Whisper Of The Moonlit Heart

The rain fell in thick, relentless sheets, turning the cobblestone paths of Blackthorn College into slick ribbons of darkness. Lila pulled her hood tighter around her face, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she darted between the shadows of the Gothic buildings. The whispers had started again—soft, insistent murmurs that slithered through the air like serpents, just beyond her comprehension.

*"You can't run forever."*

She spun around, heart hammering, but the courtyard was empty save for the skeletal trees clawing at the stormy sky. The voice had been so clear, so *real*.

"Lila!"

She nearly screamed as a hand clamped onto her shoulder. Whirling, she found herself face-to-face with Elias, his dark eyes wide with concern. His grip was firm, grounding, but the warmth of his touch did little to chase away the chill creeping through her veins.

"You're shaking," he murmured, his thumb brushing the curve of her jaw. "What happened?"

"I heard it again," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the drumming rain. "The voice. It—it knows my name."

Elias's expression hardened. He pulled her closer, his body shielding her from the worst of the downpour. "We need to get inside. Now."

She didn't argue. The campus had always been eerie, but lately, it felt like the very air was alive with malice. The other students moved through the halls like ghosts, their laughter hollow, their eyes glinting with something she couldn't name. Cruelty? Hunger? She wasn't sure she wanted to know.

They slipped into the abandoned music hall, the heavy oak door groaning shut behind them. The scent of aged wood and dust filled the air, a stark contrast to the damp chill outside. Elias flicked on a single lamp, casting long shadows across the grand piano in the center of the room.

"Tell me everything," he said, his voice low.

Lila sank onto the piano bench, her fingers trembling as she traced the ivory keys. "It's getting worse. The whispers—they're not just in my head anymore. I *feel* them, Elias. Like fingers brushing against my skin."

He knelt before her, his hands enveloping hers. "You're not going mad."

"How can you be sure?" Her laugh was brittle. "Everyone here acts like they're part of some sick game. Even Professor Vayne—"

"Vayne is dangerous," Elias cut in, his grip tightening. "Stay away from him."

She frowned. "You've said that before, but you won't tell me why."

Elias hesitated, his gaze flickering to the door as if expecting someone to burst through. "Because some secrets are better left buried."

A sharp knock shattered the silence.

Lila jumped, her pulse spiking. Elias was on his feet in an instant, positioning himself between her and the door.

"Who is it?" he demanded.

The voice that answered was smooth, dripping with false warmth. "Only a concerned professor, Mr. Hale. I noticed Miss Ainsworth seemed... distressed during my lecture. I came to offer my assistance."

Professor Vayne.

Elias's jaw clenched. "She's fine."

"Come now," Vayne purred. "The poor girl looks half out of her mind. Surely you wouldn't deny her the help she needs?"

Lila's breath hitched. The door handle turned, slow and deliberate.

Elias moved like lightning, slamming his palm against the wood to keep it shut. "Leave. Now."

A low chuckle seeped through the cracks. "As you wish. But remember, Elias—the moon is nearly full. And we *all* have our roles to play."

Footsteps retreated, fading into the storm.

Lila exhaled shakily. "What was that about?"

Elias's shoulders were rigid, his voice taut with barely leashed fury. "He's testing you. Seeing how far he can push before you break."

"Why?"

"Because you're different." He turned to her, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her stomach flip. "You hear the whispers because you're connected to this place in ways even *they* don't fully understand."

She swallowed hard. "Connected how?"

Instead of answering, Elias cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear she hadn't realized she'd shed. "Trust me, Lila. Just a little longer."

The plea in his voice undid her. She nodded, leaning into his touch.

A sudden gust of wind rattled the windows, and the lamp flickered, plunging them into near darkness. In the dim light, Elias's eyes gleamed—unnaturally bright, like liquid gold.

Lila's breath caught.

Before she could question it, distant howls split the night, long and mournful. The sound sent a shiver down her spine.

Elias stiffened, his head snapping toward the window. "They're early."

"Who's early?" she whispered.

He didn't answer. Instead, he pulled her to her feet, his grip urgent. "We need to go. *Now*."

"But—"

"No time." He dragged her toward the back exit, his movements frantic. "If they find you here—"

Another howl, closer this time.

Lila's heart pounded. "Elias, what's happening?"

He stopped short, his expression torn. Then, with a growl of frustration, he yanked her into his arms, his lips crashing against hers in a desperate kiss. Heat flared between them, electric and consuming, and for a fleeting moment, the world outside ceased to exist.

When he pulled away, his eyes were wild. "Run. Don't look back."

Then he shoved her through the door and into the storm.

Lila stumbled, her mind reeling. Behind her, the music hall erupted in a cacophony of snarls and splintering wood. She forced herself to move, her legs carrying her blindly through the rain.

But one thought echoed louder than the chaos:

*What the hell was Elias?*

And more importantly—what was *she*?

The whispers answered, slithering through the downpour.

*"You already know."*