Sierra’s POV
Jayden’s grip on my arm tightened, his fingers like iron bands around my skin. His voice was low, urgent, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the crack in the door. My mind struggled to process what I had just seen, but it was hard to form any coherent thought beyond the primal fear that spread through me.
The thing inside shifted again, and I caught another glimpse—dark, shadowy, and pulsing with an energy that felt alive. My breath came in short gasps as I stumbled back, away from the door. Jayden pulled me sharply, spinning me to face him, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made my knees go weak.
“What did I just tell you?” he demanded, his voice harsh but his gaze flickering with something that almost looked like fear. “You can’t mess around with this, Sierra. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”
“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice barely more than a whisper. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest. “I didn’t know. I didn’t think—”
“Exactly,” he cut me off, his grip finally loosening, though he didn’t let go completely. “You don’t think. You don’t understand how dangerous it is.”
Anger flared up in me, hot and sudden, as I yanked my arm out of his grasp. “Then why don’t you tell me?” I snapped. “Why does everyone around here keep treating me like a child who can’t handle the truth? If it’s so dangerous, if I’m in so much *trouble*, then why keep me in the dark?”
Jayden’s jaw clenched, and he looked away, as if warring with himself over what to say. “It’s not that simple,” he muttered. “This house, this family, it’s complicated. You’re… you’re not supposed to know everything yet.”
“Not supposed to know?” I echoed, disbelief coloring my tone. “Jayden, I live here now. I’m surrounded by secrets and forbidden rooms and… and whatever that thing was behind the door! How am I supposed to protect myself if I don’t even know what I’m up against?”
He looked at me then, and for a split second, I thought I saw something soften in his expression—something like regret, or maybe guilt. But it was gone just as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual mask of indifference.
Before he could respond, a voice cut through the tense silence, sharp and familiar.
“What’s going on here?”
We both turned to see Zoe standing at the end of the hallway, her arms crossed and a scowl etched across her perfect features. Her eyes flicked between Jayden and me, narrowing in suspicion.
Jayden stepped back, his demeanor shifting instantly to something colder, more composed. “Nothing,” he said curtly. “Just making sure Sierra doesn’t do something stupid.”
Zoe’s eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the disdain simmering there. “Typical,” she sneered. “Always getting yourself into trouble, aren’t you?”
I clenched my fists at my sides, feeling a spark of defiance despite the fear still coiling in my gut. But before I could retort, Jayden stepped between us, his back to me.
“Zoe,” he said, his voice low and steady, “leave it.”
She looked like she wanted to argue, but after a moment, she huffed and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Fine. But don’t come crying to me when she ruins everything.” With one last glare in my direction, she stalked off down the hall, her footsteps echoing behind her.
Jayden didn’t move, his shoulders tense. I waited, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me: the fear, the confusion, the anger.
Finally, he turned to face me, his eyes colder than ever. “Stay away from that door,” he said, each word a command. “And stay out of trouble, Sierra. I’m not going to save you every time.”
With that, he walked away, leaving me standing there in the empty hallway, the echo of his warning hanging in the air.
But even as I watched him go, the image of the thing behind the door remained burned into my mind. Whatever was lurking in this house, I had the sinking feeling it wasn’t something I could simply ignore.
And deep down, I knew this was only the beginning.
I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the anxiety from earlier and focused on something that made me feel more in control: getting ready for my first day at my new school tomorrow. I wanted to make a good impression, even if I had no idea what to expect.
I carefully laid out my outfit, choosing a fitted, sky-blue blouse with delicate pearl buttons. It had a crisp, professional look but was still youthful. I paired it with a high-waisted, white midi skirt that flowed gracefully, striking the right balance between elegance and ease. My nude ballet flats would keep me comfortable while looking put-together, and I planned to accessorize with simple gold stud earrings and a slim bracelet. Running my fingers through my hair, I decided I’d pull it back into a sleek low ponytail to keep it neat. Satisfied with my choice, I felt a small sense of accomplishment.
Just as I was tidying up my room, I heard a gentle knock on my door. It was Mrs. Lawrence. “Hey there, Sierra,” she greeted, stepping in with a kind smile. “I wanted to see if you’d like to come with me for a walk around town. I have to pick up a few groceries, and I thought it might be nice for you to get familiar with the area.”
Surprised but grateful for the invitation, I nodded. “Sure, that sounds nice.”
She noticed my sudden mood change, and her smile grew softer. “I know it’s a lot to adjust to,” she said gently. “But I think some fresh air and a walk might do us both some good.” Her expression shifted, and she added, “Also, I wanted to let you know that your dad and my husband had to leave for an unexpected business trip. They went to oversee a contract out of town, but they should be back soon.”
The news made my heart drop. Even though I’d been trying to be strong, knowing my dad wouldn’t be around, even briefly, left me feeling unsettled. Mrs. Lawrence seemed to notice, and she quickly reassured me, “It was all very last-minute. But don’t worry; you’re in safe hands.”
I swallowed my unease and mustered a small smile. “Thanks for letting me know,” I replied. Maybe getting out of the house would help distract me.
A short while later, Mrs. Lawrence and I left the mansion. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the small town as we strolled through it. Mrs. Lawrence pointed out shops and landmarks, chatting animatedly about the community. As we walked, I found myself easing into her company. Despite everything, she seemed genuine, and I caught myself enjoying the outing.
We picked up some groceries, choosing fresh vegetables, herbs, and a selection of ingredients that she said would make a wonderful dinner. On the walk back, Mrs. Lawrence shared a few stories about her own children and laughed in a way that made her feel less intimidating. There was something motherly about her that made me ache for a connection I hadn’t realized I craved.
When we got back to the house, we decided to prepare dinner together. The kitchen buzzed with energy as we chopped and sautéed, Mrs. Lawrence giving me pointers and sharing old recipes. It felt almost normal, like I was part of something.
But despite the warmth of the moment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this place still had secrets—secrets I was only beginning to uncover.