Chapitre 5: WHISPERS OF THE PAST

As the evening wore on, Claire and Cassy sat on the steps of the old café, the sun casting a golden hue over the town square. The air was cool, and the once-bustling street now had a calm, peaceful aura as the town settled into the quiet of night.

"So," Claire said, leaning back against the steps, "have you seen anyone from school since you got back?"

Cassy's eyes flickered for a moment, a faint smile curling on her lips. "A few faces here and there, but you know how it is... everyone's moved on with their lives. Some left, some stayed." She paused, her fingers tracing the edge of her coffee cup thoughtfully. "Though, there's one person who's been a little... elusive."

Claire raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Who?"

Cassy glanced around, making sure no one was too close, and then leaned in, her voice lowering. "Noah Winters."

Claire's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. She hadn't thought about Noah in so long, yet hearing his name made something stir deep inside her.

"Noah?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "I thought he moved away years ago."

"He did," Cassy replied, her eyes distant as she continued. "But there's been some talk... I mean, no one really knows for sure, but I've heard he's back in town. Not that anyone's seen him, really. Just... whispers."

"Whispers?" Claire echoed, feeling a twinge of confusion.

Cassy nodded, her expression guarded. "Yeah. People say he's been around, but he's kept to himself. No one really knows what he's up to. His family never really came back to town after he left for good, so... it's strange, you know? It's like he disappeared, but now he's somehow back without anyone actually seeing him."

Claire frowned. "That's odd. Why would he come back now?"

Cassy shifted slightly, her gaze flicking away. "That's the thing. No one really knows. Some people say it's for business, some say it's personal. But there's something... off about it. Like he's not the same Noah we knew."

Claire swallowed, a knot forming in her stomach. "What do you mean, 'not the same'?"

Cassy hesitated, as if considering her words carefully. "Well, you know how he was—always so... in control. So sure of himself. But now? It's like he's a different person. And it's not just the way people talk about him. I don't know... there's something in the air when his name comes up, like there's more to the story."

Claire felt a strange unease creeping up her spine. "I haven't heard anything about him in years. He never even came back to visit after graduation. Why now?"

Cassy shook her head, a faint sigh escaping her lips. "I don't know, Claire. But... I've heard whispers that maybe he came back because of something more serious. Something that happened in his life. But it's all so unclear. People are talking, but they don't know anything for sure. It's like there's a mystery around him now."

The quiet lingered between them as Claire absorbed Cassy's words. Noah, mysterious and enigmatic, had always been a bit of a puzzle, but now the pieces seemed to be missing, lost in some unsolved riddle.

"Do you think we'll see him?" Claire asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cassy shrugged, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. "Maybe. But something tells me it won't be like before. If you do see him, it's not going to be the Noah you remember."

Claire's mind raced as she tried to push past the lingering questions. She had always thought of Noah as a friend—someone who had shared her thoughts, her dreams. But hearing Cassy's words now, a sense of foreboding washed over her. What had changed? What was he hiding?

As they stood up to leave, Claire glanced at the town square one last time, her heart still heavy with the mystery of Noah's return. Was he truly back? And if so, what was he hiding?

For the first time, Claire wondered if some secrets were better left undisturbed—or if some mysteries were meant to be solved.