The parking garage beneath the university stood wrapped in dim concrete shadows and flickering fluorescent lights that hummed faintly overhead like dying insects trapped against glass, while evening rain whispered softly beyond the open entrance several floors below, carrying cold wind through the empty structure with enough force to make the silence feel restless instead of still.
Olivia walked quickly across the fourth level with uneven breathing and trembling hands, her shoes striking sharply against the cement floor while the horrifying image from the courtyard replayed over and over inside her mind, refusing to loosen its grip no matter how hard she tried to convince herself she had imagined it.
But she had not imagined it.
People did not collapse screaming at shadows for no reason.
Phones did not shatter by themselves.
And Elara—
Elara had looked terrified.
Not confused.
Not surprised.
Terrified.
