The sun's gentle beams shine into the room. The blankets rise from gentle motion as I get up. The fearful resentment towards myself only grows within me once my broken reflection stares back at me. Julia remains asleep, her chest rising with each breath. The door opens, “Thank you for staying.” Her voice, tired yet soft-spoken. Her lips curve into a small smile. No signs of anticipated disappointment or sadness as I shut the door behind me. I walk onto Seraphia’s streets, children running from their parents, playing catch. Jenna walks towards me, a bag of groceries in her hands. “Ethan, Nate told me about the scandal.” Her gazing eyes look into mine. “Julia is fine, Ethan, trust me.” People forgive, won’t forget. “It wasn’t your fault, you didn’t want this.” Her smile lightens my mood, even if it’s minimal. Her embrace warms my core once we stand there, seraphians walking past us. “Stop running from everything good, kiddo.” Her hand grazes my cheek as she walks past me. Was I ever supposed to find this haven? To find a community so loving, kind, and supportive. Sometimes, it feels like god challenges my faith in myself. As if his son’s trying to show me something, I can’t comprehend yet. A truth, a new insight into the fractured world I’ve grown to love. Slow but certain of my actions, I head home.

 Jule’s staring at Seraphia from the small balcony. Her hair looks soft as cotton, the wind curling her hair with its gentle streams. Is she still here? Maybe she is different. She sees positive traits in the mirror, but I can’t see them. obscured by my own mind. The door slides open as I step into peaceful silence. “You’ve returned.” Her voice isn’t tainted by poison or anger, but rather hope. A sense of comfort, “You’re still here, why?” Julia turns, a pondering look on her face. Her eyelids jump as her smile widens. “Because I wanna be here with you.” She settles down onto a chair. “You have to stop worrying about the kiss and my mom.” The wind gushes into the living room. The cold handle sits in my hands,” Don’t,t Ethan, please.” Relief overcomes her once I slide it shut.

 “My mom will come around, patience.” Julia looks into my eyes, her endearing eyes halting my heart for seconds. My head turns away from her, smiling, embarrassed. “What’s so funny, goofy?” I shake it off, but her persistence remains strong. When Diana first met us, the awkwardness of the situation was unbearably hilarious. “I was thinking about Diana when we all first met. Her eyes squint, scanning my face. “Sure, Diana, yeah, right. Goofball keeps telling tales.” She turns back around, her hands grabbing the railing. Our hands rest as we stand next to each other. “I wanna visit mom, wanna tag along?” Leaves are soaring, as in the distance Jenna’s smile widens, from Michael’s words. Micheal along with Jenna, walks towards our home. My knuckles turn white as the cooling metal rests on my palms. A tingle travels through my body, and restlessness holds me captive. “I don’t wanna bother anyone.” Julia’s hands playfully push me.

 Maybe it’s a good idea,” You know what? alright.” Maybe it was time to head to shore, after all, a Sailor can’t sail forever. After all, an eternity has passed since I last felt happy. I’ll feel that emotion at one point, genuine happiness. Not tainted by lies. Together as a duo, we drive towards the hospital. I’ll fight for her, no matter what Demons I’ll face. The drive reminds me of the thrilling first-time horror movie night with mom. A terrifying thrill of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I pull into the parking lot, parking my truck. The leaves crunch beneath my feet, like crisps on a Friday night. We stand before the grand entrance, Julia walking ahead of me.

 “Come on, goofy!” she smiles, looking back at me, her words melting me. “Alright, alright. Coming.” We stand before the reception, and the usual atmosphere of the hospital is tearing off my smile. The receptionist's tired smile shines back at us, wishing us a great day. Lara is enveloped in her book. When the sudden call of my aunt distracts me from entering the room. “Hey sweetie, when are you and Jule’s coming back from the visit?”

 White, somber walls decorated with paintings stare back at me. “I’ll text you the time later, Jenna.” I lean against the wall,” I love you.” Then we enter the room, and a sudden look of disapproval and distrust is worn on Lara’s face. The walls are pressing against my body. “Ethan.” A cold, distant edge taints her voice. She gazes into my soul, tearing me apart in the process. The unknown pressure is destroying my walls. “We need to talk.” Lara shakes my hand, as a small crumbled note falls into my palms.

 The paper unfolds smoothly as I read the lines. My heart drops into the earth’s core. The message reads: Ethan isn’t a loyal prince; don’t trust him with your heart cards. “Ethan, what is it?” A cold shiver runs down my spine. Who would do such a thing? “I’ll tell you later.” No name left on the crumbled note. Lara’s sudden gaze turns into a silent, vicious poison. Deep within my heart, I wanted to object. Yet without the proof, I doubt she’d ever believe me. This wasn’t a joke, not a hilarious prank. It’s a malicious cogwheel turning.

“I’ll tell you later.”

 My fingers tremble, my heart jumping against my ribcage as if it wants to escape. Words wouldn’t be enough to fix this. Her sunny face turns worried. I couldn’t possibly feel her hurt eyes scanning my face. We’re not in the dating stage and yet the phantom pain exists within me. A knife stuck in Julia’s back, one that isn’t mine. Could I survive that? Her pleading eyes, begging for reassurance.  Lara should tell her. Trees, golden in the fall’s sun. Motionless I stand, as if each movement would prickle my skin with a dozen of sharp needles. My legs stuck to the ground, as if I were engulfed by quicksand.

 No matter who it was, only time will tell. Who is the mastermind is. Only five days till Halloween. Soon children will scour the streets of Seraphia, trick or treating. Their laughter travels down the streets. Someone wants to ruin my life. My phone remains dark, thumbs hovering over the powerbutton. I check it anyway, in hopes of anything to ease my mind.  Why me? Why now? What’s their intention? “Okay.” Her voice pulls me into reality, too calm compared to the thunderstorm within my head. My phone buzzes, my world halting. A new notification.

“What the fuck, Ethan?!” Cate’s text halts my pounding heart. My thumb hovers above the notification, a silent dread crawling down my spine.