chapter one
1029 Words
"Run..."
The whisper drifted through the darkness like a dying breath.
Abigail spun around, her bare feet sinking into damp earth as cold mist curled around her ankles. Tall trees surrounded her, their twisted branches blocking out the moonlight. The forest was unnaturally silent.
A twig snapped somewhere behind her and her pulse leapt.
"Who's there?" she called, her voice trembling. She got no answer, instead, another whisper floated through the trees.
"Run..."
This time it sounded closer. Abigail stumbled backward, her breathing becoming uneven. She had no idea where she was or how she'd gotten there. One moment she'd been asleep in her apartment, and now...
A low growl rumbled through the forest, the sound was so deep she felt it vibrate beneath her feet. Her heart slammed against her ribs.
Slowly, she turned and she saw two silver eyes glowing from the darkness. they weren't human, didn't look like.
They watched her with an intensity that rooted her to the spot.
Fear coursed through her veins, yet strangely...She didn't want to run.
The creature stepped forward, its enormous silhouette emerging from the shadows. Moonlight caught strands of silver-black fur before a blinding white light swallowed everything.
A man's voice echoed through the forest.
"I've finally found you..."
Abigail gasped and her eyes flew open. she shot upright in bed, breathing hard as sweat dampened her forehead. Silence greeted her.
Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains of her apartment. Abigail pressed a hand against her chest, hoping her racing heart would calm down..
"This freaking same dream..." she whispered.
It had haunted her for years and she never remembered everything, only fragments. The forest, silver eyes and a voice she could never forget despite never hearing it in real life.
She rubbed her temples before forcing herself out of bed.
It was just another dream. it had to be, an hour later she left her apartment.
"Abigail!"
She froze, no not now! ,she knew that voice, she would recognize it anywhere. She considered pretending she hadn't heard him.
Actually... Why pretend? She quickly slipped her earphones into her ears without turning around and continued walking toward the narrow intersection leading back to her neighborhood.
Maybe if she walked fast enough...
"Abigail! Wait!"
She nearly groaned. Why wasn't he giving up?
Her steps became quicker until she felt warm fingers gently wrapp around her wrist.
She stopped and let out a curse under her breath.
"...Damn."
Taking a slow breath, Abigail composed herself before turning around.
Brian Parker stood before her, slightly out of breath.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, but despite chasing her halfway down the street, he was smiling.
That smile, the one she'd secretly admired for an entire year after joining the class he was taking.
Brian wasn't just handsome, he was kind. The kind of person who greeted everyone with the same warmth regardless of who they were. Which only made Abigail more determined to stay as far away from him as possible.
People like Brian belonged in bright places filled with laughter, people like her belonged...Well... Certainly not beside him.
"Finally." Brian laughed softly. "I thought you were going to make me run across the entire city."
Abigail pulled one earbud out.
"Oh..."
She forced an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you."
Brian glanced at the earphones before chuckling.
"That explains it."
She nodded, praying he couldn't hear how loudly her heart was beating.
"What are you doing around here?" he asked.
she stiffened. she couldn't tell him she lived here, not in this neighborhood where abandoned buildings, broken streetlights, and police sirens were part of everyday life.
"I was..." she hesitated before forcing a smile.
"...visiting a friend."
The lie came too quickly before she could stop it and brian didn't seem suspicious.
Instead, he looked around the street before his brows knitted together.
"You shouldn't stay here too long."
His voice became softer.
"This area isn't exactly safe."
Abigail lowered her eyes, if only he knew.
"I'll be leaving soon," she murmured.
Brian smiled again.
"Good."
For a few seconds, silence settled between them and she wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
She had imagined talking to Brian countless times and none of those imaginary conversations included standing in an oversized hoodie she'd owned for three years, worn sneakers, and a backpack that looked ready to fall apart.
Brian suddenly reached into his jacket pocket.
"I've actually been looking for you."
Her brows lifted.
"You missed class yesterday."
"I had work."
The words escaped before she realized she'd spoken them aloud and brian nodded in understanding.
"I figured."
He pulled out a white envelope and held it toward her.
"I wanted to give you this."
Abigail stared at it in confusion before carefully accepting it.
It was surprisingly elegant and simple but expensive enough that she became afraid of accidentally wrinkling it.
Brian rubbed the back of his neck.
"My birthday's this Saturday."
She blinked in surprise when she realised where their conversation was leading to.
"I'm having a party."
Her heart skipped a beat
"I'd really like you to come."
For several seconds, she simply stared at him.Surely he'd mistaken her for someone else.
"You... want me there?"
"Of course."
He smiled as though the answer was obvious.
"We're classmates."
Classmates, right, not friends. Certainly not anything more. Still, he remembered her.
"I don't think I..."
"No excuses."
He pointed at the envelope with a grin.
"Promise you'll at least think about it."
Before Abigail could refuse again, Brian glanced toward the road.
"My ride's here."
A sleek black car pulled up beside the curb and he opened the back door before looking at her one last time.
"I'll be disappointed if you don't come."
Then he climbed into the car, Abigail remained rooted to the sidewalk as the vehicle disappeared into traffic.
Only when it was completely out of sight did she lower her gaze to the invitation clutched in her hands.
A small smile tugged at her lips, one she tried and failed to hide.
For the first time in years... something had happened that made tomorrow feel just a little brighter.
- Writer
