Standing near the gate, my thoughts wandered towards him. He was so calm, yet his painting was a contradiction of his emotions; it was messy.

I was in my own thoughts when the panting voice of Advika pulled my attention.

Oh. God.

"Hey, Ika, are you fine?"

"Yes, I am fine. What about you?"

"Yeah, I am good. What happened, and where are Abhimanyu and Ankush?"

"They are coming. Amaira, you won't believe what we found: the picture of his girlfriend."

"Picture?"

"Painting that too by the blood." My breath hitched, my eyes widening as I process her words.

Fuck?

"Did someone give it to you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Advika shook her head, her breathing still uneven.

"No. It was pinned to a tree."

My heart sank- Asher was here too. Could he really be behind all this? But he was acting too normal. Too calm.

"Advika-" Abhimanyu's voice cut through the night. I turned to see him panting, Ankush slumped in his arms, crying, clutching something tightly in his hand.

The painting.

I was curious, I wanted answers. I wanted to take a look at the painting and calm myself that it was not asher- but I did nothing. I was just staring blankly at Ankush, who was crying. I felt nothing looking at him; I didn't feel an ounce of guilt inside me. My heart sank deeper.

How selfish I am! The hateful feeling traveled across my mind. I have always been like this, always caring for myself. Always thinking of myself. Maybe that's why I never had people to love- cause everything I did was for myself.

But was it my fault that I don't feel things for people? I have empathy, but I am not like the people around me who would feel the pain of others. I am not the girl who cries for others. I am not the girl who thinks of everyone, but I am a selfish bitch who, in all life, thinks about herself and seeks attention from everyone.

"Amaira?" Advika's voice made me come out of my hateful thoughts.

"Yes?" My throat turned dry.

"Are you okay?"

"I am. But is he?" I looked at Ankush as I said those words.

"Amaira- what am I supposed to do?" His cries echoed in the forest.

I wish I knew Ankush. I wish I knew the exact right words to say to you, but I was clueless. I knew nothing.

I sat down and hugged him- the only thing I could do.

Soon, Advika and Abhimanyu joined us, and for a moment, we all just held each other-no words, trembling breaths, and shared silence.

Maybe I don't cry for others; I am selfish. Maybe my heart does not ache for others, but I care. I care for him. I care for all of them.

"Let us go inside the college," Abhimanyu muttered, breaking the hug.We all nodded.

Breaking up the hug, we made our way toward the college. None of us said a word; even the sound of our footsteps felt too loud. When we reached the entrance, we all sank to the ground, exhausted and shaken.

Ankush's sobs filled the silence. "Why would this happen?"

His voice cracked, breaking something inside all of us.

"She died because of me," he whispered.

"No, Ankush. Stop blaming yourself," Advika said gently.

He shook his head, tears streaking down his cheeks. "No, Advika. You don't understand."

His trembling hands moved to wipe his eyes-and that's when I saw it.

The painting.

It was disgusting.

It was not the beautiful kind.

But a disgusting painting colored with blood.

A part of me calmed down. It was not of Asher's. His painting was dark but not disgusting. Maybe it was not him.

I looked closely at the painting and found a small skull mark imprinted at the bottom. My breath hitched. I've seen that before. On someone.

I don't remember- but I have seen that. Where? Oh god, my head hurts.

"Let's go to our rooms." Ankush broke the silence with his cold voice.

He stood up, taking Abhimanyu with him.

I sighed. And looked at the girl beside me.

"Ika, what's happening?"

"I don't know Amaira, but it would be alright." The sunshine ball spoke, trying her best to smile.

"You must be tired, let's go to our room and sleep." She nodded, and we made our way to the room, though sleep was far away.