I froze.

For a moment, I considered ignoring it, but the tone was warm, familiar—something that demanded attention.

Turning slowly, I saw a woman stepping out of the shadows, her face lit by the faint glow of the street lamps. Her graying hair framed a kind face that looked at me with surprise and familiarity.

I didn't recognize her, but it was clear that she knew me—no, that she knew the old Ethan.

To think he was called Ethan as well...

"It is you!" she exclaimed, moving closer, keeping her tone warm and affectionate. "I didn't expect you back so soon. When did you return from the boys' trip?"

I blinked.

My mind scrambled to make sense of her words.

I had no recollection of this woman or any mention of a "boys' trip."

I had to think fast.

My hesitation must have been noticeable, and she seemed to pick up on it.

Her expression softened slightly, and she added, "It's me, Marla Everly, your neighbor till you were 16. Don't tell me you've forgotten already."

She continued, seemingly oblivious to my confusion. "I remember seeing Darius come to pick you up, then I told him you moved elsewhere. I presume he did find you in the end. Did he? You boys must have had quite the adventure. I'm just glad you're back safely."

Darius.

The name sparked a memory—the man I had fought, the man who tried to kill me.

And now, she was talking about some trip?

Something was clicking into place, though the picture wasn't clear yet.

I nodded, feigning understanding. "Yeah... it was something."

Her smile widened, clearly satisfied, while my mind spun with questions.

What had happened?

What did she think had happened?

Marla seemed content with my response. Her face glowed with that familiar, motherly warmth.

She stepped a bit closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "You know, I always knew you boys would work things out. Tomas, Luca, Derek... they were just rough around the edges. A little trip together was just what you all needed to mend those old wounds."

She sighed nostalgically, shaking her head with a soft chuckle.

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"I remember how they used to tease you back when you were younger, but that's just how boys are, isn't it? Always pushing each other around, but deep down, they care. I'm glad Darius managed to convince you to join them. I knew things would get better once you spent some time together."

Her words hit me like a hammer.

Tomas, Luca, Derek—names that meant nothing to me, yet the way she spoke made my skin prickle.

She was painting a picture of childhood friends trying to reconnect, but I could sense something much darker beneath the surface.

The old Ethan had been taken on this "trip" by them, and now I was beginning to understand why he never returned.

My mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of information she was unintentionally giving me.

I needed more, but I couldn't let on that I was clueless.

I nodded slowly, keeping my expression neutral, hoping she would continue.

As Marla continued to reminisce, her words flowed with an easy, almost wistful tone.

"You know, boys will be boys. They might have been a bit too rough with you sometimes, but I always thought it was just their way of showing they cared. I'm sure they didn't mean any harm, not really."

My mind latched onto her every word, dissecting them with cold precision.

These "boys" she mentioned—Tomas, Luca, Derek, and Darius—hadn't been friends with old Ethan.

They had been something far more dangerous.

Her innocent recounting was painting a picture, but the colors were all wrong.

I could feel the darkness lurking beneath the surface of her naive assumptions.

Marla's voice softened as she continued, "They might have seemed like bullies to some, but I knew they had good hearts. That's why I wasn't surprised when Darius came by to take you on that trip, after they managed to join the guild. It was a chance to put the past behind you all."

Her words were becoming clearer in my mind now.

The pieces were fitting together, though not in the way she intended.

This trip she mentioned—it had been their way of getting rid of the old Ethan, a final act of cruelty disguised as reconciliation, likely emboldened by their newfound status in the guild.

The realization settled over me like a cold, heavy weight.

I forced myself to stay calm, to keep the growing anger from showing on my face.

Marla had no idea what she was revealing, how she was helping me understand the truth about what had happened.

I needed to keep her talking, but I also had to be careful.

One wrong word, one slip, and she might realize that something was off.

Despite the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind, I knew I couldn't afford to let any of it show.

Marla's gaze was soft, expectant, as if she was waiting for some confirmation that everything had turned out just as she had hoped.

I forced a measured smile, hoping it would pass for understanding.

"That trip..." I began, choosing my words carefully. "It was... eye-opening, to say the least."

Marla's eyes lit up. Her smile widened.

"I'm so glad to hear that! I knew it would be good for all of you. Tomas, Luca, Derek—they were always such good boys, just a bit misguided. Joining the guild must have been a big step for them. I'm sure they just wanted to show you they could be better."

I nodded slowly, letting her words wash over me while keeping my true thoughts buried deep. Every mention of their names sent a jolt through me, each one a reminder of how little I truly knew about the life this body had lived before me.

But I couldn't let on, not yet.

"They certainly made an impression," I said, keeping my tone neutral, almost appreciative. "It was... a lot to take in."

Marla chuckled softly, clearly pleased with herself for having played some small part in what she thought was a reconciliation.

"I'm just glad things worked out. I always knew you boys would find a way to get along. It just took a little time, that's all."

I nodded again, forcing myself to remain calm.

I had to steer the conversation carefully, tease out the last details without triggering her suspicion.

"And the guild... How are they doing now? Have you seen them around much since they joined the guild?"