“What’s wrong now?”

“There’s someone out there…” she muttered with her eyes widening and her body trembling again.

“I mean there’s like seventy thousand people at this school. I wouldn’t be surprised if at least someone was out there walking,” Kairus rationalized, joining Josephine in her “staring out blankly into the darkness activity.”

They were both pelted by the falling rain and shrouded in blackness. It was so dark with the majority of lights off and clouds completely covering the sky. Neither of them could hardly see a thing beyond their own hands.

“I don’t see anyone…” he added, hoping it would ease Josephine’s wandering mind.

“There was a man with a top hat. I swear I saw him… just there…” She pointed into the abyss at absolutely nothing but a figure that resembled a small tree.”

“Josi, that’s nothing. Now stop being paranoid and let’s get to my damn car already because I’m already tired of getting passively soaked by this rain!” Kairus urged, grabbing Josephine by the hand and sprinting out into the harsh rain.

Thunder and lightning roared and cracked in the background, lighting up the sky and streets around them in quick but potent flashes.

As they dashed through the rain, their feet smacked into mounds of mud, splashed into puddles, and soaked into the rivers of flowing water.

But, Josephine’s mind was playing tricks on her again. She felt they were being followed and struggled to suppress her fear and paranoia. Almost every time there was a lighting flash, she saw the figure in the top hat. CRACK! It emerged from a willow tree. KABOOM! The hat shined from the roof of a honda civic. FLASH! The entity darted behind the brick walls of the rec building.

But these sightings couldn’t be real. Could they? She had to convince herself that she was only imagining them. If I’m the only one seeing it, then it’s not there, she’d tell herself.

The two arrived at Kairus’ car and they quickly rushed inside, cold and wet from the rain. Kairus initiated the car and gave it a moment to alleviate the fog and warm up. He cleared the windshield of water with his wipers and laid back in his seat, shivering.

Josephine still sat there shaking, shocked and speechless. Her heart pounded in her chest with heavy breathing, expanding out and in over and over.

“You alright there, Josi?” Kairus exhaled and panted softly, catching his own breath.

“I’m okay. I’m okay,” she said in a very unconvincing tone.

“Alright,” he responded, shifting the car into gear and driving off to the gas station. They arrived after a few minutes and were pleased to see all the lights on. They were still open.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Kairus pulled up to an empty spot and parked. With the storm still raging on, they rushed inside of the gas station and started shopping around, dripping water all over the floor.

Josephine looked over to the cashier and smiled politely, beginning her search for snacks and a flashlight.

After a moment, another individual entered the store, a familiar face.

“Jos,” the quiet, awkward man spoke.

“Huh?” She exclaimed, quickly turning around and meeting the man’s gaze. He stared down at her blankly and then Kairus noticed him as well. He was wearing a large trench coat, absolutely drenched in water. His long black hair was also dripping, leaving puddles everywhere he walked, and his boots squealed loudly with each step.

“Loren!” Josephine’s face lit up as her old friend smiled at her. “Nice to see you here. It’s been one hell of a night.”

“Haha… I bet,” he laughed awkwardly, examining the items in her hands. She was holding a bag of chips, some candy, and a pure leaf tea bottle.

“Do you want anything, Loren? I can get you something,” she offered in a very kind tone, opposite of her normal.

Kairus looked at both of them confused. He hadn’t been brought into the loop yet.

“Who is this?” He asked, staring at Loren with a troubled face.

“This is Loren! We were childhood friends, and I bumped into him for the first time in forever just a couple weeks ago!” She explained with a soft genuine smile.

“Yeah… we go way back… our uh… families knew each other… really well when we were uh… kids,” he started, still pausing between his words. “Oh… Josephine?”

“What’s up?” She asked nicely.

“I have a gift for you in my car… I had been meaning to give it to you for uh… always being a great friend…” Loren was so shy that he struggled to complete his sentence, but Josephine didn’t seem to mind.

“Oh thanks, Loren. I’ll come get it after Kairus pays for these,” she gestured to her snacks and proceeded to the counter with Kairus behind.

“You said he was an old friend?” He asked as the cashier scanned their items and he retrieved his wallet.

“Yeah we were neighbors as kids. I spent a lot of time with his family. He’s always been really shy and awkward, so I try to be nice to him. I was probably one of very few people that were,” she explained while Kairus finished paying for their items.

Kairus nodded his head and picked up some of the bagged items, completing the purchase. They then caught up with Loren and followed him to his car.

“It’s nothing special… just a stuffed bear. I figured you might think it was cute,” Loren explained, reaching into his car and retrieving the small pink bear.

“It is cute! I love it! Thank you, Loren,” Josephine smiled brightly and took the bear from Loren who let out a soft chuckle and smiled back.

“Oh damn it,” Josephine said. “I forgot to get a flashlight. We’ll be right back.” She started to turn around and head back into the gas station.

“W-w-wait! I have a flashlight you can use!” He exclaimed, getting Josephine’s attention. She then turned around and watched him dig back through his car. “No sense in buying another one… when I got a spare, right?”

“Oh thanks again, Loren. You’re a lifesaver!” Josephine cheered as Loren continued searching. She smiled awkwardly at Kairus who just shrugged his shoulders and stayed quiet.

A few moments later, Loren emerged from his car again with the flashlight in his hands. He smiled and handed it over to Josephine who clicked it on to make sure it worked.

“No problem, Jos’. Anytime.... If you need anything else… I’m just around the corner.”

“Alright! Bye now. Take care of yourself!” Josephine dismissed herself and Kairus, returning to his car with the flashlight and stuffed bear.