In another corner of the city, Celine Everhart jolted awake.
Her chest heaved, eyes wide, heart racing like it was trying to break free. She clutched her sheets, her fingers trembling. He was there again — the boy. The one who haunted her dreams night after night.
She never saw his face clearly. But she felt him. Always saving her, always near. A silent protector.
But this time… it was different.
This time, he looked directly at her.
His facade was sorrowful.
Silver eyes. Haunted. Hollow. As if they carried the weight of every unspoken word with the haunting silence that revolved around him .
Celine touched her chest, as if trying to calm the strange ache blooming inside. The connection felt too real. Too raw, she suddenly longed to reach out and touch this boy who was staring at her with sadness in his eyes.
And then the boy spoke.
His voice — soft, broken, filled with quiet desperation.
"Don't touch me."
But she had.
And the moment she did, something inside her cracked.
---
★★
Zhane opened his eyes to the dull hum of machines and IV poking from his arms , with sterile white lights. A rhythmic beep echoed beside him — steady, patient.
He blinked at the ceiling.
I'm Alive?.
But it didn't feel like relief. It felt... foreign. Like waking up in someone else's skin.
At first, the world was too bright. The ceiling above him looked clinical—too clean, too unnatural. He blinked slowly, gauging the bandages around his ribs and the ache gnawing at his temples.
He sat up slowly, every joint aching as if his body had been glued together and barely dried. Then—
"Good you're awake."
A gentle voice.
He turned his head to find a woman by his bedside. Her name tag read Nurse Alice . Her eyes held a softness he hadn't seen in years.
"How do you feel?"
Zhane tried to speak but found his throat raw.
"Thirsty?" she asked, smiled kindly as she reached forward to tuck a damp strand of hair behind his ear.
Then it happened.
Her lips didn't move, but her voice echoed in his head.
"He's awake... poor kid must've been out for hours. Hope he doesn't ask for his uncle. Bastard didn't even sign the forms right."
Zhane's heart nearly stopped.
What was that?
He jerked back suddenly, breathing hard, his hand trembling.
"Are you alright?" the nurse asked softly, her voice now matching her mouth — this time.
But he barely heard her. His eyes were fixed on his hands, like they had betrayed him.
"What... what happened to me?" he whispered, his voice barely holding together.
"You were in an accident," the nurse replied gently, "but you're okay now. Just relax."
She reached out again, but Zhane flinched — hard.
She paused, confused, but then forced a soft smile with a shrug and stood heading towards the door.
"I'll go get the doctor. Just sit still, alright?" she said, and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Zhane sat frozen for a moment, staring at the door the nurse just left looking lost in thoughts
"An accident" he murmured, he suddenly remembered yesterday night in flashes, the rain falling, a car driving towards him, a bright light , then everything else went blank, Zhane couldn't remember what happened next except he awoke to find himself in this hospital.
Zhane took in deep breaths, clutching his temples attempting to calm himself down, he closed his eyes, trying to ground himself. after a while, it worked and he could think clearly.
Am I losing my mind?
How did I survive that?
He slowly peeled off the IV and swung his legs over the bed. Despite the dull ache in his limbs, he stood.
"I need to get out of here," he muttered.
He checked his pockets. Nothing.
"My phone... where is it?"
Panic rising, Zhane rushed toward the door, but just as he reached for the handle—
Throb.
A sudden wave of dizziness hit him. The walls twisted. The floor tilted.
"Wh—what's going on?" he gasped.
Then—
Pain.
A sharp stab in his head like ice piercing through his skull. His knees gave out. He collapsed, clutching his head.
Voices. Whispers. Screams.
"He's dangerous..."
"He shouldn't know—"
"They're watching him already..."
Zhane's pulse pounded against his skull. The pain intensified until it felt like something inside was breaking.
The pain was unbearable, Zhane clutched his head, already on his knees trying to shake the pain, but it continued and when Zhane couldn't take it anymore .....
He screamed.