The night in Greystone was once again covered in thick fog, and the streetlights appeared especially hazy in the fog, as if they were covered by a thin veil. Alison walked home alone, her steps heavy and slow. Her mind kept replaying what had just happened at Greystone; Jackson's anger and disappointment, Ethan's indifference and sarcasm were like sharp knives etched in her memory.
She knew that the game of revenge had become more complicated, and she had to face the storm that was to come.
"Allison," came a familiar voice from behind her.
She stopped in her tracks and turned to see Ethan standing under a streetlight not far away, his silhouette elongated by the light, the expression on his face blurred.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, a hint of fatigue in her voice.
Ethan took a few steps closer, a complexity in his gaze. "I came to see you. You were ... very brave."
Allison sneered, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Brave? Ethan, do you think this is a game? Jackson already knows everything, and I have to face the consequences."
Ethan was silent for a moment, his voice low and soft. "I know it's not a game, Allison. But you don't have to face this alone. I'm here for you."
Allison looked into his eyes, trying to find a hint of hypocrisy in them, but they were so genuine that she was confused. "Why? Ethan, why are you helping me? Jackson is your friend, isn't he?"
Ethan's eyes flickered for a moment and there was a hint of pain in his voice. "He's my friend, but you're ... you're someone I care about. I don't want to see you get hurt."
Allison's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly suppressed the turmoil in her mind. "Ethan, I don't need your protection. This revenge is my choice, and I will bear all the consequences."
Ethan sighed, his voice filled with helplessness. "Alison, you're too stubborn. Sometimes it takes letting go of hate to find the real answers."
Allison sneered, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Let go of the hate? Ethan, do you think this is a game that can be easily ended? Sarah's death took away the last thing I had to rely on, and I have to get justice for her."
Ethan didn't say another word, just looked at her silently, his eyes filled with pity and pain. He knew he couldn't change her decision, but he couldn't stand by and watch her go to ruin.
"All right," he finally said, a note of helplessness in his voice. "If you insist on doing this, at least let me be there for you. I don't want to see you face this alone."
Allison didn't respond, just turned and continued on her way. Ethan followed her, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the silence of the street, like some kind of silent understanding.
When they got home, Allison sat on the couch with a glass of red wine in her hand, staring blankly ahead. Ethan sat across from her, watching her silently, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
"Allison," he called in a low voice with a hint of tenderness in it. "Are you okay?"
Allison didn't answer, just took a sip of her wine, a hint of fatigue in her voice. "I don't know, Ethan. I just feel ... tired."
Ethan was silent for a moment, his voice low and firm. "You need to rest, Allison. This vendetta has exhausted you."
Allison sneered, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Rest? Ethan, do you think I can just stop? Sarah's death is like a thorn in my heart, and the only way I can be free of it is to reveal the truth."
Ethan looked at her, his eyes filled with struggle and helplessness. "Allison, I know you hate Jackson, and I know you think he had something to do with Sarah's death. But has it ever occurred to you that it might be more complicated than you realize?"
Allison stared at him, suspicion in her eyes. "More complicated? Ethan, do you expect me to believe that? Jackson's family is burdened with so many secrets, and those secrets are the truth about Sarah's death."
Ethan sighed, his voice filled with a sense of powerlessness. "Maybe. But please be careful, Allison. Jackson is not an easy opponent."
Allison didn't respond, just sipped her wine in silence, her mind filled with mixed emotions. She knew that the flames of vengeance had been lit, and she had to go all the way.