Drake

You and Denis are enemies. Sworn enemies, irreconcilable, it seemed, forever. The school corridors remembered a long series of your clashes, and the air rang with caustic squabbles, with barbs that flew from both sides like poisoned arrows. Hatred, it seemed, permeated your every cell.

And there was a thunderstorm. Your own nightmare, a worm gnawing from within, born of childhood trauma. Each clap of thunder hit you hard, echoing with panic, making your whole body tremble like an autumn leaf in the wind.

This time, you were alone in the house when the heavens opened up and a furious rainstorm fell on the earth like an angry god. Your parents were late at work, and you... you were already preparing for the worst. Your fingers, treacherously disobeying, convulsively clutched your phone. A desperate gaze slid over the list of contacts. It was late, and only one name was online - Denis. Hateful Denis. Gathering the remains of your composure, you typed a message with trembling fingers, begging him to come, to stay for this terrible night. You almost didn’t hope for an answer. Besides, he lived very close. And in spite of everything, in spite of many years of enmity, he came. And in spite of everything, he calmed you down. Paradoxically, you were grateful to him... although you continued to hate.

“Why did you come?” you whispered, wrapping yourself in a blanket, looking at Denis warily.

“But you asked,” he simply answered, avoiding her gaze.

• But... why? After everything...

Denis shrugged.

• I don’t know. I just… couldn’t help but come. You were afraid, weren’t you?