abyss. The air was heavy, damp with the scent of wet earth and moss, and the silence felt un

ath a black veil, it hovered just beyond my reach. My heart lurched

ne. You are the Trybr

ng, echoing unnaturally in th

to keep steady. The figure, silent and distant, began to

ld," it continued, fading into the dark

t human. My head exploded with pain-a searing, blinding headache that made my vision blur. The

gers dug into my scalp as the sound continued

rything w

ring in my chest as if it wanted to break free. Swea

ied to ground myself in reality. The familiar surroundings of my room

e the Chosen One"-lingered, ha

d her face sunken. She looked so sick, like life was gradually drained from her. There's

and I pushed back as mu

"I didn't believe Ashley when she said you were back, but here you are. You think jus

y different from when I had last seen her. The transformation

lf for my bad actions. I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice trembling. Lucy's eyes

before she cackled and stormed out of the room. Only the

aint imprint of my fingers-evidence of my self-inflicted punishment. I was relieved that my desperate measure had kept Lucy at bay. Given he

ocess. I hopped on one foot, hissing as the pain exploded thr

h. Woodson had granted my wish. I was bac

out wolves and packs. Or being

work and live the boring life I had planned for myself. I was excited to live that li

ide of my chest-my heart. It was a dulling sensation-not too painful

get that and neede

tunk with alcohol and some weird smell I couldn't recognize. It was nauseating. To my fortunate surprise,

eed to check for the car. Eerily, it was there, still in its dis

her to insult me and call me names, and if they were feeling

ept for this morning's we

ing, insults

quiet. They w

I could, which is why I didn't inform Lucy I had left

ng down my usual time. My breaths were ragged and sh

bumped into me, causing me to stumble to the floor. Her sub-minio

was ten minutes early to class. The whole school treated

thl

cy would end in a month. A month until senior year was over, a month

nal bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. I should have be

ce was unsettling. She thrived on making my

like a prelude to

oon gnawed at me, and the urge to visit my father's grave became overwhelming. It had been

ercast, casting a gloomy shadow over the tombstones. My heart pounded as I made

wildflowers I had picked along the way seemed insignificant against the star

ilence around me was almost oppressive. "I'm so sorry. I've b

t a sob, the sound raw and anguished. "It's n