Lyra — Home
Lyra hadn't realized how much she missed noise until she was surrounded by it again.
Her aunt's living room was a mess of half-folded laundry,scattered toys,and a blaring cartoon channel no one was really watching. One of her cousins sat cross-legged on the floor,coloring with intense focus, while the younger one tugged on Lyra's sleeve.
"Read to me," he demanded.
She smiled and let herself be pulled down beside him. "Again?"
"Yes. But do the voices this time."
Lyra laughed—a real laugh, one that surprised her with its ease. She picked up the worn storybook and exaggerated every line until her cousin giggled uncontrollably, rolling onto his back.
From the doorway, her aunt watched quietly.
"You're lighter here," her aunt said later, when the kids had run off. "Whatever you're carrying at school—you don't bring it home."
Lyra shrugged. "I try not to."
Her aunt reached out, smoothing a stray strand of Lyra's hair. "You don't always have to try."
They went shopping that afternoon.
Nothing fancy—just the market and a small clothing store down the street—but Lyra found herself enjoying it more than she expected. Her aunt held up a sweater and frowned.
"You always choose dark colors," she said. "Try something softer."
Lyra hesitated, then took it anyway.
In the mirror, she barely recognized herself. Softer. Brighter. Like someone who didn't spend her life hiding.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She didn't need to check to know who it was.
That night, after the kids were asleep, Lyra sat on the edge of her bed and opened her notebook.
Dear Stranger,
Today I remembered what it feels like to belong somewhere. To be needed for small things—reading stories, holding hands, choosing groceries. It scares me how much I like it.
She paused, then added:
Does it ever scare you? Wanting things that could be taken away?
She closed the notebook slowly.
Kael
The campus had teeth tonight.
Kael moved through the shadows behind the old lecture halls, senses stretched thin. Something was wrong—too many unfamiliar scents, too much movement where there shouldn't be any.
"They're testing boundaries," Julien muttered beside him.
"And humans are noticing," Cassian added. "Security reports are up."
Kael clenched his fists. "Keep it contained."
As Julien vanished into the trees, Kael's phone buzzed.
A message from Lyra.
I went shopping with my aunt today.
That was all.
His chest tightened painfully.
Good, he typed, then erased it.
Instead: I'm glad.
The Side Girl
She watched him from across the room.
Kael stood by the window,phone in hand, attention far away.She knew that look....She had earned the right to recognize it.
She's still gone,she said lightly Kael didn't respond.
"She texts you,doesn't she?"
He finally turned."What do you want?"
Her smile didn't reach her eyes...."Clarity."
She stepped closer,lowering her voice. "You're pulling away. And if you don't admit why, someone else will notice."
"That sounds like a threat."
"No," she said softly. "It's a warning."
Later that night, she made a call.
Nothing dramatic,nothing obvious.
Just a rumor passed carefully.
A suggestion placed where it would grow roots.
Lyra — Late Night
Lyra lay beside her cousin,listening to his slow breathing, warmth pressed against her side.
For the first time in days,she felt safe.
But even in safety, her thoughts drifted.
Back to campus.
Back to shadows.
Back to a boy who lived in between worlds.
Dear Stranger, she wrote mentally, too tired to move, I don't know what's waiting for me when I return. But I know I don't want to pretend I don't care anymore.
Miles away, Kael Draven stood alone, realizing too late that distance hadn't softened anything.
It had only made the stakes clearer.