Vihaan's gaze dropped suddenly—focused on the grass near a dark corner of the garden, where the shadows seemed thicker than they should be.
Nidhi caught his expression.
Without hesitation, she crossed to Ananya, who was admiring the fairy lights strung above.
Meher noticed too, her instincts sharp. She followed Nidhi silently.
Ananya turned just as they reached her. "What's wrong?"
Nidhi forced a smile. "Just checking if you're enjoying the party."
But her hand rested gently on Ananya's, anchoring her.
Meher stood close, eyes scanning the dark edges of the garden.
And Vihaan—he took a slow step forward, toward the shadows.
As if challenging something unseen.
Something that didn't belong.
Something that had been watching.
A sudden chill brushed Nidhi's arm.
She shivered.
"Did it just get cold?" Ananya whispered.
Meher didn't answer. She was staring at the fairy lights.
Half of them flickered—then went out.
Only in the far corner.
Where Vihaan stood.
He didn't move. But his shoulders tensed.
The music from the party seemed distant now. Muffled.
Like they were under water.
Ananya blinked, confused. "Why does it feel… heavy?"
Nidhi pulled her closer. "Stay with us."
Meher stepped slightly ahead. Her voice low. "Something's not right."
The garden had fallen unnaturally silent.
No crickets. No footsteps. No laughter.
Then—
A creak.
Not from the garden gate. From above.
All three girls looked up.
A rope swing tied to an old tree was slowly swaying.
But there was no wind.
Vihaan turned to them, voice calm but sharp. "Get back to the crowd. Now."
But they didn't move.
Because just then—
A soft humming.
A woman's voice.
Faint. Distant. Crooked like an old lullaby.
Meher's breath hitched. "You hear that…?"
Nidhi nodded slowly. Her grip on Ananya's wrist tightened.
The swing kept swaying. The humming grew louder.
And then—
SNAP.
One of the fairy light strings in the tree burst. Sparks fell like fireflies.
The light behind Vihaan dimmed even more.
His eyes scanned the dark edge of the garden.
He stepped forward.
Then froze.
Because in that flickering shadow…
A figure stood.
Tall. Still. Wrapped in something like black lace.
Face unseen.
Head tilted just slightly—unnaturally—watching.
Vihaan didn't look back. Just whispered:
"Don't run."
The figure didn't move.
Just stood there—half-shadow, half-real.
The lace-like veil fluttered slightly, though there was no wind.
Vihaan's voice dropped. "Stay close. Don't speak."
Behind him, Meher instinctively stepped in front of Ananya, shielding her.
Nidhi stared.
The air had weight.
Like something pressing against their lungs.
Then—
The figure tilted its head the other way.
Slow. Jerky.
A low creak echoed.
The garden swing—still swaying.
And from the trees, a dozen paper lanterns lit up on their own.
One by one.
Flick. Flick. Flick. Flick.
Then… silence again.
No footsteps.
No leaves rustling.
Just that heavy stillness.
Vihaan slowly turned back to them.
"She's not here for all of you," he said quietly.
"But she's watching."
The figure remained motionless, watching.
Vihaan's eyes narrowed.
"She's tied to Ananya… but can't touch her yet."
Meher's voice was steady but low:
"Why now? What's changed?"
Vihaan glanced around, then back at Ananya.
"Because something in her has shifted. The connection grew stronger."
Nidhi reached out, but Vihaan stopped her gently.
"Don't draw attention. If she senses fear, it will come closer."
The garden felt colder, but no breeze stirred the leaves.
Then Vihaan stepped forward, his voice firm:
"We can't fight what we don't understand. Tonight, we watch and wait."
He looked directly at Ananya.
"Stay calm. Control your thoughts."
The figure began to fade — dissolving like mist in the morning sun.
And just like that, the garden returned to quiet.
But the threat had not disappeared.
Only... paused.
The shadow vanished—like mist caught in wind.
Silence lingered.
Then—
Lights flickered.
Music swelled back into the air.
Laughter returned, faint at first… then loud and natural.
People were back—swaying, dancing, chatting as if nothing had happened.
Vihaan knelt beside Ananya, his hand glowing faintly against her forehead. A whisper left his lips—calm, ancient, almost forgotten.
Meher and Nidhi watched.
Slowly, Ananya blinked.
"W-What happened?" she mumbled, rubbing her head.
"Nothing," Meher said gently, helping her up. "Maybe low sugar or stress."
Vihaan stood back. "She won't remember. The seal will hold—for now."
Nidhi narrowed her eyes at him but said nothing. Just took Ananya's hand and pulled her toward the snack table.
"Come on. You need fries. Desperately."
As the music picked up again, Ananya smiled—unsure why she felt lighter, but glad.
The crowd danced, lights twirled, and the air felt normal again.
Except Nidhi…
She didn't laugh.
She didn't forget.
And when Vihaan's eyes met hers from across the crowd
She looked away.
Still angry.
Still questioning.