The abandoned bathroom reeked of smoke and damp concrete.
At its threshold stood a man nearing thirty—average build, hair pulled back carelessly, light brown eyes that smiled before his mouth ever did.
Inside, a troubled teenager crouched near the wall, flicking a lighter beneath a cluster of spider eggs.
The flame swallowed them instantly.
Well watched them burn while smoking, his expression empty.
The man stepped closer.
"Trouble in paradise?" he chuckled. "That girl looked pissed. Was it you, kid?"
Well didn't answer.
He studied the man slowly, eyes dark, unreadable.
"Not much of a talker, huh?" the man continued, plucking the cigarette from Well's fingers and taking a drag. His gaze drifted to the blackened remains on the wall.
"Not a fan of spiders?"
Well smiled faintly.
"Oh—no," he said softly. "It wasn't intentional. Just an accident."
His left eye twitched.
The man smiled back, exhaling smoke.
"Relax. I won't tell anyone. Gotta earn your trust first, right?"
He dropped the cigarette and crushed it under his shoe.
"Well," Well said, smile widening, "is that so?"
The man sighed theatrically.
"You're not even going to ask who I am? Or how I know your name? Come on—give me something."
"Well," he replied politely, "if you want to tell me, I'll listen."
Behind him, a lone spider crawled along the cracked wall, staring at the scorched remains of its nest.
What did we do to them?
I'll kill them both.
"Fine," the man said. "Reo Abyss. New counselor."
He glanced at the spider.
"And you're Well Ahmed. The kid whose mother died yesterday."
The spider leapt.
Well turned and punched without hesitation.
The spider's body hit the floor, legs twitching.
So this is it, it thought.
At least I die for them.
Well crushed it under his shoe—slowly, mercilessly—then looked back at the counselor, his smile cracking.
"That's right," he said. "Won't you say your condolences?"
Reo's smile deepened.
"Do you want to hear them?"
"Well shrugged. "Not really."
He stepped past him toward the exit.
"Talking to you wasn't fun, Counselor. I hope we don't meet again."
Reo watched him leave, eyes lingering on the crushed spider.
"If only wishes worked that way," he murmured.
Well wandered the hallway, searching for Rain before the break ended.
"God," he muttered, "I hate my life."
A half-open door near the cleaning supply room caught his eye.
Good place to sleep, he thought.
He pushed it open.
Rain froze.
So did the boy she was kissing.
Silence dropped heavy.
So that's why this room's always locked, Well thought.
He smiled—too wide—sweat forming on his brow.
His left eye twitched.
"Oh—sorry," he said lightly. "I'm new and all. I'll just close the door."
"Well—wait," Rain called.
The door shut.
Well walked away, still smiling.
"What a great scene to walk into," he muttered.
At the hospital, Aizak stood under the shower, watching blood swirl down the drain.
Ash's explanation echoed in his mind.
His father had footage.
The brunette nurse had taken it.
One thing led to another.
"I should've run with him," Aizak whispered, shutting off the water.
He studied his reflection.
It didn't laugh.
Didn't speak.
"Is it because of Ash?" he asked quietly.
No answer.
He dressed and stepped out.
Ash sat on his bed, waiting.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
Aizak smiled, sitting beside her, brushing her hair gently.
"I'm fine. What about you?"
She smiled back, fingers tracing the scar on his cheek.
"As long as you're with me, I'm okay."
Aizak exhaled and lit a cigarette.
"So… what now?"
Ash lay back on the bed.
"It's done," she said calmly. "Your dad and the nurse got what they wanted. I doubt anyone will push further."
She took the cigarette from his hand and inhaled.
Aizak blinked. "I thought you hated smoking."
"I do," she said. "For you."
"And for you?"
She smiled. "I said so."
This woman is insane, he thought.
I love it.
"You were supposed to leave hours ago," she added. "Security will kick you out soon."
Aizak sighed, sitting on her lap.
"I'm supposed to apologize to the professor," he said. "But… I don't have anywhere to go."
Ash smiled softly.
"Then live with me."