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Chapter 35

Dry.

My mouth is dry.

My body is sore.

My hands and legs are shaking.

My vision is blurry.

And I can't remember the last time I had any sleep.

But I need to keep going.

I can't stop.

I can feel the cameras on me.

On us.

I force myself to take a breath and continue working.

But the test tube slipped right from my fingers and fell to the ground, the glass shattering into pieces on my feet.

I let my eyes close, the noise echoing on my head.

"Tris? Are you okay?"  Nora asked me.

She sounded concerned.

No. I'm not.

But I'm not sure I said those words out loud before black completely took over me, reminding me of the colour of Ink Blood and a specific person I left there.

♛♛♛

"...Errot..?" Adan asked warily and walked hesitantly towards Tristian.

"Wrong. Guess again" Tristian smirked at him.

Adan's eyes widened. "So it's true... you're.. you're back." He looks stunned.

"I am." He checked Adan out quickly. "How are you doing, Adan?"

Adan ran a hand through his hair, getting visibly flustered. "How am I doing? You'd know if you were here. Why did you even come back?" Adan looks like he doesn't know how to act towards him.

Tristian sighed. "Don't tell me you're mad at me too"

"Everyone is mad at you, Tristian. You don't just pack your shit one day and leave. You left Canton a note but me? I was fucking distraught."

Tristian bit at his lip and stared at Adan blankly.

"You don't give a fuck, do you? I can see it in your face."

"I did what I had to do. My absence wasn't really..planned."

Adan looked away, suddenly finding it very hard to stare at Tristian.

"Come on. You can't be mad at me forever. Let's just..start over. Catch up a bit." He smiled at him even though Adan couldn't see him.

Adan rolled his eyes, still avoiding Tristian's gaze. "Catch up..how can you be so casual about this" he mumbled frustrated.

Tristian came closer and wrapped his arms around Adan, embracing him into a hug.

Adan's eyes widened again. A small gasp escaped his lips.

"I missed how things were. I missed my life here. Give me a chance to make it up to all of you for all the years that we lost. Please..."

Adan remained frozen.

He didn't hug him back.

After a while, Tristian pulled away. "So, what do you say?"

Adan crossed his arms against his chest, his heart beating slightly faster. "Do you..." Adan rolled his eyes. "Do you have some free time today?" He mumbled lowly, hating how easily he's giving in to Tristian.