It Will Come Back

A Midnight Invitation

The house felt emptier than usual. Ravi was staying with James for the night, and Levi had gone home hours ago, leaving me alone to sit on the worn-out brown sofa. My mind reeled with the revelations from earlier. Adopted? Everything my abusive brother said was true?

I rubbed my temples, sinking deeper into a spiral of thoughts. The silence pressed heavy against my chest until a sudden knock at the door shattered it.

Frowning, I got up and peered through the peephole. Ash.

My heart quickened, thudding so loudly I feared he might hear it through the door. I swung it open, and there he was, as enigmatic as ever.

“Hey,” I murmured, unsure of what to say.

“Hey,” he replied smoothly, stepping closer. “I want to take you somewhere.” His hands found mine, his touch cool and deliberate.

I blinked up at him, the warmth of his hand against mine throwing me off balance. “You do? I thought… I thought you never wanted to see me again.”

“Don’t be dramatic.” He smirked, his blue eyes glinting mischievously. “How could I ever go without seeing you? I’d die.”

I rolled my eyes, a smirk creeping onto my lips despite myself. “Now you’re the one being dramatic.”

“Touché,” he admitted with a chuckle. “Now, go get dressed. We’re going out.”

I glanced down at my Winnie the Pooh pajama pants and oversized red Adidas top, suddenly hyperaware of my disheveled appearance. “But it’s midnight,” I protested weakly.

“The best time of day,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “When the beasts come out to play.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Fine, fine. Give me ten minutes.”

“Good girl,” he said, his tone turning serious as he sank into the couch. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

Ten minutes later, I descended the stairs, wearing a black-and-gray striped sweater, skinny jeans, and short-heeled boots. The dark eyeliner I’d hastily applied accented my eyes, and my lips gleamed faintly from the cherry-tinted balm.

Ash looked up, and his reaction stunned me.

“Holy… s**t,” he muttered, his gaze raking over me.

I flushed. “I’m not great at dressing up,” I stammered, self-conscious. “That’s more Yasmin’s thing.”

He shook his head, a slow grin spreading across his face. “You’ve earned that title tonight.”

I smiled, unable to suppress the flutter in my chest. “So, where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” he said with a cryptic grin. “But trust me—you’re going to love it.”

Trust him? A man like Ash? I must be losing my mind.

“Fine, let’s go,” I said, stepping outside.

The night air was crisp, biting softly at my skin as we walked.

“So, where’s your car?” I asked, scanning the street.

“We’re walking,” Ash replied casually. “The fresh air will do us good.”

“Old-fashioned,” I teased, smirking. “I like it.”

“Since when has walking become old-fashioned?” he retorted, rolling his eyes.

I laughed, nudging his arm. “Well, people in your day must’ve walked a lot. What was that, three days ago?”

“Seventeen decades ago, actually,” he said with a grin, his tone teasing.

I shoved him lightly, and we both laughed. But the playful atmosphere shifted when an older man with dark gray hair and piercing white eyes passed us. His cold, unyielding glare locked onto Ash, and my body tensed.

The man’s energy felt… wrong. Dark. I shivered, a sudden chill gripping me.

“Hey, you okay?” Ash asked, concern flickering across his face.

I shook my head, glancing over my shoulder. “That man—he was glaring at you. Do you know him?”

Ash tilted his head. “What man?”

I blinked, looking back. The street was empty.

“No, he was right there,” I insisted. “You looked right at him!”

Ash’s expression turned wary. “Lux, there was no one there.”

“Don’t gaslight me, Ash,” I snapped, a mix of confusion and frustration bubbling inside me.

“I’m not,” he said firmly. “Maybe you’re just… imagining things?”

My hands clenched into fists, but I said nothing. Lately, I couldn’t tell what was real and what wasn’t.

“Come on,” Ash said gently, his cold fingers brushing against mine. “Let’s not let one weird moment ruin the night.”

“So, where are we going?” I asked after a while, the tension slowly easing from my shoulders.

“A club,” Ash said, his tone casual.

“A… club?” I echoed, trying to sound enthusiastic. “I love clubs.”

Ash chuckled. “Relax, it’s not just any club.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“It’s called The Neon Portal,” he said, a hint of excitement in his voice.

“The Neon Portal? Why’s it called that?”

He shrugged. “Legend says it sits on a dimensional rift—an old portal that crashed to Earth centuries ago. Supposedly, supernatural beings can feed off its energy to grow stronger.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s… quite the tale.”

He smiled. “It’s just a story. But who knows? Maybe we’ll feel its magic tonight.”

Something about his words sent a thrill through me. “Alright, Ash. Let’s see if this so-called portal lives up to the hype.”

“That’s the spirit,” he said, his grin widening.

The path ahead seemed darker and more mysterious, but for once, I wasn’t afraid. Something told me tonight would change everything.