By the time I reached my apartment building, the night had settled into a heavy silence. Lumina District was never fully quiet—there was always the distant hum of sky-trains or neon billboards—but tonight, even those sounds felt muffled.
Like the city was holding its breath.
I climbed the stairs two at a time, trying not to think about the shadow whispering my name. Or the drone that scanned me like I was some kind of anomaly.
My room was small but familiar: a bed pushed against the wall, a desk cluttered with half-finished school assignments, a cracked holo-screen, and a window that never fully closed.
Safe. Normal.
At least, it used to be.
I tossed my bag aside and collapsed into the chair. My leg bounced with nervous energy. I needed to calm down.
But then the window rattled.
Just once.
Softly.
Like someone had tapped it.
I turned slowly. "No. Nope. Not tonight."
I walked over and slid the window shut.
Except… it already was shut.
A cold shiver crawled up my spine.
Before I could react, the faint shape of a shadow gathered near the corner of my room—just a dim blur, like darkness bending where it shouldn't.
I stepped back. "No. No. I didn't invite you in."
"You didn't need to," the whisper said softly. "Echo follows the one who hears it."
I swallowed my panic. "W-Why me?"
The shadow fluctuated, as if struggling to stay stable in my world.
"Because you listened."
My hands trembled. "There are thousands of people in this district. Why choose me?"
The shadow hesitated.
"Not choose. Find."
I blinked. "Find? What does that even—"
A loud thud interrupted me. Someone knocked on my door—hard.
I froze.
The shadow shrank instantly, flattening against the wall like it was afraid.
"Do not answer," it whispered urgently.
But the knocking came again.
"AREN! OPEN THE DOOR!"
It was my neighbor, Mira.
I breathed out in relief and opened the door.
Mira stood there panting, her braid loose, her eyebrows drawn in worry. "Are you okay? There was a drone sweep on your street. I saw from the balcony."
I forced a calm expression. "Yeah… it wasn't a big deal."
She crossed her arms. "You're a terrible liar."
"I'm fine. Really."
Her gaze softened. "If anything weird happens… tell me. You know people disappear in this district when Echo is involved."
"I know."
As she turned to leave, she paused. "And Aren… your window is glowing."
My heart dropped.
She pointed behind me. A faint blue shimmer reflected on the wall.
I shut the door and spun around.
My window—the supposedly shut one—had a ring of faint blue light around the edges, like someone traced it with neon.
The shadow near the wall spoke again, its whisper tighter, more urgent:
"They found you faster than I expected."
I stepped back. "Who found me?"
The shadow's form wavered.
"Echo-Readers are assets. And threats. They will come for you, Aren."
I felt the fear rising in my chest, but the shadow continued:
"Run, if you want. Stay, if you dare. But whatever you choose…"
The blue glow suddenly flared brighter.
"…you cannot hide from what you are."
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