The glow of the television flickered across the dimly lit living room as Lateen sat curled up on the couch, watching her favorite evening show. The familiar voices and cheerful background music filled the silence, but her mind wasn’t focused on the screen.

  Her thoughts kept circling back to Zayn.

  Lately, he had been acting different—tense, distant. That warmth he always carried, the kindness that made him special, seemed buried beneath something heavier. Zayn had always been honest, someone who cherished those around him. He brought people together and made them feel safe. But now… it was like he was drifting away, lost in thoughts he refused to share.

  And then, there was Eva.

  Lateen had hurt her that night with words she never meant to say the way they sounded. Ever since then, Eva had been quiet, her usual brightness dimmed.

  "Lateen, do you also think I always bring misfortune?" she had asked, her voice small, fragile.

  The question struck Lateen like a blade. That wasn’t what she meant at all.

  "No!" The word had barely left her lips.

  Eva lowered her gaze, her fingers twisting nervously together. "I know… ever since I came here, people have started disappearing. It never happened before in Millowere."

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  The weight of her words settled deep in Lateen’s chest.

  "No, I don’t think that at all!" she said firmly, stepping closer and taking Eva’s hands in hers.

  Finally, Eva looked up, hesitation flickering in her amber eyes.

  "If anything," Lateen continued, "after you came, Zayn changed. He started smiling again. You made him happy."

  A small, forgiving smile crossed Eva’s lips, and Lateen sighed in relief. Eva was not the type to hold grudges—she always found the good in people, even when they failed her.

  But relief was short-lived.

  Because Zayn had changed.

  He had already lost himself once when his friend disappeared. He had struggled to find his way back. And now, something was pulling him into the shadows again.

  Lateen couldn't sit still anymore.

  She got up from the couch, pacing the living room before deciding. If Zayn wasn’t going to tell her what was wrong, she would ask him herself.

  Lateen walked through the house, heading straight for Zayn’s room. The door creaked softly as she pushed it open.

  Empty.

  Frowning, she turned on her heels and made her way to the kitchen, where Aunt was preparing dinner, the scent of spices filling the air. Lateen lingered at the doorway.

  "Aunt, where’s Zayn?" she asked.

  "He’s at a friend’s house," Aunt replied without much thought.

  That didn’t sit right with Lateen.

  "Which friend?" she pressed.

  Aunt simply shook her head. "That, I don’t know."

  Lateen sighed, glancing back toward the hallway. If Zayn was keeping things from her, then she had no choice but to wait for him in his room.

  Something was wrong.

  And she had a feeling this was only the beginning.