CHAPTER FOUR: EYES WITHOUT A FACE
『..✎..』
October 17th, 2009
Alena's eyes were fixed on the figure in her dimly lit room, an unfamiliar presence that sent a jolt of fear through her. Her heart raced as she processed the shock of seeing him there. She straightened on the edge of her bed, muscles tense, ready to react. “Who... who are you?” she stammered, her voice shaky and laced with uncertainty. A nervous tremor danced through her hands as the stranger stepped closer, moving with caution. He raised his palms, signaling that he meant no harm. “I’m here to help, I swear,” he said, urgency punctuating his steady tone.
Alena's mind raced as she scrutinized him closely. A swirl of emotions flooded her thoughts: curiosity, fear, and suspicion all tangled together. Could he be the reason for the relentless headache that had plagued her for days? Was he the same shadowy figure that flickered at the edges of her vision, always just out of focus? Maybe he was linked to that chilling murder story she had seen on the news, she did see him at the scene of the crime after all. With each passing moment, more questions surged through her mind, each as pressing as the last.
In a swift, instinctive move, Alena sprang off her bed. She scanned her room for something—anything—that might serve as a shield. Her eyes landed on a familiar object. Without hesitation, she snatched it up, lifting it in front of her like a weapon. “Woah, woah! I’m not going to hurt you!” he exclaimed, his expression shifting to one of confusion as he beheld her choice of defense. The stuffed animal—soft and innocent—seemed comically inadequate for the situation. He almost chuckled at the absurdity, unable to hide a grin.
The moment of realization washed over Alena, freezing her in place. A wave of embarrassment swept over her, painting her cheeks bright red. She quickly put the toy back on the table, avoiding his gaze as her heart raced. “Okay… ignoring that, seriously, who are you?” she pressed, her voice sharper and more demanding. Her eyes narrowed, searching his face for any hint of deceit. “I saw you on TV at the crime scene. You looked like a monster, and then you changed right before my eyes.” Panic surged through her; she pointed at him as dark shadows gathered once more, shaping into a monstrous face that threatened to emerge.
Taking a moment to gather himself, he inhaled deeply, trying to calm the rising tension. He stepped closer, hands open and visible to ease her fears. “Calvin. You can call me Calvin,” he replied softly, his voice a gentle anchor amid her storm of anxiety. Alena watched him with cautious eyes, her heart racing in her chest. Yet, there was something in his demeanor that began to soften her fear. A strange sense of calm started to wash over her, gradually dispersing the panic that had ensnared her mind. The dark shadows surrounding him receded, revealing a man who appeared vulnerable and sincere, ready to explain his presence.
"Calvin?" she asked, her voice shaking with a mix of curiosity and fear. The name floated in her mind, pulling at a memory like an old song. Yet, its meaning was just out of reach. Suddenly, it struck her, clear and bright like a bolt of lightning in the night. She looked down at her cluttered desk, where stacks of old newspapers and random objects lay in a messy heap. The edges of the papers were torn, and the headlines were faded, whispering stories long forgotten. As she sifted through the yellowing pages, dread washed over her when she spotted it—his name—among the list of those missing over the past ten years. "You're... you were one of the missing people! What are you doing here?" Alena exclaimed, her shock spreading across her face like a wave crashing into the shore.
The boy met her gaze, confusion and deep thought written all over his face. "All I know is that I should help you," he replied, his tone serious and steady. "It feels tied to what’s going on in this town."
Alena's heart raced as she urged him for more answers. "Can’t you just tell me? I mean, you went missing. There has to be something you remember," she pressed, eager to uncover the truth hidden behind his words.
Cal laughed softly, shaking his head in mild frustration. He pointed to his own face, as if he were trying to reveal something critical. "All of this," he explained, "is really just a reflection of what you've gathered over the years."
She frowned in confusion, her mind struggling to follow the weight of his statement. "What?" she asked, her thoughts racing to catch up.
"You basically created me," he declared, calm but firm. "I’m a product of your imagination, built from your darkest thoughts and fears."
The room fell silent, each breath heavy with tension as Alena tried to process his revelation. A cold dread settled in her stomach. This version of him was not real but a creation of her own mind, a physical form of all the pain and confusion she had buried deep inside, similar to her hallucinations. The truth loomed over her like a dark cloud. Facing these fears was her only way to find the answers she sought.
"So just because I can’t deal with my hallucinations and everything else going on, I thought, 'hey, let’s imagine a teenage boy that I saw from the news?'" Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her frustration evident. He looked back at her with a goofy grin, half charm and half awkwardness. "Yeah, that's basically it," he answered, joining in on her playful tone. The moment lightened slightly, and she stifled a laugh, a brief escape from the tension. Once she regained her composure, she cleared her throat, refocusing her thoughts.
"But my friend Syd saw you too. You know, that horrible version of yourself. If you’re just a figment of my imagination, how could she see it too?" Alena's voice turned sharp, her determination growing. She stood on her toes, trying to meet his height with her gaze, her eyes narrowing as they locked onto his. Tension filled the room as her questions hung in the air. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a loud knock rang out from outside the window, interrupting their moment.
"Wait here," she instructed, her voice steady. Moving to the window, she pulled back the heavy curtains. Outside, sunlight illuminated Sydney, who stood there looking both hopeful and patient. She held a few colorful gifts in her arms, their wrapping sparkled in the light. The sight of her friend made Alena's expression soften, easing the tension that had built up.
"I just wanted to check if you're alright," Syd said, her voice full of concern. "You ran out so quickly, so I brought some snacks and other things for you." Her smile was warm and inviting, offering a small sense of comfort on a day filled with chaos. Alena felt a wave of gratitude wash over her for her friend’s thoughtfulness.
With a smile of her own, Alena tried to push aside the chaos in her head. She glanced towards the room, her eyes landing on the spot where Calvin had stood just moments ago. He was gone now, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness. The atmosphere felt thick with unspoken words, and the silence crackled with the weight of questions that rushed through her mind. Those questions hung there like dark clouds, heavy and full, waiting for some kind of resolution. His absence made the room feel bigger yet more confining, as if it were closing in around her.
Just then, her friend cleared her throat. "So can I come in, or should I keep all of these snacks to myself?" Syd asked playfully. Alena nodded, granting her permission to enter. Syd stepped through the window, a cheerful presence against the gloom. She carefully took the items from her hands, setting them gently on the bed. The simple act of sharing snacks felt like a small yet significant gesture amid the moment, leaving Alena feeling a bit more grounded.
Laughter erupts in the small room, filling every corner with vibrant energy. The sound of giggles bounces off the walls as candy wrappers are tossed about carelessly. Sydney, with her mouth full of a particularly sticky piece of candy, struggles to chew. Her braces make the task even harder. She lets out a frustrated, muffled "Bleugh," as she tries to bite down. Alena, watching her friend’s amusing struggle, can't help but laugh, finding joy in the moment. Between her fits of giggles, she manages to tease her friend, saying, "I told you not to eat that." She playfully taps Syd on the arm, which earns her a glare in response, a look that combines annoyance with a hint of amusement.
Eventually, after what feels like an eternity, Syd triumphantly finishes the difficult candy. She lets out a relieved sigh as she declares, "Alright, alright. Now about all the information we've gathered from the news and such." With purpose, she rises from the comfort of the bed and walks over to the desk to retrieve Alena’s notes. In her enthusiasm, she almost stumbles over her own feet, but she quickly regains her balance without missing a beat. As she returns to the bed with the notes in hand, she notices Alena still trying to hold back laughter. With a cheeky smirk, Syd playfully warns, "You didn’t see anything." The tone of her voice keeps the atmosphere lively and fun, reflecting the deep bond of friendship they share amid the sweet chaos of candy and laughter.
“Okay! Back on topic. There's definitely a pattern here,” she said while settling back onto the bed. She picked up a stack of newspapers and began scanning through them, her eyes moving quickly over the names listed. Alena scooted beside her, softly humming in agreement while she nodded. As they continued to look through the articles, Alena suddenly paused. Something caught her eye. Her expression shifted dramatically, and her eyes widened in shock as she read the words on the page. Syd noticed her reaction and turned to her, a look of confusion spreading across her face.
“Oh my god, look at this!” Alena exclaimed, thrusting the newspaper into Syd's hands. Syd glanced down, her eyes growing wide as she processed the information. She felt a surge of panic and blurted out, “These... these have our names on them! What the hell!”
Instantly, they both sprang up from the bed. Anxiety coursed through them as they began to pace back and forth. The headlines screamed at them, stating they were missing and presumed dead. “I think I'm pretty much alive, thank you very much,” Syd muttered under her breath, feeling a mix of confusion and anger. The situation felt surreal. The reality of what they were reading began to sink in, intensifying the fear that wrapped around them like a heavy blanket.
The date on the newspaper glaringly read "October 17th, 2009," and Alena felt a wave of panic wash over her. She shook her hands frantically, her fingers fidgeting with the colorful bracelets that adorned her wrists. Beside her, her friend Sydney tugged nervously at the hems of her sweater, her face reflecting the same shock and disbelief. Neither girl could comprehend what they saw in front of them. They weren't gone, and they certainly weren't dead. At least, not yet.
Alena’s heart raced, and she felt the tightening grip of anxiety. This situation felt surreal, almost like it belonged to someone else’s nightmare. Could it really be happening? Her mind raced with questions, battling against the disturbing thoughts that flooded her head. Still, despite her denial, Sydney was looking at the same newspaper. It was undeniably real, and that realization only fueled Alena's rising panic. The throbbing in her head intensified, and shadows crept into her vision, blurring the edges of reality.
“Cal, help us please,” Alena whispered through quiet sobs, her voice barely audible. Syd instinctively moved closer to comfort her friend, desperate to provide reassurance in this confusing moment. But their small sense of safety was abruptly shattered by the harsh sound of loud sirens outside, cutting through the tension in the room. The urgent knocking on the front door echoed in their ears, amplifying their fears.
Both girls exchanged bewildered looks, their expressions filled with concern and uncertainty. They had no idea who or what awaited them on the other side of that door.
Cautiously, Alena and her friend take careful steps out of the dimly lit bedroom. Their movement is deliberate as they make their way into the living room, a space that feels vast and empty. Both girls scan the room for any sign of Alena's mother. The silence is thick, amplifying their anxiety. Quick, subtle glances pass between them, each filled with a shared worry that speaks volumes without a single word being uttered. Alena's heart races wildly in her chest, each beat echoing her growing apprehension. She inches toward the front door, her hand shaking slightly as it approaches the doorknob. A deep sense of unease washes over her like a cold wave.
With a deep breath, she reaches for the doorknob, and in that moment, a sudden chill prickles at her skin. She flings the door open, bracing herself for whatever lies beyond. To her shock, she is met with a stern-faced older woman standing before her. Behind this woman are two police officers, their expressions grave and serious. Alena feels a wave of recognition crash over her. "Dr. Eliza? What's going on?" she asks, her voice shaking with a mix of fear and confusion, filling the air with a heavy panic that wraps around both girls.
Dr. Eliza, Alena's therapist, speaks with a stern, unwavering tone as she delivers her unsettling message. "I'm here to take you away, Alena." The seriousness of her words hits like a heavy weight, causing Syd, who stands close by, to gasp in shock. Alena notices tears welling up in Syd’s eyes, a clear sign of the fear and distress they both feel in this moment. "Wh-What??" Syd stammers, instinctively stepping in front of Alena. She takes on a protective stance, unwilling to let her friend face this threat alone.
Inside Alena, confusion and anger swirl fiercely, competing for control of her emotions. "Why? What did I do?" she demands, her voice rising with intensity. This moment feels surreal, leaving her struggling to understand why her therapist would take such severe action against her. To Alena, her problems have always been the hallucinations; nothing worse, nothing she believes is unacceptable. A wave of indignation rushes over her as she feels deeply wronged. The tension in the air thickens, and fear coils tightly in her stomach, forcing her to confront the uncertainty of her current predicament.
"That's not for you to question, young lady," Eliza snaps. Her grip tightens on Alena's arm as she begins to pull her toward the exit. Alena fights back, struggling fiercely to break free from the woman's hold. Syd shouts out in a panic, rushing to assist her friend, but the officers outside block her way.
"Where's my mom? Where are you taking me?" Alena screams, her voice laced with rising fear. In a burst of defiance, she bites down hard on the woman’s hand. A sharp metallic taste fills her mouth, spurring an adrenaline rush within her. Her therapist lets out a frustrated groan, quickly reaching for a syringe in her pocket. With a swift, calculated movement, she injects the girl in the arm, a maneuver intended to calm the situation and sedate Alena.
Gradually, the medication begins to take effect. Alena's struggles weaken, and she senses the edges of her consciousness slipping away. The world around her blurs into a haze. The woman moves closer, ready to catch Alena’s almost limp body. Strange sounds invade her perception, creating disorientation. A distant siren wails, but one sound cuts through the chaos—“Alena!!” It’s Sydney’s voice, filled with desperation and sorrow.
In that fleeting moment before Alena loses consciousness completely, she catches snippets of Eliza speaking to someone nearby. “Go take care of the other. I got her,” she says. Those words echo in Alena's mind as darkness envelopes her, pulling her into an uncertain abyss.
『..✎..』
