Bloodstained Reflections

chapter 5

Once his grandmother had finished, he cleaned up quickly, his movements mechanical, almost robotic. He got ready for school without much thought, pulling on his uniform and slinging his bag over his shoulder. The familiar routine did little to ground him; instead, it only heightened the sense of monotony, of being trapped in an endless loop of sameness.
The walk to school felt long, the weight of the previous night hanging over him like a cloud. By the time he reached the front gates, Reid's mind was elsewhere, lost in the haze of exhaustion and the nagging sense that something was deeply wrong.
And then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her.
"Hey, Reid."
Skye approached him, her voice soft and tentative. She smiled, though there was a trace of hesitation in her expression, as if she wasn't sure how he'd respond. Reid's heart skipped a beat, the dream flashing through his mind—Skye, in that dark void, naked and intertwined with that woman. He stiffened, his body going rigid as the unease washed over him again. The feeling of suffocation, of dread, returned in full force.
"Hi," Reid mumbled, his voice low, almost strained.
Skye stopped a few feet away from him, tilting her head slightly as she studied his face. She frowned, her eyes narrowing in concern. "You... you look tired," she said, her tone gentle. "Dark circles under your eyes. Did you sleep okay?"
Reid swallowed hard, trying to shake off the lingering images from the dream. He felt a sudden wave of shame—he couldn't tell her, couldn't let her know what he had seen, what he had felt. "I didn't really sleep much last night," he admitted, forcing himself to meet her eyes, though it was hard. "I... I have trouble sleeping sometimes."
There was a flicker of sadness in Skye's expression, her smile faltering. "That's... that's not good," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry."
Reid looked away, feeling the weight of her sympathy. He didn't want it—didn't want her to feel sorry for him, not after everything. He felt dirty, guilty, like he was carrying something ugly and twisted inside him that no one should ever see.
But then, Skye's voice broke through his thoughts again, pulling him back to the present. "Hey," she said, her tone a little brighter, though there was still a softness to it. "After school, wait for me, okay? I want to talk to you."
Reid blinked, surprised. He turned back to her, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why?"
Skye shrugged, giving him a small, almost shy smile. "I just... I don't know. I feel like we haven't really talked lately. I want to spend some time with you."
He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. He didn't know how to say no—didn't even know if he wanted to. Skye's presence, despite the unease it brought, was still a kind of comfort. A strange, confusing comfort.
"Okay," Reid said finally, his voice quiet. "I'll wait for you."
Skye's smile widened, and for a brief moment, Reid felt a strange warmth in his chest, a break in the suffocating tension that had been weighing him down all night. But it was fleeting, and as Skye turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd of students, the dread crept back in, settling in his bones.
He stood there for a moment longer, watching the others pass by, before finally heading inside. The halls were noisy, filled with the usual buzz of chatter and laughter, but to Reid, it all felt muted, distant. His thoughts kept circling back to Skye, to the nightmare, to the sense that something was wrong—not just with the world around him, but with himself.
As the day dragged on, Reid moved through it in a fog, his body present but his mind elsewhere. He tried to focus in class, tried to listen to the teachers, but his thoughts kept wandering back to the dream, to the strange, distorted images that wouldn't leave him alone.
By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Reid felt like he was walking through a dream. The exhaustion weighed heavily on him, his limbs heavy, his mind sluggish. But he remembered his promise to Skye—he would wait for her. Even though a part of him wanted to just go home, to crawl into bed and shut out the world, he couldn't bring himself to leave.
He found a spot near the front of the school and waited, leaning against the wall, his bag slung over one shoulder. The sky was overcast, the clouds thick and gray, casting a dull, muted light over everything. It matched his mood perfectly.
As the final bell rang and students spilled out of the classrooms, Reid waited by the front of the school, feeling a mix of anxiety and curiosity. When Skye finally approached him, her usual bright smile was tempered with a hint of nervousness. The day's cloudy greyness seemed to add to the mood, casting a subdued light over the school grounds.
"Hey, Reid," Skye greeted him softly. "Ready to go?"
Reid nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, let's go."
They began walking together down the street, the cool autumn air crisp around them. Skye led the way, mentioning that she wanted to visit a nearby shop. As they walked, Reid tried to push past the lingering unease from the previous night and engage in casual conversation.
"So, you mentioned you wanted to buy something," Reid started, trying to sound interested. "Anything in particular?"
Skye glanced over at him, her expression thoughtful. "Just some stuff for personal care. Nothing special."
They walked in silence for a moment, the only sounds being their footsteps and the distant hum of city life. Reid decided to break the silence, sensing that it might help distract him from the shadows in his mind.
"Hey, Skye," he said hesitantly. "Can I ask about your family?"
Skye's eyes flickered with a mixture of surprise and hesitation. "Sure," she replied, her voice gentle.
Reid continued, "You mentioned you have an older brother, and your dad works abroad. What about your mom?"
At the mention of her mother, Skye's expression changed slightly. Her smile faltered, and she fell quiet for a moment, her gaze dropping to the pavement. Reid could sense that there was more to the story, but he didn't want to press too hard.
"Sorry if I'm prying," he said, feeling a pang of guilt.
Skye quickly looked up, offering a small, reassuring smile. "No, no, it's alright," she said, though her eyes remained distant. "My mom and dad are divorced."
Reid nodded, feeling a twinge of sympathy. "Oh..."
Skye looked at him curiously. "How about your family, Reid? What's your situation like?"
Reid hesitated, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face. "I have my grandma to look after," he said, trying to keep his tone steady. "She's... she's not well."
Skye's eyes widened with interest. "Oh, and what about your mom and dad?"
Reid's stride faltered, and he came to an abrupt stop, his gaze fixed on the ground. The question seemed to hit him like a physical blow, a wave of numbness washing over him. He felt the familiar emptiness clawing at him, a void that he couldn't quite explain.
Skye noticed his reaction and stopped beside him, her brow furrowing in concern. "Reid? Are you okay?"
Reid's voice was barely a whisper, strained and distant. "I don't remember..."
Skye's heart skipped a beat. She could see the pained, haunted look on Reid's face, and it unsettled her deeply. She reached out tentatively, placing a hand on his arm. "Reid, what do you mean? Are you sure you're alright?"
Reid's eyes remained fixed on the ground, his expression one of profound confusion and sorrow. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, struggling to articulate what he was feeling. "I just... I can't remember," he repeated, his voice hollow. "It's like there's this... gap in my memory. I don't know what happened."
Skye felt a pang of empathy and a hint of fear. She had seen glimpses of darkness in Reid before, but this was different. The way he seemed so lost, so disconnected, sent a shiver down her spine.
"Reid," Skye said gently, trying to offer comfort, "if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here. You don't have to go through this alone."
Reid finally looked up, his eyes meeting hers. There was a flicker of gratitude mixed with pain in his gaze. He nodded slowly, his throat tight. "Thanks, Skye. I appreciate it."
Skye offered a reassuring smile, though her own heart was heavy with the weight of Reid's words. "Let's get to that shop," she suggested softly. "We can talk more later, if you want."
Reid nodded again, the gesture more mechanical than anything. They continued their walk, the atmosphere between them now charged with an undercurrent of unspoken fears and uncertainties. As they approached the shop,
Skye stopped at the entrance of the perfume shop, turning to Reid with a smile. "Can you wait outside for a moment? I'll be right back."
Reid nodded, his gaze drifting towards the shop as Skye disappeared inside. The shop's exterior was quaint, with delicate, colorful glass windows that filtered the late afternoon sunlight into a spectrum of hues. Inside, he could see beautifully arranged perfume bottles, their reflections catching the light and scattering a rainbow of colors. The fragrant scent of various perfumes wafted through the door, a mix of floral and musky notes that was initially pleasant but soon began to overwhelm his senses.
Reid took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as he waited. His mind was still troubled by the conversation they'd had earlier, and the overwhelming fragrance only seemed to amplify his sense of unease. He shifted from foot to foot, feeling the cool breeze on his face as he attempted to distract himself from the swirling thoughts in his head.
After a few minutes, Skye emerged from the shop, carrying a small, delicate paper bag. Her face was lit up with a bright smile as she approached Reid, her eyes gleaming with a touch of excitement. She reached into the bag and pulled out a beautifully crafted glass bottle, its surface etched with intricate designs.
"For you," Skye said, holding out the bottle.
Reid looked at it, surprised and curious. "For me?"
Skye nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! It's lavender-scented bubble bath solution. I thought it might help you relax. Just put a few drops in your bath this evening. It's supposed to relieve fatigue and help with sleep."
Reid took the bottle from her, feeling the cool, smooth glass in his hands. The soft lavender hue of the liquid inside looked inviting, and the delicate scent of lavender that emanated from the bottle was soothing.
"Thank you, Skye," Reid said, his voice carrying a genuine note of appreciation. "This is really thoughtful of you."
Skye's smile widened, clearly pleased by his reaction. "I'm glad you like it. I know things have been tough for you lately, and I thought this might help a little."
Reid's expression softened as he looked at her, touched by her kindness. The small gesture seemed to offer a glimmer of warmth amidst the cold shadows that had been looming over him. "It really does mean a lot," he said quietly.
Skye shifted her weight from one foot to the other, clearly happy to have made him smile. "I hope it helps. And if you need to talk more, you know I'm here."
Reid nodded, feeling a small weight lift from his shoulders. "Thanks, Skye. I'll definitely use it."
As they walked back towards the school, the air between them felt lighter, and the shared silence was less heavy than before. The lavender scent from the bottle seemed to linger, offering a subtle sense of calm that Reid hadn't felt in a while.
Skye glanced over at him, her expression hopeful. "So, how about we grab a bite to eat? Just something to unwind."
Reid's lips curled into a faint smile. "That sounds nice. I'd like that."
The two walked side by side, a small but significant bridge forming between them. For a brief moment, the weight of their troubles seemed a little lighter, and the connection they shared offered a sliver of solace amid the complexities of their lives.
As they continued walking, Reid couldn't help but notice how Skye's smile lit up her face, a certain softness in her eyes that made her seem almost delicate, even though he knew the painful life she hid beneath her cheerful exterior. She had a natural charm, something almost innocent that made people gravitate toward her, even when she wasn't trying. It contrasted so starkly with Reid's quiet, intense presence, though his striking features often turned heads without him realizing it. His sharp jawline, defined cheekbones, and deep, thoughtful eyes carried an understated allure, but he rarely acknowledged the effect he had on others.
Reid glanced down at the small bottle Skye had handed him. Lavender. He wasn't sure what to say—it was an unexpected gift, but the simplicity of the gesture made it feel more genuine than anything he was used to. "Thanks," he said, his voice quiet but sincere.
Skye smiled, her cheeks dimpling slightly. "You really need to rest, Reid. You're always so tired. Maybe this will help you sleep better."
Reid gave a small nod, his gaze softening for a moment. "I'll give it a try."
They continued down the street in silence for a bit, their footsteps the only sound between them. Reid's mind wandered as he stared at the lavender bottle. It wasn't the kind of gift he would expect—yet, in a strange way, it felt like Skye had seen something in him that he didn't know he needed.
As they passed the busy streets and shops, Skye noticed a few girls from school glance at them. A couple of them giggled, casting side glances in their direction, and Reid, as usual, didn't seem to notice. His quiet allure always caught the attention of others, though it was more the kind of attractiveness that drew subtle admiration than overt compliments. Skye felt a little rush of pride walking beside him, though she wasn't sure why.
"So... what do you usually do after school?" Skye asked, her voice breaking the silence.
"Take care of my grandma," Reid answered, his voice low, almost as if the words weighed heavily on him. "She needs help."
Skye nodded, sensing the strain behind his answer. "That's really kind of you," she said softly.
Reid gave a slight shrug, his face unreadable. "It's just what I do."
Skye stole a glance at him, noticing the way the setting sun cast a soft glow across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his features. For a moment, she caught herself staring, wondering how someone so seemingly distant could also feel so familiar. But before she could say anything, Reid spoke again, his voice quieter this time.
"Thanks... for this," he said, holding up the bubble bath solution she had given him.
Skye smiled, her heart feeling a little lighter. "Of course. Just... promise me you'll actually use it, okay?"
Reid looked at her, a rare flicker of amusement in his dark eyes. "I promise."