387: SHADOWED THOUGHTS


    ARIEL’S POV


    I made my way to the waiting area to finally get some rest, and all of a sudden, I felt someone tapping


    my shoulder. I turned around quickly.


    It was Andre.


    “Oh, Andre. I never expected to see you here.”


    “Yeah,” he said, dipping his hands inside his pockets. “I just came to check up on you. “You know, since


    you’ve been going to the hospital all day.”


    I let out a deep sigh. “You know Luke is in aa.”


    “Yeah, I do. But I’m also concerned about you, Ariel.”


    “Thanks. I really appreciate that.”


    “Have you eaten today?” He asked.


    “No, not really. I’m not hungry.”


    “Are you sure about that?”


    “Yes, Andre. There’s no need for you to be worried about me.” I ced both of my hands on his


    shoulders.


    “I know, but I just wanted to make sure you’re taking care of yourself,” he murmured, his eyes


    searching


    mine for reassurance.


    “I know, and I appreciate it more than I can say,” I replied, my voice soft with emotion. “But right now, I


    just need to be here for Luke.”


    His hand found mine, squeezing it gently. “You don’t have to go through this alone, Ariel. I’m here for


    you, whatever you need.”


    “Thank you, André. How’s everyone?”


    “They’re holding up as best as they can. Your mother is trying to stay strong for you and Luke, but I can


    tell


    she’s worried sick.”


    My heart clenched at the thought of my mother grappling with Luke’s condition; her pain mirrored in my


    own. “I wish there was more I could do for her.”


    “You’re already doing everything you can, Ariel,” Andre reassured me, tightening my hand. “She knows


    that, and so do L‘


    “Thank you, André. You’ve really helped me a lot. Thank you so much.”


    His lips curled into a gentle smile. “You don’t have to thank me, Ariel. I’ll always be here for you, no


    matter


    what.”


    We both stood in silence, our hands still together, but I took mine off his. He nc


    “I forgot to tell you what happened not too long ago.”


    Andre gave me a curious look. “What’s that?”


    “It’s Luke. He’s showing signs of waking up. The doctor said it’s a positive sign, but they need to run


    more tests to be sure.” I blurted out, unable to control my lips. I couldn’t help it; the joy was too much.


    Andre nodded, heeding my words. “That’s incredible news, Ariel. I’m so d to hear it. How are you


    holding up?”


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    I shrugged, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. “I’m just… exhausted, I guess. But seeing him


    respond, even just a little bit, has given me hope. I know he’s going to make it through this.”


    “I believe that too. You’ve been through so much together and never given up on each other. Luke’s a


    fighter, just like you.”


    “Aww, thank you so much, Andre.”


    “I’ve told you this already, Ariel. You don’t have to thank me.”


    “I think I do.” I smiled at him.


    “You just have to pray that Luke regains consciousness.”


    “I can’t wait for that to happen


    Andre kept on with his warm smile. “Excuse me, please ”


    I nodded, and he walked away after that. After a while, this was great news; it was what I wanted, after


    all


    Minutester, I found myself driving on the quiet road, heading back to the ce where Luke and I had


    spent a wonderful time before all that terrific sh*t happened. I wanted to go get the ne he had


    bought and disyed to me back then.


    It was recently that I realized it wasn’t with me–that it was still at that cabin in the sprawling forest. And


    since it was special, that was where I was heading.


    The news that Luke was showing signs of waking up lifted a weight off my shoulders, but the


    exhaustion from the long day at the hospital still lingered.


    I was still driving, and suddenly, something caught my eye–a figure in a hooded ck robe standing not


    too far from my car. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly mmed on the brakes, bringing the c halt.


    My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the mysterious figure.


    car to a


    With trembling hands, I reached for the door handle and stepped out of the car, my eyes scanning the


    surroundings frantically. But there was no one there. The road stretched out before me, empty and


    silent, with no sign of the hooded figure anywhere in sight.


    I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over me. Was I just seeing


    387:SHADOWED THOUGHTS


    things? Or was there really someone there?


    Shaking my head, I walked around the car, checking every corner and peering into the darkness, but


    there was no trace of anyone lurking nearby. My heartbeat gradually slowed as I persuaded myself that


    the light or my fatigued mind was deceiving me.


    Running a hand through my hair, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Maybe it was just


    a figment of my imagination, I thought, trying to reassure myself. But deep down, a nagging feeling of


    unease lingered, making me wonder if there was more to it than meets the eye.


    With a sigh, I got back into the car and resumed driving, but the encounter weighed heavily on my


    mind, casting a shadow over the rest of the journey.


    As I drove on, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something strange was happening–something beyond


    my understanding. But for now, all I could do was keep moving forward and hope that everything would


    soon


    return to normal.


    I arrived at the forest, driving straight to the cabin. Of course, everywhere was dark, and I should have


    been terrified. I wasn’t sure what had possessed me, but that was the expected oue. I just wanted


    to find this golden ne and get ahold of it as soon as possible.


    I slowly got out of my car, still thinking about what I had just seen. The figure in the hooded robe


    reminded me of the man I had seen at the hotel. Something didn’t seem right; it was like that man was


    following us. It couldn’t actually be my imagination.


    I stepped foot inside the dark cabin. The familiar scent of pine and cedar enveloped me, a stark


    contrast to the sterile hospital air I had grown ustomed to. The dim light filtering through the


    windows cast eerie shadows on the wooden walls, and every creak of the floorboards echoed through


    the silent room,


    I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering over the light switch. But something deep inside urged me


    to embrace the darkness and confront whatever awaited me in its depths.


    As I moved further, my footsteps echoed in the silence, my eyes scanning every corner in search of the


    golden ne that held so much significance. The cabin seemed unchanged since thest time we


    were here, yet an undeniable sense of foreboding lingered in the air.


    Finally, I reached the bedroom where Luke had surprised me with the ne, the memory still vivid


    in my mind. My heart skipped a beat as I approached the dresser, where he hadid out the delicate


    piece of jewelry.


    There it was, nestled among the trinkets and mementos. And as I reached out to take it, I heard some


    footsteps, causing me to cease my movements.


    With a silent gasp, I turned around and could hear the footsteps getting close.