Isla
The morning sun streamed in through the gauzy curtains of my apartment, filtering gold light across the hardwood floors. The city outside buzzed with life again—horns honking, birds shrieking from wire to wire, neighbors clattering about with their routines. But in my chest, everything still felt bruised.
The Shadow figure had frightened me.
I wondered if another creature would visit Again. And then disappear into the shadows like the other did. Only this time, it felt heavier. Final.
I hadn’t even changed out of yesterday's clothes. The faint scent of wildflowers from the Hollow still clung to me. I curled my legs under myself on the couch, phone in hand, thumb hovering over her name. My best friend.
Lily.
We hadn’t spoken in nearly a week. Not since before Graven Hollow. Befor
