Chapter 12: Eric's Troubled Mind

Stephen's POV

Stepping out of the shuttle, I took a moment to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the campus. The air was alive with the energy of eager students rushing to their classes. Amidst the sea of faces, my eyes were drawn to one in particular – Eric. There he was, just stepping out of his car, unaware of my presence.

With a wave of my arm, I called out his name, hoping to catch his attention. But amidst the clamor and chaos, my voice was swallowed by the crowd, and he walked past, lost in his own thoughts.

Before I could chase after him, a sudden honk startled me, snapping me back to reality. I turned around to find Gary's car by the curb. With a sense of urgency, I hurried towards it, and as the window rolled down, I immediately noticed a hint of worry etched on Gary's face.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, my voice laced with concern, eager to understand what had transpired.