11 - The Shadow's Edge
1194 Words
The piercing silence of the house at 1 a.m. was unsettling. I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart pounding like a drum. Another nightmare. It’s been this way every night since the accident, and I’ve gotten used to it.
My thirst clawed at my throat, so I got up to fetch some water. The dim light from the hallway barely illuminated the steps as I headed downstairs.
When I reached the kitchen, I noticed the light was already on. My brows furrowed. Did Draco forget to turn it off? The house was an open layout, and from where I stood, I could see the dining area and living room. The only place out of sight was the guest room at the back where Draco was staying.
I shrugged it off and opened the fridge to grab a pitcher of cold water. Just as I poured myself a glass, a shadow flickered in the corner of my eye.
I froze.
Slowly, I turned, but there was nothing there. My heart thudded loudly in my chest, each beat echoing in the quiet. It’s probably just my imagination, I told myself, but the uneasy feeling wouldn’t go away.
“Draco? Is that you?” I called out, my voice trembling slightly.
No answer.
I tried to shake off the fear as I gulped down the water. But then, I heard it—a faint rustling sound, like someone was shifting their weight nearby.
The glass in my hand trembled as I placed it down on the counter. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. My feet moved on their own, rushing toward the light switches by the kitchen. One by one, I flicked them on, illuminating every corner of the house.
Still nothing.
I let out a shaky breath and sat on the couch in the living room, clutching the glass of water. To calm my nerves, I turned on the TV, scrolling mindlessly for something light and funny. The cheerful background noise helped a little, but I couldn’t shake off the eerie feeling.
I kept glancing around, half expecting someone—or something—to appear.
“Stop scaring yourself,” I muttered under my breath.
But then, just as I started to relax, I saw it again—another shadow, moving swiftly behind me.
I whipped around, heart racing, but there was no one there.
“Get a grip,” I whispered, pressing my palm to my forehead. Maybe I was just overtired. The nightmares, the stress, the packed schedule—it was all too much.
And then, everything went black.
I felt hands cover my eyes, firm yet gentle. Panic surged through me, but before I could scream, a strange sense of calm washed over me. My body grew heavy, and I sank into darkness.
---
“Sync! Wake up! We’re going to be late!”
Max’s voice cut through my haze as she shook me awake. My eyes snapped open, and I groaned. My head throbbed, my body stiff from sleeping on the couch.
“What time is it?” I asked, sitting up and rubbing my temples.
“Seven a.m. You’ve got an interview in an hour!” Max said, her voice sharp with urgency as she threw an outfit onto the coffee table.
“Crap!” I bolted up and dashed upstairs for a quick shower. There was no time to dwell on the weird events from last night.
As I scrubbed my face, flashes of the shadows and the hands over my eyes came rushing back. What the hell happened? Was I dreaming?
No. I knew what I felt—it was real.
Shaking the thoughts away, I hurried to get ready. I barely had time for my usual makeup routine, opting for a natural look to save time. As I curled my hair, the strange sensation from last night lingered in the back of my mind.
Someone touched me. I’m sure of it.
“Hey! Are you done?” Max called from the bottom of the stairs. “We’re running out of time!”
“Coming!” I grabbed my makeup bag and rushed down, sliding into the van right after Max. Draco was already in the front passenger seat, staring out the window as if lost in thought.
My eyes flicked to him briefly. His face was, as always, unreadable. But something about his presence felt heavier this morning, like he knew something I didn’t.
“Did you hear the TV last night?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
He turned his head slightly, meeting my gaze in the rearview mirror. “No,” he said simply, his voice low and even. “Why?”
“Nothing,” I muttered, looking away and focusing on my makeup. His gaze lingered for a moment longer before he turned back to the window.
As the van rolled through the city, I kept sneaking glances at Draco. Something about him didn’t add up. He was quiet, too quiet, and his movements were deliberate, almost calculated.
But why was I even thinking about him?
“Stop staring at him,” Max whispered, smirking as she nudged my side.
“I wasn’t,” I snapped, heat rushing to my cheeks.
---
The interview was live, and the studio buzzed with energy. Fans cheered from the audience, their excitement palpable.
“Welcome back, Sync!” the host greeted me warmly. “It’s great to see you again!”
“Thank you. I’m excited to be here,” I said, flashing a smile.
The interview started off light, discussing my career and upcoming projects. But then, the tone shifted.
“How are you doing after the incident? Your fans have been worried about you,” the host asked, her voice soft and concerned.
I swallowed hard, my smile faltering for a moment. “I’m doing better, thank you. It’s been a tough few months, but I’m ready to move forward. This comeback is my way of showing that I’m okay and stronger than ever.”
The audience erupted in applause, their support warming my heart.
“And speaking of moving forward,” the host continued, her tone turning playful, “fans have been curious about your relationship with Win. Any updates?”
My heart sank. I forced a smile, but the familiar ache crept in. “Win and I… We’ve decided to focus on our careers for now. We’re both busy, and it’s best for us to prioritize our goals.”
It was a rehearsed answer, but it still hurts to say.
The host nodded, seemingly satisfied, and shifted the conversation back to my upcoming series. But as the interview went on, I couldn’t help but feel a pair of eyes watching me, burning into my skin.
Draco.
When our eyes met briefly from where he stood behind the cameras, a chill ran down my spine. His expression remained neutral, but there was something in his gaze—something that made me feel both uneasy and intrigued.
Something told me Draco like he is hiding something I don't know. And I was determined to find out what.
- Writer
