The old observatory stood at the edge of town like a forgotten relic from another time. Its cracked dome reflected the pale light of the moon, casting eerie shadows across the overgrown grass surrounding it. For sixteen-year-old Asher Hayes, this place was his sanctuary—a quiet refuge where he could escape the noise of life and stare up at the stars without judgment or interruption.

But tonight, someone else had beaten him to it.

Asher froze as he pushed open the creaky door, flashlight beam cutting through the darkness. He expected to find nothing but dust-covered telescopes and cobwebs. Instead, there was movement—a figure silhouetted against the dim glow of the night sky outside the broken window.

"Who's there?" Asher called out, heart pounding. His voice echoed off the walls, betraying more fear than bravado.

The figure turned slowly, revealing sharp cheekbones illuminated by the faint light. It was a boy about Asher's age, maybe a year older, with tousled dark hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to hold secrets Asher couldn't begin to understand.

"I didn't think anyone came here anymore," the stranger said softly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Guess I was wrong."

Asher tightened his grip on the flashlight, unsure whether to feel relieved or uneasy. "This is kind of my spot," he replied, trying to sound confident despite the flutter in his chest. "What are you doing here?"

The boy smirked, leaning casually against one of the rusted telescope stands. "Same thing you are, probably. Looking for answers."

"Answers?" Asher raised an eyebrow. "To what?"

Instead of answering directly, the boy stepped closer, close enough for Asher to notice the faint freckles scattered across his nose and the way his leather jacket smelled faintly of rain. "You ever get the feeling like… you don't belong here? Like the universe has bigger plans for you, but no one told you what they were?"

Asher blinked, caught off guard by the question—and the intensity behind it. "Uh… not really," he lied. Truthfully, he thought about that all the time. But he wasn't about to admit it to some random guy who'd broken into his favorite hiding place.

The boy chuckled, as if he saw right through Asher's deflection. "Name's Orion," he said finally, extending a hand. "Orion Vega."

Asher hesitated before shaking it. "Asher. Asher Hayes."

"Well, Asher Hayes," Orion said, his grin widening just slightly, "I think we're going to make a great team."

"A team?" Asher frowned. "For what?"

Before Orion could answer, a loud crash echoed from somewhere deep within the observatory. Both boys whipped around, startled. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and the air suddenly felt colder, heavier.

"What was that?" Asher whispered, his earlier confidence crumbling.

Orion's expression shifted instantly, his playful demeanor replaced by something darker, more serious. "We need to leave. Now."

"But—"

"No arguments," Orion snapped, grabbing Asher's wrist and pulling him toward the exit. "Trust me, you don't want to stick around to find out."

As they ran into the cool night air, Asher couldn't shake the feeling that whatever they'd left behind wasn't done with them yet. And as he glanced back at the shadowy silhouette of the observatory, he swore he saw something—or someone—watching them from the broken window.