𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 • ᴛɪᴍᴇʙᴏᴍʙ

IX

(Summary of VIII: Ekko's at school with his friends: Scar, Zeri, and Eve.)

☆ ҉ ◢▅◣Ξ◥▅◤Ξ◢▅◣Ξ◥▅◤ ҉ ★

❝ The desert don't end

The rain don't fall

And I can't pretend

I don't want you at all❞

My Oasis by Sam Smith

☆ ҉ ◢▅◣Ξ◥▅◤Ξ◢▅◣Ξ◥▅◤ ҉ ★

It's been a week, a week since I last saw Powder.

A week ago, Powder invited me to a party. A party that overflowed with high schoolers who drain their sorrows with gallons of alcohol. High schoolers who swim in the pools of disloyalty, hooking up with the latest girls or boys in town. High schoolers who spread rumors like wildfires that are impossible to stop.

I don't go to parties like that, Powder shouldn't go to parties like that.

But since last week, she hasn't been answering my texts or calls. She hasn't been coming to school. And when I visit her, she's always 'busy' or 'unavailable.'

So I can't do anything but wait. Wait wait wait until she finally shows up.

But I'm impatient, I don't like waiting.

Friday 3:30 AM

I quickly put on my navy blue rain jacket, grasping my black umbrella that rests on the door frame. I open the squeaky redwood door as quietly as possible, a large window on the other side.

'Pitter patters' wave across the vacant corridor, raindrops racing one another.

I gradually walk down the stairs, pausing at the last step, scanning the room.

The darkness consumed all the furniture that scattered the living room, nothing but the industrial white walls and the birch wood flooring could be seen.

The kitchen doorway was flooded by black smoke, not even the sun could shine enough to drive it away.

I was not shaken by the dark, but the atmosphere made it seem I was in a haunted house, the type you'd see in a classic horror movie you'd watch on a Friday night.

Quickly bolting to the door, the only source of light came from the small windows that aligned with the door.

I grab my boots, kneeling to put them both on.

I'll be out the door in a matter of seconds. This was easier than I thought!

Nobody should be awake at this time anyway, if anyone was, they'd be a crazy ma—

"Where are you going, young man?" A booming voice questioned, squeaks erupted from the couch— them trying to get up.

"Nelson, good morning!" I reply, lifting myself. "Why're you awake so early on this wonderful Friday morning?"

"I should be asking you the same thing. Like why you been sneaking out for the whole week?"

"It's complicated," I answer, straightening my coat.