Karan's POV:

[EARLIER, SAME DAY]

"So, what do you guys have to say?" Suresh leaned forward, his chin resting thoughtfully on intertwined fingers.

"We need your help." I stated firmly.

Suresh sir leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixated on the two students standing in front of his desk. The air in the room felt heavy with skepticism as he folded his arms.

"You guys come in here, battered and bruised, claiming there's some mystery at the heart of the school. Do I look like a detective to you?" Suresh remarked, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.

I and Jay exchanged uneasy glances but stood their ground. "Sir, we wouldn't come to you if we didn't think it was serious. There's something going on, something beyond just bullying," I explained.

Suresh sighed, his skepticism unwavering. "Look, kids, I've been a teacher for a long time. I've seen my fair share of teenage drama and overactive imaginations. You're probably just caught up in something that feels bigger than it is."

"But, sir, we found evidence—"

"Evidence?" Suresh interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of evidence are we talking about here?"

I hesitated for a moment before recounting their discoveries—the ominous books, the jar with cryptic symbols, and the strange disappearances that seemed to align with significant events in the school's history.

Suresh listened, his expression growing more serious. "You kids really believe this is some sort of conspiracy or a mystery novel unfolding in our school?"

"We wouldn't be here if we weren't genuinely concerned," Jay added.

Suresh leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. "Alright, let's say, for the sake of argument, that there's something fishy going on. What do you expect me to do about it?"

"Help us investigate," I implored. "We don't know who else to turn to, and we can't just let this slide."

Suresh sighed again, the weight of the situation sinking in. "I can't promise much, but if things escalate or if you find anything concrete, come back to me. I'll see what I can do. But, let me be clear, this better not interfere with your studies or create unnecessary drama."

"We understand, sir. Thank you," Jay said, expressing gratitude despite the skepticism that still lingered in Suresh's eyes.

As I and Jay left the room, uncertainty clouded their minds. Suresh sir had agreed to keep an eye out, but the journey ahead was still shrouded in mystery and potential danger.

Third Person POV:

The day had taken a toll on Jay. As he walked home, the weight of the mysterious investigations, the confrontation with Rahul, and the physical toll of the fight manifested in a dull ache throughout his body. Unbeknownst to him, the internal injuries were more severe than he had initially realized.

A sudden wave of dizziness washed over him, and the surroundings seemed to blur. Jay staggered, trying to maintain his balance, but his vision darkened at the edges. The world spun, and he felt his strength draining away.

Concern etched across his face, Jay stumbled and then collapsed onto the pavement, his backpack scattering its contents. Passersby glanced at the fallen figure, but the bustling city street continued its rhythm, indifferent to the personal struggles that unfolded on its surface.

A concerned pedestrian rushed to Jay's side, crouching down to assess the situation. "Hey, are you okay? Do you need help?" they asked.

Jay, still disoriented, mumbled a faint response, barely audible. He quickly dialed emergency services as Jay's consciousness teetered on the edge of darkness.

Soon, the distant wails of an ambulance grew louder, piercing through the urban cacophony. Paramedics swiftly took over, securing Jay onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. Sirens blared as the vehicle sped towards the hospital, weaving through traffic with urgency.

In the hospital, Jay was wheeled into the emergency room, a realm of antiseptic smells and bright fluorescent lights. The medical team worked efficiently, conducting tests and scans to diagnose the cause of his sudden collapse.

The diagnosis revealed the extent of Jay's injuries—a concussion, internal bruising, and signs of exhaustion that had reached a critical point. As he lay in the sterile hospital bed, unconscious and vulnerable, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on those who cared about him.

The hospital hallway exuded the same clinical sterility as the rest of the building. The floor, a cold slate gray, clashed with the dove-colored walls. Overhead, the ceiling comprised polystyrene squares set within a grid-like frame. The harsh, bright light, in stark contrast to the darkening gloom outside, felt abrasive to Karan's eyes, potentially triggering one of his debilitating migraines.

Commercial prints adorned the walls, displaying a tasteful but dull aesthetic. This place, Karan observed, was not governed by risk-takers. There was a peculiar comfort in that realization. Above each door hung a large plastic sign with dark, white-lettered, bold, all-caps fonts. The cleanliness and newness of everything suggested that the entire building might have just been teleported from a place where dirt was outlawed.

Meeting his friend Arav in this hospital was the last thing Karan wanted, and the timing couldn't have been worse. Arav stood beside him, seemingly dumbfounded.

Upon hearing the news, he had silently tagged along, wisely avoiding any potential argument with Karan, who was in no state for another confrontation.

"Room number?" Karan asked urgently, panic tightening his body as a myriad of possibilities screamed through his mind.

Breathe, Karan. In. Out. In. He'll be okay.

The air hung heavy with worry as Karan hastily navigated the sterile, white corridors of the hospital, desperately seeking reassurance about Jay's well-being.

He raced through the stairs, occasionally colliding with people and tripping. The unsettling smell of medicines and liquids churned his stomach.

Room 412.

He stood at the door, pain vividly splashing its art through his being. He squinted his eyes closed, allowing the raging storms of emotion to take over. A hand rested on his shoulders, pulling him close. The warmth finally registered, though the person's identity remained elusive in Karan's disoriented state.

"I am here," the familiar voice reassured, but Karan was too lost to recognize it.

The doctor emerged from the operation room, and Karan anxiously inquired about Jay. After a thoughtful pause, the doctor pursed his lips and delivered the news.

"He said that he didn't want to see anyone."

The words crashed upon his existence, fueling the raging fire burning within him. He nodded in silent approval, his eyes turning red.

"He may have wanted some rest; let's wait for some time," Arav suggested.

Words choked in Karan's throat, as if he had swallowed white-hot coal, robbing him of his voice. Guilt befriended him again, chaining him in its hold.

He walked toward where Jay's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joshi, were seated.

The air in the hospital waiting room was thick with worry, and the sterile white walls seemed to close in on him as he approached them.

Meenakshi, Jay's mom, was in tears, and Karan found it challenging to hold back his own emotions. Gopal, his dad, tried his best to calm her down and invited Karan and Arav to sit with them.

They settled into steel chairs against cream-white walls, facing a large blue board that touted the uniqueness of Shanti Hospital.

Hours drifted by in a fog of uncertainty, with no news from Jayant's room. The large hallways echoed with a deafening silence. Occasionally, nurses entered and exited other rooms, but there was no sign of life from his room.

Summoning courage, Arav finally asked Jay's parents, "What really happened?"

❛disconsolate linger—grief that hangs his head,
repenting follies that full long have fled.❜
— Edgar Allan Poe

A/N:

me: and they're finally gonna reuni-

reader: torturing Jay for it wasn't the way to go

me: i mean-

reader: and there you prove it, always wanting to torture your characters

me: n-no ;-;

This sounds like a recipe for a lot of emotional baggage and some serious drama. But hey, every good story needs a little conflict to keep things interesting!

Feel free to comment your thoughts and opinions!