"Where have you been, Jacob? I've been worried! I tried calling you multiple times, but it never went through!" Ethan exclaimed, his voice rising with concern.
Jacob raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled. "I always step out randomly. This wouldn't be the first time. Why are you so concerned?" He couldn't understand Ethan's thought process at all. But before Ethan could respond, Jacob shrugged. "Doesn't matter anyway. I'm too tired for that right now. I just need to take a bath and probably sleep till winter."
Jacob was right; their usual relationship didn't quite capture the depth of care he had shown towards Jacob. But with everything happening, Ethan subconsciously sought someone to confide in. Who could he tell what he had witnessed? How would they react? Could he even tell anyone he had seen a murder? The thought sent chills down his spine. If the word got out, they would come for him. As much as Ethan wanted to scream and cry for help, he knew that doing so would only hasten his demise.
"You're right, I've got some things going on, and your absence made everything feel overwhelming. You really do need to keep your phone on, dude. I thought you had been kidnapped or something." Jacob shrugged again. "I left my charger at the dorm. I didn't have access to another one where I was. But while I appreciate the sentiment, I'm too tired right now." With that, Jacob walked away, leaving Ethan to grapple with his thoughts.
Fortunately, with Jacob back home safe, Ethan's mind began to clear, and he could finally get some sleep. He awoke the next morning with an aching body and a still-clouded mind, aware of the weight pressing down on him.
Ethan trudged through the campus, the morning sun casting long shadows on the pavement. He felt like he was moving in slow motion, surrounded by students who laughed and chatted, blissfully unaware of the turmoil swirling inside him. Each step felt heavy, as if the weight of his secret was pressing down on him, making the vibrant atmosphere around him feel distant and muted.
Ethan entered the classroom, the familiar buzz of chatter and laughter washing over him like a wave. As he took his seat, he could feel the concerned glances from his friends, their expressions shifting from casual curiosity to genuine worry. It was hard to ignore the way they leaned in closer, whispering among themselves, their eyes darting back to him.
It was hard to ignore the way they leaned in closer, whispering among themselves, their eyes darting back to him. "Hey, Ethan, you okay?" Ryan asked, his brow furrowed with concern. "You look worse than yesterday." "Yeah, man, is there something going on with you?" Alex added, crossing his arms. "You can talk to us." Ethan forced a smile, but it felt brittle, like glass ready to shatter. "I'm fine, just a little tired," he replied, his voice lacking conviction.
Inside, he was grappling with a whirlwind of confusion and fear. He had some ideas about why he felt this way, but the thought of voicing them made his stomach churn. What would they think if he told them he was being haunted by a vengeful ghost? They would laugh, dismiss him as if he were just being dramatic.
As the lecture began, Ethan tried to focus on the teacher's words, but the ache in his body and the throbbing in his head made it nearly impossible. He shifted in his seat, attempting to ignore the discomfort, but it only intensified. He knew he was avoiding the truth, that diving headfirst into the messy situation swirling in his mind was the only way to find clarity.
Yet, the thought terrified him. He could feel the weight of his friends' concern pressing down on him, and he hated that they were worried. "I'm fine," he repeated silently to himself, but the words felt hollow. The classroom around him faded into a blur as he wrestled with his thoughts, teetering on the edge of a precipice, unsure whether to leap into the unknown or retreat back into the safety of silence.