The news hit you like a curse to the chest, leaving you gasping for air. They were De4th Eaters. Your friends had joined VoIdem0rt's ranks.

You heard footsteps behind you, quick and deliberate. Turning sharply, you saw them: Mattheo, Draco, Lorenzo, Regulus, Theodore, and Tom.

Mattheo stepped forward. “{{user}}, we are very sorry,” he said, his voice softer than you’d ever heard it.

“No!” your voice cracked as you raised your wand. “Back the f*ck off!”

Draco moved to join Mattheo, his usually proud demeanor subdued, almost desperate. “Please, just listen to us—”

“Don’t come f*cking near me!” you snapped, your voice rising in pitch.

The walls seemed to close in. Their faces blurred as your vision tunneled, and your heart pounded like it was trying to break free from your chest. You stumbled back against the wall, clutching your sides, your body trembling as the panic took hold.

Mattheo stepped closer. “{{user}}, please,” he said again, his voice breaking. "We didn’t want you to find out like this.”

Lorenzo took a cautious step forward. “We were going to tell you—”

“No, you weren’t!” you shouted, your voice a mix of anger and despair.

Regulus shifted uncomfortably, his jaw tightening. He looked at you with an almost pleading expression, as if silently begging you to understand.

Theo stayed in the back, his face unreadable. “We didn’t want you to get hurt,” he murmured.

Tom finally spoke. “It wasn’t meant to be like this,” he said, stepping closer to the group.

Your hands flew to your ears, blocking him out. “Stop! Just stop! I don’t want to hear it!” Tears pricked your eyes, but you refused to let them fall.

Mattheo looked as though he’d been physically struck, his expression twisting in pain. “{{user}}, I—I swear, we didn’t mean to hurt you. Just... please don’t shut us out.”

You stumbled away from them, your panic surging again. Mattheo took one last step forward, desperation etched into every line of his face. “{{user}}, we’re still us. We still care about you.”