The next few days in Blackwood felt… different.
For everyone else, life at Blackwood City College slowly returned to normal. Classes continued, students laughed, and the disappearance of Daniel Carter became just another rumor whispered in corners.
But for Ryan, nothing was normal anymore.
He could feel it.
Something had changed.
Every step he took, every place he went—
It felt like someone was watching him.
That evening, the campus was nearly empty.
Ryan walked alone through the corridor, his footsteps echoing softly against the walls.
Then—
Another sound.
A second set of footsteps.
Behind him.
Ryan stopped.
The sound stopped too.
Slowly, he turned around.
No one.
The corridor was empty.
But the feeling didn't go away.
Later that night, Ryan walked through one of the quieter streets of Blackwood, heading back home.
The streetlights flickered above him.
The air felt unusually cold.
Again—
Footsteps.
This time, clearer.
Closer.
Ryan didn't stop walking.
Instead, his eyes shifted slightly, watching the shadows around him.
Then suddenly—
He turned sharply into a narrow alley.
Silence.
A few seconds later, another figure entered the alley.
Ryan was waiting.
Hidden in the darkness.
As the figure stepped forward, Ryan grabbed their arm and pulled them into the light.
"Who are you?" he said coldly.
The person struggled for a moment—
Then froze.
It was… Elena.
Ryan's grip loosened slightly, but his eyes remained sharp.
"You're following me," he said.
Elena took a breath, trying to stay calm.
"I could ask you the same thing," she replied. "You disappear at night, go to abandoned places, and act like something is seriously wrong."
Ryan said nothing.
Elena stepped closer, her voice softer now.
"This isn't just about curiosity anymore, Ryan," she said. "People are disappearing. Strange symbols are showing up. And somehow… you're connected to all of it."
For a moment, silence filled the alley.
Rain began to fall lightly.
Ryan looked at her.
Really looked at her.
She wasn't afraid.
She wanted answers.
But getting involved in this…
was dangerous.
"You should stay away from me," Ryan said quietly. "This isn't your problem."
Elena shook her head.
"It became my problem the moment I sat next to you."
Before Ryan could respond—
A sudden noise echoed from the end of the alley.
Both of them turned.
A shadow moved quickly… then disappeared.
Ryan's expression changed instantly.
That wasn't Elena.
Someone else had been there.
Watching them.
And now they knew—
Ryan wasn't alone anymore.
The game had just become more dangerous. 🌑📖