Chapter 10
638 Words
Three days.
That was all the note had said.
When the full moon rises in three nights, do not leave your home.
The words echoed in Elena's mind long after she woke the next morning.
She had barely slept.
Every creak of the apartment building had made her sit upright in bed, convinced someone was outside her door. By dawn, exhaustion settled heavily over her, but life refused to pause.
She still had to work.
She still had bills to pay.
And she still had no answers.
After getting dressed, she slipped the mysterious note into her backpack instead of throwing it away.
"I've officially lost my mind," she muttered.
If someone had told her a week ago that she'd be carrying around anonymous warnings about the full moon, she would have laughed.
Now, it felt too important to ignore.
~~~
The streets of Ashridge were already bustling by the time she reached the cafe.
The familiar scent of coffee beans and freshly baked bread greeted her as she stepped inside.
"Morning!" Lily called cheerfully.
"You actually look worse than yesterday."
Elena laughed weakly.
"Thanks. That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
"I'm serious."
Lily lowered her voice.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm just tired."
Mrs. Benson walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray of pastries.
"Enough talking. We've got customers."
The morning rush quickly swept Elena into her routine.
Taking orders.
Serving coffee.
Smiling politely.
For a few precious hours, everything felt almost normal.
Until the café door opened.
A little girl, no older than eight, walked inside holding her mother's hand.
As they passed Elena, the child suddenly stopped.
She stared up at Elena with wide, curious eyes.
"Mommy..."
The woman looked down.
"What is it?"
The little girl pointed directly at Elena.
"That lady is glowing."
The room fell strangely quiet.
Her mother laughed awkwardly.
"I'm so sorry. She has a wild imagination."
She gently pulled her daughter away.
But the child continued looking over her shoulder.
"She really is."
Elena felt her stomach tighten.
~~~
Back in Black Moon territory, Kael stood in the training arena watching warriors spar.
His attention, however, wasn't on the fight before him.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
Ryker approached at a brisk pace.
"The rogue we tracked yesterday has disappeared."
Kael didn't seem surprised.
"He wanted us to know he was there."
"You think it was deliberate?"
"Everything about this is deliberate."
Ryker crossed his arms.
"Our patrols have doubled, just as you ordered."
"And the borders?"
"Secure."
Kael nodded once.
"Good."
Before Ryker could leave, Kael spoke again.
"The full moon is in three nights."
"I know."
"If anything unusual happens..."
"We'll be ready."
Kael looked toward the distant mountains.
"I hope that's enough."
~~~
That evening, Elena left work just before sunset.
Instead of walking home alone, Lily caught up with her.
"I'll walk with you."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
Lily smiled.
"But I'd rather not let my best coworker wander around by herself after everything that's happened."
Elena smiled gratefully.
"Thanks."
The two women chatted about work, customers, and everyday life.
For the first time in days, Elena found herself laughing.
It felt good.
Normal.
They reached Elena's apartment building.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Lily said.
"See you."
As Lily walked away, Elena unlocked the main entrance and stepped inside.
Just before the door closed, she glanced back.
Across the street...
A black SUV was parked beneath a tree.
Its windows were heavily tinted.
The engine was running.
Someone was inside.
Watching.
The moment Elena looked in its direction, the vehicle slowly pulled away without turning on its headlights.
A chill ran down her spine.
She couldn't see the driver's face.
But she knew one thing.
Whoever they were...
They hadn't been waiting for just anyone.
They had been waiting for her.
- Writer
