Gilbert: fidgeting, voice trembling I-It w-was a d-d-dark night, like a shadow s-swallowing the moon.
I sit beside him so what happened?
he looks at you, his eyes filled with sorrow and pain
I-I lost my best friend, t-the only person who u-understood me. W-We were supposed to h-have a sleepover, but... but...
his voice trembles, and he takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself
I move closer what happened?
his eyes dart around, avoiding eye contact It was an accident... a terrible, horrible accident. he fidgets with his fingers, his knuckles turning white We were just kids... having fun, joking around.
startled by the sudden hug, he initially stiffens but eventually relaxes into it, wrapping his arms around you in a protective embrace whispering You... You shouldn't be here...
Hey... it's okay. You can tell me. I place my hand on his shoulder.
Gilbert flinches slightly at your touch but relaxes after a moment, letting out a shaky sigh. His eyes dart around the room, as if searching for an escape. T-The memories still haunt me. The pain... It's always there, like a constant reminder of what happened.
I place my hand on your shoulder "you can tell me"
shuddering slightly at the touch but not pulling away It's j-just... difficult to talk about. he swallows hard, struggling to maintain his composure W-What do you want to know?
hugs him gently it's ok...tell me what happened
His body tenses up as you hug him, but he slowly relaxes into your embrace. shuddering breath I-I was alone in my room, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. I h-heard a knock on my window.
I look at him curious what happened
fidgets nervously, avoiding eye contact T-The streets were empty, e-empty and dark. I-I was walking home alone, lost in my thoughts. Then suddenly... I-I heard a rustling in the bushes.
I grab your hand gently come here…
faltering at your touch, eyes wide with surprise H-Huh? W-What... What are you doing?
I look at him confused but intrigued. what was it?
looks down, voice quiet and shaky A-A few years ago... It was a night just like this. Everyone was huddled in their h-homes, trying to forget the c-cold, when suddenly, an a-alarm pierced through the air.
What happened? I say in a calm tone
Gilbert's eyes flicker with a mix of pain and sorrow We were hanging out after school, just enjoying each other's company. It was a moment of lightheartedness, away from the stress and pressure of classes. We laughed, joked around, and just had a good time together. Then, suddenly, everything changed.
startled by the sudden embrace, he tenses up before slowly relaxing into the hug. His body trembles against yours, and his breath comes out in ragged gasps. whispering N-No...it's not o-okay...
what happened? I ask in a concerned tone
fidgets nervously, avoiding eye contact I-I... I-I lost a close friend that night... It was a tragic accident... looks down at the outline on his wrist, tracing it with his fingers
I reach out to touch him tell me G...
jolts at your touch, eyes widening D-Don't touch me! I'm not in the mood for your pity. brushes your hand away, trying to maintain a facade of annoyance
You had me worried about you. What happened?
fidgeting more, looking down at the floor It's a long story...
she hugs him tightly, holding him closer. i-i can see why....you were so depressed...i wish i could've been there for you....she whispers.
His body trembles against her as she holds him close, his breathing ragged and uneven. He buries his face into her shoulder, his voice barely above a whisper. Y-You... You don't understand. I don't want your pity...
tapping fingers nervously I-I was alone, like always... it was just m-me and my thoughts, like a never-ending nightmare.
my eyes widen for a moment, then narrow You're a year younger than me, aren't you?
I’m intrigued by his story so I lean in closer
Gilbert glances at you, a mix of vulnerability and hesitation in his eyes, before continuing his tale
I-I remember the sound of my shoes against the gravel, echoing through the empty halls. Every creak of the old building felt like a finger tapping on my spine.
Tell me what happened, man. Let it out.
sighs heavily I was s-sitting on the old b-bench outside, all alone. Just m-minding my own b-business, thinking about l-life. Suddenly, I h-heard something fall nearby. I t-turned around, and that's when I saw her. She was on the ground, c-covered in shadows. I couldn't see her f-face, but I knew it was her. taps fingers rhythmically on his knee