Secrets

"But… but you're hurt," she protested, her brow furrowed with concern. "I can't just leave you like this. Her heart was beating frantically in her chest.

He glared at her, his eyes flashing with an anger that made her flinch. "I said go!" he repeated, his voice rising. "Don't… don't look at me." He turned his face away, as if he couldn't bear her gaze.

Hazel was torn. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to stay, to help him, to understand what had happened.

But the look in his eyes, the raw pain and the almost desperate plea for solitude, held her back. She had never seen him like this before, so vulnerable, so broken. And the way he was pushing her away… it was as if he was trying to protect her from something.

Slowly, reluctantly, Hazel rose to her feet. She looked at him one last time, her heart aching with a mixture of fear, confusion, and a deep, gnawing sense of unease. she cried tears blurring her sight.

She didn't understand what had happened, but it was clear he didn't want her there. He wanted to be alone.

"ok," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll… I'll go."

She backed away slowly, her eyes never leaving him. As she reached the door, she paused, a flicker of hope still burning within her. "But… if you need anything," she said softly, "just call. I'll be here."

He didn't respond. He remained turned away from her, his body hunched on the floor. Hazel hesitated for a moment longer, then, with a heavy heart, she turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind her. The silence that followed was even more chilling than the shriek had been. she bumped to Mr. thorne. who Held her arm to steady her.

"Whoa there, Hazel! You look like you've seen a ghost," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

she lowered her head avoiding his gaze.

"Everything alright?" kalix asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He seemed to be studying her, his gaze piercing.

Hazel hesitated. She knew Mr. Thorne had worked at Stern's Manor for years, longer than she had. He knew the house, its secrets, its rhythms, better than anyone. And for some reason, she felt a strange pull towards him, a sense that he might know more than he was letting on.

"I... I heard a shriek," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "From Mr. stern's s room."

kalix expression didn't change. He simply nodded, as if he'd expected her to say that. "A shriek?" he repeated, his voice flat.

"Yes," Hazel said, her voice trembling slightly. "It sounded… like he was hurt."

kalix's gaze intensified. He didn't seem surprised, not at all. In fact, he looked almost… resigned. "And did you go in there?" he asked, his voice low.

Hazel nodded. "Yes, but… he told me to leave. He wouldn't let me help him."

A strange silence fell between them. Mr. Thorne didn't say anything for a moment, his eyes fixed on some point beyond Hazel's shoulder. Then, he let out a long, drawn-out sigh.

"He wouldn't, would he?" he muttered, more to himself than to her.

Hazel frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

Mr. Thorne looked back at her, his eyes filled with a weariness that seemed to go beyond his years. "It's… complicated, Hazel," he said, his voice low and guarded. "Some things are best left undisturbed."

"But he's hurt!" Hazel protested, her voice rising in alarm. "He needs help!"

Mr. Thorne shook his head slowly. "He's got his own ways of dealing with things," he said, his voice laced with a hint of something Hazel couldn't quite place. Was it sadness? Resignation? Fear?

"But what if… what if it's serious?" Hazel persisted, her worry for Mr. stern overriding her unease about Mr. Thorne's cryptic words.

Mr. Thorne looked at her, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of pity and warning. "Just… stay out of it, Hazel," he said, his voice firm. "For your own good."

He turned and walked away, leaving Hazel standing alone in the hallway, her mind buzzing with unanswered questions and a growing sense of dread. She had the distinct feeling that Mr. Thorne knew more than he was letting on. He knew something about what had happened to Mr. stern. And whatever it was, it was something he clearly wanted to keep hidden.

he suddenly stopped and spoke without turning his back.

" just get me some cloth and warm water"

after, you can go to bed".

Mr. Thorne proceeded to walk to Mr stern's room.

Hazel stared at his back baffled. She hurriedly went to the kitchen to get the water and cloth. and proceeded to Mr stern's room.. she knocked the door . but heard a voice from inside which seemed to be Mr Thorne's.

"just leave it there and leave".

Hazel did just that and walked away.