Then next week passed in a blur. Classes, homework, and trying to stop thinking about Etna and all the weirdness that seemed to surround her. Friday evening Lena was walking to her dorm room when Aleta ran up to her.

"Hey, Lena! What are you wearing to the dance tomorrow?" Lena stared blankly at Aleta for several seconds before it dawned on her. She had been so focused on trying to avoid Etna and avoid thinking about Etna that she had completely forgotten that there was a school dance the following night.

"Oh! I completely forgot about that! I don't know..." Lena said, now feeling like she had even more to worry about. She looked down at her regular jean shorts and t-shirt. That was what she almost always wore. She didn't think she had anything formal enough for the dance.

"Okay, we will fix this!" Aleta announced. "Show me what you have!"

"Uh... okay then," Lena said. They entered her room, and Lena immediately walked to the window and made sure it was still locked. Then she inspected everything in her room making sure it was all as she had left it.

"You're still worried someone will come into your room?" Aleta asked. Lena was extremely grateful that her friend sounded concerned rather than judgemental.

"Yeah, a bit," Lena replied. "I've just had this unshakable feeling that something isn't right. I feel like something bad will happen, but I don't know what."

"Have you felt like this since you met Etna? Is she the problem?" Aleta asked.

"No..." Lena thought back. "I've felt this way since I had the first dream. That was the night before I met Etna."

"Okay... Why don't we try to distract you from everything by figuring out what to wear to the dance! You deserve to have a fun night! Dress up and try to forget about nightmares for a while!" Aleta said, giving Lena a hug.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks, Aleta," Lena said, feeling slightly reassured. Maybe she was just overthinking.

Aleta walked to Lena's closet and looked inside, shaking her head with an expression of mock annoyance.

"Seriously, do you wear anything other than jeans and t-shirts or button-up shirts?" Aleta said with a grin.

"Yes, I do happen to also wear undergarments and occasionally socks and shoes," Lena retorted.

"Yeah, but nothing suitable for this dance," Aleta said. Lena sighed. She knew where this was going...

"We're going shopping!" Sure enough, that was the next statement Aleta said.

"Okay. Where?" Lena asked. It wasn't that she hated shopping, in fact, there were times she enjoyed it, and she enjoyed getting to spend time with Aleta, but she had been feeling really uncomfortable around large groups of people. She felt exposed. She felt seen. It was strange. She had never had social anxiety before...

"We can go to that shopping center just down the road. They've got a few clothes stores that aren't too expensive." Aleta said.

"Alright. We have a while before most of those stores close so we have enough time to walk there." Lena said.

"Great! I'll grab my stuff and I'll meet you in the hall in two minutes!" with that, Aleta darted out of Lena's room and down the hall.

Lena grabbed her phone, wallet, and a thin jacket in case it got cold. She turned to the door but then she hesitated. She turned back to her desk and carefully opened one of the drawers. She took out a box and opened it to reveal a beautifully carved pocket knife. The wooden handle was polished and smooth, and when Lena flicked out the blade it gleamed silver in the light. She nodded to herself, slipped the box back in her desk, and put the knife safely in her jacket pocket.

"A knife? Really? Why do you even have that?" Lena spun around to see that Aleta had returned.

"Oh, yeah. Um... my dad gave it to me for my birthday a while ago and taught me the basics of wood carving with it. I haven't had it with me in a long time... I just kind of want to have something for self-defense. I know I sound stupid and paranoid..." Lena trailed off.

"Okay, okay. Bring it, but try to think about something other than fear, okay? You will be okay." Aleta said, taking Lena's hand and squeezing it reassuringly for a moment.

"Thanks... so, shall we go?" Lena said, and together they left the room. They were nearing the shopping center when Lena first noticed an uncomfortable feeling. A chill ran down her spine and she quickly turned to look behind her. She could have sworn she saw something move as though someone had been walking behind them and hid when Lena turned.

"Are you okay?" Aleta asked. Lena sped up her pace and pulled Aleta with her.

"I think I saw someone behind us. I think we are being followed." Lena said quietly. Lena caught sight of Aleta's skeptical expression until Aleta turned and Lena saw her expression change.

"Yeah... I think you're right." Aleta replied. They walked faster and soon arrived at the busy shopping center.

"Do you think it was Etna?" Lena asked. She wasn't really sure she even wanted to know the answer.

"I don't know. It is kind of weird though. Etna shows up and then all this weird stuff starts to happen." Aleta mused. "Anyway, we came here to get away from all of that! So let's go!"

Lena let Aleta drag her over to a clothing store but she couldn't help looking behind her. What if whoever was following them was still there? What if they were waiting for them? Lena tried to push the thoughts from her mind.

"Lena!"

Lena looked up and was surprised to see Etna walking out of the store that they were about to enter. Lena felt a weird combination of happiness and a feeling of plummeting into a pool of fear. Etna wasn't the creepy person who was stalking her! But then... who was?

"Etna! What are you doing here?" Lena asked. This was the first time she had seen Etna outside of class since that night at the forest.

"Shopping. I didn't have anything for a dance. I've never been to one at a school before." Etna said.

"That is the same thing we are doing." Aleta said.

"I guess I will see you tomorrow then." Etna said. "I should probably go..."

Lena noticed that Etna didn't look well. She looked tired and Lena saw that Etna's eyes kept darting to the door, almost as if she was getting ready to run.

"Etna, are you okay?" Lena asked.

"Yes. I will see you tomorrow." Etna said. Etna waved and quickly walked away. Lena couldn't be sure, but she thought that Etna broke into a run as soon as she was out the door. Lena looked at the door for a few moments longer. A man walked past the doorway of the mall. He stopped and turned and his eyes met Lena's for a moment. He then turned and ran in the same direction Etna had gone. Lena felt a pit of unease forming in her stomach.

"Lena?" Aleta snapped Lena from her thoughts.

"Ah, sorry. What were you saying?" Lena asked, finally looking away from the door.

"I asked what was wrong. You looked like you saw a ghost," Aleta said.

"Not a ghost. Some weird man... Did you notice that Etna didn't look well?" Lena asked.

"I didn't notice..." Aleta said. "I hope she is okay, even though she is really weird."

"Yeah... I do too." Lena said. "So, shall we go?"

"Yes. You need clothes and distraction," Aleta said. Lena laughed. They walked into the store together and headed to the more formal section of the store.

After several hours, they left the store with their purchases. Lena felt happier than she had felt all week. She had enjoyed spending time with Aleta and getting away from her thoughts for a while.

Later that night, however, Lena lay awake in her bed. She felt restless and uneasy. She thought back to how Etna had run away, and the man who had seemed to have followed her. Did Etna know that man? Who was he? Who were they both?

Once again, Lena felt that there was a storm brewing and she felt it even stronger than before.