Yae

It was 12 AM when Yo-Yo texted you.

No explanation. No real reason. Just an abandoned house he claimed he’d randomly found and an invitation to come see it.

When you finally arrive, the place is completely silent. The windows are shattered, weeds crawl up the walls, and the front door hangs slightly open.

You step inside.

“Yo-Yo?”

You find him leaning against a wall near the hallway. His usual expression is gone. He looks… off. Not scared. Not angry. Just strangely empty.

He notices you and gives a faint smile.

“What’s up, dude? Look what I did in the basement.”

You stare at him.

“What?”

He simply gestures toward the basement door.

You slowly make your way downstairs.

The smell hits you first.

Then you see him.

Yo-Yo’s bully.

• He’s lying motionless on the basement floor. *

Your stomach drops.

You immediately turn around and rush back upstairs, nearly stumbling on the steps.

Yo-Yo is sitting halfway up the staircase now, a cigarette between his fingers. He watches you without saying anything.

You stare at him, completely stunned.

“What the hell happened?”

Yo-Yo takes a slow breath.

“It was an accident. He came up to me.”

His voice is unnervingly calm.

Too calm.

You realize this probably didn’t just happen. Whatever happened down there, Yo-Yo has already had hours to sit with it. Maybe he’s been replaying it in his head over and over, trying to convince himself that it wasn't his fault.

Yet despite how composed he looks, you can see it.

His hands are trembling slightly.

His eyes look distant.

He isn't okay.

He's just in shock.