Chamber of reflection.

- Ethan's POV -

I stared into the mirror, into my dark, dull eyes. They were hollow. The eyebags were as dark as the night, and the stare was empty. I turned the sink on and leaned down to splash some ice cold water in my face. I sighed and watched the falling waterdrops from my face.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

The sound echoed inside the empty bathroom, only for me to hear. I was alone.

Alone again.

Kaizer was busy at work. It had been a few months after I found out about Thobias. Nothing has changed. I'm still here, following the rules. The only thing that changed was Kaizer's mood. He seems... I don't know what to describe it. Instead of the pissed off glares he used to give me to keep me in bay, he now looks normal. Dead, even. I always had a hard time reading his emotions before all these incidents, but now? Impossible.

But here I was, staring into the mirror. I watched a ghost of me gaze back. He looked like me, like an exact copy. He just looks more.. exhausted. Tired. Of living. And I get him. I understand the reflection. I lifted my wet hand up and touched the mirror, feeling nothing but the cold glass underneath. My ghost did the exact same thing at the same time. It's like we share a mind, our emotions. He knows me and how I feel.

He looks older. Older than I looked before. I noticed that this would probably be silly if anyone would see this. After all, I'm all alone in this house. Again. It's the same as always.

I sighed and stared down. I'm really starting to hallucinate after not sleeping good for so damn long... I took my hand off the mirror and grabbed a towel. I dried my face and hands off before I walked to the kitchen room. I grabbed some chips and relaxed on the couch in the living room. I grabbed the remote and scrolled through the different series and movies on netflix. Nothing grabbed my attention and I just stared at the pictures moving on the screen as I zoned out. The boredom is killing me alive.

I put the popcorn away and grabbed my used, dirty sneakers. Kaizer has nagged about them and tried to buy me new shoes, but I would always refuse. I like these shoes. They're the only things in my life that don't change. It's interesting, really, seeing something from your past self. The you that is still innocent and enjoying life, not knowing for what is waiting for them.

Younger me would've loved to have a nice conversation with my mother, or go to a playground with Thobias.

Younger me would've trusted Kaizer, always following him like a blind puppy. I can't blame him. I still do that. I just don't trust him anymore.

I grabbed my old jacket and shrugged it on. I reached into my backpocket of my pants and fished my phone out. Kaizer had gotten me a phone 1 month ago. It's not like it's very useful. It's a sorta burner phone, with only his number. I sent him a quick text, telling him I'm going for a walk through the neighbourhood. I knew that I would get in trouble, but I couldn't take this loneliness.

I stepped outside and locked the door behind me. I started walking, not caring where I was going, as long as I got away from this godforsaken place. I pulled my hood up and kept my head low as I walked.

——↟❣°°❦°°❣↟——

I walked into a convenient store, thristy. My throat was itchy and dry and I could really use some water. I grabbed a water bottle and put it on the counter by the cashier. I handed them a 10 dollar bill.

Before I left the apartment, I got some cash from under the couches pillows. I had made sure to get a bit of money for myself for situations like this. Obviously, Kaizer didn't know. If he did, he would've taken the money.

'I can buy anything you want' is what he would say.

I mumbled a thank you and pulled my hood off, since it was a bit warm. I grabbed my water bottle, but before I could, the cashier stood up.

"Ah. Ethan. Wonderful to see you out of Kaizer's apartment. Didn't think he would ever let you get out. Is he here with you?"

I frowned. "Excuse me? Who are you?"

The man smiled.

"Lucian."

It took a few seconds before my mind recognized him. The man who covered my mother's murder up. Oh, just great! Even better? Kaizer's bestfriend.

"... no. Kaizer isn't here."

He raised an eyebrow before a smirk appeared on his face. He fixed his glasses.

"Ah, I see. A young bird left his mother's nest. You shouldn't anger Kaizer, you know that? He can be quite dangerous, speaking out of experience."

He chuckled and shook his head. I just glared at him. I quickly walked out of the store before he could get another stupid word of out his stupid fucking mouth. Anyone who likes Kaizer after knowing his secret can go to hell for all I care.

Like why the fuck does he help him? He thinks I'm going to have a conversation with him after he hid my dead mother's body. Like hell I will.

——↟❣°°❦°°❣↟——

I chilled on the bed, just listening to music through my headphones and scrolling through pinterest as I suddenly heard hushed whispering. I paused my music and walked to the door. I pressed my ear against it.

I heard kaizer, being angry and whisper-shouting at another males voice.

...

It's the one I heard earlier today. Lucian. I frowned and overheared the conversation. Since they were whispering, there wasn't much that I could hear. The only words that I could pick up were 'Give up', 'Let go' and 'danger'. My frown deepened as I was curious, but I knew better than trying to sneak closer and overhear it. I sat back down on the bed and continued doing my own thing.

After 40 minutes, Kaizer walked in. He walked over to me and hugged me.

"I'm exhausted.."

"I'm not a pillow."

He frowned at my cold words and I could almost see a glimpse of hurt flash in his eyes. Almost.

"... I miss you."

I scoffed. "You're the one working 24/7. It's called consequences to your actions."

He buried his face in my neck and I grunted. His voice shook a little as he spoke quietly.

"I miss the old you.. my Ethan."

My heart clenched a bit. Why did he have to be my bestfriend? That makes this shit so much harder. Younger me would've hugged him and broken down in his arms.

"I'm not that naïve Ethan anymore, Kaizer."

I heard a small whimper and a deep, shaky inhale.

"Just hold me. Please."

"I'm not that Ethan anymore."

I heard a strangled sob and my neck got a bit wet. He silently cried and sobbed in my neck.

"I- I fucked up... I'm sorry for ruining you.." He sobbed.

I sighed and quietly wrapped my arms around him. I laid down on the bed for a more comfortable position.

I mean, come on.. this is just sad. Whenever he gets vulnerable, I just see that 10 year old broken boy again. The boy who never had someone love him, the boy who never had experienced being cared for. My bestfriend.

I let him cry in my arms until he slowly drifted off.

Only thing that he didn't know, was that I had already planned my escape. I swallowed a lump back and hugged him tight. I nuzzled in his hair and cried quietly. I rubbed over his back and touched him as much as I could.

This would be the last sweet moment between us.

Hell, even the last moment ever.

Did I tell you that I miss you?