The next morning didn't feel like morning.
It felt… heavier.
Like something had followed me out of that dream
something I couldn't see,
but couldn't ignore either.
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.
Same face.
Same eyes.
Same me.
And yet…
something was off.
Not outside.
Inside.
My gaze slowly dropped to my wrist.
The mark was still there.
Faint.
Glowing softly
like it had a life of its own.
My breath caught.
This wasn't possible.
Dreams don't leave marks.
Dreams don't follow you into the real world.
And yet… this one had.
I lifted my hand, bringing it closer to my face.
For a moment, I just stared at it.
Trying to make sense of something that didn't make sense at all.
Then slowly…
I touched it.
A sharp warmth spread through my skin.
Not painful.
But not normal either.
My fingers froze.
And for a second
just a second
I felt it again.
That same warmth.
That same presence.
Like someone was standing right behind me.
Close enough to touch.
My breath hitched.
I turned quickly.
Nothing.
Just my room.
Empty.
Silent.
But the feeling didn't go away.
It lingered.
Like a memory that refused to fade.
"No… this is just in my head," I whispered.
But even as I said it
I knew I was lying.
"Lisa! You'll be late!"
My mother's voice broke through my thoughts.
"I'm coming!"
I pulled my sleeve down immediately, hiding the mark.
Whatever this was…
I wasn't ready to explain it.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
The ride to college felt longer than usual.
Everything looked the same
the roads, the people, the familiar noise of the morning.
But it all felt distant.
Muted.
Like I was moving through a world that wasn't fully mine.
My thoughts kept drifting back.
To him.
That blurred face.
That silence.
That strange, unexplainable connection.
Why did it feel like I knew him?
Why did it feel like losing him hurt… even though I had never really had him?
I pressed my lips together.
This was getting out of control.
The moment I stepped onto campus
it hit me.
That same pull.
Sudden.
Sharp.
Unavoidable.
My breath caught.
My fingers tightened around my bag.
No.
Not here.
Please not here.
I forced myself to keep walking.
Act normal.
Don't look around.
But my body refused to listen.
My heartbeat picked up.
Fast.
Too fast.
Like it was trying to warn me
or lead me somewhere.
And then
my wrist burned.
I gasped softly, clutching it.
This time it wasn't gentle.
It hurt.
A sharp, stinging heat that spread through my arm.
The mark glowed brighter beneath my sleeve.
Pulsing.
Calling.
Pulling.
Like something unseen was trying to drag me toward it.
"No…" I whispered.
But it was already too late.
I turned.
Slowly.
Almost like I had no control over it.
And then
I saw him.
Standing at the far end of the corridor.
Still.
Silent.
Watching me.
My heart stopped.
It was him.
It had to be.
Even though I still couldn't see his face clearly.
It was blurred.
Just like in my dreams.
Like something was hiding him from me.
And yet…
I knew.
I knew it was him.
I took a step forward.
Then another.
The world around me faded.
Voices blurred into nothing.
People became shadows.
Everything disappeared
except him.
My breath grew uneven.
My chest felt tight.
Why does it feel like I've been waiting for this…?
I should've been scared.
I should've walked away.
But I couldn't.
Because something inside me
something deeper than logic
refused to let me.
I kept moving closer.
The burning in my wrist intensified.
My vision blurred slightly.
But I didn't stop.
Not this time.
Not again.
"Who are you?" I whispered.
My voice barely came out.
But I said it.
I finally said it.
For a moment
nothing happened.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't react.
Just… watched me.
And then
he stepped forward.
Just one step.
But it was enough.
My breath caught.
Time slowed.
And for the first time
I heard him.
His voice.
Low.
Soft.
But it didn't feel distant.
It felt… familiar.
Like something I had heard before.
Long ago.
"You shouldn't have come."
A chill ran down my spine.
"What do you mean"
Before I could finish
the lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
And then
darkness.
Only for a second.
But in that second…
everything changed.
I felt it again.
That presence.
Closer.
Too close.
Right behind me.
My breath stopped.
I couldn't move.
Couldn't turn.
Couldn't even think.
And then
a whisper.
Right next to my ear.
"You're not supposed to remember me."
The lights came back.
I spun around instantly.
Nothing.
No one.
Just people.
Noise.
Normal life.
Like nothing had happened.
But my heart refused to calm down.
My hands trembled.
Because this time
I wasn't imagining it.
He had spoken.
He was real.
And whatever this was
it wasn't over.
I ran.
Not thinking.
Not stopping.
Just running.
Down the corridor.
Past people calling my name.
Ignoring everything.
I needed to find him.
Needed to see him again.
Needed answers.
But no matter where I looked
he was gone.
Like he had never been there at all.
I finally stopped.
Breathless.
Shaking.
My chest rising and falling too fast.
Silence surrounded me.
But it didn't feel empty.
It felt… alive.
Like something was watching.
Waiting.
And deep down…
I knew.
This wasn't just about him anymore.
There was something else.
Something darker.
Something that didn't want me to know the truth.
And for the first time…
I realized something that made my blood run cold.
Maybe the real danger…
wasn't finding him.
It was what would happen…
if I did.
My eyes kept searching for him
even when I knew he was gone.
My heart refused to calm down,
trapped somewhere between fear…
and something I didn't understand.
And still…
one question wouldn't leave me.
Who was he?
I had seen him.
I had felt him.
And yet
"I still had no answer "