The Missing Boy

Chapter Twelve - Betrayal

The tension in the abandoned church reached a fever pitch, the air thick with the oppressive presence of the entity still clinging to Simon's soul. Ethan, Alex, and Simon stood within the protective circle, but it was weakening—fraying under the relentless assault of dark forces swirling around them. Every minute stretched out like an eternity, and it was becoming clear that the final confrontation was approaching. But none of them could predict what was about to happen.

Simon's face twisted in pain as the entity's dark whispers grew louder. Its voice echoed in his mind, insidious and relentless. He dropped to his knees, clutching his head as if trying to drown out the malevolent influence that sought to consume him. Alex rushed to his side, desperation etched across his features.

"Simon, stay with me!" Alex shouted, his voice raw with emotion.

Ethan's eyes flickered between Simon and the dark figure looming outside the protective circle. He could feel the entity's power growing, feeding off Simon's anguish and weakening their defenses. Every second counted, but the weight of their choices began to settle like a stone in Ethan's chest.

Ethan stood frozen for a moment, watching the man he once loved writhing in agony, tormented by the entity's grip. Memories of his past with Simon came rushing back, filling his mind with bittersweet moments of laughter, friendship, and unspoken feelings. Despite everything, he had never truly let go of Simon. He still cared—perhaps too much.

But then there was Alex. He had seen the way Alex looked at Simon, the depth of his concern and the love that had clearly grown between them. Even now, Alex held Simon as though he could shield him from the horrors they faced, his expression one of desperate hope.

And Ethan knew. He had always known.

The realization hit Ethan like a punch to the gut: Alex loved Simon in a way that he never could. In that moment, standing at the edge of their final battle, Ethan made a decision. It was the only way to save Simon—and perhaps, to make up for the mistakes of the past.

Before Alex could react, Ethan stepped toward the edge of the protective circle. He turned to Alex, his eyes filled with both sorrow and resolve. "It's the only way," he said quietly, his voice trembling but firm. "The entity's too strong. The circle can't hold it forever."

Alex's eyes widened in shock, his grip tightening on Simon's arm. "Ethan, what are you talking about? We'll find another way—we always do!"

But Ethan shook his head. "No... not this time."

In a sudden, desperate movement, Ethan broke the boundary of the protective circle, his body stepping into the space where the entity waited. The dark figure immediately surged forward, its shadowy tendrils latching onto Ethan with an almost gleeful intensity. The air rippled with energy, the entity feeding on Ethan's sacrifice.

"No!" Alex screamed, lunging forward, but it was too late. The protective circle flickered as Ethan's presence shattered its integrity. The force of the entity's power knocked Alex back, his body hitting the ground hard as the air was ripped from his lungs.

Simon, still weak and dazed, could only watch in horror as Ethan offered himself up. "Ethan... why?" His voice was barely a whisper, tears filling his eyes as the dark tendrils wrapped around Ethan, pulling him deeper into the shadow.

Ethan's eyes met Simon's for the last time, a small, sad smile playing on his lips. "Because you deserve to live, Simon. You both do."

In that moment, Alex's heart broke. It wasn't just the loss of Ethan—it was the realization that Ethan had loved Simon too, and that love had driven him to make this final, devastating choice. The complexity of his emotions overwhelmed him—anger, sorrow, guilt, and something far deeper.

As Ethan's life force drained away, the entity grew stronger. Its form became more solid, towering over the remaining two. It had gained what it needed—a willing sacrifice. But even with its newfound strength, it didn't fully disappear. It lingered, as though savoring its victory, its eyes now locked on Alex and Simon.

Alex scrambled to his feet, blood pounding in his ears as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. Simon was trembling beside him, his mind still caught between reality and the entity's dark influence. But there was no time to process the emotions flooding through him. Ethan was gone, and now it was just the two of them.

Alex's emotions were a storm inside him, tearing him apart as he stood over Ethan's lifeless body. He had lost so much in this fight—Simon's innocence, their sense of security, and now Ethan, who had been both an ally and, in a way, a rival for Simon's affections. The weight of their sacrifices crashed down on him, leaving him reeling.

He knelt beside Ethan's body, his hand trembling as he closed his friend's eyes. A sob wracked his chest as the full gravity of their situation settled in. How could they move forward after this?

But Simon was still alive. And now, more than ever, Alex realized that he couldn't let Simon fall into despair again. Ethan's sacrifice had to mean something—it had to count for more than just another lost soul.

The entity circled around them, its dark, serpentine form coiling with satisfaction. It had gained something from Ethan's sacrifice, but it wasn't finished. It wasn't done with Simon—and it wasn't done with Alex.

As the shadows closed in, Simon clutched Alex's hand, his voice shaky. "What do we do now?"

Alex's gaze hardened, though his heart was still breaking. "We fight."

The two of them standing side by side, the overwhelming darkness pressing in on all sides. But now, even with the loss of Ethan, they had a new resolve. The final battle was approaching.

And Alex knew that the only way to honor Ethan's sacrifice was to finish what they started.