𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳 ~ [𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘹 𝘖𝘊]

⇒ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜰɪᴠᴇ

I frowned, letting my hand spread sideways across the cotton sheet, face twisting further with concern when I didn't find David laid next to me. In his stead was a gaping emptiness, one that can only feel so big when you get used to not waking up alone. I sat up, confused to find the cabin door open, a breathy breeze fluttering the curtains a little.

"JASPER?" This perked me right up. Why was the redhead outside in the middle of the night, yelling desperately for a childhood best friend? Especially a childhood friend I'd forbidden myself from telling him was actually dead and haunting Spooky Island. I pulled on the discarded hoodie draped over the desk chair as I hauled out of bed, not even bothering to put on shoes as I stepped outside. My socks would suffice.

"Davey?" I whispered, worry laced in my tone as I took another tentative step forwards in the direction of his rigid form. "What are you doing?" Was there any way Jasper was actually here? I figured he must have been confined to Spooky Island, maybe he escaped? The turquoise eyed man turned at my question, giving a yelp before practically launching himself around me. I swayed on the spot slightly, not expecting the contact.

"I'm so sorry Avery, I woke up and I thought I saw J-Jasper..." He stuttered, shaking slightly; whether out of fear or shock, I'll never know. I smoothed the back of his hair therapeutically. Sure, he only thought the kid had moved out of camp, but I knew they must have ended on some kind of bad note given how depressed he'd seemed when he told me he didn't have a chance to say goodbye.

"It's okay, probably just a bad dream." My teeth clenched, I hated lying to him. "You're here with me, and trust me, nothing bad can get you when I'm around." I tried a joke, calming down when a weak chuckle issued from him, making his body shake against me. 

"Thank you." He whispered, still clinging onto me tightly.

"What time is it?" I inquired, trying to calculate by how long it would be before sunrise. Sharing a bed with David had influenced my sleep schedule so it was more fucked than ever, meaning I had started to wake up earlier and earlier, cutting the limited rest I got by even more.

"About five." He sniffed, looking at the watch on his wrist through bleary eyes.

"Alright, let's get you back inside. Sleep in for a bit, I'll handle the kids with Gwen." Another lie. I was going to get Gwen to handle the kids and go straight over to Spooky Island to talk to the ghost boy.

"You're the best." I could hear a smile in the redhead's voice. My chest tightened as I tried to quell the guilt at my dishonesty. I couldn't tell him what had really happened, it would break him. It was possible David already knew, but simply repressed it, figuring Jasper's parents coming to pick him up unexpectedly was a better outcome for his ten-year-old brain. So instead I forced a laugh, hoping it sounded genuine and guided him back inside.

"You keep telling me."

* . °•★|•°∵ ∵°•|☆•° . *

"Oi, ghosty boy!" I'd made it to Spooky Island just as the sun graced the horizon, disembarking from the boat QM had leant me almost immediately. I was desperately trying not to think about why the floor of it was so sticky. I heard nothing, so I tried again. "Jasper?"

"Somebody say my name?" The blue eyed boy seemingly faded into existence, something that freaked me out, before I remembered what he was. "Oh, it's you! Avery, isn't it?"

"Yeah, we broke into the sex dungeon together with Max, Nikki and Neil." I shuddered at the memory. "Look I know this may be blunt, but I need answers." I pressed, hands fidgeting nervously. I didn't know how long Gwen could keep David distracted from my whereabouts as I'd instructed her, so I wanted this over quickly.