"The things we can't see are the things that can haunt us the most."

The words still lingered in my mind as I walked out of the class, each one settling uncomfortably into place.

"Just… keep an eye out. That guy? He’s not exactly Mr. Friendly, especially not these days."

"Careful who you listen to."

I felt the weight of them, pressing down, filling me with an exhaustion that went beyond just today. I was tired of running, of demanding answers, of being caught in endless circles to satisfy questions I couldn't even voice. Hoping to clear my head, I made my way toward the fountain, craving fresh air and a break from everything that felt so wrong.

The fountain was beautiful as always, the water shimmering under the afternoon light, droplets catching the sun like tiny crystals. I sat at the edge, dipping my fingers into the stillness, tracing small circles across its surface, letting the quiet wash over me.

Then, I felt it—a subtle prickling at the back of my neck, the unmistakable sense of being watched. I glanced up and found him, Liam, standing just a few feet away, his gaze fixed on me.

I couldn’t resist a small smirk. “Enjoying the view?” I teased, hoping to throw him off, just a little.

He barely blinked. “I’d say the view could be better if you weren’t sitting there.” His tone dripped with arrogance, that smug smile tugging at his lips.

I rolled my eyes, the teasing deflating like a popped balloon. Seriously? "What did I even expect?" I muttered, half to myself, unable to hide the disappointment from my voice.

Just as I was about to leave, he took a step forward, his expression shifting. “Oh, I forgot to tell you something.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Our English teacher made a list of project partners. You’re mine,” he said, his voice casual but his eyes holding something unreadable.

I stood still, processing, not sure if he was serious. “You’re… my partner?” I repeated, searching his face for any hint of a joke.

“Yeah. For the English project. Remember the day you were late?” he reminded, watching me closely.

“Yeah, I remember.”

“While you were out, the teacher gave us the project details. We’re supposed to get it done by the end of the week. Do you want to meet in the library after lunch to go over it?”

I nodded, still feeling off-balance. “Sure. Library, after lunch.”

“Good,” he said, his gaze flickering just a moment longer before he turned and walked off.

I sat there, watching him disappear down the path, feeling the strange, charged energy he left behind. Only when the sun began to dip below the trees did I finally get up, heading back toward my dorm.

Later that night, I slipped into the bathroom, ready to wash up before my late study session. I splashed water on my face, feeling the cool droplets trickle down, refreshing me. But as I wiped my face with the towel, I looked up—and froze.

My reflection in the mirror was… wrong. It stared back at me, but something was off. It was me—down to the last detail—but it wasn’t laterally inverted. It looked out from the mirror exactly as I was, not flipped.

A chill crept up my spine. *Stay calm,* I told myself, my heart hammering. This wasn’t some horror movie where touching it would lead to a nightmare unfolding. Taking a shaky breath, I averted my gaze and backed away, doing my best to ignore the goosebumps prickling my skin.

Once I was back in bed, I tucked myself under the blanket, shutting my eyes tight, pretending to sleep even though every sense was on edge. I tried to let the sound of my breathing calm me, willing the anxiety to ebb away.

Then, I felt it.

The blanket shifted, slowly, as if something was tugging it away. My pulse quickened, and I turned to the side, acting as if I were pulling the blanket back in my sleep. But the tug came again, this time more insistent.

I held my breath, my heart pounding, wondering just how much longer I could pretend to ignore whatever was lurking in the dark.

Slowly, I was able to feel that night again. The same dark aura surrounded me in an instant.

I didn't budge, I didn't react.

I could feel the lights flicker. I could feel a cold pressure on my body trying to invade again.

It started to become suffocating when I realised, the aura changed. At the start, It was my will not to move but now it was my obligation.

I felt a featherlight touch on my arm, trailing down from my fingertips to my wrist, then up to my shoulder, leaving my skin crawling in its wake. I fought the urge to recoil, my muscles rigid with fear.

Then it came closer, brushing against my neck, leaving cold, shuddering whispers in my ear. “You’re mine,” it breathed, a dark, possessive growl. A tear slipped down my cheek, hot and fast.

That was the moment I would feel only one thing, DISGUST!!, from myself, from my body, from the aura above.

Suddenly, the door flung open and Jessica yelled "SUPRISE!!" and sat on my bed.

Everything vanished.

The pressure was over.

"Emi you must remember how I was gone crazy for Miss. Rose's new purfum and after so much of hard work I stole it like just see it smells sooo… good " she spat, after ignoring each and every word of hers I ran straight into the washroom and started vomiting.

I ran towards the shower and switched it on. I shampooed my hair rubber my whole body from soap like a maniac.

I ran out, sprayed the purfum all over my body. I made a sigh of relief and sat on the bed again.

"What the hell did you just do!!" Jessica asked, totally shocked by my actions.

"Nothing, Good night" I greeted and slept.

And she wasn't able to do anything but to remain speechless.

The next morning, I woke up feeling groggy, my dreams a tangled mess of shadows and voices I couldn’t quite remember. I sat up in bed and stretched, blinking against the morning light streaming through the window. For a moment, I thought maybe everything that had happened last night had just been in my head. But as I got up, something caught my eye.

Jessica's purfum, sitting right where I had left  the night before.

I stared at it in disbelief. My heart thudded in her chest. I wasn’t imagining it—a black feature. I approached the desk cautiously, as if it might vanish if she got too close, thinking it was mere imagination. But it didn’t. I picked it up, half expecting it to vanish.

Nothing, nothing happened

And then i knew what would be my next move I freshened up and held towards the reception.

"Good morning ma'am. Do you know how can we change our dorms?" I asked the reception lady calmly.

"Why is there any problem?"

"No ma'am it's just a genuine question like what do we have to do"

"Nothing much you need your parents permission and signature on the letter for its request"

PARENTS PERMISSION!! That's going to be a huuuu..ge problem.

"Ok, thank you!" and I left with a new headache for myself.

Author's note

Wasn't this chapter full of thrill and questions. Firstly I was thinking of keeping it normal horror, when I got a dream yesterday and it changed the whole story. According to me,it has turned darker then it was and I won't forget to state that it has become more interesting. I think it wasn't disappointing or boring until now and neither it would be.

Just stay tuned for the next chapter

Only yours
Sapphire's echo