I tried to ignore her.
I really did.
The rest of the day passed in fragments—voices overlapping, thoughts pressing in, the usual chaos I had trained myself to survive.
What should I eat later…
I think she likes him…
If I fail this test, my dad will—
Noise.
All of it noise.
Except for one thing.
One person.
Her.
Even when she wasn't near me, I could feel it.
The absence.
Like a missing sound in a song you've heard your whole life.
And it was driving me insane.
> Unknown: You're distracted.
I didn't even flinch this time when my phone buzzed.
I just slipped it out and read the message under my desk.
> Me: You think?
> Unknown: This isn't a joke.
> Me: Then explain properly.
A pause.
Longer than usual.
> Unknown: I can't tell you everything.
Not yet.
I clenched my jaw.
> Me: Convenient.
> Unknown: Necessary.
I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to stay calm.
> Me: Fine. Then start with this—
Who is she?
The typing dots appeard.
Stopped.
Appeared again.
> Unknown: Someone you should never have me
A chill ran down my spine.
> Me: That doesn't answer anything.
> Unknown: It answers enough.
I almost laughed.
Frustration bubbled in my chest.
> Me: You're asking me to trust you while giving me nothing.
This time, the reply came instantly.
> Unknown: I'm asking you to survive.
My fingers stilled.
> Unknown: And right now, the most important thing is this:
Another message followed immediately.
> Unknown: 4:15 PM.
Do not go home.
My eyes narrowed.
> Me: You already said that.
> Unknown: And you're still not taking it seriously.
> Me: Then tell me what happens.
There was a long pause.
Long enough that I thought maybe—
Just maybe—
He wouldn't answer.
Then—
> Unknown: If you go home at 4:15…
you'll lose something you can never get back.
My chest tightened.
> Me: What does that even mean?
No reply.
"Class dismissed."
The teacher's voice snapped me back.
Chairs scraped. Bags zipped.
The end of the day.
My heart started beating faster.
4:15.
I checked the time.
3:32 PM.
Forty-three minutes.
You're overthinking this, I told myself.
This could still be a prank.
A really elaborate, really creepy prank.
But…
He knew about my ability.
He predicted the teacher calling on me.
He knew things no one else should know.
And then there was her.
I stood up slowly, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
The classroom emptied around me.
Thoughts faded as people left.
Until—
Silence.
I froze.
I didn't need to turn around to know.
"She's behind you."
I spun.
My eyes widened.
She was standing right there.
Closer than before.
"How long have you been there?" I asked.
My voice came out tighter than I wanted.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Long enough."
My heartbeat quickened.
Still nothing.
No thoughts.
No warning.
No noise.
"Why are you following me?" I demanded.
"I'm not," she said calmly.
"Then why do you keep showing up?"
A pause.
Then—
"Because you keep noticing me."
That… wasn't an answer.
"You're avoiding me," she added, her gaze sharp.
"Most people don't do that."
Most people don't exist in silence either, I almost said.
"So?" I shrugged. "Maybe I don't like people."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Liar."
My chest tightened.
"You listen too much," she continued.
I froze.
"What?" I asked carefully.
Her eyes held mine.
Steady. Unblinking
"Your eyes," she said. "You react before people speak."
My pulse spiked.
"That's called paying attention," I said quickly.
"Is it?"
She stepped closer.
And for the first time—
I felt it again.
That strange… cold pressure.
Like something deep and endless brushing against me.
"You hear things," she said softly.
My breath caught.
Not a question.
A statement.
"You shouldn't," she added.
My mind went blank.
"How would you know that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
She looked at me like she was trying to decide something
Then—
"Because," she said quietly,
"people like you…"
A pause.
"…don't live long."
My heart stopped.
Buzz.
My phone vibrated violently in my hand.
> Unknown: LEAVE.
> Unknown: RIGHT NOW.
> Unknown: IT'S ALMOST TIME.
I looked at the time.
4:12 PM.
My chest tightened.
"What's wrong?" she asked, watching me closely.
Everything.
Everything was wrong.
"I have to go," I said quickly, stepping back.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Home?" she asked.
I froze.
"How did you—"
"Don't," she cut in.
Her voice was sharper now.
Colder.
"Don't go."
My breath caught.
"What?" I whispered.
For the first time—
There was something in her expression.
Not calm.
Not neutral.
Urgency.
"Whatever you're thinking," she said,
"change it."
My heart pounded.
My phone buzzed again.
> Unknown: DON'T LISTEN TO HER.
> Unknown: SHE'S THE REASON EVERYTHING HAPPEN
I looked at her.
Then at my phone.
Then back at her.
Two warnings.
Two directions.
"Why?" I demanded.
"Why shouldn't I go?"
She held my gaze.
And for the first time—
She hesitated.
Then—
"Because if you do," she said quietly,
"you won't come back the same."
My chest tightened.
4:14 PM.
One minute.
My mind raced.
Future me said:
Don't go home.
She said:
Don't go.
Same warning.
Different reasons.
Which one was the truth
Or worse—
Which one was the lie?
The clock ticked.
4:15 PM.
I made my choice.
And the moment I stepped forward—
My phone buzzed one last time.
> Unknown:
…You chose wrong