the truth(43)

(Michael rushes through the darkened streets, his heart pounding. The makeup container in his pocket felt like a ticking time bomb. He didn't know what Lisa's parents would do after tonight, but that didn't matter. Right now, he had one goal—convincing his friends of the truth.)

(He arrives at Ethan's house, barely pausing before knocking hard on the door. A few moments later, Ethan opens it, his expression unreadable.)

Ethan:

"Michael? What the hell are you doing here this late?"

(Behind Ethan, the others gather—Marie, Alex, and Emily. Their faces are a mix of concern and annoyance. Michael pushes past Ethan, stepping inside without permission.)

Michael (determined):

"I need to talk to all of you. Now."

(Ethan shuts the door, irritation flickering across his face as he folds his arms.)

Ethan:

"Michael, this better be good, because I swear—"

(Michael cuts him off, pulling out the makeup and tossing it onto the table. The others look at it in confusion.)

Michael:

"Lisa's a liar. A manipulator. She faked the bruises. She's been playing all of us!"

(Silence. Then, Marie steps forward, arms crossed, her expression skeptical.)

Marie:

"Are you serious right now? You broke into Lisa's house just to steal her makeup?"

Michael (gritted teeth):

"Not just makeup. The exact brand used to create fake bruises. The same ones she showed all of you to make me look like the villain!"

(Alex sighs, rubbing his temples before speaking.)

Alex:

"Michael, listen to yourself. Do you hear how crazy you sound? Lisa wouldn't do that."

Michael (snapping):

"Why the hell are you all defending her?! She's been manipulating you for years! She played with your emotions, turned you all against me!"

Emily (voice small, conflicted):

"Michael… please. Just tell the truth. Just tell us why you beat up Lisa."

(Michael's entire body stiffens. His breath comes short and fast. His vision blurs with pure rage.)

Michael (whispering, voice shaking):

"What?"

(He steps back, staring at Emily like she just stabbed him. His hands clench into trembling fists.)

Michael (louder, voice raw):

"What did you just say?"

(Emily flinches, but she doesn't back down.)

Emily (pleading):

"Michael, just admit it. Just tell us why you did it."

(Michael stares at them all, realization crashing down like a tidal wave. They don't believe him. They never would. His chest tightens, his breath ragged as something inside him snaps.)

Michael (laughing bitterly):

"You really think I beat up Lisa?"

(His laughter grows, cold and humorless.)

Michael (shouting, voice shaking with rage):

"WHY?! WHY WOULD I DO THAT?!"

(No one answers. No one can.)

(Michael doesn't say another word. He just turns and storms out, slamming the door behind him. His vision is blurred with anger, betrayal, and something else—something heavier. He had lost them. Lisa won. But he wouldn't let it stay that way. No. This wasn't over.)

(Michael walks through the empty streets, fists clenched, jaw tight. And then, as if the universe itself was mocking him, he hears her voice.)

Lisa:

"How do you feel, Michael?"

(He stops. Slowly, he turns. And there she is, standing under the streetlight, arms crossed, smirking. Her dark eyes gleam with amusement, her stance relaxed—completely at ease, like she owns the world.)

Lisa:

"How do you feel knowing I manipulated your friends against you?"

(Michael exhales through his nose, his body trembling with barely restrained fury.)

Michael (low, dangerous):

"You won't manipulate them forever. I'll find a way to convince them. I'll reveal the truth. And when I do, you'll never be their friend again."

(Lisa chuckles, tilting her head.)

Lisa:

"Oh, Michael… are you sure about that?"

(She steps closer, her smirk widening.)

Lisa:

"I have Ethan. Maybe not the others, but Ethan? He's wrapped around my little finger. He's my boyfriend. He loves me so much. So tell me… can you really convince him?"

(Michael's fists clench tighter, his nails digging into his palms so hard they might draw blood.)

Lisa (mockingly sweet):

"And you know… if I told Ethan to fight you, he would. Wouldn't that be tragic?"

(Michael's expression darkens.)

Michael (voice sharp as a blade):

"You better not. Because if you do, I swear to God, you little bitch, I will kill you."

(Lisa gasps dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest.)

Lisa:

"Kill me? Ha! Michael, you can try."

(Her smirk turns cruel, eyes flashing with triumph.)

Lisa:

"You know, I really did try to manipulate you. But you were too difficult. Too smart. Too… paranoid. It was frustrating, really. So, I did the next best thing—I manipulated Ethan. And your friends? Well… they were just collateral damage."

(Michael's breath is ragged, his fury boiling over. His voice comes out sharp, venomous.)

Michael:

"My fault? You're blaming me? You're lucky I don't hit you right now."

(Lisa just laughs.)

Lisa:

"You can try, Michael. But we both know it won't end well for you."

(Michael steps forward, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that could shatter glass.)

Michael:

"Lisa, I promise you… I will defeat you. And you can do nothing about it."

(Lisa just watches as he walks past her, not even looking back.)

(The memory fades. Dakota stands still, his expression unreadable as his friends stare at him, completely stunned. The room is silent for a long, heavy moment.)

Henry (shaking his head):

"Damn, Dakota. You really tried to convince them, but you couldn't."

(Dakota doesn't respond, his eyes distant. Meanwhile, Ava, Mia, Liam, and Lucas clutch their heads, their expressions pained.)

Mia (gritting her teeth):

"What the hell is happening? Why… why do I feel everything? Why do I feel what they felt?"

Liam (struggling to stay upright):

"It's like… their emotions are bleeding into us. This is too weird."

Lucas:

"I feel like I'm about to pass out. What the hell is going on?!"

(Dakota glances at them, his voice calm but firm.)

Dakota:

"Don't worry. Just watch. Let the memories flow. When my past life's memories end, you'll understand everything."

(The group falls silent. They trust Dakota, even if they don't understand what's happening. The tension in the room lingers, thick and suffocating. Finally, Henry speaks again.)

Henry:

"So… what happens next?"

(Dakota exhales, his eyes narrowing slightly.)

Dakota:

"In the next memory… you'll see."

(The chapter ends, leaving the tension heavy in the air, the promise of more revelations lingering like a storm on the horizon.)