Chapter 1 – Rebirth in Shadows
Page 5 (Part 1/5)
The next morning dawned bright and deceptively ordinary. Arcadia Oaks High buzzed with its usual chaos—students shoving books into lockers, laughter echoing across the halls, the scent of cafeteria pancakes still lingering in the air.
But for Seraphine, everything had changed.
She slipped through the corridors with her usual quiet grace, hair falling like a dark curtain, smile soft and approachable. To anyone watching, she was just another student moving through the crowd. Inside, though, she hummed with triumph.
You showed me your secret, Jim Lake. You whispered it to the night. And now it belongs to me.
She found him near the vending machines, where he leaned against the wall, eyes heavy with exhaustion. Toby stood beside him, chattering about a new video game, but Jim barely listened, his responses short, distracted.
Perfect.
Seraphine approached with the light tread of coincidence, letting her voice fall warm and concerned. "Hey, Jim."
He straightened, startled, as though guilty at being caught. "Oh—hey, Seraphine."
Toby grinned, waving. "Morning!"
"Morning, Toby." She offered him a smile before turning her full attention back to Jim, her gaze intent but gentle. "Rough night again?"
His shoulders stiffened, and she felt the weight of the Amulet's glow pressing faintly through his bag. He didn't answer right away, but his silence was its own kind of confession.
Toby filled the gap with his usual energy. "He barely touched his breakfast. I told him he should've had waffles instead of cereal, but does he listen? Nope."
Jim managed a faint laugh, rubbing his forehead. "It's fine, Tobe."
Seraphine tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "You don't look fine."
The words weren't harsh; they slipped out like a balm, soft enough to sound caring but sharp enough to sink into him. He shifted under her gaze, eyes dropping.
"I'm just… tired," he muttered.
"Then let me help," she said quietly.
He blinked at her, startled. "What?"
"Let me carry some of it. Whatever it is that's keeping you awake, weighing you down—I can handle it." Her voice lowered, intimate, like a secret shared only between them. "You don't have to go through it alone."
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, torn between resistance and the relief of the offer. Toby, oblivious to the undercurrents, clapped Jim on the back. "See? Told you you should talk to people about this stuff. She gets it."
Seraphine smiled softly at Toby, her mask flawless. Yes, encourage him. Make him believe I'm the one who understands.
Jim ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "It's not that simple."
Her lips curved in sympathy, her eyes locking onto his with a quiet intensity. "It never is. But sometimes saying it out loud makes it lighter. Even if it's just a little."
He stared at her, searching, his mouth parting like he might finally confess. Her power thrummed, nudging gently at the cracks in his resolve, loosening them with invisible threads.
But then Claire's voice cut through the hall.
"Jim!"
He startled, turning quickly. Claire strode toward them, her expression sharp, eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of Seraphine standing so close.
Seraphine's smile didn't falter. She even stepped back, her posture open, friendly. "Hey, Claire."
Claire gave her a polite nod, but her gaze lingered on Jim. "We've got class. You coming?"
"Yeah." Jim seized the escape, grabbing his bag. "See you guys."
He hurried off with Claire before Seraphine could answer, leaving her alone with Toby.
Seraphine's smile lingered, though her eyes gleamed with calculation. Not yet, Jim. But the more you resist, the tighter you'll cling to me when you finally give in.
She turned to Toby, her expression softening. "He's lucky to have you watching out for him."
Toby puffed up with pride. "Yeah, well… that's what best friends are for."
"And sometimes," Seraphine said gently, "best friends need a little help."
Toby nodded, earnest and trusting. And just like that, another thread wound tighter into her web.