Submerge

EMPTY BED ?

E T H A N

I woke up slowly, blinking against the early morning light filtering through the curtains. The first thing I noticed was the empty space beside me. I reached out, half-expecting to feel Mason's warmth, but the bed was cold. Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

"Mas?" I called out softly, hoping he was just in the bathroom or grabbing a glass of water.

Silence greeted me. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching. My heart sank as I noticed Mason's shoes were gone. I quickly pulled on some clothes and headed downstairs

The living room was empty. The kitchen was empty. There was no sign of Mason anywhere. Panic started to set in. Where could he have gone? Why would he leave without saying anything?

I grabbed my phone and tried calling him, but it went straight to voicemail. "Mason, it's Ethan. Please call me back when you get this. I'm worried about you."

I paced the living room, my mind racing with possibilities. Had something happened during the night? Was he okay? The thought of Mason being out there alone, in whatever state he was in after our conversation, was unbearable.

I quickly got dressed and grabbed my keys, heading straight for Nathan's apartment. It was the only place Mason could have gone. As I drove, my thoughts raced, the worry gnawing at me.

When I reached Nathan's apartment, I hurried up the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. I knocked on the door, trying to keep my breathing steady. After what felt like an eternity, the door finally opened, and Nathan stood there, his expression a mix of confusion and suspicion.

"Ethan?" he said, his voice edged with defensiveness. "What are you doing here?"

"I... I'm looking for Mason," I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady. "He left my place this morning, and I was worried. Is he here?"

Nathan's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "Yeah, he's here. But I need to know what the hell happened last night. Mason came back in a terrible state. Did you do something to him?"

I felt a surge of panic and anger at the implication. "No, Nathan. I would never hurt Mason. he cried yesterday then we talked for a bit and we went to sleep that's it i swear"

Nathan studied me for a moment, his gaze hard and unyielding. "He's a mess right now, Ethan. He won't tell me what's wrong, and he's refusing to let anyone near him."

"I need to see him," I pleaded, my voice breaking. "Maybe I can help. Please, Nathan."

Nathan hesitated, his eyes searching mine for any sign of deceit. Finally, he stepped aside, allowing me to enter.

I made my way down the hallway to Mason's room, my steps slow and cautious. I gently knocked on the door, my voice soft. "Mason? It's Ethan. Can I come in?"

There was no response, but I could hear the faint sound of sobbing from the other side of the door. I slowly opened it, stepping inside. Mason was curled up on the bed, his body trembling with silent sobs.

I stepped inside, my heart breaking at the sight of Mason curled up on the bed, his body trembling with silent sobs. He looked so small, so fragile, and the urge to hold him and make everything better was almost overwhelming.

"Mason," I whispered, my voice gentle. "It's me, Ethan."

There was no response, but I could hear the faint sound of sobbing from the other side of the door. I slowly opened it, stepping inside. Mason was curled up on the bed, his body trembling with silent sobs.