𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

Signum

"Oh, hey Vesper," Regan drawled, trying to shake the boredom in her voice. Vesper had a smile on her face and was holding her schoolbag.

"Hey, Reggie," she greeted.

Regan couldn't help but frown a little when her friend entered in. She knew Vesper was her friend but all she wanted was to stay alone now.

"So, what's up?" she asked, closing the door behind her.

Vesper shrugged, "Oh, you know. Just thought we'd have some fun. I was bored."

"Yeah, me too," Regan said, sitting down on the couch.

Vesper sat beside her, "So, why did you leave so abruptly from school? I mean, I was waiting for you after detention."

Regan sighed, "Oh, that. I just don't want to talk about it."

Vesper was going to speak but Monica stepped in. She greeted Vesper and told Regan to come upstairs with her for a moment and Regan only nodded.

As they entered Monica's room, she closed the door.

"Regan, look. I'm not saying you're delusional. I'm just saying that your psychology is a little tangled. But that doesn't mean you're crazy," she said, her voice filled with a hint of frustration.

"I'm not messed up," Regan retorted, "he's real and he's around here." As she finished her words, she caught a glimpse of the one she was talking about, but when she blinked, he disappeared.

"Regan, you're under a lot of stress and pressure. These pills and psychological therapy with help," Monica said with a sigh.

Regan smacked her forehead, feeling the tears prickle her eyes. She wanted to make Monica understand, to make her realize that paranormal stuff existed but Monica wasn't going to believe her.

She was tired from explaining it anymore.

"I'm not going to drink them," she stated, not looking at her aunt and wiped the tears.

Then, she walked away from the room and stepped downstairs, trying to collect herself. Vesper was still there, looking down at her phone.

Monica stepped down as well, and Vesper looked at them both, sensing the tension in the air. Monica said that she was going out to do some work and left.

"You're gonna tell me now," Vesper then said. "We're friends, right? Did your aunt do something?"

"No, she didn't," Regan said, looking away.

Vesper noticed something was wrong. "Hey, you know you can tell me anything, right? Whatever it is, I'll listen and help."

"I know, but it's just stupid," Regan mumbled, sitting on the couch.

"Come on, spill it," Vesper insisted.

With a sigh, Regan began to tell Vesper about what had happened at the doctor's office, how her aunt and the psychiatrist thought she was crazy, how they thought she was just imagining everything. "And then they said some crap about how I should see some psychotherapy and take some pills," she finished, sounding disgusted. "I can't believe they think I'm making this up."

Vesper smirked for a moment but then put a comforting hand on Regan's shoulder. "Hey, I believe you. I mean, I've felt these creepy crawlies and chills in your house."

Regan felt a shiver run down her spine. Creepy crawlies? Were there even creepy crawlies?

"Thanks Vesper. I'm very grateful you do," she replied, her expression grateful, "but I still don't know how to get rid of that haunting feeling. It's just... I can't shake it off. He talks in my mind, he....he.... he's everywhere! And these damn roses, he leaves them in my room and their thorns are sharper than a knife!"