The Silent City

Chapter 25

New Morning and New realizations

The first light of dawn crept through the curtains of Isabelle's bedroom, casting a soft golden hue across the room. The peaceful serenity of the early morning felt worlds apart from the turmoil of the previous night. Isabelle sat on the edge of her bed, brushing her hair slowly, her thoughts still clouded with the events that had shaken her to the core. But today was a new day, and she had to face it, no matter how uneasy she still felt.

Her reflection in the mirror showed a tired, pale face, with shadows under her eyes that hadn’t been there before. Isabelle sighed, forcing herself to shake off the lingering fear. She had to get ready for college. The routine of it, the normalcy, would help her find some semblance of calm. As she pulled on a simple, comfortable outfit—a light blue sweater and jeans—she heard a knock on her bedroom door.

Before she could answer, the door opened, and Julia’s familiar figure stepped in, a mischievous grin on her face.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Julia teased, though her sharp eyes quickly assessed Isabelle’s state. “Jacob told me everything. You scared the living daylights out of him, you know that?”

Isabelle gave a weak smile. “I didn’t mean to. It all just happened so fast.”

Julia’s teasing demeanor softened as she crossed the room and sat beside Isabelle. “I know, Izzy. But I’m glad you’re okay. Seriously. You’ve got some guts, girl.”

Isabelle laughed lightly, feeling a bit of the tension lift. “Yeah, well, remind me not to play hero again.”

Julia nudged her playfully. “I’d say the city could use more heroes like you. But come on, let’s get you some breakfast. A full stomach will help you feel better. Your mom’s downstairs making pancakes, and I promised her I’d drag you down if I had to.”

The thought of her mother’s pancakes brought a genuine smile to Isabelle’s face. “Alright, let’s go.”

Downstairs, the kitchen was filled with the comforting smell of pancakes and fresh coffee. Isabelle’s parents were seated at the breakfast table, her mother flipping pancakes at the stove while her father sipped his coffee, reading the morning paper. The cozy kitchen, with its warm yellow walls and sunlight streaming in through the windows, felt like a haven, a stark contrast to the dark alleyway from the night before.

“Morning, sweetheart,” her mother greeted as Isabelle and Julia entered the room. She set a plate of pancakes on the table, her eyes softening as she looked at her daughter. “How are you feeling?”

Isabelle forced a smile as she took a seat. “Better, Mom. Thanks for breakfast.”

Her father looked up from his paper, concern evident in his eyes. “You gave us quite the scare last night, Isabelle. But I’m proud of you for doing what you did.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Isabelle replied, her voice quiet as she reached for the syrup. “I just hope they catch him soon.”

“They will,” her mother assured her, placing a comforting hand on Isabelle’s shoulder. “Now, eat up. You need your strength.”

Julia, always one to lighten the mood, jumped in. “And then we’ve got to get to class. Can’t have you using last night as an excuse to skip.”

Isabelle chuckled, grateful for her friend’s ability to make her feel normal again, if only for a moment. They all enjoyed the warm, hearty breakfast together, the conversation light and filled with small talk about plans for the day. Jacob had already left for work, as usual, and Isabelle’s parents made sure to remind her to be careful before she and Julia finally headed out.

By the time they arrived at the university, the sun was high in the sky, casting a bright, welcoming light over the campus. The main quad was bustling with students heading to their classes, chatting with friends, or lounging on the grass. The familiar surroundings of the university—its ivy-covered buildings, the tall oak trees lining the walkways, and the vibrant flower beds—felt reassuring to Isabelle.

As they approached the entrance to their building, Isabelle spotted Ethan leaning casually against a wall, waiting for her. The moment he saw her, his expression shifted from his usual confident smile to one of concern. He pushed off the wall and walked over, his eyes searching hers as he approached.

“Isabelle,” he said softly, pulling her into a gentle hug before she could say anything. “You look like you didn’t sleep at all. What happened?”

Isabelle hesitated, glancing at Julia, who gave her an encouraging nod before heading inside to give them some privacy. Taking a deep breath, Isabelle began to explain everything that had happened the night before—the noise in the alley, the figure she saw attacking the girl, how she intervened, and the nagging feeling that she had come face-to-face with the killer.

Ethan listened quietly, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, providing a comforting warmth that she leaned into. When she finished, he pulled her closer, resting his chin on top of her head.

“You’re incredibly brave, Isabelle,” he whispered, his voice filled with admiration. “But you scared me. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

She closed her eyes, letting his words and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat calm her. “I’m still a little shaken up. It’s just... he was right there, Ethan. I could have been next.”

“But you weren’t,” he reminded her gently. “You’re safe now, and that’s what matters. We’ll get through this, I promise.”

They stood there for a few more moments, simply holding each other as the world continued to bustle around them. Eventually, they pulled apart, though Ethan kept a protective arm around her waist as they walked inside together.

As they made their way to the cafeteria, they were joined by Julia, Ryan, and John, who had been waiting for them at their usual table. The moment they sat down, it was clear that something was different—Ryan raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin playing on his lips, while Julia exchanged a knowing look with John.

“So,” Ryan began, leaning back in his chair, “are you two going to tell us what’s going on, or do we have to guess?”

Isabelle blushed, glancing at Ethan, who just shrugged with a smile. “What do you mean?” she asked, though she knew exactly what he was getting at.

“Oh, come on,” Julia chimed in, a smirk on her face. “You two have been all lovey-dovey for weeks now. It’s obvious you’re dating.”

Ethan chuckled, pulling Isabelle closer to him. “Alright, alright. You caught us. We’ve been seeing each other.”

Ryan let out a mock gasp, putting a hand over his heart. “I knew it! Finally, the mystery is solved.”

John smiled, though there was a hint of something else in his eyes as he looked at Isabelle. “I’m happy for you guys,” he said sincerely. “Really.”

The conversation quickly turned lighthearted as their friends teased them mercilessly, throwing out playful jabs and exaggerated reactions to the news. Isabelle felt her earlier tension melting away as she laughed with them, grateful for their support and the sense of normalcy they brought back into her life.

The cafeteria was bustling with activity, the sounds of students chatting, utensils clinking, and the smell of fresh coffee filling the air. The large windows let in the late morning sun, casting a warm glow over the room. It was a typical day at the university, but for Isabelle, it was a step toward finding her footing again.

As they all continued to talk and joke, Isabelle couldn’t help but feel a surge of warmth and affection for her friends. They had a way of making even the toughest days bearable, and right now, that was exactly what she needed.