My body froze. I couldn't move. I know what I saw.
I shook my head, forcing myself to stand. I glanced back out the window, nothing. But something deep in my gut told me that thing was still there.
The door opened suddenly, and I jumped.
"You sure are jumpy," Levi said, walking in.
The shadow I'd seen before appeared again lurking behind him.
"Levi, look out!"
"Huh?"
I rushed forward. "Behind you!"
Levi turned. "I don't see anything."
"What? How do you not see the shadow standing right there?"
He gave me a confused look. "Lyral… there's nothing there. Did you bonk your head or something? Should I call a doctor?"
I blinked. The shadow was gone. I spun around. Nothing.
"No, I'm fine. What did you need?"
"Dinner's ready."
"Dinner?"
"Yes."
Levi left, and I stood alone for a moment before finally following him to the dining hall.
"Lyra, are you feeling ok?" Mom asked.
"Yes, for the thousandth time, I'm fine."
I sat down, trying to act normal until I saw it again. The shadow floated directly above Dad's chair.
I shot to my feet.
"Sis, what's wrong?" Lily asked.
"Don't you see it?" I pointed, trembling.
Everyone followed my gaze.
"See what?"
"The shadow!"
Blank stares.
"Dad," Levi said, "she did this to me earlier. I think we need to call in a doctor."
"I don't need a doctor!" I slammed my hands on the table.
"I keep seeing the shadows! How can you not see them? They're right there!"
The silence was deafening. Everyone stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
Dad leaned toward mom "Call Doctor Lisa. Now."
I groaned and stormed out.
How could they not see them? First the voices, now this? Something was not right.
I ran to the castle library, scanning the shelves.
"Shadows, shadows, come on, there has to be something about shadows."
First row nothing. Second, still nothing. I flew up to the last shelf.
"Please, please, let there be something."
After minutes of skimming, I found a book.
"Yes!"
I landed, flipping through until I found the section.
"When you see figures at night, it may mean your brain is misinterpreting visuals. Common causes include sleep paralysis, stress, anxiety, or substance use."
I closed the book shut. "So I've gone crazy because I haven't slept? That doesn't explain the voices."
My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.
"I'm watching you."
My eyes widened. "Okay… there's no way this is sleep deprivation."
I looked up. Another shadow.
I stumbled back, heart racing. "What do you want? Why are you following me?"
The figure only stared red, eyes glowing crimson.
"Answer me!" I tried to keep my voice steady. "What do you want from me?"
No reply.
I stepped forward. "You think you can scare me by just standing there-."
A hand touched my shoulder. I jumped.
"Ah!"
"Lyra!" Mom stood behind me.
"Mom!" I pressed a hand to my chest, heart pounding.
"I thought I'd find you here," she said softly. "Though it took me by surprise seeing you talking to… no one."
"It wasn't no one! There were shadows here. I came to find answers, but the book said it's just stress or lack of sleep! "
There was a long silence.
Then Mom sighed. "Lyra… are you taking drugs?"
"What?! No! Why would you even ask that?"
"I'm just asking," she said gently.
I rubbed my temples. "If you don't believe me, then explain this." I held up my phone.
She frowned at the message. "I'm watching you... Do you have a stalker?"
"Mom, it's the shadows! Why won't anyone believe me?"
"You might be under a lot of stress," she said, voice calm. "Either way, I'm worried about this stalker."
I groaned and pressed my face into the book. I'd never been this frustrated in my entire life.
"In all seriousness, let's get you to bed," she said.
"Mom, I'm not a kid."
"I know that," she said, walking me to my room anyway. "I'll let your father know about this message."
She paused at the door. "Lyra, maybe your mind's just tired. You could be seeing things that aren't there."
The door closed. Silence.
I exhaled shakily. I know what I saw. Those shadows were real. And they wanted something.
The question was… what?
I lay back on the bed, my thoughts spinning until sleep finally pulled me under.
When I woke, I rubbed my eyes and frowned.
Weird. None of my siblings had come to wake me or annoy me like they usually did.
A grin crept across my face. Maybe this time, I could get my revenge.
I crept quietly toward Lily's room and placed my hand on the doorknob.
"Morning, Lily!"
But when I stepped in, my smile faded.
"Lily…?
Her room was empty.