Chapter 5
1086 Words
The storm didn’t stop.
Hours passed, but the sky stayed black, the wind howled like something alive, and the rain beat against the windows in a steady, violent rhythm. The thunder felt closer now than it should be, and every flash of lightning made the shadows in the house stretch and jump.
But none of that scared Mila as much as what Aiden had said.
You’re the tenth.
You’re not normal.
They’ve been searching for you.
She sat on the living room floor, hugging her knees, trying to breathe normally while her mind ran in circles.
How was she the tenth?
What did that even mean?
What did Aiden know that he refused to say?
And why did she feel like everything in her life had been quietly leading her to this moment?
She pressed her palms over her ears, trying to block out the storm and the panic. She wanted silence. She wanted stillness. She wanted her heart to stop pounding so hard.
She wanted answers.
Her phone buzzed, making her jump.
For a moment, she hesitated, afraid it might be the unknown number again. Afraid, it might be something worse.
But when she looked at the screen, it was a message from Aiden.
Not a long one, not even a full sentence.
Just one word:
Hide.
Her stomach dropped.
Hide from what?
She typed quickly:
Aiden? What’s happening?
But before she hit send, she heard it.
Not knocking this time.
The faint sound of someone walking outside her house, Slow steps on wet grass.
Cautious.
Searching.
She froze.
The steps circled the house once…twice…then stopped beneath her window.
Her heartbeat felt like it was shaking her whole body.
She wanted to duck away from the window, but every muscle in her body locked. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.
Lightning flashed.
And in that split-second burst of white light, she saw a silhouette standing right outside her window.
Tall.
Still.
Facing straight towards her.
She stumbled backward with a strangled gasp, her phone slipping from her hand and clattering to the floor.
The silhouette didn’t move.
It didn’t run.
It didn’t hide.
It just stayed there.
Watching.
Her breath hitched in her throat as another flash of lightning lit up the sky, revealing more detail. This time she saw the shape more clearly, broad shoulders, a hood, hands at their sides, the outline of a face she couldn’t make out.
Then the light disappeared, and the figure melted back into shadow.
She scrambled to grab her phone, fingers shaking.
Aiden, someone is outside my window. Please tell me what to do.
Three dots appeared for two seconds… Then vanished.
He was trying to respond and failing.
Another lightning flash.
The figure was gone.
Her next breath came out in a shaky rush.
Was he still there?
Had he moved?
Was he walking around to a different side of the house?
She didn’t know.
She didn’t want to know.
Her phone buzzed again. She snatched it up desperately.
Aiden had finally responded.Get somewhere without windows. Now.
Her legs wobbled as she stood, but she forced herself to move.
The only room in the house without windows was the small walk-in pantry in the kitchen.
She rushed there, closing the door behind her and clicking the lock. It was dark inside, pitch black, but she didn’t dare turn on the light. She slid down onto the floor, hugging her knees, trying to steady her breathing.
Her phone vibrated again. A new message.
From Aiden.
Don’t make noise. They hear better than you think.
Mila clamped a hand over her mouth, trying not to breathe too loudly.
Another message followed before she could even react. Mila, I need you to answer something. And you have to tell me the truth.
She typed with trembling fingers:
Okay…
Aiden’s reply came fast:
Have you ever had a strange mark on your skin? Something you couldn’t explain?
Mila blinked.
A mark?
Her mind jumped instantly to something she hadn’t thought about in years something she’d assumed was just a birthmark.
A thin, pale line just above her collarbone. Almost shaped like a crescent. It had always been there. Doctors said it was normal.
But it had changed recently.
Over the past month, she’d noticed it sometimes felt warm.Sometimes it faintly glowed, barely visible unless she was in total darkness. And sometimes, it pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat.
She never told anyone.
Not even her mom.
Not even her best friend.
It never seemed important. Just… weird.
But now she felt that same warmth spreading across her collarbone, slowly, like the mark knew it was being mentioned; she knew it was being remembered.
Her breath trembled as she typed Yes. Aiden… I think I have something.
Instant reply: Where?
Above my collarbone. A crescent shape. I always thought it was just a birthmark.
Aiden didn’t respond right away.
When he finally did, the message made her skin tingle. It’s not a birthmark.
Her chest tightened.
Aiden… What is it then?
The answer came after a long pause… Too long.
The destiny mark. They’re drawn to its energy.
Her eyes widened, and she slapped her hand over her mouth to muffle her gasp.
The pantry walls suddenly felt too close. Too tight. Like the whole room was shrinking.
Another message arrived. That’s why they’re here tonight. The storm strengthens the mark… and the mark calls to them.
Mila felt her whole body shaking. What are they? She typed.
No answer.
Aiden please tell me I’m scared… What are they?
Finally:
Hunters.
Her blood ran cold.
Her throat tightened until she could barely swallow.
Hunters of what? Of me? WHY?
There was another long pause. He was typing, stopping, typing again, as if choosing his words carefully.
Then…
You’re the tenth, Mila.
The last destiny holder.
They’ve been tracking the others for years.
Her breath caught painfully.
What happened to the others?
No reply.
A full minute passed.
Then Aiden finally sent one message one that made her head spin and her heart drop:
You’re the last one alive.
Mila covered her mouth to keep from crying out.
Alive.
Alive.
That means…
The others weren’t.
Her vision blurred with tears.
Her phone buzzed again Aiden again, urgent:
Mila, don’t cry. They hear emotion.
Her entire body stiffened.
Stay absolutely silent. I’m coming for you.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Another buzz.
Don’t move.
Another.
Don’t speak.
And then, Her heart stopped when she saw the final message he sent:
They’re inside your house.
- Writer
