‘No one cared. Not a single one of your friends checked in on you.’ He stared at the screen. Not a single pink notice from Sarah or purple notice from Reginald. Not as single white notice from Seth, or yellows notice from his social feeds. No one cared enough about his radio silence to shoot him a private message to check-in. Sarah couldn’t pry herself away from the people she wanted to hang out with to spare a thoughtful, “I haven’t see you in a while. You want to grab lunch?”

‘Does she ever invite you to lunch?’ William thought to himself, sorting through the countless lunch periods he shared with his friends. Did they have to invite him to lunch? He just showed up, sat down and chatted over food. They were friends; it wasn’t like he needed an invite. Did he? Was he just imposing himself on people who were too good natured to tell him to go away. The idea of it all made him uncomfortable.

William wallowed in his disappointment, digging deeper to find the root of his despair. Seth hadn’t checked in on him either and he was the paragon of good-natured. He was the school’s all around nice guy and William’s hero. In the past few months, Seth had changed a lot. He was harder to reach. Not once did Seth say ‘Hi’ to him while jogging past him on the trails in the Fall, when in the year previously he’d at least get a much anticipate nod. This year, the Captain didn’t even acknowledge his presence. At the time, he thought that Seth might be just too deep in his own head. Jogging was a good way to clear his mind. But talking helped too. He wished Seth would open up to him…

He couldn’t blame him though, forth year responsibilities were insane. Combine a first tier study regime, assignments, and exams, with squad training and community obligations, that morning jog was probably all of the time he had for himself. Especially now since Astral has latched on to him. She was so needy.

Why couldn’t she just give him some space? Sure, she needed the extra training, especially if Seth wanted a well rounded team. Seth must see some potential in her if he took her on. Would he really risk his team’s victory over a few extra credits? It just didn’t make sense. If he was lucky, Astral might be on par with the worst ranked member of all of the squads. Still that was a bigger improvement than a lot of people managed in a year, but if anyone could whip some loser into shape, it would be Seth.

Knowing Astral, she was milking the situation for all that it’s worth, wasting his hero’s time. Because more time spent with her meant less time Seth had for him. It’s a shame Seth couldn’t see her games for what they were.

He savoured the memory of her surprised face when he stepped into the elevator with her. He was sure that she was sneaking up to the medical ward to see Seth. With curfew due in a few minutes she’d never make it back to her dorm in time before the school went into full lock-down mode, forcing the medical staff to accommodate her for the night. Somewhere close to Seth.

It made him angry just thinking about that little tramp.

Of course she didn’t check in on him either. Of all the people who’d know he was missing, she would have known. She was with him.

Wait…

That’s right. She was the last person he saw that night. He’d do it again a million times over just to see that look again.

“You little slut,” he said and shoved her into the corner. “I’m going to report you.” Her world must have collapsed hard because he felt his knees buckle.

She laughed. Why did she laugh?

There was something very wrong with her. It was her, but it also wasn’t.

He couldn’t focus on the memory too long, afraid the idea would burn something terrible into his mind. He felt the cold firm presence of his tablet in his grip as fear settled in his stomach. It had been an awful day, but there was nothing he’d be able to do about the worst of it. He’d have to live through the fall out, even though none of it was his fault. Maybe his dad would understand. The school sure as hell wouldn’t believe him. They’d been gunning for his dismissal since he got there.

He hadn’t been genuinely afraid of anything since he was a kid back at the monastery. He couldn’t even remember what it was he was afraid of at the time. Now, he was afraid of her, but he wasn’t sure why. He felt a fear so real that his hands were coated with sweat and his breathing grew shallow and quick, almost like he was trying to hide himself. ‘You’re only breathing because you have to, but try not to, or else she’ll find you.’ He whimpered and covered his mouth as he slid off his bed to cradle himself on the ground. He hadn’t done that since he was kid either. The panic attacks were the reason why they sent him to live his father in Clearwater.

The air felt like a thick woollen blanket had wrapped around him. His skin itched against its heaviness. The lights stung his exhausted eyes. He squeezed them shut as he panicked, desperate to block out the world.

Slow steps echoed in the hall outside of his room. He had left the door open. He whimpered, struggling to find the courage to close the door.

They were too close, he’d never make it. Besides the doors could be opened by administrative staff and any one of his roommates. Closing the door wouldn’t do anything. He slid himself under the bed, careful to avoid making a sound.

A teddy bear stared at him. He fought the urge to scream, but the boots entered the room. He covered his mouth. Heavy footsteps walked the length of the room. Each stride rang with purpose.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud. Hold. Shift.

William held his breath and reached for the bear. Astral was here. She was looking for him. She knew he was missing but didn’t tell anyone. Why?

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

They were gone, but the fear remained.