Third Listener
330 Words
The forest behind the hill was darker than the rest of the town.
Tall trees formed shadows that stretched like silent guardians across the ground.
Luke grabbed Allyah's hand.
"Stay close."
Her heart jumped.
"Are we seriously walking into the creepy forest because of a mysterious whisper?"
"Yes."
"Great plan."
Luke laughed quietly.
They stepped between the trees, their footsteps crunching softly on dry leaves.
The deeper they walked, the quieter everything became.
Then-
A branch snapped.
Allyah jumped.
"Hello?" Luke called.
No answer.
Another rustle.
Then a voice.
"You shouldn't be here."
A girl stepped out from behind one of the trees.
She looked about their age, with long dark hair and sharp eyes that glowed faintly in the moonlight.
Allyah stared.
"You-"
"I heard the stars," the girl said calmly.
Luke's expression hardened.
"So did we."
The girl crossed her arms.
"I know."
Allyah blinked.
"How?"
"Because the stars told me."
The air suddenly felt tense.
Luke stepped slightly in front of Allyah.
"Who are you?"
The girl tilted her head.
"I am Seren."
"That's... ironic," Allyah said.
Seren raised an eyebrow.
"You know what my name means?"
"Star."
Seren smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
Luke frowned.
"You're a Star Listener."
"Yes."
"How long?"
Seren shrugged.
"All my life."
Allyah's mind raced.
"So there are more people like us?"
Seren shook her head.
"Not many."
She looked up at the sky.
"Three."
Luke stiffened.
"You mean-"
"Yes."
Her eyes moved between them.
"You... me... and him."
Allyah's heart dropped.
"Him?"
Seren's voice grew serious.
"The one the stars warned me about."
The wind suddenly blew stronger, making the leaves tremble.
Allyah felt a whisper brush past her ear.
"Danger comes."
She grabbed Luke's arm.
"Did you hear that?"
Luke nodded slowly.
Seren's face darkened.
"It's starting sooner than I thought."
"What is?" Allyah asked.
Seren looked at them both.
"The reason the stars brought you together."
The forest suddenly felt colder.
And somewhere above the clouds...
the stars flickered uneasily.
- Writer
