Chapter 9: Shadows Within
I stared at the ceiling, my heart still racing from the chaos of the previous days. Ever since that confrontation with Bianca, controlling Raven had become nearly impossible. She kept surging forward, seizing my body to lash out, her fury bleeding into my every thought. It was exhausting, like sharing a cage with a wild storm that refused to be tamed.
Teresa, my roommate, had started watching me with narrowed eyes, her usual easy smile replaced by quiet suspicion. I could feel her questions building, but I'd dodged them as best I could.
This morning, I dragged myself out of bed, the academy uniform stiff against my skin. Arts class started soon, and I needed the distraction. I grabbed my bag, slung it over my shoulder, and headed for the door—only to find it locked.
I frowned, jiggling the handle. "That's strange…"
"Going somewhere?"
Teresa's voice came from behind me, calm and steady. My head snapped around so fast my neck ached.
There she was, sitting up in her bed, legs crossed, holding the key between her fingers like a trophy. She was supposed to be in maths right now. My stomach dropped.
"Teresa… what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice tighter than I wanted.
She smiled, slow and knowing. "Oh, there's no maths class today, Astrid." Her eyes gleamed. "Or should I say… Raven?"
My backpack slipped from my shoulder and thudded to the floor. How did she—
"Yesterday, when you fought with Bianca," she continued, cutting off my panic, "your eyes weren't their usual amber. They were dark purple. And I heard you talking to someone in the bathroom. You called her Raven."
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "I… I can explain."
"Yeah," Teresa said, leaning forward slightly. "You've got a lot of explaining to do."
I let out a long sigh, shoulders slumping. There was no point hiding it anymore. "Raven… come out."
The words barely left my lips before the familiar pull hit me. Raven separated from my body, the air shimmering as she took form beside me. Instead of her usual translucent bubble, she materialized fully as a human figure—tall and striking, with flowing hair that blended dark purple and black, her presence crackling with barely contained energy.
I blinked in shock. She'd never done that before.
Teresa's scream pierced the room, sharp and startled.
"Hi," Raven said casually, tilting her head with a smirk.
I lunged forward, clamping my hand over Teresa's mouth. "Shut up! Do you want someone to hear?"
Teresa's eyes were wide, but she nodded frantically. I slowly removed my hand, my pulse hammering.
"Is she really…?" Teresa whispered, reaching out tentatively. Her fingers passed straight through Raven's arm like mist.
"I am real," Raven replied, her voice smooth and laced with amusement, "but not physical. Not in the way you are."
I rubbed my temples, the weight of everything crashing down. "You need to sit down, Teresa. This… this is going to be a long story."
And with that, the truth hung between us, heavy and inevitable.