Chapter 9 Shadows of the unknown
848 Words
Chapter 9 – Shadows of the Unknown
Elena's POV
“WELCOME TO A NEW WORLD.”
Those words danced boldly across my answer sheet, inked in a way that shimmered strangely under the dim light. I didn’t write them—at least, not intentionally. How did they get there? I stared at them, unmoving, like the answer would reveal itself if I just kept looking long enough.
Before I could even process it further, a familiar voice cut through the air.
“Time’s up,” Professor Edna announced from the front.
I blinked, startled, and quickly looked around.
My heart skipped.
The hall was empty.
Every desk—except mine—was vacant. The silence was unnerving. Where was everyone? Had I been sitting here that long?
I sprang up from my seat, clutching my answer booklet like it held my soul.
“How long have I been here?” I whispered to myself as I walked—no, almost ran—toward the professor’s desk.
Without saying a word, I handed in my script. Professor Edna stared at me quietly, her eyes sharp, almost knowing. That look sent a chill down my spine.
Before I could even speak, Ana burst into the exam hall.
“Elena!” she called, eyes wide with worry. “What happened? You’re always one of the first people to finish exams. Was this one that difficult?”
I blinked at her, still dazed. “Ana, I... I don’t know how to explain it. Everything just felt... weird. The questions—some of them were normal, but then others…” I stopped myself. “Let’s go outside. I need air.”
We walked out of the hall side by side. Whispers filled the corridors like echoes.
“Did she freeze up?”
“She didn’t finish in time.”
“I thought she was the smart one.”
I heard every word.
Some students pointed subtly as we passed, others simply looked at me with curiosity, or worse—pity.
Ana leaned close. “Ignore them. You’ve always been better than them, Elena.”
Before I could respond, a familiar trio stepped into our path.
Of course. The bullies.
“Well, well, look who took the whole day to write a little test,” Cali said mockingly, tossing her hair. “Didn’t study enough, huh? I can’t wait to see your name off the list.”
I narrowed my eyes but stayed calm. “And how exactly does my success or failure affect you?” I said quietly.
Ricky smirked. “Her failure is your victory, isn’t it, Cali?”
Ana stepped forward, her temper rising. “And is this the only way you think you can win, by hoping others fail? That’s pathetic.”
Cali shoved between us, brushing past like she owned the corridor. “Enjoy your short-lived dream, Elena,” she said. “Because you’re not going to Witches High. Not in this lifetime.”
Ana clenched her fists. “Let me—”
“No,” I said, gently pulling her back. “Let her talk. Empty barrels, you know.”
We both exhaled deeply as the trio disappeared around the corner. I forced a smile.
“Thank you for standing up for me, Ana. Again.”
“You’d do the same for me,” she replied, finally smiling again. “But still... I don’t like seeing you so off. It’s not like you.”
“I know,” I admitted. “And I promise I’ll tell you everything. Just... not right now.”
We left the school compound quietly. By now, the sun was halfway across the sky, casting golden rays across the streets. The day felt both ordinary and extraordinary, like something powerful had shifted—and only I could feel it.
“Bye, Ana,” I said as we reached the junction.
“Bye, Elena. Take care, and don’t overthink it, okay?”
“Yeah... I’ll try.”
I watched her walk away before I headed home. My legs moved on their own, but my mind was far away.
So many thoughts. So many questions.
The exam. The shifting time. The strange question. The glowing words.
What did it all mean?
By the time I reached the house, I was drained. I dropped my bag at the door, walked to the bathroom, and stood under a cold shower. The water washed over me like rain, but it couldn’t cleanse the tension wrapped around my chest.
Mom wasn’t home yet. It was only 2:30 PM. She usually got back by 5 PM. That gave me about two and a half hours to rest.
I dried off and slipped into fresh clothes. My eyelids were heavy. My body begged for sleep. As soon as I hit the bed, I barely had time to pull the sheets over me before sleep pulled me under like a wave.
And just before I slipped into unconsciousness, I whispered to myself:
“Today was the strangest day of my life.”
Author POV
Little did she know... it was just the beginning.
- Writer
