The Truth?

Chapter Title: "The Truth Unspoken"

Ramona had taken the last two days off work, though her reasons were far from the usual. She couldn't bring herself to explain the nightmare she'd gone through, and so she stayed holed up in her room, keeping to herself. The strange encounter with the Lycans and the witch still felt surreal, and she wasn't sure if anyone would believe her. She wasn't even sure she believed it herself.

Meanwhile, Antonia had been worried. She didn't know the details, only that Ramona hadn't responded to any calls or texts since that night. She'd tried to talk to her friend, but Ramona was closed off, retreating even more into herself. Antonia wasn't sure what was wrong, but she could sense the change.

The doorbell rang, breaking the silence of the apartment. Antonia answered the door, and Andrew, Ramona's boyfriend, stood on the other side. His expression was one of concern, though he forced a smile when he saw her.

"Hey, Antonia. How's everything?" he asked, stepping inside.

Antonia gave him a brief smile. "It's been okay. Ramona… she's not doing well. She hasn't spoken much, and she hasn't been to work."

Andrew nodded, his concern growing. "Where is she?"

"Upstairs, in her room," Antonia said, leading him to the staircase.

He headed toward the stairs, his footsteps heavy with the weight of worry. He knocked softly on the door to Ramona's room before entering. Ramona was sitting on the bed, staring out the window, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Andrew's heart tightened at the sight of her, but he smiled gently as he walked over and sat beside her. "Hey, baby," he said softly.

Ramona turned to face him, her tired eyes searching his face before she moved to hug him. She kissed him quickly, holding onto him like a lifeline. Her heart was racing, the relief of his presence mixing with the confusion and fear that had consumed her for days.

Andrew pulled back slightly, his gaze soft but full of concern. "Are you okay? What's going on? You've not been well for two days now, and I haven't seen you at work. I've been so swamped at work, I haven't been able to visit. You haven't even been returning my calls."

Ramona's chest tightened as she looked at him, lost for words. How could she explain what had happened? How could she make him believe the madness she had witnessed?

"Is something troubling you?" he asked gently, his hand resting on her arm.

Ramona hesitated, unsure of how to begin. Then, after a long pause, she whispered, "Andrew, do you believe in the supernatural?"

He blinked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Supernaturals?" he repeated, not sure if he'd heard her right.

Ramona nodded slowly. "Yes, like werewolves, witches, angels… that kind of bullshit."

Andrew's face shifted into concern, a frown appearing on his face. "Ramona, are you good? What are you talking about?"

"Why won't you just listen to me?" she asked, her voice growing more desperate. "I'm telling you the truth."

"I'm listening, but you're not making any sense right now," Andrew replied, running a hand through his hair. "You haven't been at work for two days. I come over to talk to you, and you're talking about supernatural stuff. How does that make sense?"

Ramona took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she tried to find the words. "I encountered Lycans."

Andrew stared at her, his face a mask of confusion. "What do you mean, Lycans? You encountered Lycans? What's that?"

She sighed, feeling the weight of her words as she spoke. "Lycans. Werewolves. Shapeshifters. They change from human to wolf, and they… they're dangerous. I saw them. And a witch."

Andrew's mouth hung open in disbelief. "You encountered Lycans?" he repeated, his tone growing disbelieving.

"Stop doing that," she snapped. "I'm being serious. I did encounter them."

"That is not possible," he said, shaking his head. "Are you being serious right now, Ramona?"

Ramona clenched her fists. "Okay, this might sound crazy, but let me tell you what happened that night." She took a deep breath and recounted everything—the dark alley, the witch, the scent of magic, and the Lycans that had nearly torn her apart. When she finished, she looked at him, waiting for his reaction.

Andrew just stared at her, speechless. She could see the disbelief in his eyes, but it only hurt her more.

"See?" she said, her voice trembling. "Do you believe me now?"

He sighed heavily, rubbing his hand across his face. "Ramona, were you drinking that night?" His voice was gentle but filled with doubt.

"I had a few drinks, yes," she admitted, "but I walked home. I saw this. I didn't imagine anything."

Andrew shook his head slowly. "Ramona, this could be a sign of concussion or maybe you imagined things. You've been under stress, maybe you misinterpreted something. This… this isn't something that happens in real life."

"I didn't imagine anything," she insisted, her voice rising with frustration. "I know what I saw. And to know that you don't even believe me—"

"Ramona—"

"You know what?" she cut him off. "I need space. Just leave."

Andrew sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging as he stood. He didn't say anything at first, but then he dropped a file onto the bed in front of her. "I guess you're not in the mood to talk," he said quietly. "When you're ready to talk, call me. Here's what you need to know about Killian and what he'll be doing at the casino next week."

He looked at her one last time, his eyes softening just a little. "I hope you're good." He kissed her forehead gently before walking toward the door.

Ramona sat there, her mind racing as she stared down at the file in her hands. Her frustration boiled over as she gripped it tightly.

What in the hell had she seen that night?

What had she heard?

Were those things still searching for her?

What was that voice in the shadows?.

How did it know her name?.

Shivers ran down her spine, with each thought.

The confusion swirled in her mind, but all she could do was sit there, lost and alone.