Elara didn't think. She just ran. The cold air cut through her lungs as she sprinted down the empty street, her heart beat loud enough to drown out everything else. The scream still echoed in her ears. Raw. Terrified. Real. Hey, wait! Noah's voice behind her. He was following. Of course he was. Elara, stop! You don't even know what you are running into! I don't care! She shouted back. And that was the truth. Because something inside her, something deeper than fear, was pulling her forward. The streetlights flickered as she passed under them. One by one. Like the darkness was chasing her. She reached the edge of the road. The forest stood in front of her. Silent. Waiting. For a split second, she hesitated. Flash. Blood. Screaming. Hands shaking. Her jaw tightened.
I'm not running away again. And she stepped inside. The forest swallowed her whole. The air changed instantly. Colder. Heavier. Every sound muted. Even her own breathing felt distant. Elara! Noah caught up, grabbing her arm. This is a bad idea. She pulled free. You saw it too, she said, her voice low. Someone's out there. Noah didn't answer. And that silence said everything. A sound. A head. Branches snapping. Dragging. They both froze. Did you hear that? Elara whispered. Noah nodded slowly. Yeah... another sound. Closer now. A struggle. A muffled cry. Elara moved first. Faster. No, Elara, wait, too late. She broke through the trees, and stopped. A figure was on the ground. Struggling. Being dragged into the shadows by something, no. Not something. Someone. Tall. Still. Watching. Elara's breath caught. Her chest tightened painfully. That feeling again. Recognition. You, she whispered. The figure stepped forward. Out of the darkness. And for the first time, she saw him. Kael. Pale skin. Dark hair falling over his eyes. A faint smear of blood across his jaw. And those eyes, cold. Sharp. Dangerous. But underneath, something broken. Something tired. He looked at her like he already knew everything. Like he had been waiting. Took you long enough, he said. Noah stepped in front of Elara instantly. Stay back. Protective. Instinctive. Kael's gaze shifted to him. A faint, humorless smile touched his lips. Still playing hero,huh? Elara frowned. You know each other? Silence. Heavy. Noah's jaw tightened. I have seen him before. Lie. Bad one. Kael chuckled softly. You always were a terrible liar. Elara's head snapped toward Noah. What is he talking about? But Noah didn't answer. Instead Kael looked back at her. And everything else seemed to fade. You shouldn't be here, he said quietly. Not threatening. Not angry. Almost...worried. Elara took a step forward. Who are you? A pause. Something flickered in his eyes. Pain. That's the problem, he said. You really don't remember. Her chest tightened. I don't know you. Kael laughed. Soft. Bitter. No, he said. You just forgot the part where you ruined me. Silence. Elara felt it again, that pull. That crack in reality. Flash. Kael, bleeding. Reaching for her. Don't leave me,another Flash. Her hand, covered in blood. Pulling away from him. Back to now. She gasped. Stepping back. No,I didn't, Kael's expression didn't change. But his voice dropped. Colder now. Sharper. You did. Behind them, the person on the ground stopped moving. Too still. Noah noticed first. Elara. But she couldn't look away from Kael. Because for the first time, she felt it clearly. Not just Recognition. Not just fear. Guilt. Kael stepped closer. Slow. Deliberate. And the worst part? He whispered. You are going to do it again.