Eyes That See Too Much
861 Words
I thought I could act normal.
I was wrong
The moment we returned to camp—
I felt it.
The stares.
Not obvious.
Not direct.
But there.
Watching.
Waiting.
“…You’re late.”
Solren’s voice cut through the silence like a blade.
I stopped.
“…We were just—”
“Lost?” Kael interrupted, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“…Something like that.”
Great. That sounded suspicious.
Because it is.
I resisted the urge to sigh.
“Nothing unusual happened?” Solren asked, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.
My chest tightened.
“…No.”
A lie.
And the worst part?
They could probably tell.
You’re terrible at this.
Shut up.
Taika stepped forward before the silence stretched too long.
“…We checked the perimeter. It’s clear.”
Solren’s gaze shifted to him.
Lingering.
Like he was weighing something.
“…I see.”
That was it.
No further questions.
But somehow—
That made it worse.
I moved to sit at the edge of the camp again.
Far enough.
Safe enough.
You think distance will fix this?
It’s better than nothing.
But even from here—
I could feel it.
The tension.
And then—
“You’re avoiding everyone again.”
I didn’t even have to look.
“…Do you ever mind your own business?” I muttered.
Kael chuckled softly as he dropped beside me.
“…Where’s the fun in that?”
“…Go away.”
“…Not happening.”
I clicked my tongue.
“…You’re annoying.”
“…You’ve said that before.”
“…Because it’s still true.”
Kael smirked.
“…And yet, here I am.”
Why does he look like he knows something?
“…What do you want?” I asked.
“…Just curious.”
“…About what?”
His gaze sharpened slightly.
“…You.”
My stomach dropped.
“…That’s vague.”
“…You came back different.”
I froze.
“…I didn’t.”
“…You did.”
His voice wasn’t teasing anymore.
It was certain.
“…You’re imagining things.”
“…Am I?”
I looked away.
Stay calm.
Don’t react.
“…You’re overthinking it,” I said.
“…Maybe.”
A pause.
“…Or maybe you’re hiding something.”
My chest tightened.
“…I’m not.”
Kael leaned back slightly, studying me.
“…Then prove it.”
“…What?”
“…Stop acting like you’re about to run away at any second.”
I opened my mouth—
Then stopped.
Because I didn’t have an answer.
“…Exactly,” Kael murmured.
Before I could snap back—
“That’s enough.”
Solren again.
Kael sighed dramatically.
“…You’re no fun.”
“…Leave her alone.”
“…I was just talking.”
“…Then stop.”
Kael raised his hands in mock surrender.
“…Fine.”
But before he left—
He glanced at me.
And smiled.
Not playful.
Knowing.
He suspects something.
“…Great,” I muttered
“You’re not subtle.”
I flinched slightly.
Taika.
“…I noticed,” I said dryly.
“…You need to be careful.”
“…I am being careful.”
He raised a brow.
“…You’re arguing with people.”
“…That’s normal.”
“…You’re tense.”
“…That’s also normal.”
“…You’re lying.”
I glared at him.
“…You’re not helping.”
“…I’m trying.”
“…Badly.”
He exhaled softly.
“…They’re going to figure it out.”
My stomach tightened.
“…Not if we don’t give them a reason to.”
“…You already are.”
I looked away.
Because he wasn’t wrong.
“Luna.”
I stiffened.
Eryndor.
“…Yes?”
He approached slowly, calm as ever.
“…May I sit?”
“…It’s not my space.”
He smiled faintly anyway and sat beside me.
“…You seem troubled.”
“…I’m fine.”
“…You’re not.”
Why does everyone keep saying that?
“…I’m just tired.”
“…That’s not all.”
I stayed silent.
Eryndor didn’t push.
He never did.
“…If something is weighing on you,” he said gently, “you don’t have to carry it alone.”
My chest tightened.
Don’t fall for that.
“…I’m used to it.”
“…That doesn’t mean you should be.”
I didn’t respond.
Because I didn’t trust my voice.
Later that night—
I couldn’t sleep.
Again.
Of course you can’t.
“…Shut up.”
You’re hiding something from all of them.
“I know.”
And you don’t even understand it yourself.
“…I know.”
So what happens when it happens again?
Silence.
Because I didn’t have an answer.
And that terrified me.
Somewhere in the distance—
A branch snapped.
I froze.
“…Did you hear that?”
No response.
The camp was quiet.
Too quiet.
My instincts screamed.
Something’s wrong.
I stood slowly.
“…Hello?”
No answer.
The air felt… off.
Heavy.
Unnatural.
And for a brief moment—
I felt it again.
That strange pressure inside me.
Waiting.
Unstable.
“…No,” I whispered.
Not now.
But something in the darkness—
Was watching.
And this time—
I knew.
It wasn’t one of them.
- Writer
