Chapter 9: The Night They Return
The night didn't feel the same anymore.
It wasn't calm.
It wasn't peaceful.
It felt… alive.
Meera stood by her window, staring outside.
The streets were quiet.
Too quiet.
Her fingers slowly touched the mark on her wrist.
It was faint now—
But she could still feel it.
Like something was sleeping beneath her skin.
"They'll come again…"
Arjun's words repeated in her mind.
Her heart tightened.
"When…?" she whispered.
As if answering her question—
The wind outside suddenly grew stronger.
The trees began to shake.
The streetlights flickered.
Meera's breath stopped.
"…No…"
A cold chill ran through the room.
It was starting again.
Suddenly—
Her phone vibrated.
She grabbed it quickly.
Arjun:
"Don't stay alone."
Her hands shook.
Too late.
Before she could reply—
The lights went out.
Darkness filled the room completely.
Meera's breathing became fast.
"Calm down… calm down…" she whispered to herself.
But her body refused to listen.
Then—
A sound.
A soft… dragging sound.
From behind her.
Slowly—
She turned around.
Her eyes struggled to adjust in the darkness.
And then—
She saw it.
Not one.
Two.
No…
Three shadows.
Standing in different corners of her room.
Watching her.
Her heart dropped.
"They're… more…"
A low whisper echoed.
"She's here…"
"Take her…"
"Don't let her escape…"
Meera stepped back.
Her legs trembling.
"I… I won't go with you…"
The shadows moved closer.
Slow.
But certain.
"You don't decide…"
The mark on her wrist began glowing again.
Brighter than before.
Pain shot through her arm.
"Ahh—!"
She held her wrist tightly.
Her breathing uneven.
The shadows stopped for a moment.
"That power…"
"Don't let it awaken fully…"
They rushed toward her at once.
Meera closed her eyes in fear.
"ARJUN!"
CRASH—!
The window shattered.
A strong force entered the room.
The shadows were pushed back instantly.
Meera opened her eyes.
Arjun stood there.
His expression—
More serious than ever before.
"You came…" Meera whispered.
Arjun didn't look at her.
His eyes were locked on the shadows.
"I told you…" he said coldly.
"Stay away from her."
The shadows laughed together.
"There are more of us now…"
"You can't stop all of us…"
Arjun stepped forward.
"I don't need to."
Before they could react—
He moved.
Faster than ever.
He attacked one shadow directly—
Destroying its form instantly.
The other two rushed toward him.
The room filled with chaos.
Dark energy clashed with force.
Meera watched in shock.
This fight…
Was more dangerous than before.
The shadows were stronger.
Even Arjun—
Was struggling slightly.
"Arjun… be careful…" she whispered.
Suddenly—
One shadow slipped past him.
Heading straight toward Meera.
Her eyes widened.
She couldn't move.
The shadow reached out—
And this time—
It almost touched her.
But then—
A burst of light exploded from her wrist.
The entire room lit up.
The shadow screamed.
It was thrown back violently.
Meera gasped.
"I… did that…?"
Arjun turned toward her.
His eyes filled with realization.
"…It's growing," he said.
The shadows slowly backed away.
"This isn't over…"
"You can't protect her forever…"
And then—
They disappeared into the darkness.
Silence.
The room returned to normal.
Meera collapsed to her knees.
Her body shaking.
Arjun quickly came to her side.
"You're okay," he said.
Meera looked up at him.
Tears in her eyes.
"They were going to take me…"
Arjun's expression hardened.
"…Not while I'm here."
Meera held her wrist tightly.
"This power… I don't understand it…"
Arjun looked at the mark.
"You will," he said quietly.
"Because next time…"
He paused.
"It won't just be shadows."
Meera's heart dropped again.
"Then what will it be…?"
Arjun looked outside.
Into the dark night.
"…Something much worse."