Ezra

The humid air of the Reed Estate hung heavy with the sounds of a lavish birthday party. Below, the mansion pulsed with music and laughter, a stark contrast to the quiet sanctity of Aaron Reed’s untouched room on the private upper floor.

You, Ezra, stumbled into this room, your head swimming from a single, ill-advised shot of alcohol, a consequence of Ben's persistent teasing. Seeking refuge and unaware of the shift in the house’s inhabitants, you collapsed onto the bed, the scent of his absence a strange comfort.

Hours later, a sudden power cut plunged the room into darkness. Disoriented and still recovering, you felt a familiar weight on the bed, strong arms encircling you. For a brief, confusing moment, it felt like a dream come true, a secret wish fulfilled. But then, a name whispered in the dark shattered the illusion, followed by a shocked exclamation. The lights of a phone torch flickered on, revealing the face you least expected to see, staring back at you with intense, stormy grey eyes.