SHADOW PLAY (SYLUS)

17

Sylus woke up the next morning with a pounding headache, his memory clouded and fragmented from the night before.

Groaning, he slowly pushed himself out of bed, rubbing his temples as the pain throbbed in his skull.

His body felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and something more—something unsettling that he couldn’t quite place.

Dragging himself to the bathroom, he stepped into the shower, turning the water to cold.

As the icy streams hit his head and poured down his back, a wave of relief washed over him.

He let out a deep breath, leaning his forehead against the cool tile, eyes closed, letting the cold numb the fog in his mind.

For a brief moment, he felt the tension in his body melt away, but as his senses sharpened under the water, memories from the night before started flooding back.

His eyes snapped open, wide with realization. He cursed under his breath, covering his face with both hands, his fingers digging into his skin.

“Fuck... What have I done?” he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief and regret.

The fragmented images played back in his mind—Regina’s face, the fear in her eyes, the way he’d lost control.

He squeezed his eyes shut, jaw clenched, trying to force the memories away but they wouldn’t leave.

He had never been like this, never made such a catastrophic mistake.

He prided himself on always being in control, never allowing himself to slip—until now. His hands slid down his face as he stared blankly at the wall, his heart heavy with the weight of his actions.

He cursed again, anger and shame twisting inside him, unable to believe he had let things spiral so far.

Sylus stood under the shower, water still cascading down his back as he contemplated how he could possibly face Regina after what had happened.

It was all his fault—there was no excuse, no way to rationalize it. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his wet hair, the weight of guilt sinking deep into his chest.

Stepping out of the shower, he dried off mechanically, the usual routine feeling empty.

Once dressed, he made his way to the kitchen, trying to shake off the dread creeping over him.

It was almost time for work, but his mind was stuck on what he’d say to her, how he’d even begin to explain himself.

When he reached the kitchen, his eyes scanned the room—she was nowhere to be found.

The food was already on the table, neatly covered, but the space felt hollow without her presence.

Sylus frowned, looking around as the realization settled in: she wasn’t home. She must have left for university early, and the thought stung. She didn’t want to face him—of course, she didn’t.

He let out another sigh, heavier this time, and sank into the chair at the table.

His fingers ran through his hair in frustration, his elbows resting on the table as he stared down at the food she had prepared.

The silence in the room felt unbearable, his guilt gnawing at him.

Sylus’ jaw clenched as he sat there, his mind replaying the events of the previous night, feeling the sharp sting of regret with every breath he took.

.......

“I shouldn’t have left early,” Regina thought to herself, biting her lip in frustration as she sat in one of her lectures.