"I must be crazy. Why the heck was I thinking like that?"
Alex panicked.
"What does this even mean? I'm so done."
He stared into the darkness ahead of him.
"What do I do?"
"What do I do?"
Finally, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number he knew by heart.
The call connected.
"Hello, my boy. How are you?" a sweet voice answered.
"Mom... I'm not doing so well."
"What happened, dear?" The concern in her voice was obvious.
"Today it felt like my whole body was against me."
"Are you sick? Do you have a fever or something?"
"No, Mom. It's like... something doesn't feel right."
"My boy..."
"Mm."
"I don't know what you're really trying to say. But if we don't face a problem, how can we overcome it?"
"That's true. But what if the problem isn't my body? What if it's an actual person... or a thing?"
"Then face that person. Unless it's a death threat."
"Mom, do you think death threats should be avoided?"
"Why? Do you have one?"
"I don't. But the problem is huge. I don't even know how to define it."
"Then figure out how to define it. If you can understand the problem, it's already half solved. You're the one who always says that."
Alex paused.
"Thanks, Mom. That actually makes sense."
"You should call more often, boy."
"I text you every day."
"Good night."
"Good night, Mom."
The call ended.
And somehow, so did part of his panic.
"Okay. Then let's define the problem."
As Alex left the room, Ken grew worried.
"Why did he run off like that?"
Ken tried to study, but he couldn't focus.
"That's it."
He grabbed his jacket and left the room, heading toward the park.
"He has to be there. If he isn't, I have no idea where he went."
Ken walked quickly but didn't rush. He knew Alex would throw a tantrum if he found out he had been followed.
When he reached the park, he spotted Alex sitting alone on a bench.
Ken sighed in relief and slowly walked toward him.
"Okay. Then let's define the problem," Alex said to himself.
"What problem?"
Alex immediately turned toward the voice.
It was Ken.
"I told you not to follow me."
"I was worried," Ken replied. "Can we go back now?"
Alex sighed.
"Yeah."
The two started walking back toward the dorm.
"Why did you run off like that?" Ken asked.
"Because I wanted to." Alex rolled his eyes.
"Oh, I didn't know you ran purely by your own will. I thought someone was controlling you," Ken teased.
"Oh man, I clearly told you not to follow me, but you came anyway."
"It's not like you were going to meet some secret organization. You looked completely panicked. Your whole body was giving it away."
"You should've studied psychology instead. Pst..." Alex groaned.
Ken just laughed.
As soon as they reached the dorm entrance, they noticed someone standing nearby with a large suitcase.
"I think the last admission process is almost over," Ken said.
Alex nodded.
"Let's see. It's on our way anyway."
The two walked closer.
As they stepped into the light near the entrance, the person's face became visible.
Alex froze.
Ken froze.
"NOEL."
Ken slowly turned toward Alex.
To Be Continued...