The party had started to slow down a bit. Most people were still hanging out, but the high-energy chaos from earlier had shifted into something more laid-back. The lights were still dim, casting a chill vibe over the place, but the dancing had mostly fizzled out. Now, people were spread out in little groups, talking, laughing, and playing games.

  Knowing exactly what kind of nerd he was, they had set up about 15 old-school game consoles from the late ’80s and early ’90s. There were a bunch of small TVs hooked up, and people had taken over the couches, floor, and chairs, getting really into those retro games. The familiar bleeps and bloops from the games filled the room, with flashes of neon menus lighting up the screens.

  Mal couldn’t help but grin at the setup. His sisters knew how to keep things from getting boring, and seeing everyone into the vintage games was kinda awesome. People were still huddled in corners, chatting or laughing over old-school Mario Kart, while others just relaxed, lounging around and enjoying the mellow end to the night. Even with things winding down, it was still his kind of party. He was thankful that whatever his sisters thought was going seemed to happen turned out to be just be a little bit of paranoia.

  Nezami leaned against the kitchen bar taking a small sip of her drink she felt a strange fizz on her tongue, and the soft buzz settled further over her, the world around her becoming a bit too blurry, too unreal. She swayed slightly, the city lights beyond twinkling in her hazy vision. Her grip on the drink felt looser, and her grip on reality felt even looser still.

  Mal noticed from the doorway, leaning against the frame as he studied her quietly for a moment. The dim lighting of the kitchen and cityscape reflected off her lavender hair, and for a second, he found himself marveling at how different she always seemed from everyone else. It wasn’t just how she looked; it was her energy—always a little distant, always like she was somewhere else, even in the middle of a crowded room.

  “You good?” he finally asked, his voice cutting through the faint music still pouring out from the main living space.

  Nezami blinked, a delayed reaction as if pulling herself back to the present. “Hmm? Yeah... it’s just... hot in here.” Her words were slurred ever so slightly, her head dipping as if she were trying to find her footing again.

  Mal straightened, taking a step closer to her. “Hey, come on. Let’s get you some air. You’re looking a little out of it.”

  Before she could respond, he gently looped his arm through hers, guiding her away from the counter. The instant they touched, he felt her warmth radiating through him, a softness in the connection that made his heart speed up just a little, something undeniable about the way she leaned on him. It felt... right, in a way he didn’t expect.

  Mal walked her around through the other hallway that led around the main living space toward the elevator lobby, he kept his pace slow, feeling her stumble slightly. He glanced down at her, realizing just how much she was relying on him for balance. The idea of being the one to steady her, to be the person she leaned on, even in this small, simple moment, made something stir inside him—a protective instinct.

  The elevator ride down was quiet, the muzak the only sound between them. When they finally stepped outside into the cool night air, Nezami inhaled deeply, seeming to relax as the breeze hit her face. She leaned into Mal a little more, and he didn’t mind at all.

  “You hungry?” he asked, glancing down at her as they walked down the quiet street. “There’s a convenience store a few blocks away. We can grab some snacks. Maybe soak up... whatever that mystery drink was.”

  Nezami’s eyes fluttered open and closed, her smile sleepy. “Mystery drink, huh? Yeah... snacks sound good.”

  Mal chuckled, keeping her steady as they crossed the street. “You know, I was starting to think you could handle anything. Maybe I was wrong.”

  She shot him a playful, lopsided grin. “You... might be right this time.”

  Mal felt the weight of her against him, the trust she had in him at that moment. And for a split second, he wondered if maybe he was meant to be more for her than just a casual friend from class. Maybe there was something deeper pulling them together—something that went beyond their differences and their guarded personalities.

  As they walked, he stole a glance at her, feeling that sense of closeness intensify. Tonight wasn’t the time to figure it out, though. For now, he was content just being the one to help her, step by stumbling step for junk food.

  "Good fake food could work miracles," Mal said, trying to inject some lightness.

  They walked in silence for a few moments until Nezami, still leaning on his arm for support, began to mumble again.

  “There’s this guy... at school,” she said, a little clearer this time. “He totally helped me out once, y’know? I think... I might like him. But I don’t know.”

  Mal’s heart sank, a heaviness he hadn’t anticipated forced him to keep his voice neutral, casual.

  "Oh yeah? What’s he like?" Mal said as they walked down the street, something felt off. He hadn’t noticed it at first—just the usual flicker of streetlights here and there. But as he passed under each one, some of the lights seemed... brighter than normal. Almost too bright, like they were trying to draw attention but also blend in at the same time.

  Nezami sighed, her steps faltering slightly. "He’s nice… Like… Really nice... but I’m scared," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I had this... thing before. With a guy. It ended badly. Really badly." She paused, and Mal could feel her fingers tighten slightly around his arm. "My heart’s too... too vulnerable, you know? I don’t think I could handle it again."

  He swallowed hard, the ache in his chest growing. She was talking about him, but she didn’t even seem to realize it. The alcohol had blurred the lines between her thoughts and her ability to filter them, and all he could do was listen. Part of him wanted to stop her, to tell her it was okay, that she didn’t have to feel that way around him. But another part of him knew she needed to let this out, even if she wasn’t fully aware of what she was saying.

  "Sounds rough," Mal murmured, keeping his voice soft, careful. "But maybe... maybe it's not as bad as you think."

  Nezami didn’t respond, her head resting lightly on his shoulder as they continued walking. The quiet stretched between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Mal’s mind, however, was racing.

  As they neared the convenience store, the sound of the streetlight lights buzzed overhead. He hadn’t paid much mind earlier, chalking it up to faulty wiring or the glare of the night. But now, as he glanced back toward the parking lot, it clicked.

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  He hadn’t missed the orb. The orb had been hiding. The streetlights in the distance as they walked had pulsed just faintly, random ones flickering more than the others. It was subtle, but once Mal looked at the old off white light on the corner of the conscience store, he could see it—a faint glow, tucked inside the light, trying its hardest not to be noticed. It dimmed slightly by, retreating into the glare like it was trying to disappear into the light. This thing wasn’t just hanging out in the night—it was hiding from him. Keeping just out of sight, like it knew he could see it if it got too close.

  Could it have been following Nezami this whole time? Had it been there, weaving through the lights, making sure to stay hidden as they walked?

  The more he thought about it, the more it unnerved him. He’d missed it before, but now... now it was clear. This wasn’t a coincidence. This orb was watching someone, and it sure as hell wasn’t a good sign. and for a moment, he could’ve sworn it was drawn to her.

  Is it possible? Mal wondered. Could Nezami be... Nephilim?

  He shook the thought away.

  if it was attached to her, he would’ve seen it earlier, at school on in the atrium they don’t just appear

  They walked into the brightly lit store, the harsh fluorescents making everything feel sterile like they had stepped into another world.

  Mal grabbed a couple of things off the shelf—a bag of chips and a candy bar—when Nezami’s excited voice cut through the store again.

  "Spring rolls!" she practically shouted, her eyes wide with excitement as she rushed over to the hot food section.

  Mal couldn't help but laugh. Watching her drool over the spring rolls, her earlier heaviness seemed to vanish, replaced by a childlike glee. He strolled over, grinning.

  "You want some, I take it?"

  Nezami, barely looking at him, was already eyeing the options, her excitement uncontainable.

  The cashier, a young guy who caught on that she was more than a little tipsy smiled.

  "Do you want the two-piece or four-piece?" he asked, amusement flickering in his eyes.

  Nezami, through a tiny hiccup and in an exaggerated, drunk attempt at Spanish, said, "Can I have dos four pieces, por favor?"

  Mal burst out laughing, and even the cashier couldn't help but join in to the completely unaware Nezami.

  "You heard the lady," Mal said, still grinning, "And throw in a few sweet and sour sauces too!"

  The cashier, shaking his head and still smiling, rang it up. After paying, Mal handed Nezami her two bags of spring rolls, which she grabbed like they were gold. She immediately tore into one, not even waiting until they left the counter.

  "I love you, spring rolls," she said through a mouthful, her words slurred but full of affection, the fried snack her new best friend.

  Mal just shook his head, half-amused, half-relieved to see her in better spirits.

  "They love you too," he teased, glancing at the cashier, who gave him a sympathetic smile.

  Mal tried to focus as they walked back outside, but Nezami’s confession replaying in his mind, bouncing around the Orb that now seemed to have hidden somewhere else…

  or maybe wasn’t there at all

  He squinted, thinking maybe he had just imagined it. Maybe the light he saw was just a trick of the eye, or maybe it was gone now, slipping away when he wasn’t looking.

  Could I have missed it?

  He shook his head, unsure. It didn’t make sense. That orb had felt different like it wasn’t just wandering aimlessly but hiding. But as he stared out at the now-empty street, he began to wonder if he had been wrong. Maybe nothing was following them and his sisters were being paranoid.

  Out front, near the ice machine, was a small bench. Nezami, still holding her spring rolls, walked sluggishly toward it and plopped down.

  Mal turned toward her, watching her chew slowly on the fried snack, a little dazed but content.

  “You want some sauce for those spring rolls?” he asked, walking over to her.

  Through a mouthful of food, she nodded eagerly. “Yessh,” she mumbled, barely coherent between bites.

  He laughed, shaking his head. It was so unlike her. Nezami, usually so reserved and distant, was completely relaxed as if the weight of the world had melted away, replaced by this uninhibited version of herself. She’d never live it down if she knew how she was acting.

  She’d die of embarrassment if she saw this, Mal thought still chuckling to himself as he sat next to her on the bench.

  Nezami looked over, blinking slowly, a half-smile playing on her lips, unaware of her own hilarity. “Why’re you laughing?” she asked the words slurring together.

  “Nothing,” Mal said, stifling another laugh. “Just thinking you’re gonna owe those spring rolls a love letter soon.”

  As she ate, Mal’s eyes drifted back to the street, his earlier worry creeping in again. Where did it go? He had been so sure there was something there—something watching or hiding. Now, with no sign of the orb and Nezami sitting beside him, carefree, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had let his guard down.

  Maybe it’s still around... watching. Just keeping out of sight.

  The thought lingered in the back of his mind as he absentmindedly handed Nezami the sauce packets. She ripped one open with her teeth, still completely engrossed in her food.

  Mal could feel the tension in his chest.

  He leaned back against the bench, letting out a slow breath. Whatever the orb was, wherever it had gone, it wasn’t showing itself now.

  Mal leaned back on the bench, his eyes scanning the empty street. He was starting to convince himself that maybe he’d imagined the orb entirely.

  His heart uncontrollably leaped into his throat.

  A shadow, large but undefined, swept across the dim streetlights, moving so fast that it barely registered. Mal jerked upright, his body tense as adrenaline shot through him.

  What was that?

  He couldn’t make out the shape, but it was decent in size, something far bigger than any bird. The air felt heavier, like an invisible weight pressing down on the night. He had let his guard down, distracted by Nezami, by the laughter—and now something was here. Something was approaching.

  Think fast. Get her out of here. He couldn’t afford to panic, but he had no idea what had just flown overhead.

  Whatever it was, it felt... wrong. Dark.

  "Stay right here, okay?" he said, keeping his tone as calm as possible. "I just need to use the bathroom real quick."

  Nezami nodded lazily, not really processing what he was saying. "Sure, sure," she slurred, dipping another spring roll into the sauce.

  “Promise?”

  “Yes duh, I don’t know where I’m driving without directions sir.” She said

  Mal stood up, his senses on high alert. He took a step toward the edge of the sidewalk, peering up at the dark sky, trying to catch another glimpse of the shadow. It had been too fast, too sudden for him to understand, but he knew one thing—he wasn’t alone.

  Damn it. I let my guard down.

  His eyes flicked from one streetlight to the next, searching.

  Where was it hiding?

  Was it watching him? Or worse, was it waiting to strike?

  As he walked around the front of the store to look around more he kept his eye on Nezami, not wanting to leave very far but if it came down to a fight he didn’t need her to witness that either.

  The orb was a light orb… how can this shadow be connected, and why was it here? But why now? Why here?

  Mal sensed the ground shift beneath him—not the rumble of an earthquake, but a deep, chilling vibration that radiated an icy cold pulse from the earth itself.

  It was close.

  The street seemed quieter now, too quiet as if the world had paused. He glanced over at Nezami, still happily chewing on her spring rolls, oblivious to the tension thickening in the air. Her carefree demeanor made him smile, if only for a fleeting second, but the pit in his stomach told him something was very, very wrong.

  He looked around, eyes narrowing, his senses heightened. That’s when he saw it. Across the street, in the shadow of a darkened building, a figure emerged. Cloaked in shadow, it stood unnervingly still, its form barely visible except for two glowing green eyes. They glowed with an eerie, unnatural light—cold, malevolent, and locked directly on Mal.

  His breath caught. It wasn’t just a shadow. It was a wraith—something much worse than he’d anticipated.

  Its eyes pierced the distance between them, filled with a dark so twisted it would make anyone’s skin shiver in fear. The temperature around Mal seemed to plummet as the air grew frigid, an unnatural cold seeping into his bones.

  The wraith didn’t move, but Mal knew that was part of its game. It was waiting, watching, calculating. And it wasn’t alone.

  The orb… it had been a light orb. How could this shadowy creature be connected to that? What was it doing here?

  Why now? Why here?

  Mal pressed a trembling hand to his earpiece. “Sumi, Elara,” he whispered harshly, trying to keep his voice low.

  “I’m in trouble.”