Shattered Asylum

Chapter 42

I'm at the twins' house, hanging out with Kristina while they finish getting ready to film their next YouTube video.

Apparently, they're doing a yoga challenge with another YouTuber, Sasha Reels.

It's surprisingly warm out, a perfect seventy-five degrees, so we decided to lounge outside instead of staying cooped up inside. We're sprawled across the low, L-shaped outdoor couch, its light cushions warmed by the sun and tucked into a wooden frame that wraps around us like a corner. A few muted pillows are scattered behind us, and a small table in the center holds half-finished drinks, forgotten in the quiet stillness of the afternoon.

I'm half draped over Kristina, my head resting on her shoulder while hers leans gently against mine, her leg thrown lazily over mine. At some point, we must've fallen asleep like that.

I don't remember it happening. The sun just felt too good, soft and warm against my skin, pulling me under without warning.

A small whimper slips past my lips as we're suddenly jolted awake by the sharp slam of a door and raised voices echoing from inside the house.

"You seriously can't get anything right!" Ethan yells, shoving Grayson hard.

"Says the one who dropped the expensive ass camera!" Grayson fires back, shoving him just as forcefully.

Kristina jumps off the couch immediately, rushing toward them. "Hey! Calm down!"

I stay where I am, frozen in place, watching everything unfold like I'm not entirely part of it.

I flinch as Ethan suddenly lunges, tackling Grayson to the ground.

And then something shifts.

At first, it's subtle.

The sound dulls, like it's being pulled away from me, stretching thinner until it feels distant. Their mouths are still moving, but the words don't line up anymore.

"Stop it, you two!" Kristina yells again, but her voice echoes strangely, like it's bouncing instead of reaching me.

I blink, trying to refocus, but it doesn't help.

Everything feels slower. Muted. Like I'm watching through glass.

The warmth of the sun presses heavier against my skin, my body sinking into the couch as if it's holding me there. I can still see them, Ethan on top of Grayson, arms swinging... but it doesn't feel real.

Like a scene.

Something happening in front of me, not to me.

Then laughter breaks through.

It starts as a chuckle before turning into full, uncontrollable laughter as they roll around on the ground like idiots.

The sound sharpens again, but the disconnect lingers.

What just happened?

"It's a prank!" Ethan manages between laughs.

I glance toward the camera and everything clicks, the setup, the timing, the way it must've looked.

But my body doesn't catch up as quickly.

I don't realize how tightly I'm gripping my arms until my fingers ache, my nails pressing into my skin like it's the only thing keeping me grounded.

I force myself to let go, clearing my throat as I shake out my hands. A faint tremor runs through me, like my body is slowly waking back up.

For a second, I just sit there.