Chapter 5

Sophia's body tensed and the water suddenly turned cold. She sat up quickly, holding her breath. The room was silent, with only the sound of dripping water from the faucet breaking the stillness.

Has she imagined it?. Her eyes glanced at the bathroom door, it was slightly open. The wooden door looked normal at first…until she noticed it—scratches. There were deep, long and rough claw marks, one that hadn’t been there before.

A shiver ran down her spine, someone or something had been right outside watching and waiting for her. She slowly reached for the towel and wrapped it around herself before stepping out of the tub. She crept two words the door and slowly pushed it open with trembling fingers. She expected the worse but there was nothing, the room was dark and empty but something stood out. A folded note was on her bed.

She cautiously approached the bed, her heart pounding. The note was untop her pillow, she picked it up with shaking fingers and unfolded it: “They don’t want you here. Not all battles are fought in the open.”

She swallowed the lump that had built in her throat. Someone had been here, someone that wanted her to know she was in danger. But who?. A knock on the door made her jump.

“Sophia?”. It was Seth, she let out a breathe she didn’t realize she had been holding and without thinking she stuffed the note under her pillow.

“Come in” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Seth stepped inside, his cool blue eyes scanning the room almost like he was expecting to find someone or something else.

“Are you okay?” He asked curiously. Sophia hesitated, should she tell him?, but before she could decide, he frowned at her

“You’re shaking…what’s wrong?” He asked with concern.

“Emm…it’s nothing” she lied. “I’ve just had a really long day”

He studied her for a moment, then he sighed, he knew she was lying but he wasn’t going to force it out of her.

“I know it’s not been easy here, You’re walking into a place full of wolves, traditions, expectations, and you didn’t choose any of it.”

Sophia just stared at him.

“Get some rest, tomorrow won’t be any easier.” His voice became softer, “And…don’t let them get into your head. I mean Lilith and the others, they feed off weakness and doubts. you don’t have to prove anything to them.”

She wanted to believe what he said but the warning note lingered in her mind. “They don’t want you here”. Was someone trying to help her or was it a threat.

Seth pushed off the dresser where he had sat earlier and he moved towards the door, he paused and looked at her, “sleep well, I’d keep an eye out for you”, and he left.

The door closed softly behind him, Sophia stood still for a long time, the room was quiet once again. She slowly pulled the note out from under her pillow and read it again. “Not all battles are fought in the open”.

She folded it back and kept it inside the bedside drawer. And for the first time since she arrived, she locked her door. Then she climbed into bed, pulled the blanket up to her chin, and stared at the ceiling, listening to the quiet and wondering if someone was still out there.

She was exhausted and didn’t know when she drifted off to sleep. That was when the dream started.

Sophia stood in a forest with no stars, she stood barefoot on a bed of ash, trees surrounded her, twisted and leafless. The tree bark blackened and cracked as if it had been struck by fire. The air was thick and then movement.

A woman came from the shadows, covered in darkness, her face was hidden under a hood but her eyes were glowing silver like moons. Sophia couldn’t speak or move.

The woman raised a hand and fire sparked at her fingertips

“you’re not what you think you are” the woman whispered, her voice was familiar but terrifying. “And soon… you will see it”

But before Sophia could ask what she meant, the ground under her feet cracked open and she fell.