Chapter 5: Stirring Shadows
921 Words
The night was restless. Pia lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind tangled with questions. The figure in her vision—what was it? And if it couldn’t actually see her, then why did it react like it did?
It felt her.
But that wasn’t possible… was it?
The air in her room grew cold. Pia shivered, pulling the blanket tighter around her. The shadows along the walls seemed darker than usual, stretching unnaturally toward the corners of the room.
She closed her eyes. It’s just your imagination.
Then—
A whisper.
Low. Distant.
Her eyes snapped open.
The room was silent, but the feeling of being watched prickled against her skin.
She sat up, her breath shallow. The mirror on her dresser sat directly across from her bed, its surface reflecting the dim light of her bedside lamp.
For a moment, she hesitated. Then, slowly, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and walked toward it.
Her reflection stared back at her—wide-eyed, pale, tense.
She swallowed hard.
Don’t do it.
But she couldn’t help it.
She leaned closer.
And the second her fingers brushed the glass—
The world shifted.
---
The Vision
The church again.
But this time, it wasn’t Jason.
It was her.
Pia stood in the center of the ruined church, bound by the same cruel vines, the same dagger pressing against her skin. The faceless figure loomed over her, whispering its eerie chant.
The air crackled with something old, something dark.
Then, slowly, the figure lifted its head.
And though it had no face, she felt its attention lock onto her.
"Seer."
The word slithered into her mind, cold and knowing.
Pia gasped, stumbling back—
And she was falling, yanked out of the vision so violently that she collapsed onto her bedroom floor.
She gasped for air, her body trembling.
Seer.
The figure knew what she was.
And now, it was coming for her.
Pia’s breaths came in shallow gasps as she clutched the edge of her dresser, her knuckles white against the wood. The vision had left her body weak, her muscles trembling from the force of being pulled in and yanked out so violently.
But it wasn’t just the physical exhaustion that made her stomach churn.
It was the realization that the figure—whoever or whatever it was—had recognized her.
Seer.
The word felt like an unspoken promise. A threat.
She had spent her life brushing off her abilities, treating them as nothing more than cruel, intrusive nightmares. But this was different. This thing knew her. It was aware of her presence, even if it couldn't see her fully. And if she had seen Jason’s murder before it happened, did that mean her own vision was a warning, too?
Was she next?
A chill settled in her bones as she pushed herself off the floor, her mind racing. She needed to talk to Kieran. Now.
---
The Alpha’s Instincts
Kieran was easy to find. He was always surrounded by people—whether they were swooning admirers, curious classmates, or his tight-knit friend group.
But Pia had learned how to pick him out in a crowd.
He stood near the football field, his hoodie unzipped over a plain black t-shirt, sleeves pushed up to reveal forearms that hinted at his athletic build. His presence was commanding but effortless, like he didn’t even realize how much space he took up.
She cut through the groups of students, barely acknowledging the stares she received.
“Kieran.”
He turned at the sound of her voice, dark brows lifting in curiosity. “Pia? What’s up?”
She hesitated, glancing around. “Can we talk? Alone.”
His expression shifted immediately, the teasing glint in his eyes dimming. “Yeah, of course.”
They walked toward the far end of the field, where the trees formed a natural barrier between the school and the road beyond.
“What’s wrong?” Kieran asked as soon as they stopped.
Pia exhaled, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “I had another vision.”
Kieran’s stance tensed. “You mean like the other ones?”
She shook her head. “No. Worse.”
She explained everything—the vision of Jason in the church, the eerie ritual, and how the figure had felt her presence even though it couldn’t see her. She hesitated before mentioning the part about seeing herself as the next victim.
Kieran’s expression darkened with each word.
“You’re sure it hasn’t happened yet?” he asked.
Pia nodded. “Jason said he doesn’t own the clothes I saw him wearing. So, it has to be a warning.”
Kieran ran a hand down his face, frustration evident. “This is bad, Pia. Whoever—whatever—this thing is, it’s not just some random killer. It’s connected to something deeper. And if it can sense you…” His jaw clenched.
Pia swallowed. “I need to find that church.”
Kieran gave her a sharp look. “You mean we need to find it.”
Pia hesitated. “I don’t want to drag you into this—”
“You’re not dragging me into anything,” he said firmly. “If you think I’m letting you go off chasing a murderer alone, you don’t know me at all.”
Something in his tone sent warmth through her chest.
Before she could respond, another voice interrupted.
“Well, this looks intense.”
Pia turned sharply.
Elias.
- Writer
