8 Tears and warmth:A silent embrace

As the class drew to a close, they sauntered down the corridor, sharing trivialities and good-natured jokes. Over time, Lilly's perception of Noah had transformed; she now regarded him as a friend, especially following their recent encounter. However, persistent queries still tugged at her thoughts—his connection to her and his true identity remained shrouded in mystery. Amid their light-hearted banter, Noah's swift reflexes averted disaster as Lilly lost in her thoughts, stepped onto the road. She met his gaze, catching a glimpse of pain in his eyes, yet her attention was divided, captivated by the chiselled perfection of his jawline that defied reality.

Guiding her to the safety of the roadside, Noah playfully inquired about her wandering mind and encouraged her to stay present. With a simple announcement of his departure, he left Maria's side and faded into the distance. Maria's curiosity surfaced, prompting her to ask Lilly about the incident. Sharing her perspective, Lilly admitted a sense of withheld truths from Noah, yet she assured Maria that the right time for revelations would arrive.

During their journey home, Maria's teasing about Noah's protectiveness continued, sparking a cascade of playful speculation. Maria's words danced in the air, conjuring scenarios of potential romantic inclinations, an ongoing jest that lingered in the backdrop of their conversation.

When they reached home they saw their puffy cat was killed and the blood was all over the floor like a red ocean, in that red ocean Lilly saw the two eyes staring at her that blood there was a question mark...

Lilly's breath quickened, her heart racing as fear gripped her in a suffocating embrace. The sight before her was a nightmarish tableau: the lifeless body of their puffy cat lay sprawled amidst a crimson sea that had engulfed the floor. Panic surged through her veins, rendering her unable to control her laboured breathing—it came in ragged, heavy gasps.

Beside her, Maria mirrored Lilly's terror. Her wide eyes betrayed the shock that had taken hold of her, but her gaze remained fixed on the feline form that now bore an eerie, unsettling aura. Though absent of the spectral eyes Lilly claimed to have seen, the cat's appearance alone was enough to send shivers down Maria's spine.

In the aftermath of this gruesome discovery, questions buzzed like frantic insects in their minds. What had transpired in their absence? What malevolent force had turned their once-beloved pet into a macabre centrepiece? The room seemed to close in around them, the walls echoing their shared fear and confusion.

Maria's gaze met Lilly's, a reflection of helplessness and unease. Uncertainty clouded Maria's features as she grappled with the weight of the situation. She, too, was at a loss for words, struggling to soothe not only Lilly but also her racing thoughts.

Amid their shared turmoil, Maria's instincts took over. With a tender gesture, she wrapped her arms around Lilly, pulling her into an embrace that spoke more than any words could. The warmth of that hug became a lifeline, a conduit for unspoken understanding and solidarity. In that simple act, Maria offered Lilly the solace she sought—a fleeting moment of respite amidst the chaos.

Lilly's tension began to ease, gradually replaced by a fragile sense of comfort. The rhythmic rise and fall of Maria's breaths acted as a calming rhythm, a reminder that they were not alone in their fear. Though the answers remained elusive, the connection they shared in that embrace offered a glimmer of hope, a reminder that together, they could face whatever darkness had encroached upon their world.

They stepped into the room and their eyes were drawn to a photograph on the wall, a snapshot of happier times with the puffy cat. Almost immediately, a rush of emotions surged within them, and their eyes began to well up, a poignant tribute to the bond they had shared