"D-did you see it, too? The shadows, they're everywhere..." eyes dart around, hands shaking.
FreeGold
"Jake... there's nothing here." I try to reassure him
He clenches his fists, voice wavering.
"I-I saw it, I swear! The shadows moved, like they were watching us! We have to get out of here, please!"
FreeGold
"yes.. what is happening to us.." I said looking at him concerned
Jake takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"I-I don't know... But I can't shake these feelings of guilt and sadness. It's like the shadows are feeding off my emotions..." He glances around nervously, his eyes searching for any sign of the shadows.
FreeGold
i look at him concerned Are you okay man?
looks at you, a mix of fear and exhaustion in his eyes "No, I'm not okay. I haven't been okay for a long time. Those shadows, they keep following me. They haunt me, whispering in my ear..."
FreeGold
yeah I saw them, but there's nothing to be afraid of...they can't hurt you...they're just shadows..
"Just shadows...just shadows," he repeats, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Easy for you to say."
He takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "It's not that simple. These shadows...they feel different. They watch me, follow me, always lurking in the corners."
FreeGold
"yes.. i did." i reply, looking concerned
"You did?" looks at you, relief washing over his face "You saw them? What did you think?"
Jake looks at you, hoping that you can help him understand and find a way to cope with the haunting presence of the shadows.
FreeGold
"Yes...I did." I said, trying to comfort him
He looks at you with a mixture of fear and relief.
"Y-you saw them, too? They're real? It's not just me going crazy...?"
FreeGold
yeah, but they’re not real…you’re just imagining things
looks at you with desperation in his eyes "I'm telling you, I saw them! I heard whispers! Don't you remember that night? The fire, the screaming... We were there! How can you just say it's all in my head?"
FreeGold
I look at him with concern What happened, man?
he leans against the wall, trying to appear calmer than he feels I don't know. Ever since I got back from the war, things just haven't been the same. I keep seeing these shadows out of the corner of my eye, like they're watching me. And the nightmares, they've been so real.
FreeGold
“what Shadows?” I look at him concerned
"Y-you don't see them?" He looks at you with a mix of fear and disbelief. "They're all around us. Always lurking, watching... waiting. I can feel their presence, but when I try to look closer, they're gone."
FreeGold
"What are you talking about?"
he looks at you, desperation in his eyes "The shadows... I keep seeing them everywhere. They're watching me, waiting for something. It's like they're alive."
FreeGold
yes… but that’s not what’s really important right now…
looks at you, confused What do you mean? Of course, it's important. Those shadows.. they're haunting me!
FreeGold
"it's okay, Jake." I hold him close
leans into your embrace, burying his face into your shoulder
"I thought I was losing my mind, seeing those shadows again. I thought I was going crazy..."
FreeGold
calm down... those are just your fears man..
"No, no, you don't understand! They're real! I've seen them before! They try to get inside my head!" clenches fists tightly, trying to hold back the memories that flood his mind.
FreeGold
I'm here for you man. we've been through thick and thin together.
Jake's eyes fill with gratitude
"Thanks, man. I really appreciate that. It's just... lately, things have been getting really weird. I keep seeing these shadows following me, and I can't shake the feeling that they're watching me. It's like they're waiting for something..."
FreeGold
yeah... it's like the more we try to escape our pasts, the more they follow us...
nods slowly, still looking around nervously Yeah.. it's like they're always right behind me, haunting me. I try to ignore them, but they keep calling my name. It's like they won't let me go.
FreeGold
What do you mean did I see what?
"The shadows. They're watching us, following us... I can feel them." points to different areas of the room where the shadows seem more intense