The first thing Elara noticed about Noctvale...was how quiet it was. Not peaceful quiet. Not the kind that helps you breathe. It was the kind that felt like something was listening.
The bus doors opened with a slow hiss, and for a moment, Elara didn't move. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, knuckles pale. You chose this, she reminded herself. Or at least...that's what she had been told. She stepped down. Cold air wrapped around her instantly, slipping beneath her coat like it knew exactly where to touch. The sky above Noctvale was dim,even though it was still early evening as if the sun had given up trying to reach this place. Elara exhaled slowly. New Town, she whispered. New start. But the words felt wrong the moment they left her lips. Because the second her foot touched the ground...a sharp pain struck her head. A flash. Dark streets. Rain falling hard. Someone calling her name Elara run! She gasped, stumbling back. The vision disappeared as quickly as it came, leaving her breath unsteady. What was that? Her heart pounded violently against her ribs, like it was trying to warn her of something she couldn't remember. Or something she wasn't supposed to. The Town looked almost empty. Old buildings lined the street, their windows dim, some completely dark. A flickering streetlight buzzed above her, the sound too loud in the silence. No cars. No voices. No life. And yet...Elara felt it. Eyes. Watching her. She turned sharply nothing. Just the empty road stretching into shadows. Great, she muttered. Already losing it. She picked up her suitcase and started walking. Each step echoed too loudly. Too hollow.
Like the town was repeating her presence... reminding itself that she was here. She reached the address she had been given.
A tall, old house stood at the end of the street, slightly tilted, as if time had tried to drag it down but failed. The door creaked open before she could knock. Elara froze. A woman stood inside, her expression unreadable. You are late, the woman said flatly. Elara blinked. The bus just you are late, she repeated. A pause. Then slowly, the woman stepped aside. Come in, Elara. Elara's breath caught. I didn't tell you my name. The woman smiled. But there was no warmth in it. You didn't have to.
That night Elara couldn't sleep. The house made noises soft, distant creaks, like foot steps that stopped whenever she tried to listen closely. At exactly 2:17 AM she woke up. Not because of a second. But because of a feeling. Like someone was standing right outside her door. Watching. Waiting. Her throat went dry. Don't open it. The thought came instantly. Sharp. Urgent. Not hers. She sat up slowly, heart racing. Silence. Then, a whisper. Soft. Right behind the door. Elara... her brood froze. You came back. She couldn't breathe. Her eyes locked on the door as the handle moved. Click. And in that exact moment...something inside, her snapped. Not fear. Not weakness. Something deeper. Something buried. Her voice came out cold. Who are you? Silence. Then a low,almost amused voice: you really don't remember. Outside the window, a shadow moved. Not human. Not normal. And it stopped...right were Elara was.