Episode 5: Whispers in the Shadows

The late afternoon sun dipped low, casting long golden streaks over the streets as Lyra walked home, a paper bag of pastries swinging from her hand.
Aria had insisted she take them, chattering the whole time about a party coming up, about classes, about anything except the sudden tears Lyra had shed earlier.
Aria hadn't pressed — not yet — but Lyra knew it wouldn't last.
She wasn’t ready to explain.
Not when she didn’t fully understand it herself.
Reaching the small apartment she rented near campus, Lyra punched in the code and stepped inside.
The familiar scent of old books and vanilla air freshener wrapped around her like a hug.
"Safe. For now."
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
[kicking off her shoes] "I'm home... I guess."
Her voice sounded small in the quiet room.
Setting down the pastries, she grabbed a towel and headed straight to the bathroom.
Hot water steamed up the mirror as she scrubbed away the lingering feeling of blood and betrayal still clinging to her skin.
She tried to convince herself it was just in her head.
Fifteen minutes later, dressed in loose sweatpants and an oversized hoodie, Lyra flopped onto her bed, her damp hair leaving dark marks on the pillow.
For a while, everything was silent.
Peaceful
Until—
"Lyra..."
A whisper.
So faint she almost missed it.
[Lyra bolted upright, heart hammering.]
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
[looking around] "Who's there?"
Nothing.
Only the soft hum of her old heater.
[She squeezed her eyes shut.]
'Maybe it was stress.'
'Maybe she was losing it.'
Then — again, clearer this time:
"You can hear us now."
A cold shiver danced down her spine.
The shadows at the corners of her room seemed to ripple, shifting, alive.
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
[whispering] "No... I'm imagining things..."
The whisper deepened, brushing against her mind like velvet and smoke.
"You are not imagining, Queen of Shadows"
Her blood ran cold
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
[mind racing] (Queen of Shadows? Me? What the hell is happening?)*thinking*
The shadows at the foot of her bed twisted, forming the faint outline of something — someone.
'Not fully solid.' 'Not fully real.'
Eyes like glinting stars blinked at her from the darkness.
"You were reborn for a reason. You must remember. You must awaken."
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
[out loud, shaking] "Who... who are you?"
No answer.
Only a soft chuckle that echoed through her mind.
And then -
Silence
The shadows stilled.
The room returned to normal.
But Lyra knew one thing for sure:
"This was just the beginning."
. . .
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
"Hey, Veluna" [Shouting]
Veluna (author)
Veluna (author)
"What?" [Sarcastic]
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
"What were those sounds?"
Veluna (author)
Veluna (author)
"You will know soon"
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
"At least give me a hint , so that I can prepare myself for the next episode"
Veluna (author)
Veluna (author)
"No, if you want to know wait for the next episode" [smirks]
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
" Hey! How can you be so cruel " [angry]
Veluna (author)
Veluna (author)
" See you in the next episode, bye" [Vanished]
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
😑" Anyways" [Turn towards readers]
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
" Dear readers, remember to give us lot's of like and comments."
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
" And remember to pray for me" 😇
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
Lyra Nightshade (fl)
"Bye"

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