Small Spaces >Bril<

6: The Trio's Turmoil.

The smile of a murderer.

The reflection of a murderer stared back at Brian, the face of someone the trio knew way too well. The man called himself the Smiling Man.

The trio and Phil all had to deal with him over the years. He tormented their nightmares, and for some, their everyday lives. For Brian's case, it was in his dreams every day and every night. On occasion, he saw him here and there, but most times, he chalked it up to his imagination.

As for what the man did to Brian, though, that's a whole other story. For the poor teen, nothing will ever be the same for him. Sadly, Brian will never recover.

The terror he felt

The tears he shed.

The sorrow that poured from him.

The dull and agonized look forever captured in his eyes.

The sad smile that he wore every day.

Indeed, Brian would never feel the same. His twisted experience he had with the man forever shaped Brian's perspective. The very thought of the man was awful to all three teens.

Coco hadn't ever been able to draw a portrait of somebody without breaking out into a cold sweat. This only happened after the drawing she had made of the Smiling Man to cope came to life. She never had to experience the same torture as Brian, though. Shockingly, she knows this, no matter how much Brian tries to hide his pain.

Ollie is another story. Her mother was taken from her when she turned eleven. The poor girls mom died in a terrible plane crash. The Smiling Man took this painful event as an advantage. He manipulated Ollie's thoughts and feelings. He made her think that he was caring, safe, and maybe just maybe....

A friend

For the most part, the trio got through their problems together. The teens loved each other dearly, afraid that they would lose one another in the blink of an eye. The shared trauma the group had determined their future. And that future was one of constant fear and need of reassurance. Even through all these grievances and afflictions, the great trio overcame most of their problems together.

Seemingly, though, the group couldn't yet believe what they were seeing. The Smiling Man's crooked smile was seeping malicious intent. His eyes had a piercing and cold gaze. The man didn't seem to have changed all that much. Given the fact he's immortal and all, and has been living in the world for who knows how long.

On the other hand, though.

The three scared teens had not expected him to have been there. It seemed as though he was following them.

They all collectively shuddered.

Brian just stared, his eye blurry and zoning in and out. He couldn't find it in himself to focus on the man. He didn't want to see his horrible face. He didn't want to have any more flashbacks from when he was kidnapped by that very man.

Briaaaan~.... Where aaaaare youuuuu~?

... Your skin..., it's so soft... Just like a girl's...

GET OVER HERE..... YOU CAN'T RUN FROM ME!!

...What did I tell you? You can never leave me.

You're stuck here...., forever. Your friends forgot about you. You're all alone....

Slowly, Brian turned.

Tearing his eyes away from the now fading image in the water. Brian staggered towards the trail again.  His heavy footfalls shook Ollie and Coco out of their trance. They quickly scanned around themselves, trying to find their best friend. As they both spotted him, they turned to one another and nodded silently.

This was going to take a turn for the worst.