Hello Neighbor: Hidden Shadows: Unofficial AFK Book

CHAPTER 16

The woods are a lot nicer than I remember it being. It's quiet. I don't know how long I've been here, but I'm not leaving. So far, no one has come to look for me. Maybe this was all a big setup for when I came back.

   Why would Aaron lie to me?

   Why did he trick me into coming back?

   Those thoughts inundate my head as I sit in the same place I've been in for a while now. I should've never come back, should I?

   "Nicky?" I hear someone call. My chest tightens in fear.

   "Nicky!?" The voice gets louder. I feel like I want to get up and run, but my mind is arguing with itself on whether I should or not.

   "What are you doing out here? Why would you just leave like that?" Maritza exclaims, causing me to jump back I just stare at her in fear that she might do something to me. "We're leaving, come on," she says, attempting to snatch my wrist. I immediately pull away.

   "No," I hiss. Maritza just looks at me like I'm insane, really because I already am. It's not safe.

   "What do you mean no?" she says.

   "It's not safe," I breathe, pulling myself into a tight hug against the tree. She keeps the same expression on her face as she watches me. "I don't wanna go."

   Now I pretty much sound like a child refusing to eat his vegetables, but in a serious manner.

   "Enzo wanted to apologize actually," says Maritza. I want to believe that. Maritza would lie to me, right? I finally feel the courage to pull my head out of my arms, observing her worried face looking back into mine. "I told him."

I only exhale in response.

   "Please Nicky? You're making me worry again," Maritza says, taking a few steps forward.

   "Yeah, right," I murmur. Maritza stands there for a few more seconds, then taking a seat next to me against the tree. I don't want to look up right now. I know she's still looking at me, but why should I look back?

   "Do you want to go now?" asks Maritza, oddly quiet in her voice. I shrug my shoulders, sinking my head deeper into my arms. I'm still surprised that she hasn't left me here yet. If she wants to leave.

   "Where are the-

   Right as I'm about to speak, I hear footsteps shuffling across the grass, getting closer and closer second by second.

   "Narf," supposedly Dad shouts, throwing his arms around me. "What is wrong with you? Why did you just-

   "I'm fine, Dad," I hiss back. I see Mom emerge from behind, who surprisingly looks more confused than angry that I ran away into the woods.

   "Come on," Mom mumbles, snatching my wrist to follow her. I'm nervous again. They don't seem mad, but they might be mad again.

   "Nicky, wait," I hear a voice behind me interrupting me thoughts. I turn behind me, seeing Enzo reaching his hand out to me. Mom and Dad have stopped walking already due to the voice, and Enzo and I stand face to face with each other. "I'm sorry."

   "Don't talk to me," I roll my eyes, attempting to turn back.

   "No, really I am! Please just wait," he pleads. I turn back to him, folding my arms as I glare into his eyes. "I don't know what got into me, okay? I don't. I didn't mean to scare you away like that."

   I don't respond.

   "I just thought . . . if it were you, you were referring to Aaron in some way, and I overreacted. I'm sorry," he mumbles, sheepishly looking back to the ground. My face relaxes a bit now, as well as my rapidly pulsating heart. I don't know if I want to forgive him for what he did, although he sounded convincing enough I guess.

   "He means it," Maritza says from behind. She gives a nod to me, signaling to forgive him.

   I only look at the ground in fear of saying anything, mostly in fear of Enzo's guilt-stricken face. I guess I'll try then.

   "Okay," I mumble, my voice dull and lifeless as a blank sheet of paper. I don't feel like saying anything else, so I just turn back to follow Mom and Dad out of the woods, with Enzo and Maritza following behind.

   "The burial should be over by now," Mom says, tightening her grip on my shoulder.

   "I want to go home," I blurt. Mom and Dad both pause again. I mainly focus my guard on Dad, who has been silent this whole time. "I don't want to see her get buried down there. All alone. No one to-

   "Okay. Okay. We can go home," Mom cuts me off as I begin to cry again. She pulls me closer into her, making me feel somewhat more secure. I don't know if we're going to walk home, or drive, but as far as I know, Mya's gone. And there's nothing I can do about it.