I backed away from the window, my heart hammering like a drum. Those glowing eyes were still there, unblinking, watching me.
"Who's there?" I whispered, my voice shaking as I asked the question. There was no answer.
I grabbed my phone on the nightstand, struggling to switch on the flashlight. The beam cut through the darkness, illuminating… I saw nothing.
The eyes were gone.
I exhaled shakily, but the unease clung to me. Was it a wolf? A rogue? Or something else altogether? I closed the curtain, locking the window for good measure. Whatever it was, I had no interest in finding out.
The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed, still shocked by what I have seen-or thought I have seen. Maybe it was only my imagination running wild.
At breakfast, Lila waved me over to her table.
"You look like you didn't get any sleep," she said, studying me.
"Rough night," I admitted, snagging a piece of toast.
Before I could elaborate, the cafeteria was silent. All heads turned towards the door.
Damon Ashford had just walked in.
He was one of those guys who could walk into a space and own it. Suffocating and unruffled, commanding, eyes dropped on him. The first time I saw him and Lucas together, in a room, that was thick enough to taste like ozone in the air, the air heavy with tension, waiting for that inevitable storm to strike.
Lila leaned in. "You're going to want to stay out of that."
"Out of what?" I asked, confused.
Whatever is coming between them, take it from me, Ava, that is none of your concern.
If only things were so cut and dry.
Having survived lunchtime with no incident, avoiding Damon and Lucas, respectively, the grueling task of not getting torn to shreds in class—bad luck was creeping up on me when I barreled into Selene Hawthorne in the hallway.
"Watch where you're going," she hissed, her green eyes shrinking small.
"Sorry," I muttered, endeavoring to sweep past her.
She didn't budge. She remained in front of me, "You're Ava, right? The charity case?"
I stood up a little taller. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me loud and clear," she said, the tone of her filled with hatred. "I don't know what you think you're doing here, but this isn't your world and I'd advice you stay in your lane."
"Or what?" I threw back, surprising even myself.
Selene's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could continue, a voice cut in.
"Is there a problem here?"
Damon.
Selene turned to him, her expression instantly soft. "Damon, I was just…."
"Leave her alone," he said, the warning clear in his tone.
Selene's jaw tightened, she was disappointed, but she stepped aside. "This isn't over," she hissed at me as she walked away.
"Thanks," I said to Damon, though I wasn't totally sure I meant it.
"Don't thank me," he said, his gray eyes piercing. "Just be careful. Selene doesn't play fair."
Later that day, I found my way back to the library again, looking for a place to hide from the chaos of the day. I haven't stayed very long in hiding before Lucas slid into the seat across from me.
"You're very hard one to find," he said, his smile charming and infuriating.
"Without raising my eyes from my notebook, I snapped back, "Perhaps I'm doing that on purpose." "Feisty," he remarked, reclined in his chair. "I enjoy that." "Lucas, what do you want?" "To speak," he said plainly. I looked up into his eyes. He seemed to be attempting to examine me, and there was something fascinating about the way he gazed at me.
"About what?" I asked.
"You," he said, his smile faltering. "You're not like the others."
"And what makes you think that?"
He shrugged. "Call it a hunch."
Before I could answer, a shadow fell over the table.
"Leave her alone, Lucas," Damon said, his voice cold.
Lucas stood, he smiled and said "we are just talking."
"Well, now the conversation is over" Damon said, stepping closer.
The tension between them was so intense that it was difficult to breathe as they gazed at one another. At last, Lucas remarked, "I'll see you later, Ava." Damon's demeanor softened as he turned to face me. "How are you doing?" Even if my voice deceived me, I said, "I'm okay." He remarked in a protective tone, "You don't have to talk to him you know." I got to my feet and stated, "I can take care of myself."
Damon watched me leave, but I could sense his gaze on me long after I left the library.
After spending another night in a continuous state of anxiety, which was further caused by the haunting feeling of being watched, I was certain that I checked my window locks a little too compulsively.
The usual thoughts and concerns streamed through my mind, with the addition of my usual dreams, which I wouldn't say were usually pleasant. When I looked over at the clock I was mildly surprised to see the time, a little past three. Something was off.
I reached the window and pulled the curtain back enough to see out. The interior courtyard below was empty except for the pale moonlight.
Then I saw it. A figure. Standing at the edge of the woods.
It was too far away to discern any features, but I could tell it watched me.
My breath caught as it moved closer with an unnatural glide.
I jerked back from the window, and my mind reeled with what to do. Should I call someone? But who'd believe me?
A knock louder than the previous sent shudders up my spine and blasted my heart through my chest; it felt like I was being stripped away from the peaceful slumber I was in seconds ago.
My body was not cooperating, however, and refused to budge.
I fished around the living room and located the lamp in the far corner, while moving towards the door and strengthening my grip on the lamp, I readied myself for whatever was to come.
I felt my voice cave in as well as my feet make an effort to root into the ground when I shouted "Who's there?"
The only response I got was silence.
I decided to take a step closer to the door lock, when I heard a faint knock, one that sounded more like a prodding.
I reached for the doorknob, my hand trembling. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
The hallway was empty.
But before I could shu
t it, a whispered voice came behind me.
"You're not safe here, Ava."