Ethan sat with his head in his hands, trying to recall how his day had spiraled into chaos. His last memory was the soft, almost timid voice of Lily, the quiet girl who often sat at the back of the class. "I just wanted to talk," she had said, her eyes wide and earnest. But something in her gaze had made him uneasy.

Ethan awoke to the sound of dripping water, his hands bound tightly with rough rope. Panic surged through him as he realized he was not alone. Lily stood before him, a strange mix of excitement and nervousness on her face. "You're finally awake," she whispered, her voice a blend of relief and something darker.

Ethan struggled against his bonds, his eyes darting around the room. Every image of himself, every note, screamed of an obsession he had been blind to. "I never meant to scare you," Lily said, her voice trembling. "I just wanted us to be together, to be happy."

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady. "Lily, this isn't the way," he pleaded. "We can find another solution, one that doesn't involve... this." Lily shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "You don't understand," she said, her voice breaking. "I've waited so long for you to notice me."

Ethan softened his approach, realizing fear would only deepen the chasm between them. "I see you now, Lily," he said quietly. "But this isn't the right way to start." Lily hesitated, the grip on reality wavering in her eyes. Slowly, she moved towards him, her hands shaking as she reached for the ropes.

Lily finally untied the knots, her face a mixture of regret and hope. Ethan stood, rubbing his wrists, unsure of what to say. The silence between them spoke volumes. "Thank you," he finally managed, stepping towards the light. Lily nodded, tears silently falling as she watched him go, the weight of her actions settling heavily on her shoulders.