Shadow in the firelightð
854 Words
The bonfire crackled at the edge of the festival grounds, flames dancing high into the night sky, casting flickering shadows on everyone's faces. Guitars strummed lazy chords, people roasted marshmallows, and couples snuggled under shared blankets. It was supposed to be the perfect romantic backdrop the kind I'd engineered for dozens of matches. But tonight, it felt like a trap.
Lila sat cross-legged on a hay bale, laughing as Lucas played a cover of some Ed Sheeran song. His voice was good smooth, confident and she was leaning in, eyes locked on him like he was the only person there. I'd positioned myself a few feet away, pretending to text Alex, but really watching. Coaching. Dying inside.
"Play something original," Lila said, her voice carrying over the fire.
Lucas grinned. "You asked for it." He switched to a melody I'd never heard soft, haunting, with lyrics about lost chances and hidden feelings. The crowd hushed, drawn in. Lila's expression softened, and she glanced at me for a second. Or did I imagine it?
My burner phone vibrated in my pocket. Again. I'd ignored three messages already, but this one felt urgent.
I slipped away from the circle, ducking behind a stack of hay bales where the light didn't reach. The screen glowed:
Enjoying the show, Eli? Lucas is perfect for her, isn't he? Keep pushing them together. Or tonight ends with everyone knowing your pathetic obsession.
Attached: another screenshot. This one worse an old photo from my cloud backup. Me, at fourteen, sneaking a picture of Lila at the beach during a neighborhood barbecue. I'd deleted it years ago, ashamed. How did they get this?
My hands shook. This wasn't just hacking my notes. This was deep personal files, deleted stuff. Someone close. Someone who'd been in my life long enough to access my old phone, my computer.
I typed back for the first time: Who are you? What do you want?
Dots appeared. Then: I want you to suffer like you've made others suffer. Playing God with hearts? Time to pay.
Made others suffer? Most matches worked out. A few didn't, sure one couple broke up messily last year but nothing bad enough for this.
I looked back at the fire. Lila was clapping as Lucas finished, her hand brushing his arm. He smiled down at her. My chest tightened.
Alex appeared beside me, startling me. "Dude, where've you been? Lila's asking for you."
"I... needed air."
He frowned. "You're pale. The exposure hitting hard?"
"Worse." I hesitated, then showed him the DMs the threats, the screenshots.
His eyes widened. "Holy s**t, Eli. This is blackmail. We need to tell someone police, maybe?"
"No. Not yet. It'll expose everything, including... the Lila stuff."
He read the beach photo message. "Wait, this is stalker-level. Who could have this?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure."
We stood in silence, the festival noise distant. Then Alex's face changed guilt? "Eli... remember when I said I slipped to Jordan? I might have told one other person. In confidence."
"Who?"
He swallowed. "Lucas. At that party. He was new, asking about school drama. I mentioned the account, said the creator had a thing for someone unattainable. I didn't name names, swear."
Lucas.
My mind reeled. The new guy. Charming, perfect Lucas who just happened to transfer right when things escalated. Who hit it off with Lila instantly.
"Coincidence?" Alex asked, but his voice lacked conviction.
I stared at the bonfire. Lucas was handing Lila a marshmallow, their fingers touching. She laughed.
No coincidence.
I marched back, heart pounding. Time to test.
"Hey, Lucas," I said, forcing casual. "Great playing. Where'd you learn?"
He looked up, smile easy. "Back in Seattle. Dad's a musician."
"Cool. Hey, randomâever mess with i********: hacks? For fun?"
His strum faltered for a split second. "Nah, not my thing. Why?"
"Just curious. With all the account drama lately."
Lila frowned. "Eli, you okay?"
"Fine." But I wasn't. That falter guilt?
My phone buzzed again.
Smart, Eli. But wrong guess. Lucas is innocent. For now. Push them closer, or the next reveal is bigger. Something that ruins more than your crush.
Attached: a video clip. Me, last week, talking to myself in my room recorded somehow. "If I get good at this, maybe Lila will see me differently..."
Webcam? Hidden camera?
Darkness crept in. This wasn't just blackmail. It was invasion. Violation.
The fire popped, sparks flying. Someone screamed playfully from the haunted tunnel.
But the real horror was here.
I sat beside Lila, forcing a smile. "You two look good together. You should... go for a walk or something."
She beamed. "Really? You think?"
"Yeah. He's great."
Lucas stood, offering his hand. She took it.
As they walked away, hand in hand toward the darker edge of the grounds, I felt the shadows close in.
The blackmailer wasn't done. And whatever dark side they had it was aimed straight at me.
But worse: as Lila disappeared with Lucas, part of me wondered if the blackmailer was right. Had I played God too long? Was this karma?
Or was the darkest side... mine?
- Writer
