A week had passed since Claire's tragic demise, and Mister Demi found himself trapped in a labyrinth of haunting memories. Night after night, he was tormented by nightmares, waking in a cold sweat, his heart racing as remnants of the past clawed at his mind. On one such night, he was jolted awake by a soft, hesitant voice.
"Mister Demi?" Engel stood in the doorway, concern etched across his face as he took in the older man's distress.
Mister Demi took a moment to steady his breath. "Oh, hey, Engel." "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
Engel’s gaze flicked to Mister Demi's hands, trembling slightly. "I know it's late, but I cut my arm."
Mister Demi nodded, instinctively reaching for the first aid kit tucked away under his desk. As he began to tend to Engel's wound, he felt his own breathing gradually calm. "What happened?" he asked, focusing on the task at hand.
Engel sighed, a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "I got a C+ on my science test, and Miss Bloomie decided I needed a warning." A faint chuckle escaped Mister Demi.
"Why am I not surprised?" he replied, shaking his head at the all-too-familiar scenario.
Engel rolled his eyes but then grew serious. "Very funny, but I’m still planning to sue this place for what happened to Claire and what those three teachers did to me."
Mister Demi paused, the weight of Engel’s words hanging in the air, before returning to the task of cleaning the cut. "Well, you wouldn’t be the first to think about that. Are you worried about something more?"
Engel hesitated, glancing around the dimly lit room as if the shadows themselves might carry secrets. "Actually, yeah."
Mister Demi finished wrapping Engel's arm and met his gaze, concern etched on his face. "What is it?"
Engel leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Has anyone ever survived Alice?" The question hung heavy in the air, and Mister Demi's expression darkened.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low.
"When I saw Claire’s body, I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone made it out alive," Engel admitted, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Mister Demi nodded slowly, the truth weighing on him. "There were others."
Engel's surprise was palpable. "Really? There have been students who survived?"
Mister Demi looked away, his discomfort evident. "Yeah... but it's not something people talk about."
Engel nodded, the gravity of their conversation settling between them. "Thanks for telling me."
Mister Demi managed a small smile, though it held little warmth. "You're welcome. Now, you should get home. It's getting late."
Engel stood, the weight of the conversation lingering. "Okay, bye." Just as he was about to leave, Mister Demi called out, "Hey!"
Engel turned back, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Yeah?"
Mister Demi hesitated, taking a deep breath. "Do you want a ride home?" Engel raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"What?"
Mister Demi waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind. I just thought... you might prefer not to walk home in this downpour."
Engel's face brightened. "Sure!"
Mister Demi was taken aback by his eagerness. "Really?"
Engel nodded earnestly. "Yeah, I really hate walking alone in the rain when it’s dark. I just don’t feel safe."
Mister Demi's smile widened slightly, warmed by Engel's honesty. "Great. Follow me."
As they walked to Mister Demi's car, the rain drummed steadily against the pavement. Once they reached Engel's home, he turned to Mister Demi, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it."
Mister Demi nodded, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the shadows that had clouded his thoughts. "Anytime, Engel. Take care."
