It's not like I wanted to dump sand on a sleeping Harry. And it's not like Jack wanted me to stop.

He literally helped me do the job. Sinner.

In fact, I was the one who suggested stopping when his chest and knees were basically buried.

On a way more serious note though, this seems like the best personality test. Like, ultimate.

I stopped thinking when an unnatural amount of fear overcome me. Was I still just the same?

Was I still manipulative?

But what matters, I thought, is the outcome. I just need to know.

Is he gonna react the way Josh did?

Of late, Harry seems to hate being compared to Josh...

Like, for the first three weeks of our friendship, Harry seemed to be genuinely patient, if not interested, in learning about Josh. In a very un-Josh-like way...

But somewhere along the line, he abruptly changed into kind of a living clone of Josh. The characteristics became a hundred percent match.

Or to be more real, a hundred and ten percent.

And Jack is always too carried away to notice.

He's basically reliving his memories.

Plus, Harry seems to kinda hate Josh. Even after all the nice things he's heard. Just like that.

I do get where that's coming from, but I just know this isn't that kind of 'hate'.

It's weird, considering he never went through the 'I'm bored of this Josh' stage either.

I mean, wasn't change supposed to be gradual?

And once again, Jack never noticed.

And it has been a month since this I've noticed this.

Once I was done, I lay down between Josh and Harry, juggling my thoughts. A low rumbling snaked it's way into my thoughts.

I opened my eyes and the images that haunted my nights appeared.

Planes. Fighter planes...

But they are ours. They mean no danger.

But still...

I turned to look at Jack, who had a frown etched onto where a smile used to be.

And I knew then, that something was definitely off.

He turned to me and shook his head. And then, all of a sudden, he sat up extremely straight. And waited.

After that, absolutely nothing happened.

And just like that, the sky darkened and Harry had woken up.

I have to admit, I was shocked. He did not react the way I had expected him to.

He shrugged it off!

Maybe I was wrong?

I'm being paranoid.

"Let's get out of here. It's getting late," Harry yawned.

"Yeah, we better," Jack nodded.

"So... where to?" I asked Harry.

"I need to get back home. Anne's leaving to some other town tomorrow."

My heart did something weird. Did it just sink into my chest?

"Tomorrow?"

"Yeah, turns out, a lot of the people who fled returned. Injured. And they needed more doctors and stuff."

"Oh." In that moment of dejection, I realised what had been wrong with the planes.

The flight arrangement. It was triangular.

Before I could say anything to Jack, Harry was already talking to him.

I sighed as we all walked to Harry's house.

I barely remember anything after that. I remember we bade Anne goodbye, after she explained the situation. I remember telling her to keep in touch. I remember being able to read eyes for once in my life.

Anne's green eyes were calmer than they've ever been.

I also remember Jack walking me home and leaving to his own.

I remember telling all of this to Ed.

So when ice cold water interrupted my sleep the next morning, I did not know what I had missed out.

"Wilbur Throttle, wake up! Don't you wanna come say goodbye to Anne?"

"But... But hasn't she left already?" I stammer, staring at Harry in all his morning glory.

"And why did you do that?" I point to the bucket.

"My own sweet little revenge," Harry grins.

"This will be your new morning routine if you keep up the 'I'm so mysterious' facade," he adds.

I climb off the bed. My feet land in a tub of sand.

"Harry! Never, ever, bring sand in the house, Ok?"

"Chill, it's in a tub. Get ready fast, though. Anne's leaving at ten."

"So she hasn't left yet?"

"You asked her to see you one last time before leaving. I mean, that's what she said and I don't kn..."

"Yes, yes I did," I cover up.

He smiles and walks out, muttering to himself.

I take the quickest shower possible and dress up. Although I don't remember asking for anything, I'm not gonna pass up the chance of a proper, conscious goodbye.

I make my hair stand up a little straighter, take a deep breath and walk out.

I want to remember this. Whatever is happening feels like it's the start something new...