The Introvert

Lena stood motionless, her heart pounding as she stared at the window that had just… fixed itself.

What the hell just happened?

Her body refused to move, her breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps.

Riven had been there. In her room.

And now he was gone, leaving behind only his words—

"They know about you. And if you don't show up tomorrow… They'll come looking for you."

A chill ran down her spine.

The Vanished knew she existed.

She had always feared them, had always believed they were nothing more than criminals lurking in the shadows. The Watchers had drilled that belief into her.

But now, for the first time…

She had the chance to see the truth for herself.

She shouldn't go.

She should tell Ethan.

But something held her back.

She bit her lip. Ethan had told her from the beginning that The Vanished were dangerous. That they were the enemy. That Riven was trying to manipulate her.

But if that were true, then why wasn't she completely convinced?

What if Ethan wasn't telling her everything?

Lena shut her eyes, trying to push the thoughts away.

She needed to sleep. To think with a clear head.

But deep down, she already knew—

She wasn't going to sleep tonight.

---

Secrets and Lies

Morning came too quickly.

Lena barely touched her breakfast, her mind a storm of uncertainty.

She tried to act normal, but Ethan noticed immediately.

He always did.

"You're quiet," he said as they walked to school.

Lena forced a smile. "Just tired."

Ethan studied her. His gaze was always sharp, always calculating—but today, there was something else in his expression.

Something wary.

Had he felt it? The shift in her?

Her stomach twisted.

They had been close since the moment she had discovered her powers. He had been her anchor, her guide.

But now, for the first time…

She felt like she was keeping something from him.

And it scared her.

"You didn't run into any trouble last night, did you?" Ethan asked suddenly.

Lena's heart nearly stopped.

She hesitated for half a second—too long.

Ethan's eyes darkened.

"Lena." His voice dropped an octave. "Did someone find you?"

She swallowed.

Lie.

Lie.

"No."

She hated how weak it sounded.

Ethan stopped walking.

Lena felt the air around her tighten.

Not physically. Not like when Riven had been in her room.

But Ethan had a different kind of presence.

One that could make her feel like she was caught in a web.

"Don't keep secrets from me," he said, his voice dangerously soft. "Not about them."

Lena's fingers clenched at her sides.

Ethan had always been protective.

But this time…

It didn't feel like just protection.

It felt like a warning.

And that scared her more than anything.

---

A Decision

By the time the school day ended, Lena had made up her mind.

She was going.

She had to.

Because if she didn't… she would never stop wondering.

She ignored Ethan's calls that evening, texting him a quick excuse that she was tired.

Then, heart pounding, she slipped out into the night.

The location Riven had given her was on the outskirts of the city. A place she would have never dared to go alone before.

The streets grew darker, quieter.

A creeping unease settled in her bones.

She was being watched.

She felt it.

Then—

A figure stepped out from the shadows.

Riven.

"You actually came." His voice held no surprise—only satisfaction.

Lena lifted her chin. "I need to know the truth."

His smirk deepened. "Then let's begin."

And without another word—

He vanished.

Lena gasped.

Before she could react, something cold wrapped around her wrist.

And the world around her shifted.

---