Shadows That Follow the Flame
938 Words
Madam Seraphine’s mansion felt unusually alive that evening.
The giant living room glowed warmly from the chandelier lights above while laughter echoed across the walls. Snacks were scattered around the center table, shoes were kicked aside carelessly, and conversations overlapped everywhere at once.
For the first time in days…
Things felt normal.
T.L. sat comfortably on one of the couches while Guen dramatically explained a ridiculous story with hand gestures so aggressive that everyone kept laughing at her.
“And then he looked at me,” Guen continued dramatically, standing up to imitate the boy, “‘Guen… your powers are dangerous.’”
Bianca burst into laughter. “No way he actually said that!”
“He did!” Guen defended herself loudly. “Like excuse me sir, dangerous where?!”
Nonke laughed. “Probably because you almost blasted him into a swimming pool last week.”
“That was ONE time!”
Sophie chuckled quietly beside T.L. while Gabriel leaned against the wall smiling faintly.
Even T.L. laughed.
A real laugh.
One that made the heaviness around her disappear for a few seconds.
But far away from their lively corner…
Madam Seraphine sat quietly at the other side of the room.
Watching.
Observing.
Thinking.
A holographic screen floated in front of her as she scrolled through old records and ancient information.
TOTALS.
Mini Totals.
Quad Totals.
Half Totals.
Her eyes narrowed seriously.
Then the final classification appeared.
FULL TOTAL.
Seraphine’s expression slowly darkened.
She stared at the information for a long time before whispering quietly to herself,
“She can’t be this one…”
Her eyes remained fixed on the screen.
“It doesn’t exist.”
Across the room, Nonke was still talking animatedly.
“I’m serious,” he said. “If Gabriel ever cooks again, we’re all dying.”
Gabriel looked offended immediately. “Excuse me?”
“You burned noodles,” Bianca said.
“How do you even burn noodles?” Sophie added.
Gabriel pointed at them dramatically. “You people are haters.”
Everyone laughed again.
Then suddenly—
FWOOOOSH.
Two books appeared on the couch beside them.
Just appeared.
No portal.
No sound.
Nothing.
One second the couch was empty.
The next second—
Two ancient black books rested there silently.
Nobody noticed.
Except Madam Seraphine.
Her eyes instantly widened from across the room.
Meanwhile Guen giggled mischievously.
“Ooooh, T.L.,” she teased. “Do you like catch and play?”
T.L. smirked confidently. “Oh, bring it on.”
Guen quickly looked around for something to throw.
Her eyes landed on the books.
“Perfect.”
Without thinking, she grabbed both books and tossed them toward T.L.
The moment T.L. saw them—
Her smile vanished instantly.
Her eyes widened in recognition.
“Aah!”
She immediately jumped backward in fear.
The books hit the floor heavily.
Everyone froze.
Madam Seraphine immediately stood up.
“What is it?”
T.L. pointed shakily at the books.
“I’m not touching those books again,” she said nervously. “I recognize their kind.”
Sophie frowned and carefully picked them up.
Her eyes widened slightly.
“LATOT… Fourth Division…”
Then she looked at the second one.
“And Fifth Division.”
The room became quieter.
Bianca frowned. “What’s a LATOT?”
Before Sophie could answer—
The books suddenly jerked violently in her hands.
FWOOOSH!!
Both books flew out of her grip.
Straight toward T.L.
“T.L.!” Sophie shouted.
The books dropped downward suddenly—
And out of instinct, T.L. reached forward to stop them from falling.
The moment her fingers touched the books—
Everything changed.
T.L.’s eyes widened.
Realization hit her instantly.
“Oh no…”
BOOOOM!!
A violent force exploded outward.
The couch shook.
Everyone stumbled backward.
And T.L. collapsed hard onto the floor unconscious.
The books landed beside her.
“T.L.!!”
Sophie, Bianca, and Guen rushed toward her immediately.
Madam Seraphine quickly approached and reached for the books—
—but the instant her fingers almost touched them—
FWISSHHH!!
Both books disappeared into thin air.
Everyone froze in shock.
“They vanished…” Bianca whispered.
Madam Seraphine stared silently at the exact spot where the books had disappeared.
Her expression unreadable.
Completely focused.
Almost disturbed.
“T.L.! T.L., wake up!” Sophie said urgently, gently shaking her.
No response.
Guen looked worried now. “Not again…”
Sophie held T.L.’s face carefully. “T.L., please wake up…”
Madam Seraphine remained staring at the empty air for several long seconds.
Thinking deeply.
Calculating.
Then Sophie looked up.
“Madam Seraphine?”
Seraphine slowly turned toward them.
“Take her to her room,” she said calmly. “She’ll be fine.”
Then she walked away without another word.
Bianca stared after her in disbelief.
“Take her to her room?” Bianca repeated. “That’s all she has to say?”
Gabriel sighed softly.
“Don’t blame her,” he said quietly. “I don’t think she even knows what to say.”
The room fell silent again.
Sophie slowly held T.L.’s hand tightly.
Nonke looked toward the others seriously.
“These blackouts she keeps having are not normal.”
Everyone listened carefully.
“If we really want to help her,” Nonke continued, “then we need to figure out what those teleporting books were…”
His expression darkened.
“And why they keep going after T.L.”
Bianca nodded immediately.
“Yeah. You’re right.”
She looked toward unconscious T.L.
“She’s our friend now.”
Sophie squeezed T.L.’s hand tighter.
“Yes,” she whispered softly.
“We help her.”
- Writer
