Chapter 8: A Conversation
I caught up to Johann at the park, where he was sitting on a bench, staring blankly at the ground. I sat down beside him, trying not to startle him.
"Hey, Johann," I said softly.
He turned to me, his eyes expressionless. "Hey, Lude."
I studied his face, trying to read his emotions. But he was a closed book, impossible to decipher.
"Johann, can I ask you something?" I said, trying to sound casual.
He shrugged. "Sure."
"What's going on with you, man?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light. "You've been acting really weird lately."
Johann snorted. "Weird? What are you talking about?"
I sighed, frustrated. "Don't play dumb, Johann. I know something's bothering you. You're my brother, I can tell when something's wrong."
Johann looked away, his jaw clenched. I could see the tension in his body, the way his muscles were coiled and ready to spring.
"Johann, come on," I said, trying to coax him into opening up. "Talk to me. What's going on?"
Johann took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling. For a moment, I thought he was going to open up, to tell me what was bothering him.
But then his face closed off again, and he shook his head. "It's nothing, Lude. Just drop it."
I sighed, feeling a pang of disappointment. I had been hoping that Johann would open up to me, that he would trust me enough to share his secrets.
But it seemed like that wasn't going to happen. Not yet, anyway.
I stood up, trying not to show my frustration. "Fine, Johann. But know that I'm here for you, whenever you're ready to talk."
Johann nodded, his eyes still downcast. I could tell that he was struggling, that he was fighting some inner demon.
And I knew that I had to do something to help him.
As I walked away, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Johann was in trouble, that he was struggling with something that was beyond his control.
And I knew that I had to find a way to help him, no matter what it took.
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