EPISODE 4:
The morning air felt too bright, too normal, as Ava walked home from Noah’s place. Every step echoed, her body heavy with exhaustion. She hadn’t slept—not really. The shadow had stolen the hours, replaced them with blank terror.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She didn’t check. Not yet.
When she reached her front door, the smell of coffee and toast drifted out. The moment she stepped inside, her mother’s voice cut through the air.
Ava mom
Ava? Where were you last night?
Ava froze, heart hammering.
Ava mom
Harper? You didn’t even text me. I woke up at 2 in the morning, and your bed was empty.
Ava
Sorry, Mom. I just needed… space. Things have been weird lately.
Ava’s throat tightened. She couldn’t say it. She couldn’t tell her mom that at 1:47 AM, something had stared into her soul and whispered “smile.” That hours had disappeared. That Harper was gone.
Ava
It’s nothing. Just school stress.
Ava mom
Ava, please don’t shut me out. You look pale.
Her mother’s eyes searched hers, full of worry, full of love. Ava looked away, grabbed a slice of toast, and mumbled an excuse about being late.
Ava
I’ll be fine. Promise.
The words burned in Ava’s chest as she left for school. She had promised. But she wasn’t fine. None of them were.
The school felt strange, quieter than usual. Students huddled in small groups, whispering. A teacher stood near the office, talking in hushed tones.
Noah was waiting by her locker, eyes shadowed, notebook clutched to his chest.
Ava followed his gaze.
There were names pinned up. More students reported missing.
A sick wave rolled through Ava’s stomach. One of the names was from her class. She remembered laughing with him only last week.
Their phones buzzed at the same time. Ava’s hand shook as she unlocked the screen.
UNKNOWN
Special ones don’t lie forever.
UNKNOWN
You can’t hide from me, Ava. Not from me.
Ava
To my mom. About Harper. About last night.
It KNOWS
Noah
Then it’s watching closer.
Ava’s eyes darted to the classroom windows, the dark corners of the hallway. Every shadow stretched too long, every flicker of movement made her chest tighten.
Ava
What if it’s here? Right now?
Noah
Then we stay together. Always.
Ava
But what if together makes us easier to take?
Noah didn’t answer. His silence was worse than words.
The bell rang, but the sound didn’t break the fear. It only sealed it deeper. Ava sat in class, her pen unmoving against her notebook. Her mind replayed her mother’s worried face, the shadow’s whispers, the missing names.
The lie weighed heavy.
Her phone buzzed again under the desk. She didn’t want to look, but she couldn’t resist.
UNKNOWN
Smile at your mother tonight. Let her see your teeth. She won’t know they’re mine.
Her breath caught in her throat. She shoved the phone into her bag and stared at the clock.
It was 1:12 PM. Hours away from 1:47 AM. But the fear already clawed at her chest.
The lie had marked her.
The shadow was watching.
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