16. The New Case

                                    

                                          
Zack's POV
I opened my eyes.
Oh no I thought.
I was back in the void.
I sat up and looked around. Everything was the same.
"Zack," The man said from his usual place. "How wonderful to see you again."
"Leave me alone." I said.
"I'm afraid I can't do that," He replied. "You still have something you need to do."
"What? To correct your stupid balance?" I asked. The man nodded slowly. I got up and sat opposite him. "What are you gonna do if I don't do it?"
"Your boyfriend hasn't told you?" He asked. I froze. Firstly, why was he assuming Luke was my boyfriend? I mean, we only kissed. Second, how did he even know about that experience?
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I'm talking about Luke. He is your boyfriend, right?" He asked.
"No." I lied, just to see how much he really knew.
"Don't lie to me," The man replied. "I know you like him a lot more than a one night stand."
I looked at him, shocked.
Can he read my mind? I thought.
"Yes, I can," He said suddenly. I looked at him with horror. "I know everything about you, Zack. Even about your father."
"How?" I asked.
"I'm in your head. I always have been and always will be." He replied.
"Then why am I only seeing you now?" I asked, confused.
"Because I've been waiting. Waiting for the perfect moment. Now you're in this situation, I felt it was the perfect time to come out and play," He replied. "You better get used to seeing me, because I'm not going anywhere."
"What about Luke?" I asked.
"The same," He said. "That figment of the crosswalk he told you about? I created that. I used Luke's photographic memory of his parents as a disguise to hide within it."
"Why?" I asked.
"To torment you," He replied. "Forever."
Then, I woke up. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My eyes shot open. It was pitch black. I hadn't moved since I fell asleep. I was still lying flat on Luke's chest. I had a moment of happiness, stretching and yawning as I did so. I made my way up to Luke's face. He was still fast asleep. I gently kissed him on the cheek before climbing off his body, trying not to wake him up as I did so. I saw a light coming from the kitchen. I grabbed my shirt, put it on and went towards the light.
"Morning." Nick said as I went in there.
"Morning." I replied.