The hallway outside was quiet, too quiet. The distant murmur of the classroom felt muffled, as though the world itself was holding its breath. Starfania wrapped her arms around herself as she walked, trying to shake off the sensation of being watched. Every step echoed louder than it should have. The torches along the stone walls flickered, shadows stretching and twisting across her path. By the time she reached the corridor near her classroom, her breathing was shallow, her nerves frayed. " Starry."
The familiar voice broke through, and Starfania flinched, her entire body jerking. She spun around—and there was Aeron, standing only a few feet away, his brows creased with concern. He had clearly been looking for her; his books were tucked under one arm, his expression tense.
" Hey, hey…it's just me," he whispered, stepping closer. " You okay?"
Starfania tried to speak but found her throat tight. She forced a shaky laugh. " Yeah. I'm fine. Just needed…a minute."
Aeron wasn't convinced. His sharp green eyes studied her face—the faint trembling in her fingers, the paleness of her skin. He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
" Fine doesn't look like that," he whispered. " Did someone do something?"
Her lip parted, the truth on the tip of her tongue—about the whisper, the figure, the sense that something she didn't understand herself?
" It's nothing," she muttered. " Just Becka being Becka. They tried to scare me, that's all."
Aeron's jaw clenched. " Did they hurt you?"
" No. Just…startled me." For a moment, they stood there in silence. The torchlight danced between them, the air heavy with words unsaid. Aeron finally exhaled, the tension in his shoulder easing slightly.
" She's going too far again," he muttered. " Next time, I'll—"
" No," Starfania interrupted quickly, shaking her head. " Please don't. It's not worth it. I just…want to forget about it."
Her plea came out more desperate than she intended. Aeron paused, reading the fear in her eyes. His anger softened into worry.
" Alright," he whispered. " But you don't look like someone who's going to forget easily."
She managed a weak smile, her eyes glistening. " I'll try."
Without thinking, Aeron placed a steady hand on her shoulder—a silent reassurance that he was there. His touch grounded her, pulling her back from the edge of panic. For the first time since leaving the restroom, she felt a flicker of safety.
" Let's get back," he whispered. " You don't have to be alone."
Starfania nodded. As they began walking side by side down the corridor, her steps gradually steadied, but her thoughts were still a whirlwind. Every time she blinked, she could still see that shadow—tall, patient, watching. And somewhere deep within the caverns beyond VulcanFire, Bone lifted his head again, his eyes burning faintly in the dark. His body tensed, a soft growl vibrating through his chest—the kind he only made when he sensed danger near his bonded one. The connection between them flickered again—a faint pulse in the void. Whatever darkness was stirring, it was getting closer.