As soon as Ciaran walked into the kitchen, his mother awaited him with a cup of coffee and the same worried look she showed him the whole weekend. 

“I’m alright, mom. At least I didn’t drink so much that I fell in front of a truck.” Ciaran rolled his eyes, but grabbed the cup of coffee nonetheless. 

Her eyes widened in shock. “What do you mean hit by a truck?”

“Exactly what I said. Pierce drank so much this weekend, that he fell to the street on his way home. I found out this morning: He’s dead.” Ciaran sighed, seated himself, fully aware he wasn’t going to be free before her worries were dispelled. “You don’t have to rack your brain over me, mom. I’m ok. I just didn’t expect the news in the morning.”

She raised her eyebrows and laid her hand upon his own. “I know you don’t like to see yourself as a victim or someone in need, Ciaran. But from time to time, it’s alright to show some weakness. Especially if someone who was precious to you hurt you so much.” 

“I know mom. But I refuse to give in to the situation. If I were to allow him to hurt me any further, where would that leave me?” Ciaran shook his head. “I know you mean well, but right now, I just want to forget Pierce ever existed. When I feel like talking, I promise I’ll talk to you. Ok?” 

“Alright.” She still didn’t seem convinced, but she decided not to press the matter further. “Oh, before I forget it. There was a letter for you in the mailbox.” She pointed at an envelope on the desk.

A letter? Curious, Ciaran picked it up from the table to look at the handwriting on it. No sender yet the way his own address and name were spelled clearly indicated it was from the same person who wrote the other postal.

Why did he send a letter instead? “Ok, thanks, mom. I’ll go and take care of my homework.” Ciaran took the letter with him, walked up to his room and closed the door behind him. 

He opened the envelope to find another message awaiting him alongside a single cinema ticket. The film ticket was for Mistdale’s small cinema. Just a room with a few rows of seats, but the sound system was still rather impressive thanks to the local audio engineers. The movie itself was a horror movie Ciaran actually wanted to watch for a while. He had planned to view it with Pierce at first, but changed his mind.

Why had someone sent him exactly this movie ticket? Was it a coincidence? He folded the page out to read the letter itself. This time, the mysterious sender had written far more than a single sentence.

Ciaran couldn’t believe the words he just read. How? Who? There was no way someone knew about this fantasy! He only told very few people ever about it. One of them was Pierce, who had turned him down by saying ‘as long as you’re not ready to fuck, I’m not going to do something like that’. There was no way it could be Pierce. The only other persons were Ashley and Dylan - and none of them was even in the city.

Oh, right. Ashley and Dylan! He took his phone to check their group chat, but there was no new message yet. His message still wasn’t even read. Why didn’t they react? There was no way they ghosted him suddenly, was there? 

Currently, he could have really needed their advice. He wasn’t sure what to make out of this letter. Who had written it? There was no ‘K.’ in his surroundings that could match the signature of the messages. Why was he so intended on proving he was different from Pierce? Was it someone with a secret crush on Ciaran? 

That seemed like the most plausible explanation. Maybe his broke-up with Pierce gave him the courage to come forward? But if he was so shy that he had to hide behind these letters and use these mysterious, he probably still was worried about Ciaran’s feelings or his reactions. 

Should he go? He wasn’t sure about that. On the other hand - he always had a way out, if he felt uncomfortable, hadn’t he? The chance to get something he had dreamed of for a long time was tempting. Yet, he had just broken up from a boyfriend who died on the same weekend. Was he really ready to take such a step forward?

The butterflies that had long left his stomach reappeared, fluttering with all the excitement he felt while watching horror movies. Yes, he would go and see what will happen. Even if it was just to distract himself from Pierce’s betrayal and the elusiveness of his friends.

_____________________________

The written version of the letter in case it is too hard to read on some devices:

Dear Ciaran,

I hope you’ll see this letter in time. The ticket accompanying my letter is a gift as well as an invitation. Allow me to realize one of the fantasies that you have treasured for a long time. I know you wanted to give the honor to someone unworthy instead, yet, it seems the man was stupid enough to forfeit your trust and love. 

I wouldn’t commit such a sin. Of course, I’d understand if you have your doubts about someone who hasn’t revealed his identity to you yet. I assure you, there is no need to be afraid of me. If you’re uncomfortable with my offer at this point, feel free to ignore my letter. I would never pressure you to do something you are not ready for, like someone else.

But if you decide to take the chance and are curious enough to see what will happen, I’m certain you won’t regret your decision. If you’re willing to accept my invitation, please follow these instructions.

Just seat yourself to watch the movie. Do not turn around. Do not try to see my face or to get another hint upon my identity. I will disclose myself to you once I feel the time has come. Therefore, I won’t talk to you in person on our meeting. But words won’t be necessary to fulfill your wish, as you certainly know.

Should you ever get the feeling in the process that I am going to far or the feelings are too overwhelming for you, just say the word ‘dusk’ and it will end. Either way, once the movie has ended, count to twenty before rising from your seat. 

I am looking forward to seeing you tonight. 

Yours truly,

K.