alone in a corner of the class. He was in some deep thoughts.
Usually, he would be troubling and bullying someone innocent, but this scene was something unexpected.
During break time, as Aidan and James were helping themselves serve their food, they heard Mark and Ben, the left and right hands of Drake talk to each other as if they were discussing something very serious. James and Aidan decided to listen to what they were talking. Who knows they might get to know something.
Without them knowing, Aidan and James quietly sat behind them and started to listen to what they were talking.
Ben: Why is our boss behaving weirdly? Don't you think so?
Mark: Yes. Even I see him behaving strangely. And the strangest part is he get startled even when we are calling him. What's wrong with him all of a sudden?
Ben: Let it be. At least, we are free from his torture for a while.
Mark: Exactly.
Ben: Let's enjoy this time.
Mark: Sure. Let's go party today. What do you say.
Ben: Sure.
"See there is really something he knows" said Aidan
"Yes. But we need to know what it is that made him behave unusual." Said James.
"For that I think we need to follow him" suggested Aidan.
"Yeah. We might get to know what it is that is bothering him"
After the school hours, Drake started to pack his bags and rushed to his house. James and Aidan also did the same so as to catch Drake. They were secretly following Drake without letting him know.
Drake felt like someone was following him. He turned to see if there was someone. but there was no sign of anyone. So he started to walk again.
"Oh shit. That was so close" said James.
"Thank god he didn't see us James"
"Let us follow him"
And again they started to follow him. Drake entered his home and the two boys could not find anything. They were thinking what to do.
"Now what to do. If this goes on we can't find a single clue" said Aidan.
"Don't worry. I have an idea." Said James.
"What is James?"
"Wait for tomorrow." Said James.