CASSANDRA.
The forest was still. Too still.
Julian's hand tightened protectively around mine, his jaw set as he followed my gaze toward the shadow that had just disappeared beyond the tree line.
"I saw someone," I whispered, my breath rising in frosty curls. "There was someone… watching."
He looked down at me with a seriousness that made my spine stiffen. "I know."
I blinked. "You—what do you mean you know?"
Julian hesitated, brushing snowflakes from my cheek as if buying time. "There have been… signs. We're not alone out here. We haven't been for a while."
A chill, deeper than the winter wind, ran through me.
We turned and started walking quickly back toward the cabin, his arm around my shoulder, mine around his waist. But even as the fire roared back to life in the hearth, warming the air, it couldn't thaw the unease in my chest.
"Julian," I said finally, sitting on the arm of the couch, "you need to tell me everything. No more secrets."
He sighed and sat beside me. His eyes flicked toward the window, then back to me. "Fine. But you have to promise not to run."
"Promise," I whispered.
Julian ran a hand through his hair. "Years ago, my family was involved in something... powerful. Dangerous. Something that never should've resurfaced. That figure in the woods? He's not just watching me—he's watching us. And now that he knows about you, things will escalate."
"What kind of danger?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Not the kind you can report to the police," he said grimly. "It's older. Smarter. And it doesn't just want to scare us. It wants to destroy everything we build together."
★★★★★
JULIAN.
The look in Cassandra's eyes told me she was absorbing every word—but refusing to break.
God, she was strong.
I leaned in slowly, pressing my forehead against hers. "We have two options," I said softly. "We run. Or we fight."
"Then we fight," she whispered, pulling me into a kiss that tasted like fear and fire.
THE NEXT DAY.
The sun rose behind grey clouds, and we left early—bundled in layers, our hands locked together, determined to follow the strange footprints Julian found in the snow near the cabin.
"They're not animal," he said. "Too heavy. Too deliberate."
We followed them to the edge of the lake, where the ice gleamed dangerously. That's when Cassandra stopped, crouched low, and held up something in the snow.
A small black notebook.
Julian took it carefully and flipped it open.
Inside were photos. Of us.
Sleeping. Walking. Kissing.
And a note in sharp, cruel handwriting:
"You were warned. Phase Two begins now."
★★★★★
CASSANDRA.
My breath caught.
"They've been watching for days," I whispered, stepping back. "Julian, this is serious."
Then, behind us, a snap.
We spun around just in time to see a hooded figure dashing back into the forest.
Julian didn't hesitate. "Stay here!" he shouted, sprinting after them.
But I didn't stay. I ran too.
Branches scratched at my coat as I chased through the snow-covered trees, heart pounding with each thud of my boots. Julian was fast, but the figure was faster, weaving between the pines like smoke.
Suddenly, the ground dropped beneath my feet—my scream echoed as I tumbled down a snowy slope, landing hard in the powdery earth.
Julian skidded after me, panic in his voice. "Cassandra!"
"I'm okay!" I groaned, sitting up.
And then we saw it.
A hidden tunnel entrance, half-covered in snow and leaves. The figure had vanished—but this? This was where they'd gone.
Julian reached for my hand. "This isn't over."
"No," I said, staring into the darkness. "It's just beginning."
Later that night, back at the cabin, we locked every door and window. But my hands couldn't stop trembling.
Julian came behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"I'm scared," I admitted into his shoulder.
"I know," he said gently. "But I've never been more sure that I want to protect you."
We stood like that for a while. Holding on. Holding in everything we were too afraid to say.
"I think I'm falling in love with you," I finally whispered.
His arms tightened. "You think?" he chuckled softly.
I turned in his arms, eyes searching his. "Okay. I am."
He smiled, brushing my hair from my face. "Then fall, Cassandra. I'll catch you every time."
And he did. Right then, right there—he caught my lips, my heart, my soul. In the middle of danger and shadows, we found something bright.
But the wind outside howled louder.
And the darkness? It was still watching.