Focus- In the Dark
Eric had barely taken a few steps away from the workshop when—
The lights went out.
---
Not gradually.
Not flickering.
Just—
*Cut.*
---
The entire building fell into darkness.
---
Eric stopped instantly.
His instincts kicked in before his thoughts did.
"…John."
---
Without hesitation—
He turned and rushed back toward the workshop.
---
Inside, the corridor was pitch black.
No emergency lights.
No sound.
Just silence.
---
Eric moved fast.
Familiar with the layout, he navigated by memory, pushing the door open and stepping inside.
---
"John!"
---
No response.
---
"John, answer me."
---
Still nothing.
---
Eric's eyes adjusted slowly to the darkness.
Shapes began to form.
Tables.
Chairs.
Files scattered on the desk.
---
And then—
A faint sound.
---
Breathing.
Uneven.
---
Eric's head snapped toward the source.
"John?"
---
"…Here."
A quiet voice.
Controlled—but strained.
---
Eric followed it, stepping carefully between the tables.
"Where are you?"
---
"…Near the back."
---
Eric moved faster.
"…Stay where you are."
---
He reached the back corner of the room.
And there—
He found him.
---
John was seated on the floor.
His back slightly against the wall.
Head lowered.
---
Eric crouched down immediately.
"Hey—"
---
John didn't look up right away.
His breathing was slightly irregular.
"…It's fine."
---
Eric frowned.
"It's not fine."
---
John finally lifted his head.
His expression was still composed—
But something was off.
---
"…The lights just went out," John said quietly.
---
"I know," Eric replied.
---
John's hand was resting on the floor, steadying himself.
But Eric noticed—
It wasn't fully steady.
---
"You're shaking," Eric said.
---
"I'm not."
---
Eric didn't argue.
He reached out instead.
---
"John."
---
A pause.
Then—
"…Don't."
---
Eric froze slightly.
Not because of the word.
But because of the tone.
---
John's voice was calm.
But firm.
---
"…I'm fine," John repeated.
---
Eric stayed still for a moment.
Then slowly withdrew his hand.
---
Silence filled the space between them.
---
Not uncomfortable.
But fragile.
---
"I remember," Eric said quietly.
---
John didn't respond.
---
"You don't like the dark," Eric continued.
---
A brief pause.
"…It's manageable."
---
Eric exhaled lightly.
"Still afraid."
---
John didn't deny it this time.
---
Instead, he leaned his head back slightly against the wall.
"…Old habit."
---
Eric nodded once.
Then shifted closer—not touching, but nearby.
Close enough to be present.
---
"…I'm here," Eric said.
---
John's eyes moved slightly in his direction.
But in the darkness—
They couldn't see each other clearly.
---
"…I know," John replied.
---
Another pause.
---
Eric stayed quiet.
He didn't joke.
Didn't push.
Didn't act like usual.
---
Just stayed.
---
After a few moments—
John's breathing steadied.
Slowly returning to normal.
---
"…Better?" Eric asked.
---
"Yes."
---
Eric leaned back slightly.
"Good."
---
A faint silence followed.
---
Not empty.
Not tense.
Just… present.
---
Then John spoke.
Softly.
"…You came back quickly."
---
Eric shrugged, even though John couldn't see it clearly.
"…You were inside."
---
That was all.
---
John didn't respond.
But something in his expression softened slightly.
---
Outside—
Footsteps echoed faintly in the distance.
Unnoticed by both.
---
Because inside that dark room—
Something else mattered more.
---
Not the case.
Not the investigation.
Not the past.
---
Just the fact that—
For once—
Eric didn't leave.
---
And John didn't push him away.
---
End of Chapter 17🌑
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