Aunt May folds my clothes carefully, smoothing out every wrinkle before placing them neatly into my suitcase. She insists I bring two-says I won't know what kind of weather to expect where I'm going.

She's been like this ever since Jay reluctantly agreed to her terms-focused, almost obsessive, making sure everything is in place. Like if she keeps moving, keeps packing, she won't have to sit with the reality of what's happening. I watch as she zips the last suitcase shut and slides it beside the door, exhaling like it's a job well done.

"All done." She turns to me with a warm smile, but there's something fragile behind it, like she's holding herself together by a thread. "Are you hungry, sweetie?"

I nod, though my stomach twists at the thought of food. Her smile falters, replaced by concern. "Really? Give me a minute-I'll fix you something." She hurries out of the room before I can say anything, and the second the door clicks shut, I bolt to the bathroom.

I barely make it to the toilet before I'm throwing up, my body violently rejecting everything-food, fear, reality itself. My mind might be adjusting to the fact that I'm not technically human and that I'm being hunted, but my body? It's still catching up.

The acrid smell of vomit turns my stomach even more, and I flush it away immediately, trying not to breathe too deep. My hands grip the cool porcelain of the sink as I lean over it, my pulse thundering in my ears. I turn the faucet on and splash cold water on my face. Once. Twice. Again and again, as if I can drown out the panic clawing its way up my throat.

I swipe my hand over my face, pushing away the water droplets since my towel is already packed. The only things left in the bathroom are my toothbrush, toothpaste, and a small bar of soap sitting beside the sink.

A soft creak from downstairs tells me Aunt May is on her way and I take a deep breath then quickly slip back into the room, moving to the exact same spot on the bed where she last saw me. If she notices anything off, she won't let it go.

Exactly a few seconds later, the door swings open. Aunt May steps inside, balancing a tray in her hands. The scent of instant noodles drifts toward me, warm and familiar, but what catches my attention is the small cupcake beside it.

My brows knit together as I take in the tiny birthday candle perched on top. For a moment, I don't understand why it's there. Then it hits me.

It's still my birthday.

"Figured we should at least acknowledge it." She nudges the tray toward me, and I take it without thinking, my fingers curling around its edges. But my focus stays locked on the candle, on the way the tiny flame flickers and sways, like it's dancing to a rhythm only it can hear. It's almost hypnotic, and for a fleeting second, I let myself enjoy the sight, the small moment of stillness amid all the chaos.

"You should blow it out."

I glance up to find Aunt May smiling at me, her expression gentle, encouraging.

So I do. I take a slow breath and blow. The flame wavers, then disappears, leaving behind a curl of smoke that fades into the air. Aunt May claps, the sound breaking the quiet, and I can't help but chuckle. She's trying so hard to keep things normal, to stay strong for both of us, even when I can see the cracks forming in her resolve.

"I have a gift for you," she says, reaching into her pocket. "I didn't know what to give you since you're leaving this soon and thought of a bigger gift when I decided to visit later today at your college but..."

She pulls out a small, delicate box. She hesitates for a moment, rolling it between her fingers like she's trying to find the right words, then finally hands it to me.

I take it carefully, my palms slightly damp, and lift the lid.

"It belonged to your mother," Aunt May says softly, her voice almost swallowed by the quiet. "She would be happy if you had it."

Inside, nestled in soft velvet, is a necklace. A thin silver chain with a small pendant-an intricate charm shaped like a crescent moon.

My fingers tremble as I reach in, brushing the cool metal. It looks beautiful and I wonder how it got here, how Aunt May had it.

"Did you know her?"

Aunt May sighs with the question. Her eyes looking tired and the happy stunt she's been pulling off vanishes leaving her bare and pain filled in her eyes.

"I knew her through Jay," she says, her voice distant, like she's reaching into a part of her past she doesn't visit often.

I frown. "Jay?"

She hesitates, then nods. "We... dated. Years ago."

"Oh..." The word slips out before I can stop it. My mind races to catch up. "You dated my uncle?" That could explain a lot. The slap she gave him when their eyes met. The shock in hers, the regret in his.

They weren't just familiar with each other. They were lovers.

And by the looks of it, that never really faded.

Aunt May presses her lips together, her gaze dropping to the necklace still resting in my palm. For a long moment, she doesn't say anything. Just stands there, shoulders tense, like she's waiting for me to react-to ask questions she isn't ready to answer.

"How did you have the necklace?" I ask, shifting the subject.

Aunt May's shoulders ease just slightly, but the way her fingers fidget with the hem of her sweater tells me enough-just the mention of Jay's name unsettles her. Whatever happened between them, it's still there, lingering in the corners of her mind like a wound that never fully healed.

She exhales, her eyes flicking to the necklace in my palm before meeting mine again. "That's... that's something I can't tell you, Red."

I blink. "Why not?"

"Because," she says, her voice gentle but firm. "Believe me, you've had enough truths for one day. And hearing this one? That's not for today."

Something tightens in my chest. The way she says it-like the truth isn't just inconvenient but dangerous-only makes me want to know more. But the look on her face stops me.

She's protecting me. From what, I don't know. But I can feel it in the way she watches me, as if she's bracing for the day when I finally understand.

And maybe she's right.

Maybe I really have had enough for one day.

So I nod, even though every part of me itches to press further. "Okay,"

Aunt May gives me a small, grateful smile, but I see the relief in her eyes. She turns, brushing her hands against her jeans, like she's trying to rid herself of the conversation entirely. "Eat up before your noodles get cold," she says, nodding toward the tray on my lap.

I glance at the food, suddenly realizing how little I actually want to eat. I unclasp the necklace then place on my neck and pick up the fork, twirling the noodles before having a bite.

Aunt May watches me for a moment, then moves toward the closet, pulling the doors open and reaching for something on the top shelf. "You should get some sleep after this," she says. "It's a long trip tomorrow, and I need you well-rested."

I hum in response, but my mind is elsewhere. I watch as she reaches the door, her hand just grazing the knob, and before I can stop myself, I call out.

"Aunt May?"

She turns, her expression soft. "Yes, sweetie?"

I hesitate, suddenly feeling small, like a child afraid of the dark. It's silly, but I say it anyway. "Could you... sleep over." I glance down at the tray in my lap, picking at the noodles. "You know... since it's going be our last night together."

For a moment, she doesn't say anything. Then her eyes soften and for a moment, she just looks at me-really looks at me.
"Why not? Let me go change," she says with a small smile before stepping out of the room.

I exhale, relief settling over me as I turn back to my food. I force myself to eat the noodles before my appetite disappears completely, swallowing them down even though my stomach still feels uneasy. Once I'm done, I set the tray carefully on the floor, not bothering to take it back downstairs.

The last thing I want is to run into Jay.

I know he's down there, probably pacing through the house for the hundredth time, scanning every shadow, every locked door, every creak in the floorboards. He hasn't slept-I can feel it. He won't, not while he thinks we're still in danger.

A few minutes pass before Aunt May returns. She steps inside, dressed in an old sweater and loose pants, her hair now tied back in a messy bun.

"All set," she says, climbing into bed beside me.

And for the first time all day, I let myself relax-just a little.

Aunt May settles in beside me, pulling the blanket over both of us. The mattress dips slightly under her weight, and for a moment, neither of us speaks. The only sound in the room is the quiet hum of the night, the distant creaks of the house settling, and the faint rustle of wind against the window.

She exhales softly, staring at the ceiling. "You used to crawl into my bed when you were little, you know," she murmurs. "Whenever you had a bad dream."

I huff out a quiet laugh. "That was a long time ago."

"Not that long." She turns her head to look at me, her eyes warm but laced with something deeper. Sadness, maybe. Or nostalgia.

I don't know what to say to that, so I just pull the blanket up to my chin and let my fingers brush over the cool metal of the necklace resting against my skin.

She seems to notice my behavior and asks, "You okay, Red?"

I swallow, gripping the edge of the blanket. "I don't know," I admit.

She nods like she expected that answer. "It's a lot. I get it."

A lump forms in my throat. "Everything feels... different now. Like I don't even know who I am anymore."

Aunt May reaches out, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "You're still you, sweetheart. No matter what's happening, no matter what you find out-you're still my Red."

The warmth in her voice tugs at something deep inside me, and before I know it, I shift closer, resting my head against her shoulder. She doesn't hesitate to wrap an arm around me, holding me the way she used to when I was little.

And for the first time all night, I let myself close my eyes.

Maybe I won't sleep. Maybe my mind will keep running in circles, chasing after all the things I don't understand yet.

But at least, for now, I don't have to be alone.

◇

◇◇

The darkness feels heavier than usual.

I stir in my sleep, my body shifting under the blankets as an odd discomfort settles over me. My throat is dry-aching, almost-as if I haven't had water in days. A deep thirst claws at me, dragging me from unconsciousness.

My eyes flutter open, and immediately, something feels... wrong.

The room is pitch black. Not the soft, comforting darkness I'm used to, but an overwhelming, unnatural kind. A kind that swallows everything whole.

For a split second, my breath catches. But then, Aunt May's soft snores reach my ears, and I exhale. She's still here. I'm not alone.

Carefully, I pull myself from the bed, reaching for my phone. I press the power button, and the screen lights up, the glow almost blinding in the oppressive darkness. I quickly switch on the flashlight, letting the beam cut through the void.

Something about this doesn't feel right.

I push the thought away as I get to my feet, moving toward the light switch on the wall. My fingers find it easily, and I flick it on.

Nothing happens.

I frown and try again. Still nothing. The unease creeps back into my stomach, but I shake it off. Maybe the power went out. It's happened before, right?

Gripping my phone tighter, I step toward the bedroom door, easing it open. The hallway stretches before me in utter darkness, the kind that makes my skin crawl.

I bite the inside of my cheek. Maybe the hallway switch will work.

Stepping out, I keep my flashlight pointed ahead, the beam bobbing as I move. The house is eerily silent-no hum of the fridge downstairs, no distant ticking of the hallway clock. Just my own breathing and the quiet creak of the floor beneath my feet.

When I reach the hallway switch, I flick it on.

Nothing.

Okay. That's weird.

I rub my arm, trying to shake the chill creeping down my spine. But it's fine. Jay's downstairs. He's probably sleeping, sprawled out on the couch with a weapon within arm's reach or something.

I don't know how this hunter thing works, Okay?

I take a deep breath and start down the stairs, each step slow, careful.

M

y phone trembles slightly in my grip.

As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I hesitate. My flashlight sweeps across the living room. The couch is empty. No sign of Jay.

Maybe he's in the kitchen.

I turn, stepping toward the doorway-

And freeze.

Something moves at the edge of my vision. A shadow, darker than the others, shifting unnaturally near the far wall. My breath catches.

The beam of my flashlight flickers as I whip it toward the movement.

Nothing's there. Just the corner of the room, swallowed in darkness. My pulse pounds against my ribs. My body is screaming at me-something isn't right.

I take a slow, steadying breath and call out, "Jay?"

Silence.

No answer.

My fingers tighten around my phone, my throat dry. The urge to turn and run back upstairs, to crawl into bed and pretend I never woke up, is almost overwhelming.

But I don't.

Instead, I take another step forward.

And then- A sound.

A slow, dragging scrape against the wooden floor.

Not from the kitchen.

From behind me.

I don't even get the chance to turn.

A force slams into me from behind, knocking the breath from my lungs. My body is flung sideways, and before I can brace myself, my head crashes against the cold, unforgiving wall. A sharp, blinding pain explodes in my skull, and I collapse to the ground, dazed.

But I'm not given a second to recover.

A cold, iron grip clamps around my neck, yanking me up as my body dangles like a rag doll. The pressure is instant, merciless, squeezing so tightly that my windpipe barely has time to protest.

My hands fly to the icy fingers crushing my throat, my nails digging in, but they don't budge.

Then I hear it.

"Miss me?"

My eyes snap open, panic seizing me whole. That voice.

No.

A dark chuckle rumbles through the air, and I force my gaze forward-only to meet glowing red eyes.

Feral. Bloodthirsty.

The same creature from college.

My stomach drops, my chest burning as I struggle for air.

"I'm hungry," it purrs, lips pulling back to reveal jagged fangs.

Its grip tightens, and my vision blurs at the edges.

"Let me feed!"

Pain explodes in my lungs. My body jerks as I claw desperately at its hands, but it's no use.

I can feel my strength fading.

"Red!"

A sharp voice cuts through the suffocating darkness, filled with fury.

The creature's head snaps toward the sound, its grip on my throat loosening just slightly-but not enough to free me.

"Get your hands off her, you demon!"

Jay.

I gasp in a desperate breath, my body convulsing as air floods my burning lungs. The creature snarls, its fangs bared, but it doesn't release me. Instead, its hold tightens again, dragging me closer.

I barely register the blur of movement before a loud crack echoes through the room.

Jay strikes fast.

His boot collides with the creature's side, sending it staggering back, finally releasing me.

I collapse onto the floor, coughing violently, my throat raw. My fingers press against my bruised skin as I struggle to lift my head.

Jay stands between me and the creature, his stance rigid, his breathing harsh. His knife is already drawn, gleaming under the weak glow of my fallen flashlight.

"Touch her again," Jay growls, his voice dripping with venom, "and I'll rip your damn head off."

The creature steadies itself, its glowing red eyes narrowing. A slow, wicked smile stretches across its face.

"Ah, the hunter," it murmurs, licking its lips. "I was wondering when you'd show up."

I really, really should have listened to Jay.