I stumbled out of the clinic like a walking corpse. My legs were weak, my skin pale as snow, and a cold chill rustled through, creeping into my bones. I felt like I could drop at any moment, but somehow, my eyes refused to close.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. Raymond burst out of the clinic, breathless. He grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to face him.
Panting, he asked, "You saw them… how?"
I looked into his eyes, mine dull and heavy, drained of life. My voice came out hollow, almost detached.
"I don't know."
His shoulders sagged. Disappointment flickered in his eyes. He let go of me and stepped back.
"Why can I see them?" I muttered. "Why are they here?"
There was a pause. Then he finally answered, his voice bitter and low.
"It's Annie. She sent them… to haunt me."
"But why?" I whispered, barely able to get the words out. "Why can I see them too?"
"I don't know," he said again.
Of course he didn't. I could tell he wanted to give me answers, but even he was lost. There was no comfort in his presence only more questions.
I returned to my hostel, dragging my feet. My fingers trembled on the doorknob. What if Pink was inside? What would I even say to her?
After a long pause, I inhaled deeply and stepped in.
But it wasn't Pink I saw.
It was her.
She sat near the mirror on Pink's side of the room. Her presence filled the space like thick smoke, heavy, powerful. She smiled at me as if she had been expecting me.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She tilted her head, amused. "Let's see…" Her eyes flicked around the room before settling on me again. "I'm Rivon."
"Rivon?" The name sent a chill through me. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"A demon," she said simply, rising from her seat and walking toward me. "I'm a demon, Terra."
I backed away, hand clutching the doorknob behind me. "You… know my name?"
Her smile widened. "Of course I do. You're Terra Tune. The dark witch."
My heart froze. "Wh-what?"
"You don't know?" she teased. "Interesting."
"What does that even mean?"
But before I could get another word out, she began to fade, her figure dissipating like smoke in wind.
"Wait!" I shouted, but she was gone.
The door flung open, slamming into me. Pink stood there with a cold glare, her arms crossed.
"You're back," she scoffed. "Thought I got rid of you."
"It's gonna be hard to do that," I muttered, stepping aside.
She smirked, brushing past me. "Just wait and see. I won't let you take what's mine."
"Seriously, Pink?" I said, exasperated. "Are we really gonna let a guy come between us?"
She turned sharply. "Us? There is no us. You stopped being my friend the moment you double-crossed me. And now… I'm going to make you pay."
I clenched my fists. "Double-crossed you? You didn't even give me a chance to explain."
"I don't want to hear it," she snapped, jamming her earpods in before slamming the bathroom door shut.
I sighed. It was going to be tough living like this but we were roommates. She couldn't ignore me forever… right?
...
The next day at school, I walked down the hallway. The stares were gone. No more whispers. It had finally died down. I felt… relieved.
Inside the principal's office, I sat stiffly in the chair opposite her. She looked at me with a faint smile.
"Well, it seems the past few weeks have brought some calm," she said. "Looks like you're no longer a distraction. Welcome back, Miss Tune. Try to be on your best behavior else next time, I won't be so forgiving."
I bit my tongue. It wasn't even my fault but I had no choice.
"I'll try my best, ma'am."
On my way to class, I ran into Jesse. He caught me in a hug before I could dodge.
"You're back!"
"Yeah," I replied coldly. "Why do you care?"
"I'm sorry, Terra," he said. "I was a jerk. I told Pink everything. That it was my fault."
I raised an eyebrow. "And how did she take that?"
He frowned. "Not well."
Then I remembered her words.
"I won't let you take what's mine."
My stomach twisted.
In class, I took a seat next to Genora. Clary and Zack sat up front together away from me. It stung.
"You okay?" Genora whispered, noticing my silence, the stares.
"Yeah. I'm fine," I said, not meeting her eyes.
She hesitated. "Hey, if you're free after class… want to hang out?"
I turned to her slowly, unsure. My silence made her shrink a little.
"It's okay if you don't want to..."
"No, it's fine," I cut in. "I'd love to."
Pink wasn't an option anymore. And Genora… she was trying.
At lunch, I met up with her, Sam, and another quiet kid from their group. We sat away from the "cool crowd" and talked about sea turtles.
Nerd stuff. But… it was actually fun.
...
Later, I made my way to the clinic.
"Mr. Ray?" I knocked and stepped inside.
He was sorting files, but the room felt less haunted. The ghosts were gone. That helped.
"Mr. Ray, I have a question."
He looked up and smiled. "Of course, dear. Come in. What is it?"
I hesitated. "Have you ever heard of someone or something called Rivon?"
He froze. "Rivon? Where did you hear that name?"
"I… just saw it in a book," I lied. "An old history text."
He adjusted his glasses. "Rivon is a demon. One of the sixth circle. Guard of the dark witches."
"Dark witches?" I echoed.
He nodded. "Witches of time and chaos. Carriers of powerful dark magic. Enough to wipe out entire races. But they were all wiped out… long ago."
I sat in silence, the weight of it all pressing on my chest.
"Anything else?" he asked gently.
I shook my head and walked out.
Waiting outside was Rivon, leaning against the wall.
"So now you know," she said softly.
I froze.
"You're really a demon?"
She nodded, smiling faintly.
"There are thousands of people here," I snapped. "Why me?"
"Because you're the only one who saw the vengeful ghosts."
I stared at her. My mind screamed at me to deny it then she laughed
"kidding," she giggled "its because, Terra… you are a dark witch. And deep down, you already know what that means."
"I'm not a witch," I whispered.
"You don't have to believe it right now," she said, voice calm. "But you will."
I ran.
She smirked and vanished.
...
That night…
The harvest moon glowed brightly, massive and golden, like an eye in the sky. On the rooftop of an old factory, Jennie and Sofie crouched in the shadows.
"This is it, Sofie," Jennie whispered. "The night we've waited for."
Sofie looked uncertain. "What if he doesn't come?"
"He will. No wolf can resist the Harvest Moon."
They wore ancient beads around their necks, enchanted charms to prevent transformation, to keep their minds clear. Their weapons glinted under the moonlight.
Then they saw him.
The Alpha.
He stood tall, a towering figure of fur and muscle. Half-man, half-beast, his golden eyes scanned the horizon. He threw his head back and howled.
Wolves below answered in chorus.
"Bingo," Jennie grinned.
From their hiding place, Sofie took aim with a blessed silver pistol. She fired but the Alpha vanished before the bullet could reach him.
"Where'd he go?!"
He appeared in front of them.
The rooftop became a battleground. Shadows danced as the Alpha faced them. Towering. Invincible.
"This ends tonight," Jennie snarled.
She lunged. He was faster. He slammed her down like thunder.
Sofie attacked next, but he flung her into a rusted ladder.
Jennie rose, bloody and desperate. Blow after blow, none of them landed. The Alpha was a storm. A god.
Then he howled, an ancient, shaking roar.
Sofie staggered, terrified. "This was a mistake," she whispered.
Jennie wasn't done. She ripped off her bead, transformed, and slashed deep into the Alpha's wrist. He growled and slapped her across the rooftop.
Wolves emerged from the shadows, surrounding them.
Sofie grabbed Jennie, trying to stop her. "You'll die if you go now!"
"If I don't… I'll still die."
"No, Jennie. Not tonight. We need to plan better."
Defeated, Jennie let herself be pulled away. But her eyes never left the Alpha.
"I'll be back," she hissed.
"Just you wait."