The bus ride back to Maplewood was longer than Alex remembered.
He leaned against the window, watching as the town sign flickered past.
WELCOME TO MAPLEWOOD. POPULATION: ???
The number had faded, scratched away, like someone didn’t want people to know.
The bus doors hissed open. He stepped onto the cracked pavement, inhaling deeply. Maplewood air. Crisp, familiar. Home.
But instead of heading straight to his house, he had other plans.
Jason had been texting him all week, expecting Alex to show up at his place first. But Alex wanted to flip the script.
Instead of announcing his return, he decided to surprise them.
With a smirk, he walked toward Jason’s usual hangout—Maplewood Diner. If Jason wasn’t there, Camilla would be, and if neither of them were, he’d at least get a decent burger before dealing with their reactions.
As he pushed open the diner door, the bell jingled softly. A wave of warm, greasy air hit him—burgers sizzling, fries crackling, the scent of maple syrup lingering in the air.
Jason was at their usual booth, laughing loudly at something Camilla had just said. She rolled her eyes, stirring her drink, clearly unimpressed. Maya sat across from them, quietly flipping through a book, as if she’d rather be anywhere else.
Alex took a deep breath, then casually slid into the seat next to Jason.
“Man, the service here is terrible. I’ve been waiting two years for my order.”
Jason choked on his drink. “WHAT—”
Camilla’s spoon clattered against her glass. Maya blinked once, slowly closing her book.
Jason grabbed Alex’s arm, shaking him violently. “DUDE. DUDE. YOU’RE HERE? SINCE WHEN? YOU DIDN’T TELL ME?”
Camilla groaned. “Jason, let him breathe.”
Jason ignored her. “YOU JUST—YOU JUST SAT DOWN LIKE IT’S NOTHING?!”
Alex grinned. “What, did you want a dramatic entrance? Fireworks? A marching band?”
Camilla exhaled, leaning back. “I should’ve known you’d pull something like this.” But there was a small smile on her face. “Welcome back, Alex.”
Maya glanced up from her book, surprised but smiling. “Didn’t think you’d actually show up.”
The bus doors hissed open. He stepped onto the cracked pavement, inhaling deeply. Maplewood air. Crisp, familiar. Home.
But instead of heading straight to his house, he had other plans.
Jason had been texting him all week, expecting Alex to show up at his place first. But Alex wanted to flip the script.
Instead of announcing his return, he decided to surprise them.
With a smirk, he walked toward Jason’s usual hangout—Maplewood Diner. If Jason wasn’t there, Camilla would be, and if neither of them were, he’d at least get a decent burger before dealing with their reactions.
As he pushed open the diner door, the bell jingled softly. A wave of warm, greasy air hit him—burgers sizzling, fries crackling, the scent of maple syrup lingering in the air.
Jason was at their usual booth, laughing loudly at something Camilla had just said. She rolled her eyes, stirring her drink, clearly unimpressed. Maya sat across from them, quietly flipping through a book, as if she’d rather be anywhere else.
Alex took a deep breath, then casually slid into the seat next to Jason.
“Man, the service here is terrible. I’ve been waiting two years for my order.”
Jason choked on his drink. “WHAT—”
Camilla’s spoon clattered against her glass. Maya blinked once, slowly closing her book.
Jason grabbed Alex’s arm, shaking him violently. “DUDE. DUDE. YOU’RE HERE? SINCE WHEN? YOU DIDN’T TELL ME?”
Camilla groaned. “Jason, let him breathe.”
Jason ignored her. “YOU JUST—YOU JUST SAT DOWN LIKE IT’S NOTHING?!”
Alex grinned. “What, did you want a dramatic entrance? Fireworks? A marching band?”
Camilla exhaled, leaning back. “I should’ve known you’d pull something like this.” But there was a small smile on her face. “Welcome back, Alex.”
Maya glanced up from her book, surprised but smiling. “Didn’t think you’d actually show up.”
The bus doors hissed open. He stepped onto the cracked pavement, inhaling deeply. Maplewood air. Crisp, familiar. Home.
But instead of heading straight to his house, he had other plans.
Jason had been texting him all week, expecting Alex to show up at his place first. But Alex wanted to flip the script.
Instead of announcing his return, he decided to surprise them.
With a smirk, he walked toward Jason’s usual hangout—Maplewood Diner. If Jason wasn’t there, Camilla would be, and if neither of them were, he’d at least get a decent burger before dealing with their reactions.
As he pushed open the diner door, the bell jingled softly. A wave of warm, greasy air hit him—burgers sizzling, fries crackling, the scent of maple syrup lingering in the air.
Jason was at their usual booth, laughing loudly at something Camilla had just said. She rolled her eyes, stirring her drink, clearly unimpressed. Maya sat across from them, quietly flipping through a book, as if she’d rather be anywhere else.
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Alex took a deep breath, then casually slid into the seat next to Jason.
“Man, the service here is terrible. I’ve been waiting two years for my order.”
Jason choked on his drink. “WHAT—”
Camilla’s spoon clattered against her glass. Maya blinked once, slowly closing her book.
Jason grabbed Alex’s arm, shaking him violently. “DUDE. DUDE. YOU’RE HERE? SINCE WHEN? YOU DIDN’T TELL ME?”
Camilla groaned. “Jason, let him breathe.”
Jason ignored her. “YOU JUST—YOU JUST SAT DOWN LIKE IT’S NOTHING?!”
Alex grinned. “What, did you want a dramatic entrance? Fireworks? A marching band?”
Camilla exhaled, leaning back. “I should’ve known you’d pull something like this.” But there was a small smile on her face. “Welcome back, Alex.”
Maya glanced up from her book, surprised but smiling. “Didn’t think you’d actually show up.”
As soon as the door swung open and his parents stepped inside—along with Jason, Camilla, and Maya’s families—Alex jumped out, arms wide.
“Surprise! I’m back!”
His mom let out a gasp before pulling him into a crushing hug, his dad wrapping an arm around them both.
“Mom—Dad—can’t breathe—” Alex wheezed, but they only hugged him tighter.
Finally, his mom pulled back, scanning him from head to toe. Her hands flew to his face as she cupped his cheeks, horror flashing in her eyes.
“Oh my dear, I knew it! There’s no one to take care of you in New York! Look how thin you’ve become!”
His dad chuckled. “See, Alex? Your mom never changes.”
“I just wanted to surprise you, Dad—”
Before he could finish, his mom smacked his arm—not too hard, but enough to make a point.
“How dare you leave me like this? Not even coming home for summer breaks? Have you forgotten your dear mother?” she scolded, hitting him again for emphasis.
Jason snorted. “Damn, Alex. You survived the city but not your mom’s wrath.”
Everyone burst into laughter as Alex sighed, defeated.
“Alright, enough scolding—everyone, to the dining table!” his mom announced, clapping her hands. “Alex, you have to taste my homemade food after two years.”
Alex rubbed his hands together, grinning. “Of course, Mom! I can’t wait to finally eat some real food again. I missed this.”
As they ate, the room buzzed with conversation, laughter, and warmth.
“So, Alex, how’s work in New York?” Camilla’s father asked.
Alex nodded. “Going fine, Uncle. I’m currently working on a new project—”
Just then, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. His boss.
Excusing himself, he stepped aside and answered.
“Alex! Just wanted to say—amazing work. The company’s really impressed.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Oh? That’s great to hear.”
“In fact, they’re so impressed, they only want you to design the landscapes for the game. It’s the next big thing.”
Alex blinked. “Wait… just me?”
“Yup. You nailed the style. I know you’re finally taking a break, but please, make some time for this too.”
Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. He had just gotten home, but work was already pulling him back.
Could he really balance both?
He forced a smile as he walked back to the table.
His dad noticed. “What’s the matter, son? You look really happy.”
Alex set his glass down. “Dad, they told me they were so impressed with my work that they want me to design all the landscapes for the new video game.” He exhaled, shaking his head. “I’m excited… but at the same time, I just took a break. I don’t want to start working again already.”
Maya’s dad nodded. “I get it, Alex. But don’t overwork yourself. Just take a few hours a day for it—no need to burn out.”
Before Alex could respond, his mom clapped her hands dramatically.
“Ugh, these ridiculous New York people! Always troubling my son! Let him dream, let him eat!”
Before he could react, she started piling more food onto his plate.
“Mom—stop!” Alex threw his hands up, trying to block her. “That’s enough! Do you want me to turn into a potato?!”
Jason snorted, barely holding in his laughter. “Too late, bro. You already look halfway there.”
The whole table burst into laughter as Alex groaned, defeated by his mother’s love.
After dinner, Maya, Camilla, and Jason’s parents said their goodbyes, leaving the four of them alone.
“Alright, sleepover at my place,” Alex declared.
Jason grinned. “Late-night movies, snacks, and horror stories? Say no more.”
Maya sighed. “Do we ever not do this?”
Camilla smirked. “Jason would probably die if we didn’t.”
Jason gasped, dramatically placing a hand on his heart. “Wow. Betrayal. Disrespect. Unbelievable.”
“Come on, let’s set up,” Alex said, shaking his head with a smile.
Blankets and pillows were scattered across the floor as the TV flickered, the opening credits of a horror movie rolling in.
Jason stuffed popcorn into his mouth. “Okay, bets on who screams first?”
“You,” Alex, Maya, and Camilla said in unison.
Jason gasped. “Wow. No faith in me at all.”
The movie played on, tension building. A shadow moved on screen—then, a loud jump scare.
Jason yelled and grabbed onto Camilla’s arm.
“SEE?! CALLED IT!” Alex burst out laughing.
Camilla groaned, prying Jason off. “Jason. Let. Go.”
Jason cleared his throat, sitting back like nothing happened. “I was just—uh—making sure you were safe.”
Maya shook her head. “Sure, Jason. Sure.”
After the movie ended, the room dimmed to only the soft glow of the TV.
“Alright, time for ghost stories,” Jason declared.
“You mean time for you to scare yourself and regret it?” Camilla said.
Jason ignored her. “Okay, listen up. There was once a man who woke up in the middle of the night, hearing someone whisper his name…”
As Jason told his story, the air in the room felt different. The usual playful energy faded into something heavier.
Maya shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Alex. He looked lost in thought.
“Alex?” Camilla nudged him.
He blinked, shaking his head. “Yeah, I’m listening.”
Jason waved his hands. “Dude, you okay? You zoned out.”
Alex exhaled, rubbing his temples. “Yeah, just tired. Keep going.”
One by one, everyone drifted off to sleep. Jason was snoring loudly, Camilla had curled up in her blanket, and Maya had dozed off with a book still in her hands.
Alex lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.
Then—it hit him.
A battlefield.
A blade covered in glowing embers.
A voice screaming his name.
Then—darkness.
Alex’s eyes snapped open. His heart pounded, sweat clinging to his skin.
Slowly, he sat up, reaching for the glass of water on the table. His hands were trembling.
He glanced around. Everyone was still asleep.
His gaze lingered on Maya. Even in sleep, she looked… tense. Like she was seeing something too.
Alex exhaled slowly. It was nothing. Just exhaustion.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
Lying back down, he stared at the ceiling. Sleep didn’t come easily after that.