Serenya's pov
The next morning the storm had finally passed but campus still smelled like rain and earth that heavy, cold scent that clung to everything.
I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw flashes trees bending in the wind, a shadow moving where no one should've been, the shape that looked almost like… kaelen
But that didn't make sense. He wasn't supposed to be out there. No one was.
I sat up in bed, the blanket twisted around my legs. Mira was still asleep, sprawled across her side like a starfish, snoring softly. The sound should've made me smile. It didn't.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand a message from the school alert system.
"Campus paths near the forest are temporarily closed due to fallen branches. Avoid restricted areas."
Branches. Right. That's what they always said.
I pushed off the blanket and got ready for class, trying to shake it off, trying to pretend last night didn't happen. But as I brushed my hair, I caught my reflection in the mirror.
I looked pale. Tired. My eyes had that wide, glassy look of someone who'd seen too much and couldn't prove any of it.
When Mira finally stirred, she mumbled, "You're up early. Did the rain keep you up too?"
"Something like that," I said, forcing a smile.
She squinted at me, yawning. "You okay? You look… haunted."
I laughed weakly. "Thanks. That's comforting."
But she didn't laugh back. "Serenya," she said more seriously, sitting up. "You've been off for a while now What's going on?"
I hesitated. The words hovered at the edge of my tongue. I think I saw Kaelen last night. In the forest. And I don't think he was alone.
But saying it out loud would make it real. And worse, Mira would look at me the same way everyone else did when they talked about "the animal attacks."
So I just said, "It's nothing. Probably just my imagination."
Mira didn't look convinced. "Maybe. Or maybe you should stop watching those creepy true-crime videos before bed."
I smiled at that, but inside, my stomach twisted.i said nothing but just walked off to class
The classroom buzzed with the low hum of conversation The smell of chemicals and metal filled the lab sharp, sterile, alive with the hum of Bunsen burners and whispered chatter.
Everyone was busy setting up their samples. I tried to focus on mine, really, but my mind kept flicking toward the far table where Kaelen was.
"Serenya, careful with that professor Laramie warning came too late; I nearly spilled ethanol across the counter. My hands were shaking again. I forced a laugh, blaming caffeine, not nerves.
Then it happened.
From across the room came a sharp clink the sound of glass breaking. I looked up. Kaelen was standing perfectly still, staring down at a shattered beaker.
Blood dripped from his palm, bright and clean against the white counter.
"Kaelen" the professor started, stepping forward.
But before she could reach him, he clenched his hand into a fist.
I froze.
The blood stopped. Just like that.
And as he slowly opened his palm again, the cut that had been there seconds ago… was gone.
No mark. No scar. Nothing.
The room had gone silent the kind of silence that buzzes in your ears. Even the professor hesitated, her brow furrowing.
"You all right?" she asked finally.
Kaelen nodded once. "Just a scratch." His voice was steady too steady.
He swept the shards of glass into the bin with practiced ease, gloved hands hiding whatever was left to see. The professor moved on, distracted by another group's question, but I couldn't look away.
I saw it.
I know I saw it.
When the lab ended, everyone filed out in a noisy rush everyone except him.
Kaelen lingered by the sink, washing his hands, the sound of running water echoing in the tiled room.
I hesitated by the door.
"Kaelen?"
He didn't turn. Didn't answer. Just stood there, shoulders rigid, head bowed like he was listening to something no one else could hear.
After a moment, he dried his hands and walked past me no eye contact, no word, just gone.
Did he just… ignore me?
The thought stung more than it should have. He'd looked straight through me like I wasn't even there. For a second, I almost convinced myself I imagined it, the blood, the healing all of it.
But deep down, I knew better.
No one heals like that.
No one ignores someone like that unless they're hiding something.