ter

e. Fallen leaves swirled across the path, but the shado

tle. Closer

ce wavering slightly. Only t

e. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears as

oft fo

rate, echoing fa

street was empty, but the air felt

r. The footsteps quickened to match her pace. She rounded the

tsteps

she spun around-again, nothing. Just

a low

neck rose. Slowly, she turned

om the darkness. Large

th

mi

n, familiar-snapped

a nearby lamppost for support. Her vision swam with flashes fr

the Forgotten Blood

oached from do

ey, are y

's v

ee her friend hur

me," Emily stammered, gl

ked him to drop me off here. What are you doin

w," Emily murmure

"Come on. Let'

d trapped in that moment-those golden eyes, that sinist

g felt

-

eep, though she remained curled beneath her blank

another long shift. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips

mily mumbl

g down to brush a strand of hair from her fac

ss, he exhaled slowly. His fingers

s something I ne

Dad?" she ask

ty Medical Center." He paused, the gravity of the annou

ion... They want me to lead research into unusual cases-things that science

rs ago, but the doctors are strugglin

ropped to

change-leaving your school, your friends, this ho

ticking of the clock downstairs. Emily's brow furrowed s

ing her alone, she couldn't hold him ba

ine. I understand. I'll talk to Beth a

asked, his shoulder

powers-I can adapt anywhere! Let's go kick some m

Alright now, sunshine.

ed the odd feeling during physics class, the foot

rehead. "Did you see the wo

d, uncertainty tightening her chest. "Do you thin

eetheart. Maybe the nightmares have been disturbing you

," Emily said, though doubt

head. "We leave for Dairon on

night

settled around her, Emily closed her

-

il of dreams,

dark. Laughter, low and ancie

ed from the dep

Blood... The path has

inst her ribs. Sweat clung to her skin as

. No la

of those words lin

ir

, unease coiled dee

oincidence. Cha

out there was