The darkness wasn't total.
Not really.
But it was enough.
Enough to distort everything. To make every sound seem closer, every breath louder, every movement… a threat.
Lucas felt something lightly brush against his arm and froze for a second.
— It's me — Emily whispered, almost voiceless.
He exhaled slowly.
— Stay close.
— I'm not going anywhere — she replied.
On the other side, Noah shifted, the chains making a low sound.
— This isn't right… — he murmured. — He didn't turn off the lights just to scare us.
— No — Lucas said, more alert now — …he wants us to react.
Silence.
Then—
A step.
Light.
But clear.
Inside the room.
Emily tightened her grip on Lucas's arm.
— Did you hear that?
— I did.
Another step.
Closer.
Noah held his breath.
— There's someone here.
Lucas forced his eyes into the darkness, trying to make out any shape, any movement. But it was like trying to see into a void.
— Talk to me — he said, louder now. — You want to play? Then show yourself.
Nothing.
Only the sound of the bulb still swaying slightly above them, letting out an irritating creak.
And then—
A voice.
But it didn't come from the speaker.
It came from the room.
— Were you always like this?
Cold.
Calm.
Too close.
Emily swallowed hard.
— Stop this…
— One pushes the other — he continued, ignoring her — …one waits for the other to make the first mistake.
Lucas turned his head toward the sound.
— It's over. Enough of this.
A low laugh answered.
— It didn't end that night.
A shadow moved.
This time, Lucas saw it.
Quick.
Passing between them and the wall.
— Stay behind me — he said, even without being able to move.
— You still try to protect — the voice commented. — Interesting.
— What do you want? — Lucas insisted.
Silence.
Steps.
Slow.
Circling.
— I want to see how long you can last — he said. — Without lying.
That chilled the room more than the darkness.
— We already told everything — Emily said, nervous.
— No — he replied immediately. — Not even close.
Noah let out a dry laugh.
— Of course… because you know everything, right?
— I know enough.
Another step.
Closer to him.
— Want to try?
Noah fell silent.
— No — Lucas said. — Stop.
But it was too late.
— You tried to stop it — the voice said, now clearly directed at Noah. — But not because you cared.
Silence.
— Stop it — Noah muttered.
— You tried to stop it because you knew what would happen after.
Lucas turned his head.
— What is he talking about?
Noah didn't answer.
— Noah — Lucas pressed.
His breathing grew heavier.
— Shut up…
— You knew he wouldn't stop — the voice continued, lower now. — That it would get out of control.
— I said stop — Noah said louder, tension in his voice.
— But you let it happen.
— I TRIED! — Noah shouted.
The sound echoed through the room.
Heavy.
Raw.
And then—
Silence.
Different this time.
Because something had changed.
Lucas felt it.
— What did you mean by that? — he asked, more serious now.
Noah didn't answer immediately.
When he did…
His voice wasn't the same.
— I knew you were out of control, Lucas.
That hit directly.
— What?
— You weren't listening to anyone — Noah continued. — You just wanted to rip that damn phone out of his hands.
Emily stood completely still.
— I tried to hold you back… — Noah said, quieter now — …but you pushed me too.
Lucas froze.
That…
He didn't remember.
— That's not true — he said, but without conviction.
— It is — Noah replied. — You didn't even notice.
Silence.
The guilt began to take shape.
Heavier.
More real.
— Interesting… — the voice said, satisfied. — Very interesting.
— You're manipulating us — Lucas said.
— No — he replied. — I'm just removing the silence from the way.
A click.
The lights came back.
Dim.
Flickering.
But enough.
Lucas blinked a few times until his vision adjusted.
And then—
He saw him.
Standing behind Noah.
One hand resting on his shoulder.
As if he had been there the whole time.
Watching.
Waiting.
His eyes met Lucas's.
Unhurried.
Without emotion.
— Now… — he said — we begin for real.
🖤 Poem — Lucas
I thought I knew that night
every second, every scar
but truth is never gentle
it shows you who you are
and the man I tried to forget…
was never that far