Zian Hausi had one simple plan.
A very simple plan.
An extremely simple plan.
Do nothing.
That was it.
That was the entire plan.
No fighting.
No kidnappers.
No mysterious shadow creatures speaking like broken radios.
Just peace.
Unfortunately—
Her life disagreed.
Zian sat on the sofa the next morning, holding a cup of tea she did not ask for, staring at absolutely nothing, which was her favorite activity, while her mind was actively trying to ignore the events of yesterday like they were optional.
Ghost outside.
Talking shadow.
Rain that refuses to stop.
Pause.
Yes. Normal.
Sterling suddenly dropped onto the sofa beside her.
Loudly.
Dramatically.
Unnecessarily.
"I didn't sleep," he announced.
Zian didn't look at him.
"…That sounds like a personal problem."
Sterling turned to her.
"You fought kidnappers with a STICK," he said.
Pause.
"And then a SHADOW talked to you."
Zian sipped her tea calmly.
"…And yet you are alive," she said.
You're welcome.
Sterling stared at her.
"…That's not the point."
Zian blinked.
"…It should be."
Huo Lou walked in, much calmer, much more composed, holding a book like nothing in the world could disturb her, even though yesterday she witnessed something that definitely should disturb her.
"…You two are loud," she said.
Zian nodded.
"…He is loud."
Sterling pointed at her.
"YOU FOUGHT AIR YESTERDAY."
Zian corrected him calmly.
"…Incorrect."
Pause.
"…I fought bad decisions."
Huo Lou covered her mouth slightly.
She's trying not to laugh.
Progress.
Sterling stood up dramatically.
"I need answers," he said.
Zian looked at him.
You need sleep.
"…No," she replied.
Sterling froze.
"…You didn't even let me ask the question."
Zian nodded.
"…Efficiency."
Huo Lou sat down.
"…She's not going to tell you anything," she said.
Sterling turned to her.
"…You're just accepting this?"
Huo Lou flipped a page calmly.
"…Yes."
Sterling looked between both of them.
"…I'm surrounded by insane people."
Zian nodded.
"…Correct."
And you are the loudest one.
Before Sterling could respond—
A loud noise came from outside.
Everyone froze.
Zian slowly turned her head toward the window.
Again?
Sterling whispered,
"…Please don't tell me it's the shadow."
Zian stood up.
"…I won't tell you."
Sterling panicked.
"WHY DID YOU SAY IT LIKE THAT?!"
Huo Lou stood too.
"…Let's just check."
Zian walked toward the door calmly.
If it's that thing again…
Pause.
I'm ending this today.
Sterling grabbed a random object from the table.
"…I'm ready."
Zian looked at him.
"…That's a spoon."
Sterling looked down.
Paused.
"…It's emotional support."
Zian blinked.
I cannot work with this.
They stepped outside.
The rain had slowed slightly, but the atmosphere was still heavy, still strange, still wrong.
Zian scanned the area.
Presence?
Pause.
No.
Instead—
A cat jumped out of a nearby bush.
"MEOW."
Sterling screamed.
"AAAAAA—"
Zian didn't react.
…
Huo Lou blinked.
"…It's a cat."
Sterling pointed at it.
"IT MOVED SUDDENLY."
Zian turned back toward the house.
"…You fought a cat," she said.
Sterling gasped.
"I DID NOT FIGHT IT."
Zian nodded.
"…You lost."
Huo Lou laughed.
Actually laughed.
Sterling looked offended.
"…You're all against me."
Zian walked past him.
"…You're against yourself."
They went back inside.
Zian sat down again.
Picked up her tea.
Peace.
Sterling sat down slowly.
"…You know what," he muttered, "I'm done reacting."
Zian nodded.
"…Good decision."
Silence.
Three seconds passed.
Sterling suddenly jumped up again.
"WHAT IF THE SHADOW WAS THE CAT?!"
Zian froze.
Slowly looked at him.
"…No."
Even the shadow has standards.
Huo Lou laughed again.
Sterling sat back down.
"…I need a new brain."
Zian sipped her tea.
"…Agreed."
But as the laughter settled—
As the moment calmed—
Zian's eyes shifted slightly.
Toward the window.
There.
For just a second—
A shadow moved.
Not the cat.
Something else.
Watching.
Waiting.
Zian didn't react.
Didn't speak.
You again.
She took another sip of tea.
Wait.
Next time…
Her gaze sharpened just slightly.
You won't leave.
And behind her—
Sterling was still arguing with the cat.
"YOU STARTED IT."
Zian closed her eyes.
This is my life now.
And somehow—
The shadow outside—
Paused.
As if it was confused too. 😈🔥