the truth(25)

Michael woke up in a cold sweat, his breathing uneven. The alarm clock buzzed loudly, but it wasn't what woke him. It was the same sinking feeling that had been following him for days, a suffocating dread that refused to let go.

He sat up, running a hand through his messy hair. His chest felt tight, his mind racing in endless circles.

Michael (internally):

"It's just in my head. No one's watching me. No one's following me. I just need to get through today. Just act normal."

But the thoughts wouldn't leave him. The memory of Mr. Carter's cold, unwavering stare haunted him. The threat still echoed in his ears.

"We're just making sure you never tell anyone. Because if you do… well, something bad will happen to you."

Michael clenched his jaw.

Michael (internally):

"I didn't want to go there. I knew it was a mistake. But Lisa made me. And now I can't stop thinking about it. Can't stop thinking about her."

He shook his head and got dressed, trying to ignore the nausea twisting in his stomach.

School was the same as always, but Michael felt… out of sync. Every voice in the hallway sounded too loud. Every light was too bright. Every step he took felt heavier than the last.

As he walked to his locker, he felt eyes on him. But when he turned, no one was looking.

Michael (internally):

"Paranoia. That's all it is. Just ignore it."

He forced himself to breathe, to act normal. He opened his locker, staring blankly at the contents inside. For a moment, he forgot what he even needed.

Behind him, Ethan and Marie were talking, their conversation distant noise.

Ethan (grinning):

"Man, did you hear about that guy from Class 2-B? He challenged Coach to a sprint and got wrecked."

Marie (laughing):

"Serves him right. Thinking he could keep up with us? Please."

Michael barely registered their words. He tried to respond, but his voice felt hollow.

Michael:

"Hah. Some people just don't know their place."

They laughed, completely unaware of the storm raging inside him.

But then—Lisa.

She walked past him, her gaze lingering on him for just a second too long. Their eyes met. A chill ran down his spine.

Michael (internally):

"Why does she always look at me like that?"

Lisa:

"Morning, Michael."

Michael (forcing a smile):

"Morning."

She passed by without another word, but his mind was already spiraling.

Michael (internally):

"Does she know? Is she testing me? Is she trying to see if I'll break?"

He bit his lip.

Michael (internally):

"No. No, that's crazy. Lisa wouldn't do that. I'm just overthinking."

Class dragged on endlessly. The teacher's words blurred together, meaningless noise. The words on the board twisted and warped. Michael tapped his fingers against his desk, barely holding on.

His thoughts circled back to that night. Lisa's insistence. Her parents' threats. The sinking feeling that something was deeply, deeply wrong.

Michael (internally):

"Why did she take me there? Why? Was it all planned? Did she know I'd react this way?"

His heart pounded. The walls of the classroom felt like they were closing in.

Teacher:

"Michael."

Michael snapped out of it. The whole class was staring at him.

Michael:

"Huh?"

Teacher (sighing):

"I called your name three times. Are you even paying attention?"

The students snickered. Michael forced a cocky smirk.

Michael:

"Of course. Just thinking about how easy this lesson is."

More laughter. The teacher rolled his eyes and continued. Michael exhaled, relieved. But his anxiety didn't fade.

If anything, it got worse.

Lunch. A place to relax. To laugh. To talk with friends.

But Michael couldn't focus. Every conversation felt distant. Every bite of food tasted like nothing. His body was here, but his mind was somewhere else.

Emily nudged him.

Emily:

"Hey, Michael. You're looking really stressed. What happened?"

Michael stiffened. He forced a grin.

Michael:

"Oh, it's nothing. Just tired, I guess."

But then—Lisa.

She was sitting across from him, watching him closely. Her gaze unreadable.

Lisa:

"Are you sure, Michael?"

A pulse of cold rage ran through him.

Michael (internally):

"Why? Why is she always watching me? Why does she keep acting like she knows something? Just leave me alone."

Michael clenched his fists. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. The pressure inside him built up, spiraling, suffocating.

Michael (low, aggressive):

"Shut up, Lisa."

Silence.

Everyone turned to look at him. Lisa blinked, caught off guard.

Lisa:

"Shut up? Whoa, Michael, why are you getting so aggressive?"

Michael's vision blurred. His chest burned. He gritted his teeth.

Michael:

"Shut the hell up. I don't wanna hear anything from you."

The tension at the table thickened. Ethan sat up, his expression turning serious.

Ethan:

"Hey, hey, hey, Michael. Why are you talking like that?"

Michael's body moved on instinct. He shoved Ethan aside, standing up, breathing heavily.

Michael:

"Shut up. Shut up, all of you."

Ethan steadied himself, eyes narrowing.

Ethan:

"Whoa, what's your problem, man?"

Michael laughed bitterly, running a hand through his hair.

Michael:

"My problem? God damn it. Even if I tell you my problem, you can't solve shit. And I can't tell you my problem."

Ethan:

"Then why are you getting so aggressive?"

Michael's fists tightened. His breath came in ragged gasps. The world around him blurred as raw anger boiled to the surface.

He and Ethan were seconds away from fighting.

And then—

The memory stopped.

The fire crackled in the cave. Dakota's group sat in stunned silence, their eyes locked on him.

Henry:

"Hey, Dakota… why were you trying to fight your own friend?"

Dakota leaned back, exhaling slowly.

Dakota:

"Well, probably because I was getting so paranoid, my emotions started to, I guess, rise up. I wasn't in a normal state."

He looked into the fire, his expression unreadable.

Dakota:

"I was getting paranoid a lot. It messed me up. I got too emotional, too angry at Lisa. And that anger turned into a fight with Ethan."

Luna crossed her arms, frowning.

Luna:

"You were really out of it, huh?"

Dakota smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes.

Dakota:

"Yeah. And if you think that was bad…"

He turned to the others, his gaze sharp.

Dakota:

"I'll show you the fight in the next memory."

The flames flickered, casting long shadows on the cave walls. The truth was only beginning to unfold.