Lisa's heart pounded in her chest as the world came back into focus. The soft, rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore echoed in her ears, and the faint smell of saltwater reached her nostrils. She blinked rapidly, struggling to push back the heaviness that had suddenly consumed her. It wasn't just the blackness that had overtaken her, it was the sense that something had gone terribly wrong.
She glanced up to see Charlie standing over her, his expression unreadable. His eyes—usually warm with amusement—held a cold, calculating glint.
"You fainted," he said flatly, kneeling down beside her. His voice was soft, but there was an edge to it now, like a hidden challenge he was testing her with.
"I—I didn't faint." Lisa tried to sit up, brushing her damp hair out of her face. "I'm fine." She forced a smile, but it felt as brittle as glass, ready to shatter at any moment.
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because it sure looked like you fainted. And don't think I didn't notice you acting a little... off earlier."
Lisa's stomach churned, her pulse quickening. Her mind raced, but there was no logical explanation for the way things were unfolding. She had to keep it together. She had to.
"Maybe I'm just tired," she said, trying to sound casual, her voice faltering as she stood up. "Long day, you know?"
Charlie didn't buy it. His gaze never left her, drilling into her like he was searching for something. "Tired," he repeated, his lips curling into a half-smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Well, I suppose that explains it."
Lisa took a step back, trying to put some distance between them. "Look, Charlie, I'm really fine. Let's just—"
"Don't lie to me, Lisa," he interrupted, his voice taking on a darker tone. He reached out, grabbing her arm before she could step away. "I know something's wrong. I've seen it before."
Lisa's breath caught in her throat. This wasn't the playful Charlie she was used to. No, this was someone else—someone who knew more than he was letting on.
"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to sound calm even though her stomach was in knots.
Charlie's grip on her arm tightened, but not painfully. He was holding her like a puzzle he was determined to solve. "I mean that I know you're hiding something. And I'm not talking about your usual cryptic behavior. This is... different."
Lisa swallowed hard. She had to think fast. She couldn't let him figure it out. Not now. Not when everything was starting to slip through her fingers like sand.
"I'm not hiding anything," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You're overthinking things. You're imagining things."
Charlie's lips twitched, a smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. "You can try to lie your way out of this, but I'm not buying it. I've seen how you've been acting lately—shaky, nervous, like there's something you're afraid of."
Lisa's pulse raced. Afraid—that was the understatement of the century. She was terrified. Not just of what he might discover, but of the growing suspicion in his eyes. It was like a spotlight was shining down on her, and she couldn't escape.
"You're wrong," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "There's nothing to be afraid of."
Charlie leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Then why does it feel like you're keeping a secret, Lisa? Why do I feel like you're holding back, like there's something you're not telling me?"
The words hung in the air like a threat, and Lisa's heart sank. She had always known this moment would come—she just hadn't expected it to be so soon.
She tried to step away from him, but he wouldn't let go. His grip was firm, unyielding, as if he was afraid that if he let go, the whole truth would slip away.
"I'm just... confused," Lisa admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She wasn't lying exactly, but she wasn't being entirely truthful either. Confusion was the least of her problems. The truth? That was the monster she couldn't face.
Charlie's eyes narrowed. He could tell she wasn't being honest, but he wasn't about to push her too far. Not yet. He'd learned how to navigate the murky waters of her secrets, but this was different. This wasn't about her usual avoidance. There was something far darker lurking beneath the surface.
"I don't believe you, Lisa," he said quietly, releasing her arm. "But I'll let you keep your secret—for now."
Lisa felt a sharp pang of relief, but it was fleeting. This wasn't over. It couldn't be. Not while Charlie was so suspicious.
As he turned to walk away, Lisa couldn't help but feel the weight of his words crushing her chest. I know you're hiding something. It was like an anchor sinking into the depths of her soul, dragging her under with it. She had to keep the lie intact, no matter what.
But deep down, Lisa knew she couldn't keep running forever.
She watched as Charlie disappeared into the distance, his figure melting into the horizon.
I'm sorry, Liam, she thought, the guilt eating at her insides. I never meant for any of this to happen.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her back to reality. She pulled it out, glancing at the screen.
It was a message from Liam.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Lisa, I'm not feeling so good. Something's wrong. I think it's getting worse."
Her stomach turned, and for the first time in a long while, she felt utterly helpless.