CHAPTER – FIREWORKS, FEELINGS, AND A DARK NIGHT
The next morning was quiet.
Gorth woke up and saw Berry already on the couch, controller in hand, eyes glued to the screen.
"Gorth! Come play with me," Berry said without looking away.
"Nah," Gorth stretched. "You know games aren't my thing. I'm going to buy bread. Watch Perry while I'm out."
Berry nodded quickly, too focused on beating a boss to care.
As Gorth opened the gate, he saw an Uber parked nearby. A man stepped out—tall, dark jacket, serious face, holding a notebook.
The same man Gorth saw at the coffee shop.
Gorth blinked, surprised.
"Oh… it's him again."
The man looked up.
Gorth smiled and waved.
The man lifted his hand and waved back—expression completely blank.
As the Uber drove off, the man flipped his notebook open. Inside, one page had multiple names
But Gorth didn't see that.
He walked to the spaza, and found Linda arranging bread on the shelf.
Gorth: "Morning. Didn't think you'd be up this early."
Linda: "Morning, Gorth. I barely slept. The shop was busy last night."
Gorth: "Hope your boss didn't stress you again."
Linda: "She always does… but I'm used to it."
Gorth: "Well… don't let her ruin your day. We might come back later."
Linda: "…I'd like that."
He bought the bread and walked home.
Berry was waiting with Perry jumping on him.
Berry: "You took long!"
Gorth: "I took five minutes."
Berry: "Five minutes is long when you're hungry."
Gorth: "Then eat air."
Berry: "Bro."
They laughed and ate breakfast together.
Then Kenny texted in the group chat:
Kenny: "We're coming to your house."
Gorth got an idea.
"Wait—don't come here. Let's go out and play some games with Linda. Let's just ask if she's busy."
The boys agreed instantly.
Sernny: "Yes! I mean—yeah sure."
Nerth: "Man's excited."
Kenny: "He's shining like a light bulb."
Gorth: "Relax lover boy, we're going."
THE SPONTANEOUS TRIP
They arrived at Linda's shop. She wasn't busy today.
Gorth: "Linda, we're going to the entertainment complex… you wanna join?"
She froze. The idea was too tempting.
Linda: "…Your friends will get in trouble because of me."
Sernny: "We asked YOU, not your boss."
Linda bit her lip, nervous but excited.
Linda: "…Okay. I'll come."
She knew her boss would explode.
But she chose happiness this time.
They went.
They played arcade games, laughed at Kenny failing the basketball hoop, joked about Nerth being scared of rollercoasters, and forced Gorth to take pictures.
They even got cotton candy and took group pictures at sunset by the fountains.
When the fireworks started, Nerth whispered:
"Gorth… Kenny… come with me. Leave Sernny and Linda alone."
The three drifted away, hiding behind a small crowd.
Sernny and Linda stood together under the glowing sky.
Linda: "…Thank you."
Sernny: "For what?"
Linda: "Trying so hard to make me happy. All of you… but you especially."
She touched his hand.
Both blushed.
She held his gaze, serious.
"If you want to kiss me… now's the perfect time."
Sernny swallowed hard.
Then kissed her softly.
The people around them started cheering.
Kenny, Gorth, and Nerth felt their hearts warm—and hurt at the same time.
None of them said anything until Gorth spoke:
"Guys… I know what you're feeling. But trust me—one day, you'll be where Sernny is. And I'll brag about this moment at his wedding."
They burst into laughter.
Kenny: "Why am I laughing?!"
Nerth: "Bro me too!"
Gorth: "Come on, let's go embarrass them."
They sprinted toward Sernny and Linda yelling CONGRATULATIONS!
Nerth started singing a famous love song, and everyone joined.
Linda covered her face, shy but smiling.
Gorth checked the time.
"Guys… it's late. We need to go."
They walked as a whole crowd followed behind them, singing, cheering, celebrating love like it was a festival.
THE WALK HOME
On the way to Gorth's place, they joked about Sernny being a "married man now."
Kenny teased him about having ten kids.
Gorth said he'd be the godfather by force.
They took Linda back to her shop. At the door, she and Sernny kissed again.
She walked to her bed humming the same love song they all sang.
But then the door swung open.
Her boss—an older woman with a harsh face—walked in.
Boss: "Where were you?"
Linda: "…I was out with fri—"
SLAP.
Linda fell back, tears filling her eyes.
Boss: "Useless girl! Leaving MY shop to go have fun?! You think this is a playground?!"
Linda: "I… I just wanted—"
Boss: "SHUT UP! If I catch you with those boys again, I'll throw you on the street!"
The woman stormed out.
Linda sat on her bed, face red, hand shaking.
She opened her phone, scrolled to their pictures, and cried silently.
The pictures were the only warm thing she had tonight.
That night, Vesha sat on her bed, a warm cup of tea cradled in her hands. The steam curled into the dim light of the room, twisting like her thoughts. Her mind raced uncontrollably. That boy… Gorth… I've seen him before, in my dreams, years ago. But how? What does it mean? She swallowed, feeling the weight of the memory press against her chest. Was it a warning? A sign? Something… meant to happen? And the others… do they exist too, somewhere out there, or are they just fragments of my imagination? No… this dream… it has to mean something. I've never forgotten it, not for a single day.
Her musings were interrupted by the soft creak of her door. Her little sister peeked in, her eyes hopeful. "Vesha… could you help me with my homework?"
Vesha blinked, the tension in her shoulders loosening just slightly. She set the cup down, the warmth of the tea spreading to her fingers. "Of course," she said softly, giving her sister a reassuring smile.
Together, they settled over the notebook, pens scratching on paper. For a moment, the chaos of the day, the visions of dreams and monsters, melted away. In that quiet room, with soft lamplight and the simple task of helping someone she loved, Vesha found a small, fragile sense of peace.