— The moon is beautiful tonight.
— Yes… as always.
They walked slowly, without hurrying. Snow crunched beneath their feet, muffling the sounds of the city. The cold bit at their faces, but Jacob didn't let go of Laeticia's hand.
— I really missed this, Laeticia.
— What?
— Going out. Walking like this. Being with you.
She smiled faintly.
Silence.
— I missed it too, Jacob.
He stopped suddenly, as if he needed to catch his breath.
— I can't take it anymore…
— What are you talking about?
— Being away from you.
He tightened his grip on her hands, a little too hard.
— I don't want to leave anymore.
— Jacob…
— I promise you.
She hesitated.
— You know you have to go. They're business trips.
He lowered his head.
— Business… He sighed.
— I won't go anymore.
— What are you saying?
— I'm staying here. With you.
— But your job…
Jacob smiled, nervously.
— I'll find another one.
— Jacob…
— I don't want to make you suffer anymore.
She looked away, staring at the street ahead.
— I'll stay close to you from now on.
— And what will you do?
— I'll write.
She turned back to him sharply.
— You're serious?
— Yes.
— Since when do you write?
— Since I was little. I just never dared to really try.
She studied his face for a long moment, as if searching for a lie.
— I love you.
— I love you too.
They kissed, long enough to forget the cold.
A little later.
— Want to go see a movie?
— Now?
— Yes. I feel like it. To make up for leaving me for so long.
Jacob smiled.
— Alright.
The cinema's facade glowed faintly in the night. Pale light leaked through the windows, giving the building an almost old-fashioned look.
Inside, the air felt heavy. Still.
The screen was already glowing when they took their seats at the back of the theater.There were few spectators. Very few.
The empty seats seemed to swallow sound.
— There's really not many people. Perfect for a movie.
— Or maybe it's because the movie is bad.
Jacob smiled.
— Trust me. I saw it when I was younger, it's...
A deep rumble suddenly filled the room.The speakers vibrated violently.
Laeticia flinched.
— It didn't start like this…
— They probably remade it.
But Jacob was already frowning.
The image appeared.
A dark manor. Huge. Its windows black, like empty eye sockets.
A child walked slowly through the hallway, trembling. Rain pounded the walls. Thunder cracked, so loud it made the seats shake.
A shiver ran down Jacob's spine.
The sound felt too real.As if it were raining inside the theater.
— Don't you find this strange?
— What?
He looked around. To the left. To the right.
The spectators remained motionless.
— No… nothing. Forget it.
— Look! There's a monster behind the girl… that's horrible!
Jacob didn't answer.
His gaze drifted, unable to focus. The sound pressed down on him. Each thunderclap echoed in his chest.
He closed his eyes.
— Jacob… are you falling asleep?
She smiled softly.
— Rest. You've already seen this movie.
Jacob didn't respond.
Laeticia kept watching. Alone.
Time seemed to stretch. The scene wouldn't end.
— It's really long... how much time has passed?
She pulled out her phone.
Her eyes widened.
Five hours.
— That's impossible…
The movie listed a runtime of one hour and thirty minutes.
A knot of unease tightened in her stomach.
She stood up, looking around.
— Excuse me…?
No one.
The seats were empty. All of them.
The theater was silent. Too silent.
As if no one had entered it for years.