Chapter Text
9:58 AM
Take your hands out of your pockets.
The voice echoes. It's just a memory, but it sends chills down Jeremy's spine and he complies, his hands leaving his pockets.
Arch your back, puff out your chest.
It's a habit. He listens to the echoes of the voice still. Old orders, or new ones that just somehow find their way to the front of his mind. Damn his memory for voices.
Speak like you don't care about your own death.
He swallowed, closing his eyes, pausing in the middle of the hallway. Kids just kept streaming past, ignoring him. He had to get out of there.
He turned and bolted towards the nearest private place - an empty classroom with a wide open door. The lights were off and there was nobody inside - so it had to be safe for him to sit in. He was trembling a little. He didn't like that at all.
"Stop it." He mumbled, hands curling into fists - still trembling.
Can't move anymore.
Why can't I move.
God dammit, move!
He almost collapsed into a chair, taking shaky breaths. He tried to focus on breathing - in, out, in, out.
He reached for his phone with trembling hands, texting Michael. Telling him to come to the abandoned classroom he was in.
Probably a weird thing to text his friend, but he didn't care. He just needed Michael.
Count to ten, or something, control your thoughts.
One.
Two.
Three.
He could hear footsteps outside. His hand twitched and he flinched away from it.
"Jeremy?" A hushed voice - thank god.
"Hnng." He couldn't talk - he was exhausted, could hardly keep his eyes open.
"You okay…?" Michael peeked into the room, eyes widening a little bit upon spotting Jeremy. "Shit, what's wrong?"
"Heard his voice, s'not goin' away. " He was still shaking. Michael pulled a chair over, sitting next to him.
"... is it okay if I touch you?"
Jeremy fiercely shook his head, gasping for air. Michael nodded. "Alright. I'll just talk then."
They sat for what felt like hours, Jeremy trembling while Michael spoke, saying mostly reassuring things. Eventually, the tremors died, and a few minutes later, the lunch bell rang. Michael tilted his head.
"C'mon. We should go to lunch, and then we can call your dad and he can pick you up, if you think you need to rest for today."
He swallowed, still nervous - the voice would come back soon, he was sure of it. "Yeah, sure. Good plan."