The Invisibles

Chapter 2

Jazz flipped through the pages of an old, worn-out book, her mind only half-focused on the text. The university library was usually bustling with students cramming for exams or working on assignments, but tonight it was eerily quiet.

She had come here to escape the lingering anxiety of her recurring nightmares, hoping to lose herself in her studies, but now the silence was unsettling.

Hours had passed since she first sat down, and she hadn’t noticed the time slipping away. The library's usual chatter had gradually died down until it vanished completely, leaving her in a cocoon of silence.

It wasn’t until she looked up from her book that she realized she was completely alone.

Jazz glanced around the room, expecting to see at least a few late-night stragglers. But there was no one. Even the librarian had left, the front desk abandoned, its lamp casting a faint, ghostly glow over the empty chairs.

A shiver ran down her spine, and she pulled her cardigan tighter around her.

The air felt different, heavier, as if something unseen was pressing down on her. She had always been sensitive to changes in the atmosphere, a skill that had helped her avoid the creatures she could see—those invisible to others. But this felt different. This felt…wrong.She packed up her books, trying to ignore the growing sense of unease.

As she slung her bag over her shoulder, she felt it: a presence. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, and her heart began to race. She knew she wasn’t alone anymore.

Jazz took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Stay calm, don’t panic, she thought. She knew better than to react openly. She had learned long ago that if she let them know she could see or sense them, they would only get bolder, more aggressive.

She kept her eyes down as she walked towards the library's exit, but she could feel it following her, the weight of its presence growing stronger with every step. It was cold, unnaturally cold, and the air seemed to hum with energy, the kind that made her skin prickle.

When she reached the door, she hesitated. She could feel the entity closing in behind her, the whisper of movement just on the edge of her senses. She didn’t dare look back.

Jazz pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped out into the corridor. The moment she crossed the threshold, the oppressive feeling lifted slightly, as if whatever was inside the library couldn’t—or wouldn’t—follow her out.

She let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she clutched the strap of her bag.But the sense of relief was short-lived. As she hurried down the dimly lit hallway, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still watching her, still following her. The shadows seemed to stretch and warp, twisting into shapes that didn’t belong.

She reached the staircase and descended quickly, her footsteps echoing through the empty building.

The university was almost deserted at this hour, and the usual hum of life was replaced by an unsettling silence. Jazz kept her pace brisk, her eyes scanning the dark corners for any sign of movement.

As she reached the ground foor, she was met with a familiar face: Aunt Sarah. She was standing near the entrance, her expression filled with concern.“Jazz? What are you doing here so late?” Sarah asked, her voice soft but edged with worry.Jazz blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected to see her aunt here, especially not at this hour. “Aunt Sarah? What are you doing here?”

Sarah walked over to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I was just on my way home from work and thought I’d check in on you. Zia mentioned you were at the library. Are you okay?”

Jazz hesitated, glancing back towards the library entrance. The uneasy feeling had lessened, but it hadn’t disappeared entirely.

“I…I just lost track of time,” she said, not wanting to worry her aunt with the truth. “I didn’t realize it was so late.”

Sarah studied her closely, her brow furrowing. “You look pale. Have you been sleeping enough?”

Jazz forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m fine, really. Just a bit tired.”

Sarah didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t press further. “Let me walk you home. It’s too late for you to be out alone.”

Jazz nodded, grateful for the company. As they walked out of the building together, she cast one last glance back at the library. The shadows inside seemed to shift, as if something was watching her leave, but she didn’t dare linger.

The night air was cool against her skin, a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere inside. Jazz felt a slight sense of relief as they walked away from the university, but the encounter had left her shaken. Whatever had been in the library with her wasn’t just a figment of her imagination. It was real, and it was coming closer.As they walked, Sarah’s presence was comforting, but Jazz couldn’t help the dread that curled in the pit of her stomach.

She hadn’t had an encounter like that in years, not since Simon had disappeared. She knew it all too well—Simon’s presence had been protecting her before, giving her a sense of calm even when she was terrified of the Invisibles. His mere existence, just out of sight, had been a shield against the forces that lurked in the shadows.

Now, without him, she felt exposed. Vulnerable. The creatures she had always feared were no longer just in the background; they were encroaching on her life once more.

“I’m glad I found you,” Sarah said as they neared Jazz’s apartment. “You know, you can always talk to me if something’s bothering you.”

Jazz nodded, her thoughts a million miles away. “Thanks, Aunt Sarah. I appreciate it.”

They reached her apartment, and Sarah gave her a tight hug before leaving. Jazz watched her go, feeling a pang of guilt for not being entirely honest with her. But how could she explain the truth? Even Zia, her closest friend, didn’t know the full extent of what Jazz had been dealing with for years.

As she unlocked her door and stepped inside, Jazz felt the oppressive weight of her secret settling over her once more. The nightmare she had been running from for years was catching up to her, and she knew she couldn’t face it alone

.She thought of Simon again, of his sudden disappearance and the gaping hole it had left in her life. The thought of finding him seemed impossible " Where should I even start? i don't even know if Simon is still alive or what happened to him." she murmmered to herself.

"But i can't run away from this forever. no matter how terrifying it might be" She tried to fight back the fear inside. But for now, she would have to face the shadows alone, with only her wits and her resolve to guide her.