Paranormal

11. Stay Alive

Phil

After I finish eating dinner, Dan kindly takes my dishes and starts washing them. I didn't even ask him to do it. He just does. I lean against the counter, drying the dishes he passes me. I stare at him with heart eyes and a small smile.

"Hey, Dan?" I break the comfortable silence.

"Yes?" he concentrates on the task at hand.

"I was thinking, what if I died to be with you forever?"

Crash!

I jump as the sound of the breaking plate surprises me. Pieces of white porcelain litter the floor between us. I look up to see Dan's shocked face.

"What?" he breathes out.

"That's the best option for us. I could die and then we wouldn't have to worry about anything."

"Really? And how would you do it?" He narrows his eyes at me and crosses his arms.

"I-I don't know. I haven't thought about that," I answer truthfully.

"No." Dan turns and starts walking away.

"What? Why not?" I complain. The way he reacted ticks me off a little bit.

"Look, Phil. Do you think I like being fucking dead?" Dan looks at me, clearly angry.

"What's the big deal? It can't be that bad! Why are you so against it?" I argue.

"Because I didn't have a choice and you do! You have family, friends, a life! I don't and I wish I did! How do you think I feel? You have everything I've ever wanted and you want to just throw it all away! That's why I'm fucking against it!" Dan explodes. He runs his hands through his hair and tugs on it in frustration.

I stare at him, speechless.

"I'm--"

"Just leave me alone," he says. He quickly runs upstairs and I chase after him.

"No, Dan, wait!" I call after him. I get to the hall, but he disappears, leaving a cold gust behind him. "I'm sorry! Please come back!" I say to the empty hallway. I don't get a response.

I groan and drag my hands down my face. How could I have been so stupid? Of course Dan would be against that idea. I should have thought it through.

"Dan? Please come out," I say as I search every room in the house.

I walk around for any cold spots, but I find nothing.

Where could he be?

"Let's talk about this." I feel like I'm talking to myself.

All of a sudden, all of the open doors slam shut at the same time. I jump and take that as Dan's way of saying, Fuck off.

"I really am sorry," I sigh as I walk to my room.

Once inside, I throw myself onto the bed. I grab a pillow and use it to muffle another frustrated groan. I'm so angry at myself. For all I know, I probably just blew any chance Dan and I had together. And I really like him too. He probably hates me! Every possible outcome to this situation swirls into a jumbled mess in my head.

I try not to overthink since that usually leads to me having a panic attack. Instead, I do some relaxation exercises my doctor recommended and focus on trying to fall asleep. After at least an hour or two, I finally fall asleep.

Or at least I thought I fell asleep. I open my eyes and feel the sleepy feeling dissipate. I sigh, giving up, and walk back down to the living room. I look out the window and realize that it's actually some time in the late morning.