He chuckled. "Vacation? On a whim? What about your studies?"
"Ugh!" She crossed her arms. "I need a break! Please?"
"Where would you even go?"
He poured himself a cup of coffee, the aroma filling the air.
"Anywhere! I just… I need to find something. Or someone,"
she added, her cheeks flushing.
"Someone?" He leaned closer, intrigued.
"Spill it."
Nuba hesitated, the weight of the dream heavy in her heart.
"Just… someone I feel I have to meet."
Her father's gaze softened.
"Alright. But only if you make sure of your safety."
"Deal!" Nuba beamed, determination igniting within her.
As Nuba stepped out of her father's study, she felt a strange sensation wash over her. It was as if she had been punched in the gut, leaving her breathless and disoriented. She looked around, but there was no one in sight. She rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was hallucinating.
"Ahh, I think I'm really too tired,"
She said to herself, trying to shake off the feeling.
"I made a wise decision."
But as she turned to head back to her room, she heard her phone ringing. It was Meera, her best friend and confidant.
"Hello! Meera, are you ready? I'll pick you up within five minutes,"
Nuba said, trying to sound normal despite the lingering unease.
"Yes, I'm ready," Meera replied.
"Aaa, Thank you, Nuba,"
Meera said, her voice muffled.
Nuba frowned, feeling a sense of unease. What was going on? She didn't remember agreeing to pick up Meera anywhere.
"Okay, okay I'm coming," Nuba said, trying to sound casual despite the growing sense of unease.
As she hung up the phone, Nuba couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She looked around again, but there was still no one in sight. She took a deep breath and tried to focus on the present moment.
As she packed her bags and bid farewell to her family, Nuba felt a sense of excitement and trepidation. She was stepping into the unknown, but she knew that she was ready for whatever lay ahead. The wind whispered secrets in her ear, and she listened with an open heart, ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Nuba was shocked.
"What was that?"
She looked for her around, but she could not find anything.
"Ahh, I think I'm really too tired."
But as she walked out of the house, she couldn't help but wonder what was waiting for her outside. Was it just a routine trip with Meera, or was something more sinister lurking in the shadows?
As Nuba stepped out of her house, she felt the warm sun on her skin and the gentle breeze rustling her hair. The familiar streets of Ashwood seemed to stretch out before her, inviting her to explore the unknown. But her mind was elsewhere, consumed by the strange sensation that had washed over her earlier.
She glanced around, taking in the ordinary sights and sounds of the town. But her gaze kept drifting back to the shadows, as if searching for something hidden. Meera was already waiting for her outside, chatting with a group of friends.
Nuba's eyes locked onto Meera's, and she felt a sense of relief wash over her. This was just a normal day, after all. She walked over to join her friends, trying to shake off the feeling of unease.
But as they chatted and laughed, Nuba couldn't help but notice that something was off. The way Meera's eyes seemed to gleam with an otherworldly intensity. The way the shadows seemed to writhe and twist around them like living things.
"Hey, Nuba, what's going on?"
Meera asked, her voice low and conspiratorial.
Nuba hesitated, unsure of how to respond.
"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Meera leaned in, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"I mean, you've been acting really strange lately. Like you're searching for something."
Nuba's heart skipped a beat. How did Meera know? She glanced around nervously, wondering if anyone was listening.
"I'm just... trying to figure out who I am,"
She said, trying to downplay the situation.
Meera nodded sympathetically.
"I know exactly what you mean. I've been feeling it too."
Nuba's eyes met Meera's, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. What was going on? Was it just a coincidence, or was something more sinister at play?
As they walked away from the group, Nuba couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being pulled into a world beyond her own. A world where the shadows were alive, and the truth was waiting to be uncovered.
As they walked, the streets seemed to grow darker and the shadows seemed to deepen. Nuba felt like she was being pulled into a vortex, a world that was hidden from the rest of humanity. Meera seemed to be leading her, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.
They turned a corner, and Nuba saw a building that seemed to loom over them. The walls were covered in ancient symbols, and the air was thick with an eerie energy.
"This is it," Meera said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"This is where the truth awaits."
Nuba's heart was racing as she followed Meera through the doorway. Inside, the air was thick with incense, and the symbols on the walls seemed to pulse with a life of their own.
Meera led her to a small chamber deep in the heart of the building. The room was filled with ancient artifacts, and in the center, a large crystal orb glowed with an otherworldly light.
"This is the Oracle,"
Meera said, her voice full of reverence.
"It holds the secrets of the universe."
Nuba felt a sense of awe wash over her as she approached the orb. She could feel its power coursing through her veins, and she knew that she was on the brink of uncovering a truth that would change her life forever.
As she reached out to touch the orb, a voice boomed from the shadows, echoing off the walls.
"Who dares to disturb the secrets of the Oracle?" it thundered.
Nuba's heart skipped a beat as she turned to face Meera. But it was too late. The Oracle's power was coursing through her veins, and she knew that she was being pulled into a world beyond her own.
To be continued
Stay Tuned"