31st October

You!!

"Jeremy? You?"

"As a matter of fact."

"Y-You w-were d-dead."

"Dead?" He started laughing. "I don't know about that but you are definitely dead for me."

This can't be. I think I'm hallucinating because I stopped taking my pills.

But to my surprise, I could touch him. I could feel it's the real person.

"You still think I'm an illusion Emrin? Maybe this will help."

Saying that, he punched my face.

"Argh! You just broke my jaw."

"You deserve it. Where did you disappear the whole time? Is that all I mean to you? You never once thought of letting me know how you're doing? I searched for you everywhere I can. I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat worrying about you. None of your colleagues had an idea where you were. Ever since I've been staying at your house hoping one day you would return."

It broke my heart to see him like this. His eyes are watery and full of pain.

But what I don't understand is, how is this possible? Jeremy was dead due to cancer.

"Jer is this really you?"

"What's wrong Emrin? You look so different. You grew a beard, it looks like you haven't been properly sleeping and you lost many pounds. Where were you all this time? Let's sit in your office."

"I was in Europe the whole time. I had to avenge Delanay's death."

"Why would you go there?"

"I don't know Jer. I really don't know, what convinced me that I would find her killer there and you won't believe what happened there."

"What matters is you're back and fine. I was worried sick."

"I can't put it in words, how delightful I am to see you." I hugged him.

"I strongly believed you were dead, I don't know how those fake memories were embedded in my mind. Orelse I would've never abandoned talking to you. I'm surprised that Parker never mentioned that it's all a misconception and you're alive."

"Parker?" Jeremy looks surprised.

I sighed. I haven't told this out loud in months. I still keep denying that he's no more.

"Yes. Parker and I had been together in Europe. He tried to help me fight the evil but- b-but he ended up losing his life."

"Now it all makes sense."

"What are you talking about Jer?"

"You won't believe this Emrin, but Parker was not among us. He was a traitor. He was a satanist, worshipper of devil."

I couldn't bring myself to speak anything. Jeremy continued-

"On 31st October, it was Parker who killed Delanay. Shortly after you disappeared, we found some weird totems in Parker's house and there are multiple evidences that he was connected to some sick cult. Before your department catches him, he disappeared in thin air. It means he came after you to Europe."

"I - I don't know what to say. I need some air."

I stood there in balcony for minutes trying to process the words I just heard.

Jeremy brought a glass of water.

"But why did he die Jer? I should be the one dead if he's made some deal with the devil and led me to Europe."

"Exactly! Whatever the agreement they had, Parker failed to fulfill his side. Hence he meets his fate."

I told Jeremy the whole story right from the beginning, he kept listening attentively.

" I don't want to draw conclusions, but I strongly think it's been Parker all along. The cult's members sacrificed their closed ones right?"

"Y-yes."

"Delanay was close to Parker. They were best friends. And so were you. You three were inseparable. Maybe he led you to the temple because you were supposed to die as well."

It hit me like a truck. I refuse to connect the dots. We were like brothers, how could he do this to me? His betrayal pierced my heart like a sharp knife and it keeps piercing my chest again and again.

"I'm so sorry Emrin," Jeremy pulled me in a hug.