1 Now

After 15 years, or even more than that. The sun still splashes in my room as its bright hues play around.

No one see the shadows after the sunset. No one sees the misery at my empty doorstep. Likewise, no one is aware either....

That my friends, haven't come back yet. After the eerie incident that occurred 15 years ago....

Before 15 years

(flashback)

"Maddison!" I giggled as I called her name, she and Jayden are my best friends. Maddison is the social butterfly. Unlike Jayden and I, she knows how to laugh. She knows how to turn heads without even trying and she knows how to treasure true friends. Jayden on the other hand was still better off than me, honestly speaking, he was a good guy with a heart made out of pure gold. I don't know how they even befriended a loner like me, an outcast limping like a loser through life as it dragged me in slow-motion. Maddison was the first who approached me, later Jayden came along and everything became vivid.

For the first time in forever, time didn't drag me. Instead, it moved fluidly like silk. We sure are compatible, I thought as Jayden and Maddison continue to chase me in the evergreen, glossy grass. "Rick, slow down Rick!", Jayden said loudly while I kept busting giggles as melodies to the cool but warm breeze embracing me as ran past the fence we weren't supposed to go further from. The daylight wasn't going to last forever, I should've known that. They were everything to me and so was I for them- but fate doesn't care how much you've got to lose when it sets its plan intact. Impetuous decisions will make you pay, what you do will come back to haunt you and karma will have its wholesome share. "That's- Huff, Huff, That's too far in Rick!" Maddison yelped followed by Jayden: "RICK!", "Stop now or you'll regret it!". I knew he meant that we were going to get in trouble for coming so far off the fence but I couldn't help but wonder...how much 'regret' a little mischief could cause. "Sorry guys!, let's go back." I responded as they turned back as well. We walked back home as we talked about everything that happened. However, I was on a different page; something hostile and cold had laughed wickedly when I ran past the fence and I felt like I needed to know whatever it was....I neede to stop it before it came for me and my friends.....

(End of flashback)

"Hmph" I resolutely sighed at myself in the mirror. Due to the covid19 outbreak, I was working from home. I thought I'd wear a suit to get into the work mood but I couldn't budge a single file without giving myself inward mockery. I blamed myself for what happened and I always will, unless I find a way to save them from my mistakes. The past won't change but the future can, that's the sheer hope I'm currently clinging on to. I better solve this quick, before everything withers away from me.