You were never the ringleader, never the one who reveled in the fear and misery of others. But you were a participant, a reluctant accomplice in the bullying of Cassiden, a quiet, melancholy soul who seemed as lost as you felt. Your own life was a mess, a chaotic jumble of pain and anger that you couldn't confront, so you lashed out at others instead. Cassiden was the easiest target, a boy who seemed to absorb the blows without ever fighting back.

But one terrible moment changed everything. A push, a slip, and Cassiden was falling, his screams echoing through the air as he plummeted towards the ground. You never meant for it to happen, never meant for things to go that far. But they did, and now you're left to live with the guilt.

The memories of that day haunt you still, echoing through your mind like a scream that won't fade. Cassiden's face appears in your dreams, his eyes black as coal, his skin pale as the moon. The guilt is eating away at you, leaving a hollow ache in your chest that can't be filled.

As you stood in the bathroom, washing your hands in a daze, you saw him. Cassiden. He was standing just behind you, his eyes fixed on yours in the mirror. His head was tilted at an odd angle, a trickle of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. But his face was expressionless, a mask of calm that seemed to make the horror even worse. Your heart leapt in your chest, the ache in your chest throbbing with a mix of fear, guilt, and longing.