The sharp sting of the slap echoed through my entire body, and I gasped, jolting out of my trance. I held my cheek in shock, feeling the lingering warmth of the slap. For a moment, I couldn’t process anything—everything felt too real, too sudden. I could feel the pain. It had been so long since I had felt anything, and now it all came rushing back.
I slapped myself harder, just to see if it was real. To remind myself that I wasn’t floating in some alternate space anymore. The pain shot through my skin again, and I laughed—softly, almost deliriously.
I could hear my mother’s voice now, scolding me, her tone both confused and concerned. “C-Chloe...?”
"She's really gone crazy now, mom," Caleb, my older brother, muttered, sounding bewildered and a little worried.
I looked at them—my mom and my older brother, Caleb—my heart swelling with a mix of relief and dread. I was really here. Really back. Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them, and I rushed into their arms, desperate for reassurance, for comfort, for something real to hold onto.
“Mom… Caleb…” I sobbed. “I’m so happy. I’m here—I’m really here.”
But instead of the warm hug I expected, Caleb pulled away with a frown.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asked, eyeing me like I’d grown a second head.
Even Mom looked confused. She gently pulled me back, examining my face.
“Chloe… W-What’s going on? Did I hit you too hard?” She asked her voice low with concern. But then her expression hardened. “If you’re acting like this just to get out of trouble—”
I laughed, still crying. “No, it’s not like that. What you said… it made something click. It made me wake up.”
Caleb scowled and jabbed a finger towards me. “Mom, she’s being super weird! Just a second ago she was saying she didn’t care about school, and now she’s acting like this? What the heck?”
Mom’s brow furrowed, clearly just as puzzled. “Chloe…”
“No, listen to me.” I wiped my tears, still smiling through them. “I realized something. I can’t keep wasting my life like this. I won’t.”
Caleb crossed his arms. “Or maybe you’re just pretending because Dad’s coming home in three days.”
My heart dropped for a second, but I quickly shook my head. “No! It’s not that. It’s not about Dad. I swear. If you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it to you. Just watch.”
Mom let out a long, weary sigh, then placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Alright. I’ll believe you—for now. But please, Chloe, start taking your studies seriously. It’s for your own good.”
I smiled and wrapped my arms around her again. “I will, Mom. I promise.”
She gave me a light pat before turning toward the kitchen. “Now go eat. You and Caleb will be late for school.”
---
The drive to school was a blur. Caleb and I bickered lightly, teasing each other the way we always had. It felt natural, like nothing had changed. It was so strange—so comforting—having these simple moments back again. I couldn’t help but smile as he drove, feeling the weight of everything slowly lift off my chest. I was alive again. I was here. I was with them.
When we arrived at school, I stepped out of the car, my heart racing. Everything looked the same—exactly like it had before. The same people, the same chatter, the same old trees lining the courtyard. But now, it feels like a different world. A world I wasn’t sure I was ready to be a part of again.
Walking into the classroom, I froze. My friends. The sight of them hit me like a tidal wave. My breath caught in my throat as I remembered what had happened to them—how they had been gone, how their bodies had been cold and lifeless. Now they were standing there, alive, breathing, laughing, and I couldn’t move. My body trembled.
Mika was the first to notice. “Clo...? Are you okay? You look pale.” Her voice was filled with concern, and I couldn’t stop my tears from falling as I looked at her—alive.
The others gathered around me, Claudine, Via, Charlotte, and Amelia. They were all so worried, and I could feel their concern and love radiating through them. I wiped my tears away, trying to smile. “No, it’s nothing... I’m just so happy to see you all.”
Their eyes softened, but they didn’t press any further. We talked for a little while before class started, and for once, I found myself really listening—trying to absorb every word, every laugh, like it all meant more now. But my thoughts kept drifting. To him.
Where was Ezra? Had he come to class today?
Amelia, who's sitting beside me, follow my gaze. “I knew it,” she murmured with a sigh, her tone softening. “You’re feeling guilty, aren’t you? About rejecting him in front of everyone. You probably think you embarrassed him.”
I parted my lips to speak, but no words came. How could I even begin to explain the real reason I was looking for him?
“But honestly, Chloe,” she continued gently, “it was the right thing to do. Letting him believe there was a chance would’ve been cruel. You didn’t have a choice—you had to be honest.”
Her words hit me harder than she knew. I flinched again, guilt bubbling in my chest.
I should tell her the truth.
“Actually, that’s not why I was looking for—” I started, but the teacher’s voice cut sharply through the room.
“Settle down, everyone. Class is starting.”
I hesitated, glancing at Amelia, then down at my desk.
The words lingered on my tongue… but I swallowed them.
What was I thinking? They would think I'd gone crazy if I told her the truth.
---
I tried to push the thoughts of Ezra out of my mind as I focused on the lesson. But it was hard. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, about everything that had happened.
Later, in the cafeteria, my friends and I were still talking and laughing, and for a moment, it felt like nothing had changed. I was here, with them. They were alive, I was alive, and everything felt... right. But in the back of my mind, there was a growing unease. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.
Claudine leaned in, teasing me as she always did. “You seriously don’t want to come to the club with me? You’ve guys changed...” She pouted dramatically.
Via smacked her playfully on the head. “We should be studying, not worrying about clubs. We’ve already been scolded by our parents.”
The others chimed in, and we all laughed. It felt good to laugh. To feel the normal, everyday stuff again. But as I said goodbye to them and walked out of the cafeteria, I suddenly realized something.
I slapped my forehead. Right... Caleb drove me here. I forgot.
I was about to call out to him when a rough cloth was shoved into my mouth. Thick and suffocating, it pressed tightly against my lips, cutting off my ability to scream.
Panic surged through me, my breath hitching as the world around me spun in a blur of fear.
No… No… Not again.
I thrashed instinctively, trying to pull away, but a firm hand gripped my shoulder, holding me in place. I kicked and struggled, but my efforts were futile. The fabric in my mouth made it impossible to breathe properly, suffocating me with every attempt.
This too soon. This wasn’t supposed to happen yet.
My body went limp, my heart pounding in my chest as I fought to stay conscious. My limbs felt heavy, as if the weight of the suffocating cloth was pulling me under, and then, finally... everything went black.
—
When I regained consciousness, I found myself wrapped in a soft comforter, the warmth of sunlight brushing across my face.
What...?
I blinked rapidly, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Everything around me screamed luxury—silken sheets, a plush bed, golden curtains swaying gently in the breeze.
Wasn’t I just… kidnapped?
My heart pounded. I sat up quickly, scanning the room in confusion. It was beautiful. Safe. Too safe.
The door clicked.
I tensed, instinctively getting into a defensive stance as it slowly opened.
My breath caught in my throat when I saw who walked in.
“E-Ezra…?” I whispered, wide-eyed.
