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The message.

Chapter 3 Pitt's P.O.V

The dinner was a disaster.

After Aries departed the restaurant, our table was deafeningly quiet. I breathed a sigh of relaxation, feeling my muscles lighten. I turned to look at Eason, who appeared to be rather pleased with himself. When we were younger, he used to irritate Aries, but things were different back then. They used to be great friends, to be honest. They used to taunt each other, but they swiftly moved on. We were all friends, after all. I have noticed that their behaviour changed in the past few weeks. Aries seemed more reserved; he was usually an over sharer when it was only the two of us. We talked about everything when we were together. We talked about the girls in our school, about our families and our future plans. He avoided talking about his personal life during the past few weeks. Whenever I asked what was wrong, he would simply reply: "It's nothing, I am fine!"

Eason, in the other hand behaved more violently. He usually had outbursts but they appeared to be more frequent while weeks passed by.

God, they worried me so much. I wanted to help both of them with whatever is going on... but I felt that they simply wouldn't let me. That is why I thought of this trip as an opportunity to them open up to me. They looked tired, done with life. And I wanted to help them with that.

"Damn, I'm the one who got us into this mess," I grumbled to myself, fidgeting with my thumbs.

This holiday, I thought; would be the ideal time for them to reconcile. It has always been the three of us, pretty much like the three musketeers. Both of them have been my confidants since childhood, but things have changed after the accident. It occurred about ten years ago, but I recall it as if it happened yesterday.

We were having fun in the woods. Eliza ran because a confrontation broke out between her, Aries, and Eason. We had been looking for her for hours when we finally found her...dead.

That incident, to be sure, traumatised all of us, but particularly the two of them.

Eason had always assumed it was Aries' fault, and Aries had always thought it was Eason's fault. But the truth is, I've always believed it was mine. I was the one who suggested that we went to that place on that particular day. I was the one to find the body before the others, the fault was entirely mine.

Oh, if only I could go back in time...

I assumed that Aries' departure would allow the atmosphere in the room feel lighter, but I was dismally wrong.

Eason and Ella got into a heated argument shortly after that. To tell you the truth, I was anticipating it. Eason had attempted to break the ice in an effort to de-stress the situation. An attempt that failed miserably. We ordered our food, Ariel tried to strike up a conversation with him about our country's politics... but I sensed something wasn't quite right. Charlotte attempted to communicate with Ella, but she stayed mute and stared into space.

I attempted to lighten the mood. I was generally adept at resolving tense situations. I even considered the possibility that, if former lives occurred, I was a diplomat or something... such a bizarre assumption. Everyone laughed as I told them funny stories. Everyone seemed to be having a good time while they ate their dinner... except her.

"Are you alright?" In an attempt to demonstrate consideration, Eason questioned her. He was a decent guy on the inside. Of course, he was obnoxious the most of the time, but he actually had a golden heart.

"Okay, I'm doing fine. Why should I not be doing well?" - Ella cried, her head up high to display her dominance. The light from the chandelier beamed down on us, her eyes twinkled brightly. She had an incomprehensible expression on her face. I couldn't tell whether she was still mad at him or just being herself. She leaned over to reach the food in her dish, oblivious of the fact that Eason was there. He, on the other hand, appeared happy with her response; laughing as he drank a glass of wine. Was it even legal for us to do that? After all, we were on a school excursion. It didn't feel that way, but it doesn't make the facts any less true. He leaned back, thoughtfully staring at the chandelier, wondering whether to reply or not.

Ariel looked at her friend with the same puzzled expression on her face. I was relieved that we could at least communicate with each other.

" Ella, that was an overwhelming amount of rudeness you served."

Charlotte exclaimed, her gaze falling on her. What on earth was she thinking? Why would she behave like that, especially towards her friend, when we've already observed an altercation that wasn't very pleasant? Charlotte was a nice girl, but she had a habit of changing her behaviour when she was around me. We've been dating for about a year. Things seemed magical at first, like they should in any relationship. However, things have become intense since then.

For one thing, her parents were extremely devout and expected her to marry a virgin, and for another, she had recently shown a side of herself that I didn't like. When I was around, she was the type of person who would flip personas. She could have been attempting to impress me, but I didn't appreciate it. I started dating her because she appeared genuine at first... but as time went on, she began to show her true colours. I adored her, truly did. However, devotion isn't enough.

Because of our relationship, she had even gotten into trouble with her parents. She crept through my window one night after fleeing her home and had told me she was fed up with her parents and was going to run away. Even her best friend, Ariel, was completely oblivious of what had occurred. When her parents realised what had transpired, they stormed into my house, yelling violently at my mums, demanding their daughter to be returned. We all agreed to keep what transpired a secret when the problem was resolved.

"Whose side are you on in the first place?" Ella said, trying to sound calm.

"It's not a question of picking sides. "Could we please make an effort to get along?"

Ariel wailed anxiously; her disappointment visible in her eyes, glancing at us. She was correct; the night had already begun chaotically, and it didn't have to conclude the same way.

"It's not like you're furious at Eason anyways, Ella," Charlotte answered, laughing and staring at her friends with a cynical smirk on her face. What's the matter with her?

"I'm furious with him!" Aries had to leave because he couldn't stop talking!" Ella raised her voice once again looking at them, dissatisfied.

"Guys, I believe that's is enough- "

"Oh... so that is what all of this is about, isn't it?"

Eason interrupted me, speaking with a sharp and serious tone.

"What exactly are you referring to?"

Ella inquired, a terrified expression on her face, her eyes darting about the room as her uneasiness increased. Maybe Eason was right all along.

"You like him! don't you agree?" Eason inquired, laughing madly. Her eyes widened. For a brief moment, her body froze as she realised that everyone in our table knew and could tell Aries about it in any instant.

"What do you know about love, anyways? After all, you don't seem to know anything about it!!! I mean, you're so irritating that it's no surprise that no one loves you!!" - Ella exclaimed once again, tears streaming over her cheeks.

"That's enough-"

"Clearly, I'm wiser than you!" You're so pitiful!!" His eyes clouded, Eason exclaimed.

"From the way you talk, you've been in love with him for a long time...maybe three years?"

"Eason, please stop-" pleaded Ariel. Things had gotten out of hand.

"You're the one who's a fool here; you've lost any sense of self-respect and decency!" Do you really think he'll adore you? You're simply another miserable lady on her way to be rejected by him. I mean, I'd turn you down as well!

"Please, just shut the fuck up!"

"Why?? I'm telling it like it is! I'm not sure anyone will ever love her because she's so plain and pathetic-"

Ella rose from her seat, furious, and threw the remainder of her food at Eason's face before he could finish his sentence. Ella gave one last look at Ariel and then Charlotte while everyone turned around to watch us. She then rushed out of the restaurant, attempting to avoid exposing herself.

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After a good ten minutes, we were standing outside the restaurant, trying to figure out what we should do.

"So, what exactly happened? Charlotte had informed me there had been a fight, but was it bad enough for her to flee?"

Aries questioned us with a puzzled expression on his face. He looked tired and yet determined. He also smelled like...cigarettes? Since when did he smoke?

"It was... and it was my fault," He glanced at Aries, Eason sighed regrettably.

"To be honest, I wouldn't put it this way. It was a collaborative effort. You were both in the wrong and refused to listen to each other "I spoke before Aries could respond, spurred on by his rage.

"It was also my fault...in some way." Charlotte spoke to herself in hushed tones, yet loud enough for us to hear. Ariel stepped up to her and hugged her friend. I could tell she was apprehensive.

"This isn't a game where the person who is the guiltiest wins, okay? We need to track her down "I exclaimed, staring at them. Dear god, where could she be? For starters, we are in a different town, in an unknown area.

"Should we begin our search inside the hotel? Perhaps she would have gone there to clear her head"

Aries suggested with an optimistic look on his face.

"We could check there, but the problem is that none of us are able to go. Separation is required " Ariel uttered a pensive exclamation.

"She is correct. You go with Charlotte to the hotel and look for her. I'll be joined by Eason and Aries." I exclaimed ad I had the final word and We all meekly agreed to the decision. So, we began hunting for her. The girls left sonly after, and the three of us began hunting for her everywhere. After an hour and few failed attempts to locate her, Aries decided that it was best to search for her alone. I could tell he was impatient, and his hatred for Eason didn't help at all. We were all fucked. My only hope was that no one abducted her or anything. The world is a bad place...specially if you are a woman.

"Should we take a break?" Eason inquired; his sad eyes fixed on me. I was irritated to the point of becoming upset. All I wanted was for this two-week trip to go nicely, but my wish didn't even last a day. Obviously, the teachers were oblivious of the situation. Things would have been far worse if they had known. They wouldn't let us hang out alone again, and even worse, they would have informed our parents and even the police

If I knew my mum right, she would pick me up from the hotel the next day, and I didn't need that. This trip provided me with an excellent opportunity to clear my mind and possibly save my relationship with my girlfriend.

Things weren't necessarily in horrible shape, but there was no spark. Eason and I took a seat on a bench not far from the hotel, but far enough away for me to notice that we had arrived in the city's slums. The houses were small and unsightly, and the streets were dark. The lamppost above us gleamed dimly. The ground in front of us was barely illuminated by its feeble light. I realised then that something wasn't quite right. The light on the lamppost began to shine brighter and brighter until it reached its maximum luminosity, at which point it turned off permanently. Eason and I were left in full darkness. The wind blew rapidly towards us, my body felt colder than normal. It was a chilly night, to say the least. But there was something other, almost supernatural, going on. The wind blasted again, my spine shook. I looked at Eason, who was horrified.

"I think we should go back"- I shouted at Eason, unsure whether he could hear me as the wind blew louder.

"What about Ella?" Eason replied, confused.

"You are right. we should at least find a place to warm ourselves up .... like a supermarket, maybe?"

"Fair enough" Eason concluded. We walked further and further away from the hotel until we found a shop open. We headed ourselves in and I felt relieved. The warmness of the place made my body feel welcomed. The cashier stared at us with an unpleasant look on his face.

"Go away, we are closing!" the man exclaimed arrogantly. I walked towards him trying to appear friendly. Eason, on the other hand was already walking towards the exit.

"Please, man. It is very cold outside." I begged his eyes shut in disagreement. He leaned forward in order to look at my face and shouted:

" I said, go the fuck away! Leave!"

"Alright, sheesh. No need to be rude."

 I felt my body tense up, I yelled.

"We're about to go, but could we use the signal from here for a second?"

Eason, who was about to depart, was now standing next to me, staring menacingly into the cashier's eyes in an attempt to intimidate him, which he succeeded in doing. We were only permitted to stay for "two minutes", which was a good amount of time to check our messages, to see if anyone else had heard from Ella. Eason and I hastily scanned through our phones, hoping to find some good news, but there was none. When the time ran out, the man practically forced us out the door against our will. Eason screamed angrily, pointing his middle finger at the man and shouting: "You're fucked up! You filthy pig, you! " I giggled, joining Eason in his peculiar method of protest by also pointing my middle finger.

We had a nice laugh between ourselves for a bit. long enough to make us forget we were out in the cold and hunting for a missing girl in the middle of the night. We became more serious as we gazed into our phones, scrolling through the empty messages and no new messages arrived.

" We're so fucked." We proceeded towards the hotel, Eason sighed, despondent.

" I agree... if only God could send us a sign." I mumbled, slipping my hands into my coat to protect myself from the cold.

"Do you still believe in the existence of God? especially in the disaster of Eliza's death?"

With a disgruntled and irritated expression on his face, Eason queried. He had every right to be enraged... after all, his first love had died terribly. Not only that, but we were the ones who discovered her lifeless body. We approached the hotel, we were silent for a few moments. A middle-aged man suddenly dashed towards us. He seemed to have materialised out of nowhere and Eason and I stepped to the side to give the man room to go, but soon enough he stood in front of us, staring into our faces with an intriguing grin.

"Hmm... do you need any help?" I inquired, perplexed.

"Young man, I have the answers to what you're seeking for." He leaned forward, the man talked with a serious expression on his face. I took a step back to get away from this guy; what was he talking about? Could it be Ella?

"Don't worry about him," Eason said, smirking and looking at the man. "He's probably drunk anyways-" The man hit him in the gut before he could finish his sentence. I suppressed my laughter since he leaned down to cope with the agony. That's what happens when you're a dickhead, but I still liked him though.

"You will receive a message with the answers you are seeking" "Act quickly before it's too late. "The man finished his last few words and dashed away, disappearing into the darkness once more.

"Wow, that was quite a scene," Eason chuckled ascending once more.

After the man disappeared, my phone rang and I realised I received a message. I quickly grabbed it as Eason stared at my face, surprised. It was by a private number, which made everything weirder. I shook in discontent. "At 717 Hellman Avenue, you'll find what you're looking for." The message said. I inclined my phone towards Eason, who shook his head in disapproval.

"Since it's almost certainly a set-up, let's simply not go." Eason whispered, placing his hands in his pockets, nervously.

What if he was correct? I couldn't help but wonder. What if that's where we'll be able to find Ella? Our troubles might be fixed if we travelled... but, like Eason pointed out, it could also be a scam.

"We have to go," I replied, apprehensively eyeing Eason. He ruffled his hair with his palms pushing it backwards. He strode back and forth, agitated, glaring at me.

I felt deep down that he was correct; we should not even consider entering into an unfamiliar location. But we didn't have an option at the time. We had no choice but to go there. she could be in danger .

"Alright, let's go then." Eason spoke as we headed to our new destination, unsure of what the destiny held for us.