Chapter 7 – Shadows of Yesterday
The late afternoon sun painted the city mall in a golden hue, casting long, soft shadows across the pavement. The gentle hum of distant traffic and murmured conversations set the backdrop for an unexpected reunion.
Two men once inseparable during their university days now stood facing each other, surprised, joyful, and a little nostalgic.
"Kenneth?" Cole asked, his voice tinged with disbelief and delight.
Kenneth turned sharply at the familiar voice. His face lit up, and he rushed forward. "Cole! What on earth here of all places!"
They laughed, embracing like brothers. Shoppers glanced their way as the two friends stood just outside the glass doors of the mall, their joy spilling into the open air.
They began chatting animatedly, their voices rising in excitement as they shared tales, memories, and time's strange passage.
"Can you believe how time flies?" Kenneth said with a laugh that barely masked his wonder.
"Yeah, truly," Cole agreed. "Feels like only yesterday we were running across campus, chasing deadlines and skipping lectures."
"And gossiping in the cafeteria," Kenneth added with a grin.
Cole chuckled, then leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Any news about... our friend? Since the whole thing with the conviction?"
Kenneth's brows lifted. "Who do you mean?"
"Willy Captain," Cole replied quickly, a little too eagerly.
Kenneth blinked. "Willy Captain? Why would you mention him? He was never convicted of anything while we were in school."
"Oh no, no. Of course not," Cole stammered. "I was just thinking, right ?"
Kenneth shook his head with a slight smile. "I meant Henry. You know Henry Wood ,"
Cole's face sobered. "Ah... Henry." His tone dropped. "It's been what—twelve years now?"
"About the same I heard," Kenneth nodded slowly, his eyes darkening with the weight of old memories.
"It was all so unclear," Cole said after a pause. "There were whispers he fell terribly ill. And then... he passed."
"Yeah," Kenneth murmured. "But it was never officially confirmed. Just... rumours that kept circulating."
Cole sighed, folding his arms as though bracing against a chill only he could feel. "Still, even if it was just gossip, it felt like losing a piece of our past."
Kenneth nodded solemnly. "Whatever the truth, I've always thought we should do something. Maybe reach out to his family. His mother, at least. It would mean something."
Cole's lips parted in agreement, but he hesitated. "You didn't hear? His father passed away recently. Just a few days ago."
"What?" Kenneth's face twisted in surprise and sorrow. "Wait... Are you sure? Another rumour?"
Cole shook his head. "No. This time, it's true. A reliable source told me. Someone close to the family."
Kenneth exhaled, the weight of grief settling around them both. "May his soul rest in perfect peace," he said softly.
"Amen," Cole echoed.
There was a silence then, deep and thoughtful, filled only by the city's low buzz and the soft shuffle of passersby.
Kenneth broke it. "Henry's mom... She must be devastated. All alone now."
Cole didn't respond at first. He stared ahead, but his thoughts were clearly miles away. Something flickered in his eyes—regret, perhaps, or the ache of old friendship left unresolved.
"We should visit her," Kenneth said, gently but firmly. "She may not say it, but I'm sure she needs someone. Anyone."
Cole nodded slowly. "Yes. A regular visit. Just showing up... it could help more than we think. Maybe it could even bring some healing."
"I think so too," Kenneth replied. "It's the least we can do. For her. For Henry. For everything we once were."
Their eyes met two old friends, now men shaped by time and loss—and without another word, a silent promise passed between them.
Tomorrow, perhaps, or the next day, they would go.
But tonight, as the sky dimmed and the city lights flickered on, they stood beneath the memories of their youth, cloaked in a quiet resolve to honour the past and rekindle something they thought had long since slipped away.
Eventually, they decided the best way to show their love was to shower her with gifts on her next birthday, believing that the gesture would leave a lasting memory in her heart.
Five days later, they put their plan into action—though it wasn't Mrs. Wood's birthday.
They tracked down the residence. Fortunately, they managed to find it. The two friends had only been there once, when they visited Henry shortly after he was discharged from the hospital.
But something was off.
The house looked abandoned. There was no sign that anyone had lived there for years. The gates were rusted, the windows shuttered, and the doors sealed shut with an air of finality. It was clear the place had been under lock and key for a long time.
Driven by curiosity, Cole slowly circled around the house, hoping to catch a glimpse of something—anything—that could explain what had happened.
Then, something caught his eye.
A faded inscription on the wall, nearly hidden beneath years of dust and peeling paint.
"Ah! Gone so soon!" he read aloud, his voice trembling slightly.
He quickly beckoned Kenneth. "Come, look at this."
They stared at the words in stunned silence.
Their hearts dropped.
It was as if the house itself had whispered the truth: Mr. and Mrs. Wood were gone.
They stood frozen, unable to move. The weight of the revelation pressed down on them like a storm cloud. Thoughts of Henry flooded their minds, and they couldn't begin to imagine how he would feel—how he would break—if he ever learned that his parents had passed away.
The silence around them felt eerie, almost alive. A haunting stillness clung to the air, as though the spirits of Mr. and Mrs. Wood lingered there, guarding their home in eternal watchfulness.
A shiver ran down Kenneth's spine.
"Can we move now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Cole gave a slow, solemn nod. "Yeah... let's go."