The evening air felt unusually cold.
Students crossed the courtyard, laughing as they made their way back to their dorms.
Around them...
Life continued as though nothing had happened.
But Stacy couldn't move.
Her eyes never left Lucien.
"...How?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"How are you in a photograph from forty years ago?"
Lucien looked down at the faded picture still clutched in his hand.
For several long seconds...
Neither of them spoke.
Finally...
He folded the photograph carefully and handed it back to her.
"Let's walk."
They followed the quiet path around Blackwood Lake.
The campus lights reflected across the water.
It was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Stacy finally stopped.
"I'm not leaving until you answer me."
Lucien looked at the lake.
"I know."
Another long silence.
Then...
"I wasn't born forty years ago."
Stacy frowned.
"I know that."
"The photograph..."
He hesitated.
"...is real."
Her heart skipped.
"So..."
"You've been lying to everyone?"
"No."
"Then explain."
Lucien slowly shook his head.
"I can't explain everything."
"Why?"
"Because once you know..."
"...you can't unknow it."
Stacy laughed in frustration.
"Do you hear yourself?"
"You sound insane."
"I know."
"And somehow..."
"...I'm starting to believe you."
Lucien finally turned toward her.
"I need you to answer one question."
"What?"
"Before you met me..."
"Had anything unusual ever happened to you?"
She blinked.
"What kind of unusual?"
"Headaches."
He paused.
"Dreams."
"Feeling like someone was watching you."
"Hearing things other people couldn't."
Stacy's smile slowly disappeared.
"...How do you know that?"
Lucien didn't answer.
He simply waited.
She looked away.
"...Since I was a child..."
"I've had the same dream."
Lucien's expression changed.
"What dream?"
"I never told anyone because..."
She laughed nervously.
"It sounds ridiculous."
"Tell me."
She closed her eyes.
"It's always the same."
"I'm standing in a field covered in white flowers."
"Someone is there."
"I can't see their face."
"They always reach out..."
"...like they're waiting for me."
She frowned.
"And every time..."
"...I wake up before I can reach them."
Silence.
Lucien had stopped walking.
His breathing became uneven.
"No..."
He whispered.
"That's impossible."
Stacy looked at him.
"What?"
Lucien stared at her as though seeing her for the first time.
"How long have you had that dream?"
"...Since I was six."
His heart sank.
Without another word...
He reached into his coat.
He pulled out a small silver chain.
A simple pendant hung from it.
No jewels.
No decoration.
Only a strange symbol engraved into the metal.
He held it out to Stacy.
"Wear this."
She looked confused.
"...Why?"
"It'll keep you safe."
"From what?"
Lucien smiled sadly.
"I hope..."
"...you never have to find out."
Before she could refuse...
A sharp scream echoed across the lake.
Both of them turned.
On the opposite shore...
A young woman stumbled backward.
She looked terrified.
Standing in front of her...
Was a man wearing a black hoodie.
His face hidden beneath the shadow of the hood.
He slowly looked toward Lucien.
Even from across the water...
Lucien recognized him.
His expression hardened instantly.
"...No."
The hooded man smiled.
Then...
He looked directly at Stacy.
As if...
He had been looking for her.
Lucien stepped in front of Stacy without thinking.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Listen carefully."
"If I tell you to run..."
"...don't look back."
Stacy's pulse quickened.
"Lucien..."
"Just trust me."
The hooded man took one slow step forward.
Then another.
The air around the lake suddenly became unnaturally still.
No wind.
No birds.
No sound.
Only silence.
And for the first time...
Stacy realized...
The danger wasn't over.
It had only just begun.