Two Faced

A Silent Witness

The moment they saw the body hanging, everything paused, like the universe itself took a deep breath and stood still. They both froze with their eyes fixed on the body.

Zoey’s voice trembled, her breath coming in short, shallow burst. The words struggling to make their way past her throat.

“Is… that…real?” She said tight lipped.

Reign didn’t respond. His stomach was about to turn upside down, hands cold as ice, but still he took a step forward. With every steps his hesitation grew. Something— no, Someone is hanging on that ceiling and he knows it.

He swallowed hard, his throat dried, but deep inside his itching to aid his undying curiosity. When he reached out, trying to get a feel of the body, heavy steps was heard coming from outside and it is approaching.

He steps back and grabbed Zoey’s hand tightly, a surge of panic shot on Reign’s veins, he pulled Zoey towards the corner of the room.

As the footsteps grew faint, a silhouette was seen entering the dark room.

Reign took a glance at Zoey but he could barely see her through the darkness, but he could feel her beside him— with her trembling hands, short but deep breath, she still didn’t make a sound.

“What a sight.” A cold voice coming from the silhouette as he stood there, arm length in front of the body.

Zoey shifted beside Reign, closing the gap for less than an inch, holding his hands tightly. He couldn’t tell if she’s afraid of being seen or afraid of what’s going to happen next or maybe both.

Reign’s breathed slowed, as the silhouette turn it’s back on the body and slowly exit the room.

Wait… That voice was familiar.

A thought itched into his mind. The tone and the accent was different, but his gut screamed the opposite.

He knew that voice— it was someone familiar.

As he was trying to analyze who it was, Zoey’s hand began to loosen it’s grip.

“Are we safe?” She said with a quiet and trembling voice. Reign looked at her with hesitant eyes, swallowed hard “I think so.”

Reign closed his eyes for a moment, let out a deep breath he didn’t know he was holding. They weren’t caught— not yet.

He slowly stood up, he looked at Zoey, her eyes were still wide, full of fear. With his hand trembling, he reached his right hand out offering a help to Zoey.

Zoey’s expression screams Thank you but her tight gripped told otherwise. They stood up, with their hands tightly tied together, they look fixedly into the disturbing sight up front.

After they digest everything that happened, they scram out of that room without looking back. With every silent steps, they both shared the same mindset— wanting to escape safely.

A moment have passed and they finally arrived at the front gate. Another problem they face. They gazed upon the locked gate trying to find a solution on how they can escape both safely.

“Come here.” Reign hunched down on one knee, with his back turned on Zoey. Finally, he offered his solution; a piggy back ride.

He could still feel her trembling body as she climbed onto his back, her hands tightly gripping his shoulder, afraid of letting go.

“You sure you can carry me?” she said with a hint of hesitation.

“Let’s find out.” He said trying to act confidently. He shifted his stance, feeling the weight slowly pressed on him.

“Ready?” He asked. His voice was firm but he was nervous.

“Ready” she whispered into his ears softly. The cold breathe he felt behind his ears gave him an extra energy boost he needed.

He bent his knees and took a firm step forward, ready to climb, “Hold tight” he whispered, almost more to himself than to her, and then began to scale the gate.

His one hand holding the cold metal, and the other holding her. Her gripped tightened as they climbed higher.

With a final push, they finally reached the top. Feeling at ease, Reign took a deep breath and began to climb down, with every step seemed scripted. Holding into the bars firmly as if he was glued into it.

A short jumped ended their long journey of climbing the gate. For them, it was the easiest obstacle that night.

“Thanks” Zoey said quietly into his ears as she was getting off.

“I’m sorry that we didn’t found your bag. You going home now?”

Zoey paused for a moment with her eyes on the ground.

“Yes” she finally responded.

“You want me to walk you home?”

After she heard the offer Reign made, she quickly dashed with every ounce of her energy and ran away from Reign.

Cold as always are you.

After watching Zoey’s image finally disappeared, Reign also went on his way home.

He was confused on what is the appropriate emotions on that moment.

Sad, tired and scared? Because he witnessed something horrifying? Or

Joy, Energized and love? Because he was with her. He walked with these thoughts in his mind.

From an empty room, there stood someone, watching every step they took on an open window. He stayed in the shadows, watching them disappear, his gaze was terrifying.

He's watching. As he know the truth, the truth that they cannot escape no matter how hard they tried. And no matter Where they went or How far they will run. That shadow will always be there.

.....................................................

As another day began, another life to live.

Early in the morning, the class 3-1 witnessed something as they walked In, that causes their eyes to drop.

Reign was sitting on his chair, early than anyone else. He had never done this before. He was shocked as anyone else, but on different matter.

The lifeless body that was hanging on the ceiling of their classroom was gone. Not even a single evidence of that horrific scene was left.

Reign gazed upon the ceiling, zooming on everything, just something, something to justify what they saw. But he found nothing.

As the students inside their classroom increased, the one face that Reign was waiting the most didn’t show up.

I guess she’s still terrified.

For a moment, the classroom’s atmosphere changed, chilly but comfortable. A tall handsome student, Malachi, caught everyone’s attention as he walked in.

“Good morning, everyone.” He smiled as he greeted everyone. His face is lovely as always, like a ball of sunshine full of energy, he’s perfect, everyone thought the same.

Goosebumps. Reign’s eyes widened as he felt a sudden tingling on his whole body. A horrific scene popped up into his brain, with a corresponding question.

Wait. That voice was familiar. Is he..?