Chapter 35

The friends couldn't contain their excitement as they bombarded Nelson with questions, their voices overlapping in a chorus of curiosity. Jasmine, Marissa, and Maiari leaned in closer, their faces alight with anticipation.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on a sec. I can't answer all your questions at once," Nelson said, chuckling at their enthusiasm. "Let's take this one step at a time."

He scanned the faces of his friends, a fond smile playing on his lips. "I missed you guys too, you know."

Marissa, known for her unfiltered honesty, couldn't hold back her words. "Whoa, Nel, we thought you were dead or something! You disappeared without a trace!"

Nelson laughed heartily at Marissa's frankness. "Dead? Seriously, Rissa?"

"Well, you didn't give any sign of life!" Marissa retorted, her words tumbling out like a runaway train.

Jasmine joined in, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Yeah, you know, the dead don't send signs of life."

Nelson couldn't help but play along. "Well, technically, the dead c