The bus hissed as it pulled to a stop. Oxville greeted me like a forgotten memory... familiar, but off. The streets hadn't changed, but the air felt colder than I remembered, like the town itself knew I wasn't just passing through this time.
I stepped off the bus and looked around. The trees were bare, even though spring was supposed to be settling in. The sky was a flat gray, heavy and unmoving.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked the cracked sidewalk toward my old neighborhood. Every step made the silence louder. No kids playing. No dogs barking. Just that eerie stillness that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Oxville was known as a town filled with wealthy people and extravagant lifestyles. From sprawling mansions with iron gates and private gardens to luxury cars lining the polished streets, it was a place where status spoke louder than words.
The town's residents prided themselves on old money, family legacies, and exclusive social circles. Private schools with ivy-covered walls educated the children of business tycoons and politicians, while lavish galas and charity events filled the social calendar. But beneath the surface of perfection, were memories I wished could stay buried and rivalries twisted through the town like roots beneath its manicured lawns.
I stopped in front of the house... my house and hesitated. The porch light was flickering, as if it were struggling to stay alive, just like I was. I hadn't told Mom I was coming. Honestly, I didn't even know how I would explain why I was back.
I knocked, once.
The door creaked open slowly, and there she was... my mother, wrapped in a stylish green robe, her hair pinned back like she'd just come from one of her evening rituals. Her eyes widened.
"Terra?"
"Hey, Mom," I said, forcing a smile, brittle and unsure.
She stood still for a moment, like she was trying to decide if I was real. Then she stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. I felt the warmth of her arms, but also the stiffness like she wasn't sure how tightly to hold me.
"I didn't think I'd see you so soon," she whispered.
"Yeah... me neither," I murmured.
She pulled back, eyes searching my face for answers I didn't have the words to give.
"What happened?" she asked gently.
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. How could I explain the chaos, the fear, the truth I wasn't even sure I fully understood yet?
She nodded slowly, as if she understood that silence meant more than words. "Come in, sweetheart. You must be exhausted. I'll fix you something."
The house smelled the same... lavender and vanilla, with a faint trace of old perfume lingering in the air. It was like time had stopped here.
I sank into the couch, taking in the familiar decor, while Mom rustled around in the kitchen. A few minutes later, she returned with a tray. On it was a white plate covered with foil. I peeled it back to find what looked like yesterday's leftovers barely reheated.
She saw my expression and gave a nervous smile. "I didn't know you were coming back today. I didn't get a chance to make anything fresh."
"It's fine," I said, picking up a fork. "I wasn't expecting... much."
She sat beside me, folding her hands in her lap. "Once you've eaten, you can rest in your room. Later, we'll talk about... whatever brought you back. How does that sound?"
"Great," I said with another weak smile, stabbing a bite.
After dinner, I climbed the stairs to my room. It was exactly how I'd left it neatly preserved, like a memory frozen in glass. Posters on the walls, notebooks on the shelf, even my old sweater draped over the chair. I sank onto the bed and let out a slow breath.
I didn't realize how much I'd missed this. The scent of my pillow. The gentle creak of the ceiling fan. And, yes... even Mom.
But the warmth in my chest chilled again at the thought of what I hadn't told her. That I'd been suspended. That it wasn't for anything normal. That things had gotten weird.
If she knew what was really happening at my school... if she knew about the fights, the shadows, the supernatural chaos... she'd have me transferred in a heartbeat. Back here. Back to Oxville High.
That night, I laid in bed staring at the moon through my window. It hung low and pale, like an eye watching from the sky. There was a strange peace in the silence until Mom came in.
"Terra?" Her voice was soft. She walked over and sat at the edge of the bed. "I just got a message from your principal. She said you've been suspended."
I stiffened. My heartbeat quickened. So much for easing into it.
She looked at me with concerned eyes. "Is there something I should know?"
I sat up slowly, trying not to sound panicked. "It's... nothing serious. Just a rumor going around. It caused some distractions, so they asked me to take a short break until it all settles down."
"A rumor?" she repeated, her brows knitting. "How bad could it be? Do we need to talk about changing schools.... again?"
"No," I said quickly, maybe too quickly. "It's not like that. Really. I'm okay, Mom. It'll blow over soon."
She looked at me for a long moment, as if deciding whether to believe me. I managed a small, reassuring smile.
She exhaled. "Alright. If you say you're okay, I'll trust you. I just want you safe, Terra."
"I know," I whispered.
She leaned down, kissed my forehead, and tucked the blanket around me like she used to when I was little.
"Goodnight, sweetheart."
"Night, Mom."
When she left, I stared at the door for a while. Guess the secret's half-out already. They couldn't even wait for me to tell her myself.
But at least... she didn't freak out. That's something. And for now, I'm still not back at Oxville High.
Let's hope I can keep it that way.