Picturesque Illusions

Exposed and Unknown

Two guys came out of the silver car; two hazy figures in the dim of the dawn. As they made their way toward the closed doors, their hands moved together, molding into one.

They didn't know what to exactly expect for that moment, but it sure hadn't been the unusual silence that greeted them. It was such a change of scene from what they're more familiar with, that they cannot stop the bubble of laughter out of them, oozing out the unspoken fear the both of them had been feeling.

"Come with me?" The taller one asked then, gesturing toward the closed doors at the far end of the corridor. Low sounds of voices can be heard from the other side.

A hint of hesitation flashed through the eyes of the smaller one, but he quickly shook his head, squared his shoulders, and breathed deeply. "Okay," he announced a little too loudly. The taller man could only chuckle at the display of bravery.

For a while, they stood there in the middle of the silent hallway, gazing into each other's eyes. They could feel the drummings in their own chests, but looking at one another gave them the illusion of calmness, and for that moment they thought it could be enough.

To freely hold each other's hands in the wide corridor was a luxury they had always hoped to happen. It was a special moment for the both of them, picture-perfect minutes of being in each other's presence. A moment - unbeknownst to them - that had been captured in silence.

Clicks after clicks. Moments after moments. All but stored in one card. Shared by different accounts. Viewed through different eyes.

A special moment for all to see, uncovering the hidden truth, unprepared for its exposure.

"What the hell?"

"Huh. Who would've thought, though. The guy's messed up."

"I don't care about this. He better not ruin the chances of our school."

Mouths were opened; continuing to spurt out questions here and there - anticipating, pondering, cursing. These were the kind of conversations that flowed from the lips of young learners throughout the day.

From having been on edge that morning, smiles wide and bright as the sun shone down on the pathway, to having their faces stuck to their phones on hands. Banners that have been hanged were ignored, posters on display were marked hideously, different types of Good Luck! that have been prepared were turned to disgusted frowns. All in response to the candid photos of two men that directed the news.

"This is... Will Devon, right?" A student asked, blinking up from the phone.

"Yeah. The others have been talking about it since this morning."

"Huh. Who's the other guy, though?"

The murmurs and ponders were left suspended as a group of people walked out of the doors that lead to the field. The students looked on, searching the brown hair, the answers to their questions, the outlet for curses, but all they were given were strikingly cold glares from the men. No second-year student. No star player. No Will Devon.

"Fucking cowards," someone from the group muttered, leaving the trail of the men as he ventured and stomped his feet away.

The students' attention were shattered from the group as the speakers boomed to all corners of the building, delivering the announcements for the day. They had been expected to deliver the good news, eventually leading to a school party, but all it brought on though was a disappointing news that started a string of curses, strong echoing of locker doors, and low spirits that may or may not have affected the closed doors of classrooms.

The corridors slowly sank into its unusual silence, the students murmuring today's events on their way to punishing hours of classes, tuning out the meek gasps for air, a breath for his life, hidden behind corners and tall grasses. Steps he could swore he could have heard.

The classes continued to their usual habits of attendance, a Present! here and there from disappointed students, rolling of eyes at the unusual absence of the once-sought student, uncaring to the loud thumping of his heart, locked away in a place he most feel safe. He had never felt this kind of uselessness before. An agony. A proof of cowardice, he thought.

The day went by then, the overhead speakers continuing their aggravating news, tuning out the horrors that took place with zero witnesses. Two victims unheard of. A violence hidden away by two closed fists.

"Beloved students of Western High, as we all know that you have been anticipating today's Football School Games (FSG) competition, we regret to inform everyone that it has to be postponed as a response in an unfortunate event that had happened with the competing school of our school. We will advise everyone as to the next date of the event. Stay safe."

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