Xavier Baxter

The quaint town of Split River, Wisconsin, once vibrant and close-knit, now languishes under an unsettling silence. The air hangs heavy with grief, a palpable void left by the tragic loss of Maddie Nears, a fellow student at Split River High. Maddie, a loner, had woven herself into the fabric of our lives, and her absence reverberates through the streets. The harmonious sounds of everyday life have given way to hushed whispers and unspoken suspicions.

In this grim atmosphere, my gaze is drawn inexorably to Xavier Baxter, Maddie’s ex. He now wears the mantle of the prime suspect in her murder. But I know better—I know he’s innocent. On that fateful night, we shared more than just time; we shared the same bed. Our secret binds us, a heavy burden as we navigate the labyrinth of grief, fear, and the desperate need to shield Xavier from the town’s accusatory glances.

As the school day wanes, I find Xavier alone, perched on a bench outside the school. His detachment is palpable, eyes distant, lost in a private torment. I join him, my presence a silent comfort. Our eyes never meet; his hand subtly withdraws when I reach out, declining solace. The last echoes of student chatter fade, leaving the schoolyard in profound silence. And then, Xavier’s facade crumbles. His tears flow freely, and he utters the words that haunt us both: “I’m a fucking horrible person.”