The Silent City

Chapter 28

A Dark Return

The sound of soft rain drummed against the windows of the library as Isabelle sat at her desk, her eyes staring blankly at her open textbook. It was late afternoon, and the grey skies outside had given the whole day a gloomy, somber feel. The university campus was quieter than usual, most students preferring to stay indoors on such a dreary day.

Isabelle's mind was far from the pages in front of her. She couldn't stop thinking about the conversation she'd had with Julia just yesterday. Max's strange behavior around John still lingered in her thoughts. And then there was John himself-something about the way he'd acted had left her feeling unsettled. She couldn't explain it, but the odd tension in the air whenever he was around lately had her on edge.

She sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Come on, Isabelle. Focus," she muttered to herself, flipping to another page in her book, though the words didn't seem to register.

Her phone buzzed on the desk beside her. Glancing at the screen, she saw Ethan's name flash across it. A small smile tugged at her lips as she swiped to open the message.

Ethan: Hey, how's the studying going? Need a break? ;)

She rolled her eyes playfully, tapping out a quick reply.

Isabelle: It's going... badly. My brain's about to explode, and I haven't even read anything useful yet.

A few moments later, his response popped up.

Ethan: Sounds like a perfect excuse to take a walk with me. I'll be outside your building in 5 minutes. You in?

Isabelle hesitated, glancing outside at the rain pattering against the glass. It wasn't pouring, just a light drizzle, but it didn't exactly look inviting.

Still, the idea of seeing Ethan, even for a short while, was more appealing than staring at her book any longer. Plus, she could use the distraction.

Isabelle: Fine, you win. I'll be down in a sec.

She quickly gathered her things, shoving her textbook into her bag before grabbing her umbrella. As she stepped outside the library, the cool air greeted her, the soft mist of rain brushing against her skin. Sure enough, Ethan was leaning casually against the building's entrance, a smile lighting up his face when he saw her approach.

"There she is," he said, his voice warm as he pulled her in for a quick hug. "Thought I'd have to drag you out of there."

Isabelle chuckled, leaning into his embrace for a moment. "Trust me, you saved me. I was about to lose my mind in there."

They started walking together, falling into an easy rhythm as they wandered through the campus. The pathways were slick with rain, puddles forming along the edges of the sidewalks. The air smelled fresh, like wet earth and leaves, and the soft sound of their footsteps echoed in the quiet afternoon.

"So," Ethan began after a moment, glancing over at her. "You seemed a bit off yesterday. Everything okay?"

Isabelle hesitated, her hand tightening slightly on the handle of her umbrella. She had told Julia most of what happened at the café, but she hadn't mentioned all the details to Ethan yet. And now, with the strange tension still lingering in her mind, she wasn't sure if she should.

"I... I met John yesterday," she said quietly, her gaze fixed on the path in front of them.

Ethan's brow furrowed slightly. "John? That's random. What did he want?"

"I'm not sure. He just said he wanted to talk, but then when we met... it was weird. Max kept growling at him the whole time, and John wasn't acting like himself. I can't explain it, but something just felt... off."

Ethan frowned, stopping for a moment to look at her more closely. "You think something's wrong with him?"

"I don't know," Isabelle admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But Max doesn't growl at people like that, not unless he senses danger. And the whole thing just felt... strange."

Ethan was silent for a moment, his eyes thoughtful. "Maybe you're overthinking it," he said gently, though there was a hint of concern in his voice. "John's always been a bit... distant. But if Max reacted that way, it's worth keeping an eye on. Just... be careful, okay?"

Isabelle nodded, feeling a little reassured by his words. "Yeah, I will."

They continued walking, the conversation shifting to lighter topics as Ethan tried to lift her mood. His playful teasing and warm presence helped ease some of the tension she'd been feeling, and by the time they reached the small coffee shop near campus, Isabelle was smiling again.

Inside the café, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the soft chatter of the few students who had sought refuge from the rain. The cozy atmosphere was a welcome change from the dreariness outside. Isabelle ordered a latte while Ethan opted for a black coffee, and they found a quiet corner to sit in.

As they sipped their drinks, Isabelle glanced out the window, watching the rain continue to fall. For a moment, everything felt peaceful, like the outside world was far away. But deep down, that uneasy feeling from before still lingered.

Ethan reached across the table, gently placing his hand over hers. "Hey," he said softly, catching her gaze. "We'll figure it out. Whatever's going on, you don't have to deal with it alone."

Isabelle smiled, squeezing his hand. "Thanks, Ethan. That means a lot."

Before she could say anything more, the door to the café opened with a jingle, and Julia walked in, her sharp eyes immediately spotting them. She made a beeline for their table, a smirk already forming on her lips as she plopped down beside Isabelle.

"Well, well, well," Julia said with a teasing grin. "Look who's having a cozy little date without telling me."

Ethan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Not everything's a secret date, Julia."

"Uh-huh," she replied, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."

As they settled into conversation, the warmth of the café and the presence of her friends helped ease Isabelle's mind, at least for the moment. But in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was lurking just beyond the horizon. Something that wouldn't stay hidden for long.