Chapter 2.4

The night was silent, save for the occasional rustling of leaves outside Joey's window. A cold breeze seeped through the slightly open glass, sending a shiver down his spine. He shifted in his bed, eyes half-lidded, exhaustion pressing down on him.

He wasn't sure why, but a strange heaviness lingered in his chest.

Maybe it was the way Ethan had looked at him earlier—suspicious yet intrigued. Or perhaps it was the fleeting glimpse of Noah's expression, that unsettling mix of sweetness and something darker beneath.

Or maybe, it was something else entirely.

As he drifted into sleep, the world around him faded, and suddenly—

He stood in a dimly lit room, the scent of old books thick in the air. Warmth pressed against his side—a presence, a person.

"You'll forget me, won't you?"

The voice was quiet, filled with something raw.

Joey turned, but their face was blurred, slipping from his grasp like a fading memory.

"I won't." His own voice sounded distant, uncertain.

A hand brushed against his, fingers trembling. A deep ache swelled in his chest, bittersweet, unshakable.

"Don't leave me behind."

The words sent a sharp jolt through him.

Something cracked.

Joey's heart clenched. A sudden rush of sorrow, of longing, of something nameless filled his chest, demanding to be acknowledged.

The feeling was unbearable—like he had already lost something precious.

He gasped.

And his eyes snapped open.

Darkness. Silence.

His breath was ragged, his heart pounding against his ribs. A sharp pain throbbed in his temples.

He sat up abruptly, trying to shake the lingering weight of the dream. His hands curled into the sheets.

What… was that?

It wasn't just a dream. It felt like something more. Something real.

His fingers twitched, and before he realized it, his hand jerked sideways—

Crash!

The water glass on his nightstand toppled over, shattering against the hardwood floor.

Joey cursed under his breath.

The sound echoed unnaturally loud in the quiet room, and for a moment, everything was still.

Then—

Knock. Knock.

A soft sound.

Barely audible, yet in the dead of night, it felt deafening.

Joey froze, his breath catching in his throat.

The knocking came again.

Slow. Deliberate.

His pulse quickened.

Who would be knocking at this hour?

His eyes flicked toward the clock. 2:47 AM.

The air in the room felt heavier suddenly, thick with something he couldn't place.

The knocking persisted, a little louder this time.

Joey swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his body tensed.

His gaze drifted toward the door, and his breath hitched.

A shadow moved underneath the gap.

Someone was standing there.

Waiting.

Not saying a word.

The air grew colder.

Then—

The doorknob turned.

A sharp thrill of fear ran down his spine.

Joey's muscles coiled, ready to react, but before he could move, a soft voice pierced the silence.

"Joey? Are you awake?"

The tension in his body eased slightly.

It was his mother.

Joey let out a slow breath of relief, running a hand over his face. He pushed himself off the bed and crossed the room in quick strides.

He cracked the door open, revealing his mother standing there, wrapped in a silk robe, her brows furrowed in concern.

"What happened?" she asked, glancing past him into the dimly lit room. "I heard something break."

Joey rubbed the back of his neck. "Just knocked over a glass. No big deal."

She eyed him, her soft and worried eyes looking over him. "You look pale."

"I'm fine, maybe just tired . I run too much in today's physical education class" he lied smoothly.

His mother wasn't convinced but she don't say something since her son don't want to share. Her lips pressed into a thin line before she sighed. "You should be more careful. And try to get some sleep."

Joey gave a small nod,his eyes softening slightly. "Yeah. I will."

She lingered a moment longer before finally turning away. "Goodnight, Joey."

"Goodnight, Mom."

He shut the door, exhaling deeply.

His pulse was still unsteady.

He turned back to his bed, but his gaze flickered to the shattered glass on the floor.

The dream still clung to him.

And for the first time in a long while—

Joey felt truly uneasy.

What was the dream,who was the person. He had countless questions but no answers.

The system seems to know something.

He will definitely ask the system fist thing tomorrow morning.

Laying back on bed , Joey took longer to sleep as his tense heartbeat relaxed slowly.