Chapter 12

The countdown is almost over.

Two days

Fall is here. The air is crisper now, with a freshness that wasn’t there before. The sky is weighed down by thick clouds, and drizzle begins to form fog on the streets, making the sidewalks slippery.

I wrap my shirt tighter around me, the thin fabric doing nothing to keep out the cold. I slip on my slippers and walk downstairs slowly, carefully, as if delaying my final routine here.

And then-

A black umbrella tilts toward me, shielding me from the rain before I can even notice the drops hitting my skin.

“Always walk in the rain.” comes a low, familiar voice. “Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”

I pause.

He holds the umbrella handle tightly–too tight. The tendons in his fingers stand out, and his knuckles pale from the

pressure.

Pax Brown.

No more pretending.

No more wearing faded hoodies or worn sneakers. No more carefully crafting an image of a struggling man. He stood before me now, radiating the quiet, gaily–bred wealth that had always been second nature to him.

But his face–his expression-

That hadn’t changed.

He smiled.

As if nothing had happened.

someone

in the midst of a slow, inevitable collapse.

came to me personally?” My voice was light, nonchalant. Detached, as if he’d shown up

instant. “Do you have to talk

I almost laughed.

Chapter 12

decide the rules

I could know, how much I could see,

who, just a few days ago, stood in that hospital

walk out that

And yet

He’s here.

I’m sorry.

I didn’t answer.

explain.”

– it was a return

it could be redeemed, as if he

families have always been close–it would have been inappropriate not to

I didn’t move.

to his temple. His expression was a careful combination of guilt and sincerity, so close to believability that he might have succeeded if I hadn’t seen him lie so easily before.

this time, I’ve been

friends, I’m reckless and arrogant. They expect me

was with you, I was just a boy. A man with nothing but

at him.

two. I didn’t know which version of

I panicked.” His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “I didn’t

of me should react.”

All

explained everything.

some days he was

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255