I opened my heavy eyes to see Addie sitting on the couch, a magazine resting in her hands, her expression a mixture of surprise and relief. The moment she noticed I was awake, her eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "Guys, she's awake!" The urgency in her voice pulled everyone’s attention toward me. As she rushed to my side, concern etched across her features, she asked softly, "Are you alright? What happened?"

  I hesitated, grappling with the truth that felt too heavy to share. Instead, I offered a shaky smile and muttered, "I tripped." Just then, Irene, Jade, and Sumi rushed over, their faces painted with worry. "Are you okay?" they chorused, their voices laced with genuine concern. I nodded, trying to appear more composed than I felt, but as I raised my hand to touch my forehead, I felt the rough texture of a bandage. Panic surged through me as the memory of hitting the stairs flashed in my mind. "I’m fine," I insisted, though my voice wavered slightly.

  As I glanced at the clock, disbelief washed over me. It was already 2 o'clock. I had been unconscious for over four hours. The realization jolted me upright from the couch, my heart racing. "Four hours?!" I exclaimed, the weight of time lost settling heavily in my chest. Jade stepped closer, her tone soothing yet firm. "The doctor came and checked on you. He said you’d wake up eventually; you were just tired and weak from the fall."

  Just then, Ms. Andrew appeared at the doorway, her face flushed with concern. She rushed toward me, her voice filled with urgency, "Are you alright? What happened?" I reassured her, "I’m okay," but I could see the doubt in her eyes. It was clear she sensed something deeper, some unspoken truth that lingered in the air. Her silence spoke volumes, a protective instinct to shield me from further distress. I appreciated her restraint, knowing she was aware of the turmoil swirling beneath my calm facade.

  In that moment, surrounded by my friends, I felt a profound mix of gratitude and vulnerability. Their presence was a balm to my shaken spirit, yet the weight of the day’s events loomed large, casting a shadow over my fragile sense of well-being.

  I rose from the couch, a mix of embarrassment and relief flooding through me as I turned to my friends. "I'm really sorry for causing all this trouble," I said, my voice tinged with sincerity. "I didn't mean to worry you." They waved off my apology, their faces warm with understanding. "It’s nothing," sumi said, a reassuring smile lighting up their features. "We're just glad you’re okay."

  "Did you guys eat anything?" I asked, noticing their slightly hollow expressions. "We waited for you to wake up," came the reply, laced with a hint of playful accusation. A pang of guilt struck me; I felt bad for making them wait. "Come on, let’s eat together," I urged, my heart swelling with gratitude for their patience.

  Mrs. Andrew, with her nurturing spirit, had prepared a feast that filled the air with tantalizing aromas. As we gathered around the table, I couldn't help but chuckle as my friends boasted about their 'expert' contributions to the meal. "I mean, I practically did all the chopping!" one exclaimed, gesturing animatedly. I laughed at their silliness, the sound of their banter wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

  Just then, Nate stumbled in, weary from whatever had kept him away. He fell onto the couch, but his eyes widened in concern when he spotted the bandage on my head. "What happened to you?" he asked, rushing over, his voice laced with worry. Before I could respond, Irene chimed in, her teasing tone lightening the mood. "Oh, nothing much. Just a little flight from the stairs to the floor!"

  Nate shot me a mock scolding look, shaking his head. "You really need to pay attention to where you're going," he said, trying to suppress a grin. I made a face at him, the playful banter easing my earlier embarrassment. "I thought you weren’t coming back for a day," I said, remembering his earlier plans.

  He shrugged, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "The work didn’t go well. You know how paperwork is—never straightforward." I nodded, understanding the weight of his words. It was a reminder of the burdens we all carried, yet here we were, gathered together, sharing laughter and stories.

  As we settled around the vast table, Uncle Andrew and Aunt Mallory joined us, their presence adding to the warmth of the evening. We dug into the food, savoring every bite. Jade, ever the comedian, cracked a joke that sent everyone into fits of laughter. Addie, with a mischievous glint in her eye, chimed in, "And let’s not forget how our dear friend here took flight from the stairs!"

  Laughter erupted again, and I couldn’t help but join in, the lighthearted teasing washing away any remnants of discomfort. In that moment, surrounded by the people I cared about, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging. Despite the chaos of the day, the bonds we shared made everything feel alright.

  As the last morsels of our meal faded away, I felt a swell of excitement bubbling within me. "Alright, everyone, who's ready for a tour?" I announced, unable to contain my enthusiasm. My friends exchanged eager glances, and I led the way through the grand entrance of my home, a stunning example of Victorian architecture that had always held a special place in my heart.

  As we stepped into the foyer, Addie's eyes widened in disbelief. "This isn't just a home; it’s literally a palace!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. I couldn't help but laugh, feeling a rush of pride. "Thank you! It’s quite unique, isn’t it? The details are just... breathtaking," I replied, gesturing toward the intricate moldings and ornate chandeliers that adorned the ceilings.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  As we wandered through the rooms, my friends marveled at the beauty that surrounded us. "I can’t believe how much character this place has," sumi said, running her fingers along the polished banister. "It’s like stepping into a different era." I nodded in agreement, my heart swelling with appreciation for the home that had sheltered so many memories.

  Then, as we settled into the cozy living room, Addie turned to me with a sparkle in her eye. "What if we stayed for a sleepover? Just for one night?" The question hung in the air, and I felt a rush of joy. "Yes! Of course! That sounds amazing!" I replied, overwhelmed with excitement. "We’re going to have a blast!"

  After a day of exploring the charming streets of my village, filled with laughter and adventures, we returned home as the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. I turned to Nate, who was deeply engrossed in his work on his laptop. "Hey, Nate, my friends are staying over tonight," I said, my voice brimming with enthusiasm. He looked up briefly, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Sounds good. Just keep it down; I have a lot to finish," he replied, his focus quickly returning to the screen.

  With Nate immersed in his tasks, my friends and I dove into a world of games and Netflix, our laughter echoing through the halls. "Let’s start with something thrilling!" I suggested, scrolling through the options. "How about that new series everyone’s talking about?" Addie chimed in, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

  Hours flew by as we played games, our competitive spirits igniting friendly banter. "You’re going down!" I teased, and we erupted into laughter, the joy of the moment wrapping around us like a warm embrace.

  As the night wore on, we finally settled in to watch the series, the screen flickering with suspenseful scenes. Eventually, exhaustion crept in, and I found myself drifting off, the comforting presence of my friends surrounding me.

  The last thing I remember was the soft glow of the screen and the sound of their laughter fading into a gentle hum. That night was a tapestry of friendship, laughter, and the beauty of my home,forever etched in my memory.

  The morning light streamed through the large windows of the mansion, casting long golden streaks on the dark wooden floors. The air was thick with the lingering warmth of last night’s laughter, but beneath it, a strange unease settled in my chest.

  I zipped up my bag, glancing around my childhood room one last time before heading downstairs. My friends were already waiting in the foyer, chatting among themselves as they gathered their things.

  As I stepped into the hall, I found Nate standing by the door, arms crossed, watching me with that ever-familiar expression of quiet disapproval. I sighed, already knowing where this conversation was headed.

  “You’re going back to the apartment?” he asked, his voice carrying that protective older-brother tone.

  “Yeah, the trip is in two days. It’s easier to go from there.” I tried to keep my tone light, casual.

  Nate shook his head. “Stay here, Noah. It’s safer.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Nate, I’ve been living alone for months. It’s just two days.”

  He let out a deep breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “You were alone, but now I’m here. Why do you want to go back so badly?”

  I hesitated, not really having an answer that would convince him. It wasn’t that I wanted to leave—I just felt like I had to.

  “I just... I feel more comfortable there,” I admitted.

  Mr. Andrew, who had been standing nearby, finally spoke. ”Nate, if Noah wishes to go, perhaps it’s best to let her.”

  Nate’s jaw tightened, but after a moment, he sighed. “Fine. But if anything happens, you call me. No second thoughts.”

  “Yes, big brother.” I smirked, trying to ease the tension.

  Outside, the air was crisp, carrying the distant scent of damp earth and morning dew. The trees surrounding the mansion swayed gently, whispering in a language only they understood.

  As I stepped toward the car, a sudden chill prickled my skin.

  "Noah..."

  I stopped. The voice was faint, almost like the wind had formed words just for me.

  I turned, scanning the mansion’s towering structure, the trees, the empty garden path.

  My friends continued chatting, completely unaware.

  "Noah... don’t leave..."

  My breath hitched. It was clearer this time—desperate, pleading.

  “Did you guys hear that?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

  Irene, already seated in the car, frowned. “Hear what?”

  “Nothing...” I forced a smile, brushing it off as my imagination.

  I climbed into the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel tightly. As I started the engine, I stole one last glance at the mansion.

  It stood there, tall and unmoving, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching me leave.

  The drive back to my apartment was uneventful, yet my mind felt anything but calm. The whispering voice still lingered in my ears, a ghostly echo that refused to fade.

  I tried to push it away, convincing myself that it was just exhaustion messing with my head. But a small part of me knew better—things like this had happened before.

  As I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment complex, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The moment I stepped inside, a strange sense of relief washed over me, like I had just crossed an invisible threshold separating me from something ominous.

  Dropping my bag by the couch, I stretched, feeling the stiffness in my limbs from the long drive. The silence of the apartment was comforting, familiar. Yet, as I turned toward my bedroom, something caught my eye.

  There, resting on my desk, was a black feather with golden sprinkles.

  My stomach dropped.

  That was impossible.

  My legs moved before my mind could catch up, bringing me closer to the desk. I reached out, my fingers hesitating inches above the feather, as if touching it would confirm my worst fears.

  This feather... I had left it in the mansion. Locked away in a glass box in my room. There was no way it could be here.

  My breath turned shallow. I swallowed, trying to steady myself. Maybe Nate had brought it? Maybe Mr. Andrew had packed it for me?

  No. That didn’t make sense.

  A shiver ran down my spine.

  The moment my fingers brushed against the feather, a sharp, searing sensation shot through my palm. I yelped, snatching my hand back. The feather, though delicate and weightless, felt like it had burned me.

  My heart pounded against my ribs as I stared at it, my mind scrambling for an explanation.

  How did it get here?

  And why did it feel like it was watching me?

  I stared at the feather, my pulse hammering in my ears. The golden specks shimmered under the dim light, almost as if they were alive—pulsing, breathing. The air in the apartment suddenly felt heavier, pressing against my skin like an unseen force.

  This wasn’t normal.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket, making me flinch. I exhaled sharply and pulled it out, grateful for the distraction.

  Irene:

  Reached safely?

  I glanced back at the feather before typing out a quick Yeah, just got here.

  A second later, my phone buzzed again.

  Irene: Cool. BTW, Addie says you forgot your hairbrush here with us. Should we keep it hostage or do you want us to return it?

  I let out a breathy laugh, shaking my head.

  As I set my phone down, my gaze drifted back to the feather. A part of me wanted to toss it out, pretend I never saw it. But deep down, I knew better.

  This wasn’t a coincidence.

  It was a message.

  And whoever—or whatever—sent it wanted me to pay attention.