Sunlight stabbed through Rina's blinds like it had a personal grudge.
Her head throbbed, her throat was dry, and her phone had thirteen unread texts — twelve from Melissa and one from a number she didn't recognize.
She groaned, rolling over. "Why do people voluntarily do this every weekend?"
Elijah's voice came from somewhere in her room. "Because they don't drink three sips of something called Jungle Juice and then stare at the soccer captain like he's a Marvel character."
Rina shot up. "You—how did you get in here?"
He shrugged, tossing her a bottle of water. "Your mom let me in. Said to tell you she made pancakes. Also said to tell you that you look 'alive but questionable.'"
"Perfect."
Melissa barged in a moment later, sunglasses on, radiant as ever. "Okay, who's ready to debrief?"
Rina sank into her pillow. "No one."
"Oh, come on!" Melissa plopped down beside her. "You danced! You smiled! You even talked to Niklaus. That's basically a college rite of passage."
Rina's pulse jumped at his name. "It wasn't— I mean, we just talked."
"Sure," Elijah muttered. "Talked. That what we're calling that look?"
Rina threw a pillow at him.
Melissa grinned. "Okay, fine. But do you remember leaving the party?"
Rina frowned. "Of course I—" She stopped.
The memory blurred. She remembered the music, the lights, Niklaus's gold-flecked eyes—and then nothing.
Her phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number: You shouldn't have gone outside alone.
Rina froze.
Elijah noticed. "What's that face?"
She hesitated, then showed him. He took her phone, brows furrowing.
"Creepy. Could be some rando from the party?"
Melissa frowned. "But how would they get your number?"
Rina's stomach tightened. "It's probably a prank."
But even as she said it, she felt that same cold ripple she'd felt last night. Like the world had tilted slightly off-center.
That evening, she couldn't shake it.
The message. The flicker in Niklaus's eyes. The scream she'd heard outside.
Every time she tried to reason with herself, something inside whispered that she was forgetting something important.
And then, just as she was about to fall asleep, she heard it again.
A hum.
Soft at first, then louder — like a melody vibrating through the air.
She sat up, heart pounding, and looked out her window.
In the streetlight glow, someone was standing there.Tall. Still. Watching her.
For a split second, she thought it was Niklaus. But then the figure's eyes glowed faint gold — brighter this time — and Rina gasped.
When she blinked, he was gone.
Her phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number: You saw me this time.