The city of Nareth bustled under a rainy sky, the sound of footsteps and distant chatter blending with the constant patter of water against the pavement. It was just another ordinary day in the life of Atlas, a high school student with an innate sense for things others couldn't feel.
Atlas walked through the crowded street, his eyes wandering aimlessly, while his thoughts focused elsewhere. A sense of wrongness prickled at the edge of his consciousness, the distinct feeling of being watched. His breath hitched as he paused mid step, staring at an alleyway he had passed countless times. Today, it felt different, almost... alive.
"Atlas, wait up!" A familiar voice called out. His best friend, Jason, jogged over to him, pushing through the sea of umbrellas. "You're spacing out again. I swear, one day you're going to walk into traffic."
Atlas snapped out of his trance, shaking his head. "Sorry, I just... thought I saw something."
Jason glanced toward the alley. "In there? You're always seeing things in places like that."
"Maybe I'm not imagining it," Atlas said, his voice barely audible over the rain.
Jason snorted. "Dude, you need more sleep. Come on, we'll be late."
But Atlas's gaze lingered on the alley. His heart thumped louder in his chest. There was something wrong, he could feel it.
As they walked away, a faint shimmer rippled in the air where Atlas had been looking. Hidden from ordinary eyes, a dark figure watched, its form twisting unnaturally as it followed their movements.
***
The towering gate of Atlas's school stood wide open. Students jogged in hurriedly as the gatekeeper, a grumpy old man with a thick mustache, glared at the stragglers, "Hurry up! I'm closing the gate. You're all late!"
From a distance, Atlas and Jason sprinted towards the entrance. backpacks bouncing.
Jason glanced over his shoulder. "Move those skinny little legs, Atlas!"
"I'm trying," Atlas wheezed.
The gatekeeper narrowed his eyes as he spotted them." Here we go again," he muttered.
Jason shouted ahead, "Wait! We're almost there!"
The gatekeeper chuckle and shook his head. "Not on my watch," he said, and without warning, slammed the gate shut just as they both reached it.
"Come on! Open the gate!" Jason yelled, slapping the bars.
Atlas bent over, hands on his knees, struggling to breathe.
"You're too late. The gatekeeper said, folding his arms. And I've let you both off too many times already."
Jason scowled. "This is ridiculous! What, like thirty seconds makes a difference?"
"Rules are rules. Go home."
Jason stood in disbelief, clenching his fists. Just then, a female teacher walked up behind the gatekeeper.
"Let them in," she said.
The gatekeeper hesitated. "They're always late. I can't just—"
If you don't, the teacher said, her voice dropping to a whisper, I'll be sure to let the principal know about your… selective discipline."
Grinding his teeth, the gatekeeper pulled the gate open.
Jason sighed in relief. "Come on, Atlas." They stepped through. The gatekeeper gave them a hard look.
"You got lucky. Next time, you're not getting in."
Jason brushed past him. "Whatever."
Atlas followed quietly, face flushed with embarrassment.
***
In math class, a middle-aged teacher pointed at equations on the board. Atlas slouched at his desk, arms crossed, gazing out the window with half-closed eyes. Jason, on the other hand, sat upright, focused, taking notes without missing a beat.
When the bell rang, students rushed out as the teacher called, "Don't forget your homework for the weekend!"
Jason stood and noticed Atlas hadn't moved, his eyes now shut. He walked over and tapped his shoulder. "Hey. Wake up."
Atlas jolted. "Huh—what?"
"Relax," Jason laughed. "Let's go."
They walked to the cafeteria, where Jason teased him for getting spooked.
Sitting across from each other with their trays, Jason asked between bites,"So, any plans for the weekend?"
"Nothing much," Atlas said." I'll probably stay home. Play some games. Maybe study."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "That's lame. You need to get out more. Do something fun."
Atlas shrugged. "Can't afford much. Don't really feel like it either."
"Who said anything about money? I'm inviting you. Some of the guys are coming too. Just tag along."
Atlas stared at him for a moment. Every instinct said to say no, to retreat to the safety of his room. But the memory of the alley, the prickling sense of being watched, was sharper than his reluctance. Being in a crowd suddenly seemed like the only shield. "...Alright. I'll go.
Jason grinned." Yes! Trust me, it'll be fun. You won't regret it."
"I hope so," Atlas said, his voice flat.
***
By the next period, Atlas had resumed his now-familiar stance, dozing at his desk while the teacher talked. The day dragged on until gym class, where he sat on the bench in his PE uniform, watching others play dodgeball. Jason, wiping sweat from his forehead, noticed him and jogged over.
"Hey. You're usually playing. What's up?"
"Just not feeling great," Atlas said.
Jason narrowed his eyes. "You've been acting weird lately. Distant."
"I'm fine. Don't worry about it."
Jason nodded slowly, not looking convinced. "Alright. But if you ever want to talk, I'm here." He turned and rejoined the game.
Atlas sat quietly, lost in thought. Then he noticed someone unfamiliar, a brown-haired boy with green eyes standing at the far end of the gym, not talking to anyone, just watching. A cold prickle, similar to one from the alley, ran down his spine.
"Who's that?" Atlas muttered to himself. "Never seen him around."
The gym teacher's whistle cut through the air. "Alright, everyone! Wrap it up. Hit the showers and change back into uniform!"
When Atlas looked back, the brown-haired boy was gone.
***
After school, Atlas walked out the gate amidst a stream of students piling into cars or onto bikes. He was scanning the street when a car honked. His sister, Isabelle, was waving from the driver's seat, her head stuck out the window with a smile.
Before he could walk over, Jason appeared behind him. "Yo!"
"Jason? What now?" Atlas asked.
"Just wanted to say bye. See you tomorrow."
"Oh. Yeah, see you." They bumped fists before Jason jogged off with a wave.
Atlas gave a small wave in return, his face blank, then got into the car.
As they drove, Isabelle glanced at him, her expression guilty. "Sorry I didn't take you to school this morning. The rain was bad and I was late for work."
"It's fine. You don't need to explain, "Atlas said, staring out the window, his head resting on his hand. He wasn't angry, his mind was just somewhere else entirely.
She smiled weakly. "Okay."
The rest of the ride was quiet.
***
Later that evening, Atlas sat in his room, staring at the ceiling. His mind raced, replaying the strange sensation he had felt earlier. He had always been sensitive to things others couldn't feel or see. he'd learned to ignore it, but today was different.
A knock on his door startled him. "Dinner's ready," Isabella, called out.
Atlas sat up, rubbing his temples. "I'll be right there."
Before heading downstairs, he paused, glancing at the window. It was foggy from the rain, but in the reflection, he could see something, a shadowy figure lingering just outside.
His blood ran cold. It wasn't a person.
Atlas slowly approached the window, his hand trembling as he reached for the latch. Just as his fingers brushed the cold metal, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Don't."
He froze, heart pounding. The voice wasn't his own.
The shadow shifted, as if sensing his hesitation. It pressed itself against the glass, its shape more defined now, grotesque, with hollow eyes and a wide, predatory grin.
In an instant, Atlas jerked back, the window rattling as the figure disappeared into the fog.
He stumbled away, catching his breath. "What... was that?"
"Atlas?" Isabella's voice came again, this time edged with concern.
"Coming!" he forced himself to respond, but his mind was spinning. Something was happening, something far worse than what he'd ever encountered before.