The beautiful evening was coming to an end, and the fire from earlier had died down—the entire group had been having fun, dancing, laughing, and celebrating. The loud music filled the house, reaching everyone's ears except for Terry, who had quietly settled in Alexander's comfortable bed and was sleeping deeply, cuddled up with his favorite stuffed bear.

Konstantin and Antoan, both extremely drunk, were the jokers of the evening, and they certainly weren't ashamed to show it, especially under the influence of alcohol. At that moment, the two seemed to be competing to see who could say something more ridiculous to keep the wild party's spirits high.

"Hey, bro," Konstantin slurred, patting Antoan on the shoulder harder than usual. "Did you know that scientists discovered a new planet where gravity is so weak that people can fly?"

Antoan, already feeling the effects of the whiskey more strongly, burst out laughing and replied:

"Wow, really? Bro, we gotta go there right away! Where's that planet?"

The whole group erupted in contagious laughter as Konstantin smiled slyly.

"Where? Right here, bro! Just stretch out your arms, and you'll fly!"

True to his friend, Antoan stretched out his strong arms and began to lean forward as if reaching for the imaginary planet. Robert, sensing where this innocent joke was heading, quickly stood up from the cold floor, ready to catch Antoan in case he hurt himself. His reaction was a little late, as the drunken dark-haired man crashed onto the snow-white couch with full force.

"Well, you flew... like a brick!"

"Toni the brick!" Penelopi laughed brightly, her laughter ringing like music to Alexander's ears.

At that moment, the blonde was nestled in Alexander's warm embrace—his muscular arms wrapped around her shoulders in a tender, sensual hug. In one of his hands rested a nearly empty cold beer can. The two kinds of alcohol mixing in the young man's blood gave him the boldness to close the distance between himself and Penelopi, openly showing his growing affection. His hot breath brushed against the skin of her neck, sending shivers down her spine and making her desire him even more—the sparks were flying closer to the gasoline.

"Hey, did you hurt yourself?" Robert was trying to lift the now-sleeping Antoan from the white couch, clearly worried about a more serious injury, but everything was fine. The dark-haired man was softly snoring, lost in a drunken sleep. Alexander released the gorgeous blonde from his embrace to help Robert and Michael carry Antoan to his room so he could rest peacefully. Meanwhile, Konstantin was laughing loudly from the other side of the living room, still sipping large gulps of cold vodka—the alcohol was dancing with his blood, seemingly making him wild with delight.

"Well, Peni, you see how it is with us," the dark-haired boy laughed loudly, feeling the glass slipping from his long fingers. "Just nonsense, laughter, and... more nonsense."

At that moment, Penelopi's phone rang, filling the living room—the name Kevin flashed on the slightly cracked screen, and a smile played across her beautiful face. Her hands grabbed the phone, answering the call.

"Hey, are you guys ready?" her voice teased the senses of the boy aggressively driving through the deserted dark streets.

Lorenzo's laughter reached Penelopi, along with Crystal's, who was comfortably seated on Antonio's lap. Her hips, barely covered by a short pink dress, insistently rubbed against the man's hardened member. The strong smell of marijuana and expensive alcohol enveloped the car like an impenetrable fog. Despite the toxic cloud, Kevin spoke confidently:

"Yeah. I'll be there in ten minutes—be ready, and don't be late."

"Of course, you know I'm always on time."

When their conversation ended, Penelopi stood up. It felt like the ground beneath her feet started to spin, but she managed to stay upright. Her eyes focused on the drunk Konstantin, who had comfortably slumped on the couch, resting his head on Michael, who was casually scrolling through social media.

"Is there anyone to take you home?" Penelopi asked, noticing the overwhelming exhaustion creeping over the drunken dark-haired boy. He thought for a moment about how to respond to the curious blonde but simply mumbled:

"No," his voice hoarse.

"We'll give you a ride, don't worry. My friends won't mind—they're good guys, so you'll get along."

At that moment, Alexander and Robert re-entered the living room, their spirits lifted by the great evening and wild party. Alexander's sea-blue eyes immediately scanned the room, looking for her—a smile played on his charming face when Penelopi came into view, effortlessly beautiful and graceful. Noticing the small leather purse slung over her shoulder, a hint of sadness darkened his blue eyes.

"Hey, where are you heading off to?" Alexander asked quietly, pulling Penelopi closer to him. Feeling her body pressed against his, their contact so easy and natural, and smelling her scent fill his senses, his heart pounded twice as fast. She smiled widely and replied:

"I have to go. It's too late, and I have work early tomorrow." Her innocent smile was tinged with a touch of sadness and reluctance. Alexander nodded in approval and said:

"Are you sure you've got everything?"

"Yes. Everything's with me, and—"

"Do you want me to pack up the leftovers from dinner for you, so you don't have to worry about what to eat tomorrow?" Alex interrupted, concerned for her. Her cheeks blushed with a fiery red as she shyly replied:

"Okay." Having received her consent, the young man headed to the kitchen to pack up the remains of her meal—he had noticed her satisfaction while eating, and she hadn't stopped complimenting him all evening. The food had been exceptionally delicious, but everything tasted better when made with care, passion, and love.

Upon learning about the new opportunity or rather the ladder to new success, Penelopi had sincerely rejoiced and wasn't ashamed to show it, even in front of Courtney, who had been eyeing her critically and distrustfully all evening. Somehow, that was her approach to every new person, or at least that's what everyone thought.

"I'm leaving," Penelopi glanced around at the boys lounging comfortably in the living room. "It was great spending time with you, you're a wonderful company."

"It was great for us too," Robert smiled warmly, taking a sip of raspberry lemonade. "We'll see you again."

Michael returned her smile with a gentle, friendly one. Penelopi laughed softly and slowly walked toward the front door—her soul craved one or two cigarettes before her friends picked her up from Alexander's house. The nicotine craving had become a part of her.

Placing a thick Marlboro cigarette between her full lips, her eyes scanned the surroundings—the streets were empty, shrouded in impenetrable darkness and mystery. The crowd that had filled the city earlier—the children's laughter in the neighborhoods, the high-end restaurants echoing with good music, the museums, and the malls—all that life had now sunk into the shadows of the dark night.

This was what Penelope loved the most—for her, the night was day. The mystery, the darkness, and the silence brought her peace.
In the shadows of the night, everyone was invisible...

"Hey, where have you been hiding?" Alexander's soft voice reached her ears, making her turn around. The slender figure of the boy was approaching her with each passing second. In his hands, he held a large pink lunch box, neatly packed in a plastic bag. A beautiful, carefree smile returned to Penelope's face.

"Thank you," the girl murmured gently, gazing into his charming sea-blue eyes. She hadn't been able to take her eyes off them all evening, but something felt different now...

Alexander closed the distance between them—his breath, tinged with vodka, brushed against her face. This movement seemed to make her legs weak. Despite that feeling, her eyes remained fixed on him—she analyzed his gaze, his body language, everything about him, as if she were conducting some kind of research. The blond boy wrapped his muscular arm around her waist, pulling her even closer—they were now just a millimeter apart. The match had already been struck, and the fire was about to ignite—only seconds separated them from the truth. The truth that was so long awaited and desired...

"I had a wonderful time with you. I'm so glad you were here and that you managed to come."

It was as if a bolt of electricity struck her body upon hearing those words. Her irises were now directed elsewhere—toward his full lips. Their breaths mingled, just like their heartbeats, and the thirst for a kiss seemed to tear her apart from within in that damned moment.

"So did I," her delicate hands found their way onto his chest, which rose and fell calmly. Feeling her touch, his breathing instantly quickened. "Thank you for inviting me. It was a pleasure for me."

Alexander's heart pounded aggressively in his chest, like a basketball. His blood seemed to boil with thirst and euphoria, but he tried to appear calm. Somehow, deep inside, they both felt that the moment would come soon.

The blond Alexander leaned in slightly, pressing his warm lips to hers—for a moment, the hands of the clock stopped turning, and the world seemed to quiet before the scene of their kiss. Their tongues fought for dominance and power, and neither of them stopped touching gently. Somehow, they had both been waiting for this moment, as if it were a matter of life and death.

"Oh God, how long have I wanted this?" Penelope murmured, not breaking away from his lips. Her words were muffled by the sounds of their passionate kiss, but he heard them clearly. His soul found itself in the warm embrace of satisfaction and joy. His muscular arms wrapped around her slim waist, closing the distance between them even more. With every centimeter, every millimeter, their feelings and euphoria intensified more and more.

The two of them were so absorbed in their kiss that neither of them heard the powerful sound of horns from Kevin's BMW—his hand was firmly pressing the weak point of the steering wheel, but he couldn't attract their attention. Clearly annoyed, Kevin banged on the steering wheel one last time and stepped outside, facing the chilling breath of the night.

"PENELOPE!" his hoarse voice, filled with strength, echoed down the empty street. The kissing couple quickly turned their heads back—Kevin was leaning against the black car confidently, his face gleaming with irritation.

"Let's go, I told you we shouldn't linger!"

The blond Penelopi laughed brightly—her laughter was like music from a violin to Alexander's ears. The gloss was smeared on his full lips, softening them and reminding him of the wonderful moment between them. He couldn't remember the last time he felt something like this—the euphoria had taken hold of him, as if he were shining in his sea-colored eyes. This definitely didn't go unnoticed by Kevin, who smirked slightly.

"We'll pick up Konstantin," Penelope said shyly, redirecting her attention to Alexander. "Don't worry about it. I had a great time."

"When will I see you again?" the blond asked, cradling her face in his warm hands. Her lips stretched into a wide smile, and her voice reached him:

"Whenever you want." The girl stood on her toes and placed a brief butterfly kiss on his lips. The wind hit them, filling their bodies with a slight chill, but at that moment, their hearts were warmed by the euphoria and desire for each other.

"I'm ready," Konstantin's high voice reached everyone, echoing through the entire street. Penelopi and Alexander couldn't hold back their laughter— the black-haired boy walked confidently, but slightly staggered due to the effects of the delicious alcohol. Stammering slightly, he spoke again:

"Actually... now that I think about it... I think I can go home." The black-haired boy struggled to get the words out. "I live over there. There's not much to—"

"He lives in Aurora," Alexander burst into contagious laughter, enjoying Konstantin, who always knew how to lighten the mood, even under the influence of alcohol. Penelopi also laughed and said:

"Alright, if you live over there, we'll take you!" She hugged him to give him some support and slowly headed toward Kevin's car. A warm smile appeared on his face, and his irritation seemed to evaporate. Behind that smile, something hidden seemed to be invisible or indescribable.

"Alex, I'll call you tomorrow!" Penelope shouted as she settled comfortably in the back seat. Konstantin lazily relaxed in the passenger seat, extending his hand to greet Kevin, who was quietly smirking. He was exceptionally sociable and never missed an opportunity to make new contacts or at least have fun with them.

"How's it going, dude? Where should I drive?"

Alexander stood alone, gazing into the night as Kevin's powerful black BMW drove away, swallowed by the endless line of the horizon. Its headlights sliced through the darkness like two sharp beams piercing the deserted streets of Denver, and the sound of the engine, deep and resonant, echoed in the silence like a perfect symphony. The screech of the new tires cutting through the asphalt reminded him of a melody, awakening a deep sense of joy in the one holding the wheel.

In the back seat, seemingly distant and unattainable, stood the girl who made him feel excited in a way that no one else could. She wasn't in his arms, she wasn't laughing with that gentle, ringing laugh that warmed him inside. She wasn't touching him; only her presence behind the glass, separated from him, carried a strange mix of bittersweet pain and silent resignation.

The wind played tag with Alexander—his muscles began to stiffen from the uninvited cold. The blond boy thoughtfully walked towards home, smiling from ear to ear and thrilled by the turn of events. His fingers trembled slightly from euphoria, and it seemed they were itching for her, for her skin. Her touch had left some bright trace in his mind, like a small firefly flying freely through the gentle grass.

He felt awful for letting her go.

Entering the house, he saw Michael and Terry, who was comfortably lying at Robert's feet, begging for kisses and scratches. He, in turn, satisfied the little animal's whims, but vaguely—his beautiful eyes were fixed on the phone screen, troubled and pensive. Visible anxiety was written on his face, and his lips trembled slightly.

"I had an amazing time, guys," Michael said cheerfully, taking a big bite of his remaining burger, garnished with mozzarella sticks. "Alex, I don't know when you became this good, but everything was incredibly tasty. Especially the mozzarella sticks."

"Thank you, my friend," a wide smile spread across his face again. "Rob, are you satisfied?"

Robert didn't even hear his best friend's words. His face, usually brightened by a smile, was now frozen in a gloomy expression, as if panic was slowly swallowing him. His beautiful eyes, once full of sparkle, were now sinking under the weight of the growing sadness with each passing second. Alexander felt the tension wrapping around Robert, like an invisible web gradually tightening its grip on his mind and heart.

Robert's gaze was fixed on the screen of his mobile phone. His fingers anxiously scrolled up and down as he repeatedly tried to reach Elizabeth. Each failed attempt plunged him deeper into a spiral of anxiety. The thought that she was home alone, trapped in her fragile health, wrapped around him like a rope tightening around his throat, causing him to gasp. Each missed call only fueled his fears as dark thoughts piled up like heavy clouds ready to obscure the last traces of calm. Robert could no longer hide his anxiety—it was written all over his face, as if every particle of him screamed in a silent plea for reassurance.

"Rob, are you okay?" Alexander approached him, pulling him into a warm embrace. The boy sighed heavily and said, "Elizabeth isn't picking up. I've called her fifteen times."

"Buddy, it's already three in the morning. Leave her alone; the girl might be sleeping." Michael spoke hesitantly, trying to calm the troubled Robert, but his words couldn't cool the fire of panic raging in his chest.

"No, guys, I'm not imagining things." Robert replied nervously. "Elizabeth always answers her phone, even if it's three, four, or five in the morning. Something's not right!"

"Rob, calm down. She's probably just sleeping. You said she hasn't been feeling well for a while."

"Exactly! That's the problem—that her health is deteriorating, and I'm in the dark about whether she's okay right now. I'm scared." Robert raked his hair with his fingers.

"Do you want us to go over?" Alexander said, rubbing his back—he could feel his body starting to tremble slightly from tension. "You'll see, everything will be alright. Just calm down and breathe."

"Let's go; I can't sit here anymore!" Robert stood carefully so he wouldn't hurt Terry, who was looking at him with fear. Deep inside his little soul, he sensed the fear in the boy's heart and the approaching danger. His heart began to pound harder, filling with sadness when he noticed the three boys heading for the front door, while he lay quietly on the floor. The tension that Robert felt in his chest was contagious—Michael and Alexander were struck by a hint of anxiety that they couldn't hide.

"Good thing I didn't drink," the boy sighed bitterly, and his voice sank into the rhythm of the roaring engine, as if the night swallowed every word. "I hope she's alright... I hope she's just sleeping, that she's just tired..."

Michael, sitting next to him, focused intently on the road, as well as the tense movements of his friend behind the wheel. He felt the weight of worry hanging over them like a dark cloud. He knew that the boy's thoughts were far from the road, wrapped in anxiety for Elizabeth.

"Breathe. Calm down." Michael spoke softly but confidently, trying to bring at least a drop of reassurance into the tense atmosphere. He understood that any moment of distraction could be dangerous and tried to bring the boy's focus back to driving to avoid possible trouble.

The trip to Robert and Elizabeth's home was filled with silence—the tension seemed to slice through the air like a knife. Music played in the car, but it seemed Robert paid no attention to it—unconsciously, his foot began to weigh down on the gas pedal, the turns became sharper, and the distance closed in, unlike the panic looming over his consciousness. Fatigue enveloped his body, which was stiff from tension.

"Rob, whatever happens, we're here, and we'll help. Just breathe." Alexander said, placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder—noticing how he was biting his lips until they bled, the blond boy knew that the boy was on the edge of his patience. They were very close to the house, yet it felt like time was slowing down, pulling them back down the gloomy streets.

Finally, the group arrived in front of the house—Robert didn't even bother to park; he turned off the engine and left it at the entrance, aggressively pulling the handbrake. The three boys got out of the beautiful Peugeot and walked toward the entrance while Robert frantically searched for his keys to unlock the door. His fingers felt frozen from anxiety.

From inside, "Dangerous" by Limie could be heard—one of Elizabeth's favorite songs. This fact further intensified the young boy's worries.

"See, do you hear that?" Michael spoke more calmly. "She's listening to music; maybe she's drawing."

"If she were drawing, she would pick up the phone!" Robert snapped irritably, and at that moment, he managed to unlock the door. Opening it, the aroma of home and coziness hit him, but unnoticed—his muscles stiffened with each passing second.

"Lisa!" Robert shouted with a worried voice that pierced the silence in the house. His voice echoed through the hallways as he dashed up the stairs with a pounding heart. He prayed to find her curled up in bed, wrapped in warmth, asleep and far from the torturous pain that had plagued her in recent days. But the reality awaiting him was far darker.

The door to her room was ajar, and when he entered, he was met with a disquieting silence. The bed was meticulously made, as if it had never been touched, and the air in the room carried a faint scent of cranberry tea coming from a nearly empty cup by the bed. There, next to a small red speaker, stood an open sketchbook filled with exquisite drawings and two sets of richly colored pencils arranged with care. Although soft music played, the emptiness in the room only emphasized the anxiety of the situation. A half-eaten packet of chocolate chip cookies lay nearby, a testament to Elizabeth's last moments before everything turned for the worse.

Alexander, following Robert, stopped in front of the bathroom door, which was slightly ajar. The light inside was too bright and harsh for the dim corridor, and the sound of running water from the sink was clearly audible. With a trembling heart, he reached for the doorknob and opened the door with rising horror, still unaware of the painful sight awaiting him.

On the floor of the small, neatly arranged bathroom lay Elizabeth, lifeless and helpless, curled up in an unnatural position. Her face was drawn and pale as porcelain, and her forehead was covered with beads of sweat, a sign of the high fever that had taken down her body. There were traces of vomiting nearby, and on the edge of the sink were marks from her attempts to hold on while the pain in her kidneys drained her strength. Her body lay limp in unconsciousness, as if it had surrendered to the torturous suffering that it could no longer endure.

Alexander stood paralyzed for a moment.

The sight pierced him with sudden horror, as if time had snapped and returned him to a painful moment that had never completely faded from his memory. Everything felt eerily familiar—the scene before him seemed to intertwine with a distant memory buried deep in his heart but never fully forgotten. A few years ago, a small boy had found his own mother in the bathroom, motionless and cold, stripped of the life that had once filled their home with love and warmth. Stricken by a treacherous illness that had stolen her life and happiness.

Back then, the little child stood in the doorway, helpless and filled with dread, unable to comprehend the cruelty of fate.

Now, looking at Elizabeth's lifeless body, Alexander felt the same way—trapped in a web of memories and fears that he couldn't control. The pain from that distant day resurfaced with full force, overwhelming his senses and forcing him to struggle with his own terror. He realized he had never forgotten that scene; he had only buried it deep inside himself, and now it was surfacing to haunt him once again.

"LISA!" Alexander's scream tore through the silence in the house, filling it with horrific anxiety. Robert and Michael rushed in after him, driven by the fear that had seeped into every particle of air. Alexander was already by Elizabeth's side, kneeling on the cold tiles in the bathroom. As he leaned over her, trying to wake her up, her body felt lifeless to him, and her skin burned under his fingers—high fever and the pain eating away at her from the inside had drained her last strength.

He shouted her name, shaking her frantically, but Elizabeth didn't move. His throat constricted, and a wave of panic rose in his chest, threatening to drown him. His heart raced wildly, his hands trembled as he continued to call her name, but no response came. He felt powerless, and the helplessness gnawed at him.

Robert burst into the bathroom seconds later. His face paled when he saw his sister curled up on the floor, motionless. In his panic, he threw himself towards her, his hands frantically searching for her pulse, and his eyes filled with fear. She didn't react. Her face was pale, her body burning with fever, and her breathing was barely audible. Robert had lost his composure, overwhelmed by the panic flooding him as he realized that this was not just a health crisis—something more serious had broken his sister.

Michael stood behind them, gently shaking her, as if hoping to bring her back to life with just a touch. His voice was quiet and tense as he began calling her name, but his attempts were in vain. He and Alexander exchanged a glance for a moment—a look filled with fear and helplessness. Nothing they did seemed to help.

Alexander felt his hands tremble again as he reached for his phone. Panic suffocated him, but he managed to dial 911. His voice was uneven as he began to speak:

"Please send an ambulance!"—his voice was filled with horror and panic. "My friend... she's in trouble! She... she can't wake up!"

"Calm down. How old is she?" the operator spoke evenly, trying to soothe the boy's anxiety.

"She's nineteen!" he shouted, desperately trying to remember the details but losing the thread of his thoughts. "She's pale and not breathing properly... oh my god, please hurry!"

"Help is on the way. We will stay on the line until the ambulance arrives."

He could barely hear her, the words blending into the chaos surrounding him. He was in a whirlwind of emotions, holding onto hope and fear at the same time, and he didn't want to let go of Elizabeth.
Robert grabbed his little sister and hugged her tight, as if that gesture could keep her close to him. Michael, still shaken by the shock, did everything he could to maintain his composure, but panic was clearly written on his face. Three friends gathered in this horrifying moment watched as time stood still, and the hope for her recovery seemed to drift further away with each passing second.

Terror loomed over them like a black veil—the positive emotions from the past few hours seemed to have vanished. But what would happen today or tomorrow... no one knew.

Now everything was silence and unwanted patience...