The last Silunar

College day

Alice’s POV

I had been out in the yard doing the laundry as mandated by Mara before I could go to school. I had to obey them or they would make sure I was out on the streets, especially as Dad had died.

There was nothing forthcoming about who might have murdered him, my stepmom was starting to doubt if it was indeed murder but the evidence was glaring.

The sun was rising higher, warm but not yet harsh, and the breeze tugged at my hair as if teasing me. My sisters’ laughter—soft, distant, and half-hearted—floated from the house. It cut through me. We hadn’t laughed properly in weeks. Not since Father died.

To distract myself, I did what I always did when silence got too heavy: I hummed.

It was a melody I'd picked up from Mom. My earliest memory was of her humming it while braiding my hair, her soft voice lulling me to sleep. Even after she was gone, Father had sung it sometimes—quietly, as if singing to her spirit.

And now, it was mine.

A shiver coursed through me though the sun was warm. My hands slowed. My heart began to race. The air grew heavier, thick with… something. It was like the song had opened a door inside me and something—or someone—was stepping through.

I swallowed, forcing myself to focus on the clothes. I clipped one dress, then another, then another, too fast, my fingers fumbling with the pegs.

The feeling only grew stronger.

It was heat—but not the kind that burned. More like a warmth wrapping itself around me. Like a presence just behind me.

My chest tightened. My breath came shallow. Don’t turn… don’t turn…

But I did.

The basket slipped from my hands and hit the ground with a dull thud.

No one was there.

Only the swaying clothes and the whisper of the breeze.

My heart pounded against my ribs as I forced myself to pick up the last few damp garments and pin them hastily. My hands shook, but I didn’t dare look back again. As soon as the final piece hung on the line, I snatched the empty basin and rushed into the house, nearly colliding with Mara at the doorway.

She frowned at me. “What’s up with you ?”

“I—” I shut my mouth. There was no point explaining. They wouldn’t understand.

They’d only mock me.

Mara shrugged and stepped aside.

Inside, Clara was folding her scarf neatly. She glanced up at me with her usual sharp eyes.

“Are you finally done? Took you long enough.”

I nodded mutely, setting the basin down.

“Good,” she said flatly.

Then she exchanged a glance with Mara before turning back to me. “Listen, Alice. We’ve decided we’re not going to school anymore.”

My chest clenched. “What?”

“We only agreed because of Father,” Mara said bluntly, crossing her arms. “But he’s gone. There’s no reason to pretend anymore.”

The words cut deep, but I said nothing.

Clara’s gaze lingered on me, daring me to argue. I didn’t. My throat felt too tight to speak anyway.

“Go if you want,” Clara said finally, adjusting her scarf. “But don’t expect us to follow.”

The silence in the room was suffocating. I wanted to scream. I wanted to beg them to honor Father’s wishes, to remind them of his sacrifices.

But instead, I pressed my lips together and nodded.

“Alright.”

They simply glanced at me and continued with what they were doing.

I picked up my bag, slipped it onto my shoulder, and walked toward the door.

And I didn’t look back.

I drew a deep breath, forcing my legs forward.

Whatever had happened outside while I sang. Whatever that warmth was, that invisible closeness , I shoved it into the back of my mind.

It was just my head. Just grief playing tricks.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

The walk to college that morning felt like hell. The trauma of Dad's death still felt fresh, bleeding into every breath.

When I reached the classroom door, I paused. I could hear voices inside, laughter and chatter that didn’t belong to me. I swallowed hard and pushed it open.

The room grew quieter. Heads turned. Whispers followed like little arrows pricking at my skin.

The professor turned to look at me and narrowed his eyes.

“Quiet down”, he began in a gruff voice. “We have a new student joining us.”

I forced myself to nod politely, clutching my books tighter to my chest.

“Uh… good morning, I'm Alice” I managed, my voice small, almost swallowed by the silence.

Whispers broke out immediately.

“She’s pretty.”

“She looks nervous.”

“Worse, late”

“That’s enough,” The professor intoned with a sharp glance at them.

Then, turning back to me, he asked, “Would you like to say something Alice? I'm Professor Ruckus”

My throat tightened. “I… um, not really. I’ll just do my best.”

“Fair enough.” He replied and gave a curt nod.

I forced a smile, but the air shifted. My necklace grew warm against my collarbone. And then—

The warmth. That pull. That strange, consuming fire that had haunted me. It surged through me, stronger now, commanding my body before my mind could resist.

My eyes darted, scanning the room, searching for the source until they landed on him.

He sat at the back, leaning casually as if the world didn’t dare touch him. His hair was a deep golden with intense dark eyes that caught my gaze.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

Our eyes locked, and the fire roared to life.

He straightened slightly, the lazy posture breaking. His lips parted just enough for me to see his surprise.

I whispered under my breath, barely moving my lips, “It’s you…”

I didn’t mean to say it aloud, but the words slipped out.

Across the room, his brows furrowed, as if he had heard me despite the distance.

A girl beside him nudged his arm. “Jason, you okay?”

Jason. So that was his name.

He blinked, dragging his gaze away from mine for a split second before answering. His voice was low, strained, but I caught it.

“I… yeah. I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t fine. I could feel it. The same heat that consumed me was burning him too.

I lowered my head, moving quickly toward an empty seat near the window in front of him. My hands trembled as I set my books down. I told myself not to look back.

Don’t look.

But I did.

Our gazes collided again, and this time, it wasn’t just fire—it was recognition. As if he knew me. As if some part of him had been waiting.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure the whole room could hear.

He leaned slightly forward, whispering under his breath, words not meant for anyone else.

“Why… do I feel like I know you?”