The night was dark by all accounts.
The unserviced streetlights flickered, and the chirping of late-night crickets came from all directions, filling the silence with an eerie life of its own.
But something else was more unsettling; the shadows.
She could see them from the corners of her eyes, sliding along the edges of the street. They moved when she moved. They followed.
The faster she walked, the longer they seemed to stretch, like they were reaching for her.
She didn't dare run. Something told her that if she did, they would chase.
Then came the whispering. It was thin, almost inaudible, but enough to chill her spine every few seconds.
A bitter thought came, mocking her: She should have just taken the train.
She was moments away from risking it all and bolting when—
A touch.
Light, but cold, on her shoulder.
She screamed and stumbled to the ground.
And the thought came again, mocking her naivety: She really should have taken the train.
***
Adric stared at the lady on the ground with a blank expression that slowly shifted into concern.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, genuinely worried.
She turned her head to him and looked at him, perplexed; almost like she was unimpressed by what she saw.
Adric was caught off guard. Why was she screaming a few seconds ago but now giving him that look?
"I'm sorry, but you dropped this," he said, handing her a small, customized pouch.
"I tried calling you, but you're so damn fast."
She took the purse and turned to leave without saying anything.
Adric blinked. "Hey, what the hell!" he shouted after her.
"The least you could do is say thank you, you know?"
He sighed, shaking his head. "Some people are just rude," he muttered under his breath.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he began walking, still ranting to himself, until he reached a white apartment building.
He sighed again and opened the door.
"I'm home."
He was met by a hug at the door from a young woman in office wear.
"You're welcome," she said, releasing him.
Adric's face turned red. "Hi, babe," he said, blushing.
"Let me fix you something to eat," she replied, walking toward the kitchen.
Her luscious black hair shimmered in the dim light as she disappeared down the hallway.
Adric loosened his tie and sat down at the small dining table in the living room. It was a modest apartment, neat and warmly furnished.
"How was work today?" he asked from the table.
"It was great," she said with a smile. "I made a really big sale today."
"Good to hear."
Within moments, Adric was served a steaming plate of rice and curry.
His face lit up. He clasped his hands together.
"Thanks for the meal," he said and began eating eagerly.
His girlfriend giggled softly from across the table.
After a few bites, he started coughing and reached for his glass, taking a large gulp of water.
She gave him a look and shook her head.
He grinned sheepishly and continued eating, this time slower.
"So, something weird happened on my way home from work today," Adric said between bites.
"How weird are we talking?" she asked, raising a brow.
"This lady dropped her pouch, and when I tried to give it back to her, she completely freaked out."
He paused to swallow. "Honestly, I felt like some kind of stalker or something."
"Ho? You? A stalker?" she teased, laughing.
Adric frowned. "It's not funny. I actually felt bad."
His girlfriend smiled, reaching across the table to hold his hand.
"I'm sure she was just tired or something."
She picked up both of their plates, now empty, and stood up to take them away.
Adric watched her as she walked off.
But then,
She stopped.
"Is everything alright, babe?" he asked.
Adric slowly stood up, making his way toward her.
"Babe?"
Just as he was about to reach her, she turned slowly toward him, stunned.
Her hands trembled slightly as she stared into his eyes.
And then —
Crash!
The plates fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
Her gaze, sorrowful and contemplating, was still fixed on him.
***
The apartment smelled faintly of curry and rain.
Mira stood there, silent.
Even as Adric scanned her to see if she was hurt from the broken plates, she didn't move.
She thought she had more time.
Something was wrong.
No.
Everything was wrong.
He had just turned nineteen.
So how come the seal was broken?
She hadn't noticed it before, but when she turned, she felt it; that faint pulse beneath her skin.
It wouldn't be long before Adric remembered.
She knew what she had to do.
She knew.
And yet –
She couldn't.
The others were whispering to her.
> "It's time, Mira."
"You know there's no other choice."
"If you don't do it, we will."
Yes, she knew.
It wasn't as if this was the first time. But she still wasn't ready.
Tears streamed down her face.
Adric noticed and reached out, gently wiping them away.
"Hey, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
He was genuinely concerned. And he genuinely loved her.
But all that would mean nothing in the next few minutes.
She had to do it.
"I'm sorry, Adric," she said, pulling away from him.
"I really am."
She raised her hands. Her fingers were shaking.
[Oh light that consumes all darkness,
consume that which defies you.]
Her voice seemed to be carried by the wind – layered, soft, yet heavy enough to bend the air.
A faint golden glow bloomed from her palm. It grew brighter, spilling through the apartment like fog until nothing else was visible.
"Mira?"
Adric's voice was drowned out as the light intensified.
After a few seconds, it flared.
A soft breeze followed.
Then silence.
Mira stood alone in the room.
The smell of curry lingered.
She fell to her knees, eyes wet with tears, and whispered,
"Next time."
A voice came from the corner of the room.
[What a touching display of love.]
A middle-aged man in sports gear emerged. He held a tennis racket and moved slowly toward Mira. Every step he took seemed to create ripples in the air. His eyes glowed red, and his features were sharp and unearthly.
He stopped when he was right in front of her.
[You almost faltered.]
Mira looked up at him in disdain.
[I did it, didn't I?]
[My, my. Let's not argue.]
A teenage girl in a school uniform appeared behind Mira and placed her hand on her shoulder.
Mira's eye twitched.
[You know she can't help it.]
The girl said, addressing the man.
[Get your hand off me.]
[My, my. You're quite feisty.]
The girl removed her hand.
[Did the seal break completely]
The man asked.
Mira nodded.
[Where are the others?]
She asked.
[They sent us.]
The girl wandered around the apartment, inspecting the decor.
[He's getting stronger.]
Mira said, staring at the shattered plates.
[Then we have to be more careful]
The man replied.
He checked the time on his watch.
[I have to leave. I have a match.]
Mira didn't respond. She was still staring at the girl, who was now studying a painting on the wall.
The man turned to leave.
[I thought you were here for a report.]
He stopped.
[I have all I need.]
Then he disappeared into the shadows.
Mira turned, but the girl was gone too.
She sighed softly and whispered under her breath,
"See you in a thousand years."