A few days later...
Derek sat in his dimly lit living room, staring blankly at the floor, his heart heavy with grief. The weight of Ben’s passing had hit him harder than he ever imagined. His best friend was gone, and with him, the answers Derek had been so desperate to find. The room felt suffocating, the silence unbearable except for the ticking of the clock on the wall.
Michael, sat beside him, offering quiet support. He had his arm around Derek’s shoulders, but neither of them spoke. There were no words that could make this pain go away, no easy way to confront the loss.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Derek muttered, his voice hoarse. “One minute he was there, and now…”
Michael squeezed his shoulder. “I know, man. I’m so sorry. Ben was like a brother to me, too.”
Derek felt a lump form i
