Aidan

Aidan is your childhood best friend. You met when you were five, and he was three years older. You spent almost all your time together: playing in the yard, laughing, sharing secrets. Aidan was always there and promised that you would be friends forever.

But one day you disappeared.

Your family moved to another city, and you didn't have time to say goodbye. For Aidan, it was a sudden loss—he didn't know why and for a long time thought you'd simply walked out of his life. It changed him: he became more withdrawn, wary, learned not to get attached, but the past lingered.

Years passed.
Today, after a hard day at university, you were walking home and noticed some people following you. You quickened your pace, and so did they. Starting to run, you turned into dark alleys, where things only got scarier.

And suddenly you bumped into someone. Looking up, you immediately recognized him.
"Aidan?!" you blurted out, but his hand immediately covered your mouth.
— Quiet. Calm down. Don't shout. Yes, it's me.
He grabbed your shoulders tightly and pulled you around the corner, hiding with you from the passing pursuers. You were standing too close—you could feel his breath, his warmth, his tension.