Freefall (Jaspar)

Chapter Two

Caspar clicked the 'end call' button, grumbling under his breath. He had a right to be worried about Joe; the guy was outside for god's sake, in this weather no less! But if it was a prank.... that boy was going to face so much more than just a few nights outside. Harmless jokes were one thing, but causing Caspar to worry about Joe like he was, this was a whole new level.

Still, if Joe really was outside, then he was most definitely going to be cold. Joe was pretty good at faking tears, that much was obvious at the Alfie and Zoe's just a few months back, but he genuinely sounded like his teeth were chattering. Caspar swiftly moved back to his own room, throwing open the wardrobe doors. As he did, a large clump of mangled clothes and accessories fell to the ground, and Caspar swore.

Mentally promising to clean it up in the morning, he fished through the remaining clothes still hung up, wishing he'd had the initiative to turn on the light before he'd walked in, and pulled out a black jacket.

"Looks warm enough, I guess," he muttered, shrugging slightly. He threw it over his arm, and turned to leave. He shoved his opposite arm out straight, palm facing forward, and flailing around as he stepped forward, hoping he wouldn't walk into a wall.

Thump! Caspar cursed as his arm hit something, his head following shortly after. He brushed his hand over the wall, encountering several grooves and.....a door handle? Taking a step back, he fumbled for his phone in his pocket, and flicked on the flash, using it as a torch.

"What the...." he muttered, staring at the closed door. "I swear I didn't shut that on my way in."

A cold breeze seemed to sweep through his room, despite the window remaining locked. Caspar shivered, and reached for the door handle, swinging the door wide open. He half expected to find a vampire or zombie or something waiting for him, and he mentally slapped himself. Those creatures didn't exist; Joe was just messing with his mind by doing this!

Stepping out, he crossed his arms over his stomach, and ventured up the stairs, shining his makeshift torch down so he didn't trip. "Don't go in the bathroom." What had Joe meant? Stopping at the top of the stairs, Caspar frowned. There was nothing in the bathroom earlier. If this was a prank, then the bathroom would be concealing a microphone, or another camera, or maybe one of their friends.

He took a step back down the stairs, still battling internally, trying to figure out what was his best move right now. It couldn't hurt him to just peek inside, right? If Joe was hiding something, Caspar didn't want to stumble on it blindly one day; he wanted to know what he was going up against.

Taking another step, he reasoned that there was nothing to be afraid of. Maybe a jump scare, and then it would all be over. Besides, it was Caspar's bathroom. If Joe really didn't want Caspar to see what was in there, why didn't he hide it somewhere in his own room? There probably wasn't even anything in there. Joe just wanted to get Caspar's heart racing, and not in a good way.

Convincing himself more and more that it was better for him to just find out what was in the bathroom now, he slowly walked down the last three stairs, and laid his hand on the doorknob.

Against his wishes, Caspar's heart really did begin to race. Without turning the handle, he could already feel something tugging him into the room. Pausing, he turned off his light, and held his breath, listening. His suspicions were confirmed immediately; he could definitely hear someone breathing inside. Although faint and light, similar to a small child, there was still someone in there.

Twisting his wrist, he listened to the bolt retract, until the door eventually clicked, swinging ajar, yet not enough to let Caspar see inside. The person within stopped breathing, as if they had placed a hand over their mouth, and Caspar grinned. He'd caught them, for sure. Whoever it was better watch out, Caspar would tear them to pieces if they had planned anything.