Chapter 1 – Rebirth in Shadows
Page 3 (Part 1/5)
The weekend settled over Arcadia Oaks like a sigh, quiet streets humming with normalcy. But for Jim, Claire, and Toby, the memory of Seraphine's almost-confession clung like cobwebs.
She had done nothing more than murmur, "I'll tell you another time," but the words had worked their way into their thoughts, scratching gently at the back of their minds.
For Jim, it was a puzzle he couldn't shake. For Claire, it was a suspicion sharpening into need. And for Toby, it was simply curiosity bubbling over.
Seraphine knew it. She had designed it. And Monday morning, she arrived at school wearing the kind of smile that promised secrets waiting to be uncovered.
"Hey, Seraphine!" Toby waved wildly from across the hall, nearly colliding with a teacher. "Over here!"
She drifted toward him with practiced ease, her expression a mix of warmth and faint shyness. Jim and Claire stood nearby, both watching her with subtle intensity.
"You look like you had a good weekend," she said lightly, tilting her head.
"Not really," Toby admitted. "I spent the whole time thinking about what you were gonna say Friday."
Seraphine widened her eyes, letting just a flicker of surprise cross her face. "Oh? You remembered that?"
"Of course we did," Jim said quietly. His tone wasn't accusing, but the weight in it made her lips curl in satisfaction.
Claire crossed her arms. "You don't drop something like that and expect us to forget."
Good, Seraphine thought. Dance closer. Pull tighter.
She bit her lip, feigning hesitation. "It's… complicated. I don't want you to think less of me."
Jim's brows drew together. "Why would we?"
The faintest ripple of her power nudged him, tugging his sincerity closer to the surface. He didn't even notice.
"Because sometimes," she whispered, lowering her gaze, "people don't understand me. And it's easier not to explain."
Toby leaned forward eagerly. "We'd understand! Promise."
Seraphine's eyes flicked up, brushing across Claire's guarded face before settling on Jim's. "Maybe someday. Just… not today."
Their disappointment was immediate, but their hunger for answers only deepened. She felt it ripple off them like heat.
Perfect.
By lunch, she decided to feed them crumbs. Enough to keep them chasing. Enough to ensure their curiosity grew into obsession.
Sitting at their table, she pushed her tray aside and sighed softly, her shoulders curving inward.
Claire's sharp eyes caught it first. "Something wrong?"
Seraphine hesitated, then gave a faint, sad smile. "You're going to think I'm strange."
"Strange is our specialty," Toby joked, trying to ease the tension.
Jim leaned forward slightly. "You can tell us."
Seraphine's voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper, though the cafeteria's noise swallowed most of it. "Sometimes I… feel like I notice things other people don't. Like… I can tell what people are thinking. Or what they're about to do. I know it sounds crazy."
Claire stiffened, suspicion flashing across her face. Jim frowned, though not in disbelief — more in caution. Toby's eyes widened with intrigue.
Before they could press her, she laughed lightly, waving a hand. "See? I told you it sounds ridiculous. Forget I said anything."
Her will tugged again, urging them not to forget, urging the thought to burrow deeper.
Toby blurted, "That's awesome!"
Jim exchanged a look with Claire, his wariness clear. But Seraphine only smiled, her mask serene.
Inside, she was grinning. They would gnaw on this hint all day, all week if she wanted. And the more they obsessed, the tighter her grip became.