Unfading Shadows [2]

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Miray pulled back, puzzled and concerned when Vince didn't return the affection. She could feel the tension in his grip, and his frozen state worried her.

Her brow furrowed in confusion as she looked at him, trying to stand on her feet as Vince still didn't put her down.

Vince appeared to be in a different world, his eyes frantic, and his grip remained firm, making it increasingly painful for Miray.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. Vince's grip had become uncomfortably tight, causing Miray to wince.

"V, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Miray asked, her voice quivering, her expression showing her growing concern. She gently struggled to free herself, and Vince, at last, released her, his hands moving to cup her face.

"Rei, what's wrong?" Vince asked with an urgent and somewhat desperate tone. He swallowed hard before continuing, "What are you thinking about?" he asked, his tone urgent.

The memories appeared to be suffocating him, and Miray could see the chaos in his eyes as he searched her face, as if trying to find an answer to his question.

Vince's mind raced, drawing a disconcerting parallel between Miray's current behavior and a haunting memory from her past. He vividly recalled a time when five-year-old Miray, deeply affected by her traumatic incident, had become withdrawn and unresponsive for an extended period. 

They all had been at a loss, unable to reach her despite their persistent efforts and various approaches. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Miray had awoken one morning with a radiant smile, reaching out to hug them tightly and uttering those heartwarming "I love you's".

The brothers were overjoyed that day and didn't dwell on the sudden shift in Miray's demeanor. They didn't question why she had changed her mind so abruptly.

However, their relief turned to sheer horror when they found her on the hospital's rooftop... about to jump.

Vince's panic was so all-consuming that it felt like his mind was unraveling. His thoughts were a chaotic jumble, and he struggled to find the right words to convey the urgency of the situation. 

Miray, on the other hand, couldn't comprehend why Vince was reacting this way. Her initial confusion deepened when he seized her hand, failing to notice that it was the one she'd injured earlier, and abruptly ushered her outside.

"Come with me," he demanded, his tone urgent as he led her toward a destination on the beach, his focus on their mysterious journey.

As Vince and Miray hurried past the pool where everyone - excluding Damian and Sophie- were gathered, their erratic behavior didn't go unnoticed. The contrast between Vince's sense of urgency and Miray's visible confusion and slight fear caught the attention of everyone.

Miray looked their way, noticing how Ren, Kaiden, and Noah were swimming and playing around, while Rayan sat a little farther away, seemingly lost in thought. Luke and Steven were lounging on poolside chairs, enjoying the warmth of the sun when their abrupt appearance disrupted their tranquility.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Luke inquired, standing up and approaching them, causing Miray to come to a halt, inadvertently bringing Vince to a stop as well.

The entire group by the pool turned their attention to the two, their expressions filled with a mixture of confusion and concern.

Miray, perplexed and helpless, gazed at Vince, hoping for some explanation. However, Vince appeared to be a storm of emotions. His frustration, anger, and inner struggle were etched across his face. His muscles rippled beneath his well-defined arms, showcased by a black tarp T-shirt that accentuated his bulging physique. His neck and arm veins protruded prominently, and he seemed to be barely keeping himself in check as he muttered, "It's nothing."