The night was heavy, the sky draped in thick, brooding clouds. The moon struggled to break through, as if something above was watching.
Elara stepped out of the house hesitantly, Sofia tugging at her arm with a grin.
"Come on, slowpoke! The party won't wait for us!"
"I don't know, Sofia… I just feel like something's not right. Maybe I shouldn't go."
Sofia rolled her eyes. "Nonsense! Stop overthinking. Trust me, you'll have fun tonight."
They hailed a taxi and headed to the outskirts of the city. Sofia chatted the whole way, excitedly describing the music, the people, and the dancing, while Elara stared out the window. Each streetlight reflection on the glass seemed like a shadow that followed her, moving independently of the car. She clenched her fists in her lap, trying to ignore it.
Finally, they arrived at a grand old mansion, its entrance lit with dazzling colors and music that pulsed like a heartbeat. Golden chandeliers sparkled through tall windows, and elegantly dressed guests poured through the doors, their laughter echoing into the night.
"Wow!" Sofia gasped. "This place is… legendary!"
Elara's chest tightened. The shadows along the mansion's walls seemed to gather and stretch, darker than the night itself.
"Come on!" Sofia tugged her hand, rushing toward the dance floor. Elara hesitated, preferring the dim edges of the room while Sofia vanished into the crowd.
The music thundered, but underneath it, Elara swore she heard faint whispers. Strange, broken murmurs, like voices from another world.
"Careful…"
She spun around. No one was there.
Her gaze froze at the far end of the hall. A tall young man stood apart from the crowd, broad shoulders, light brown hair falling across his face. His emerald eyes gleamed in the dim light, piercing straight through her. Mystery clung to him like a shadowy veil.
In his hand, something metallic caught the light. A dagger, etched with strange, ancient markings. Elara's heart lurched. What was a weapon doing here?
Before she could react, a striking woman with midnight hair and icy blue eyes slipped to his side. She whispered in his ear, and together, they moved calmly toward the exit.
Elara couldn't stop herself—she stepped forward, calling out:
"Hey! Weapons aren't allowed here. What do you think you're doing?"
The young man didn't answer. His eyes flicked to hers, cold and unreadable.
"I'm talking to you!" she insisted, reaching out to grab his arm. But he only stared, silent, as if trying to hide something too dangerous to speak.
The woman tugged his hand urgently. "We're out of time. Let's go."
They disappeared into the crowd.
"Elara!" Sofia appeared beside her minutes later, laughing breathlessly. "Where did you run off to? I was looking everywhere!"
Elara's voice shook. "There was… a man. He had a dagger. I swear I saw it."
Sofia burst out laughing. "What? A dagger? Girl, you've been watching way too many horror movies. This is a party, not an action film!"
But Elara couldn't shake the image. His green eyes. The blade glinting in his hand.
Hours later, as dawn painted the sky, the girls finally returned home, exhausted. Elara stumbled into her room and collapsed onto her bed. She was just drifting toward sleep when a voice echoed in her mind, deep and calm:
Wasn't he… handsome?
Her eyes flew open in terror. She bolted upright, heart pounding.
"Who's there?!" she cried.
"Don't be afraid… beautiful."
She staggered back, grabbed her phone with trembling hands, and dialed the police. Minutes later, officers searched every corner of her house—but found nothing.
When they left, she returned to her room only to find a folded note lying on her desk.
Her hands shook as she read the words scrawled in dark ink:
Don't be afraid, beautiful. I won't harm you. I'm not human… but I'm always by your side. Speak to me whenever you wish.
Elara dropped the paper into the trash, tears stinging her eyes. She sat frozen on her bed until morning light seeped through the window.
Finally, in a trembling whisper, she asked the empty air:
"…Who are you?"