gaze of mystery

Fear of the Unknown

[When the dead comes back to life]

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Chapter 5: gaze of mystery

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*Skylar Hepburn*

The boy in question looked towards his direction as if he knew Skylar was there and tilted his head finally completing the smile that he wanted to give him.

Skylar's heart raced as he saw the boy's spectral form fixate on him. Anxiety gripped him like a vice, causing his breath to quicken and his palms to grow clammy.

He couldn't comprehend what he was witnessing; the boy shouldn't be there.

How could he have been here? When he was also in the boys bathroom about a minute ago?

Skylar often thought that the next time he would be in danger, it would be in the quiet, dimly lit school corridors where it was his fault for being alone.

But now in the midst of everyone walking up and down, Skylar didn’t feel safe one bit.

As the boy's eyes met Skylar's, it felt like time had frozen. Skylar's mind became a chaotic whirlwind of confusion, fear, and disbelief.

He knew he was looking at something beyond his thinning. This person couldn’t be alive.

It was as if whatever this person was had known he was there all along, waiting for him.

But the smile, the boy’s attempt at a smile, that was what sent shivers down Skylar's spine. It was a smile filled with sadness, longing, and a hint of something—a smile that seemed to convey a message, a message that Skylar couldn't decipher.

Skylar's legs felt like lead as panic overtook him. He stumbled backward, his wide eyes never leaving the boy's face. Without thinking, he turned and fled through the busy school hallways just like Layla before, his footsteps leaving the floor as quickly as they stepped on it, pushing anyone in the way to the corridors.

His heart pounded in his chest like a drum, each beat a reminder of the inexplicable encounter in the bathroom.

The red water.

Or was it blood?

Skylar couldn't shake the feeling that he was being pursued, that an unseen presence lingered just behind him. The corridors stretched on endlessly, like a labyrinth designed to keep him trapped in this surreal nightmare.

He needed to escape, to break free from this inexplicable torment. His breath came in ragged gasps, and cold sweat dripped down his face.

It was amusing but Skylar's only thought was to reach the safety of the boy’s locker room where his plushie was, waiting for him, to step back into the comfort that it held.

Skylar's sprint through the school's ‘now closing on him’ corridors was relentless. Panic fueled his every step as he desperately sought refuge in the one thing that had always brought him comfort – his beloved plushie. His breaths were shallow, his heart a constant drumbeat in his chest, but he had to reach the boy's locker room.

His thoughts raced alongside his feet.

Why was this happening?

Was he losing his mind?

Trying to make sense of what was going on had shattered his sense of reality, and the need for solace drove him forward. His plushie was the key to grounding himself, the one connection to safety and normality in a world suddenly filled with the unexplainable.

Finally, he burst into the boy's locker room, his vision still clouded with fear.

Still a war in his head, he manages to open his own locker with shaky hands before seeing it. The plushie, a cuddly teddy bear with plush, velvety fur in a warm shade of chestnut brown, lay exactly where he'd left it.

Howbeit old, it was one of the best gifts his grand mother had ever given him and he loved her for it.

Skylar retrieved it quickly and clutched it tightly to his chest, feeling its softness and the familiar scent that brought him comfort.

With his plushie in hand, he closed his eyes for a moment, attempting to regain some semblance of composure.

In that moment of respite, he whispered to himself.

“It's going to be okay. Nothing bad is happening, you are surrounded by people. You're in control."

But reality seeped in, the awareness that he was still within the school grounds, surrounded by the lunchtime hustle and bustle. He could hear people chatting and laughing nearby, oblivious to his inner turmoil.

The walls of the locker room weren’t that thick.

He paid them no attention, his focus solely on the plushie and the sense of security it provided.

Opening his eyes, he took a deep breath, his fingers tracing the embroidered fabric of the bear.

This plushie had seen him through countless nights of anxiety and restless sleep. It had been a gift from his grandmother, a constant presence during times of distress. It was his anchor to the world of the familiar.

Skylar knew he couldn't stay hidden in the locker room forever. He had to face the outside world again, confront the inexplicable encounter he'd just witnessed. With his plushie in hand, he pushed open the door and stepped back into the school hallways.

Everything carried on as usual, students chatting, couples walking together, and going about their day. Skylar felt detached from it all, as if he were an outsider observing from a distance. The plushie in his grip provided a lifeline to reality, a source of courage to navigate the perplexing situation.

He knew he couldn't avoid, running away from what just happens. Skylar steeled himself, clutching the plushie tighter, and took a deep breath trying to will himself to move.

Lunchtime had drawn more students out, including the boisterous football team. Their laughter and camaraderie echoed through the hallways as they strolled confidently toward the locker room.

Skylar had always been the quiet, introverted type, a person who preferred the solace of his thoughts and the comfort of his plushie to the clamor of the social scene.

The plushie in his hands suddenly felt like a vulnerable part of himself, one he wasn't ready to expose to the world. He knew that revealing his beloved teddy bear could invite teasing and ridicule, and that thought filled him with a gnawing sense of dread.

As he made attempt to turn back into the locker room, he couldn't help but glance at Ace Carlton, the one who had been staring at him in class, he was now more curious about him; the charismatic quarterback who was well-known for his charm and leadership on the field. Ace had brown hair that seemed effortlessly tousled, hazel eyes that sparkled with confidence, and that infectious boxy smile that charmed everyone in his presence.

Skylar's thoughts weren't about a crush, but rather, they revolved around the stark contrast between his own introverted nature and Ace's extroverted charisma. He admired Ace's ability to effortlessly navigate the social scene, something that had always been a challenge for Skylar.

The plushie was a deeply personal symbol of solace for Skylar, a cherished relic of his childhood.

It was a source of comfort during sleepless nights, a companion during lonely moments. The idea of anyone, including Ace, seeing him with it was unbearable. The football team represented everything Skylar wasn't – confident, popular, and self-assured. He felt like an outsider in their world.

With a quick, furtive glance around to ensure no one was watching, Skylar turned on his heels and darted back toward his locker. His hands trembled as he fumbled to open it, and he quickly stashed the teddy bear inside, burying it beneath his textbooks and spare clothes. The softness of the plushie's fur was a reassuring touch, even in its absence.

His face flushed with embarrassment as he tried to steady his racing heart.

‘What would they think if they saw me with my plushie?’

The thought gnawed at him, and he imagined their mocking laughter, their teasing comments.

Skylar leaned against his locker for a moment, taking slow, deep breaths.

He knew he couldn't let this unexpected encounter deter him from his quest for answers about the what he had encountered moments ago. He needed to be brave, to confront his fears head-on, and to unravel the mysteries that had suddenly entangled his life.

But for now, the plushie would remain his cherished secret, hidden away from judgmental eyes.

With newfound determination, he straightened up, ready to face the world again. Skylar was determined to find answers and bring a sense of normalcy back to his life.

The sound of the locker room door swinging open echoed through the tiled space. Skylar's breath hitched as he peeked out from behind his locker door, watching as Ace Carlton and his teammates entered. Their voices filled the room with boisterous laughter and playful banter, completely at odds with Skylar's own sense of vulnerability.

Ace, with his brown hair and hazel eyes, stood out among the group. His boxy smile was infectious, and he scanned the room casually, catching sight of Skylar lingering nervously by his locker.

Skylar's heart skipped a beat as their eyes locked, and for a moment that felt like an eternity, Ace's gaze seemed to linger on him.

Panicking, Skylar attempted to make a hasty exit, his footsteps clumsy in his haste to retreat. But as he moved, his foot caught on a stray shoelace, and he stumbled forward, nearly losing his balance.

It was a moment of sheer panic, his heart pounding in his chest, when suddenly, a strong hand reached out and steadied him.

It was Ace.

With a concerned expression, Ace had moved swiftly to catch Skylar before he fell. Skylar's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he found himself inches away from the quarterback's steady gaze.

The room fell silent for a longer moment, the football team's raucous laughter halted by the unexpected scene.

Ace's hazel eyes bore into Skylar's, a curiosity flickering within them. His voice was kind and reassuring as he asked, "Are you okay? That was a close one."

Skylar nodded, feeling a strange mix of relief, nervousness, and mortification.

“Thank you.” He mumbled out quietly with his voice barely above a whisper.

Ace's gaze remained fixed on Skylar for a moment longer than expected, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. It felt like an eternity to Skylar, their close proximity creating an electrifying tension in the air. Skylar's heart pounded in his chest, and he couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were passing through Ace's mind.

Finally, Ace broke the silence and stepped back, though his eyes still held a trace of warmth.

“No problem at all. It happens to the best of us. Just be careful, alright?".

Skylar managed a small nod, his anxiety slowly giving way to a sense of gratitude and intrigue.

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TBC