The Shift

It had been a year since everything changed.

I can't recall the precise day.

I believe I tried to forget it.

I do recall the hush that followed.

The flat remained the same.

Same walls. Same table. 

Same calm places.

However, something in it did not return.

Dinner used to seem different.

I know it happened.

There was disturbances. Movement. 

Something warm is filling the gap between us.

No it's simply sound.

Plates are touching the table. 

Scraping using utensils. 

A chair shifted slightly.

There's nothing more.

Selene sits across from me.

She looks the same.

But not really.

"You're late again."

Her voice breaks through the hush. 

Not too loud.

Just sharp enough to last.

"I had school."

It is automated when possible.

The answer does not change.

"You always have school."

I do not reply.

There is nothing to say.

She exhales gently, as if she is keeping something back.

Perhaps she's simply weary.

"You've been coming home late every night," she continues. 

"It's not safe."

The word feels faraway.

It feels like it belongs to something I no longer have.

"I'm fine."

She glances at me.

It really looks.

For a moment, I believe she is going to say something different.

Something vital.

But she does not.

She only gives a small nod and looks away.

The talk ends.

As it always does.

I look at the table.

There are just two plates.

For whatever reason.

That feels wrong.

I gaze to the empty area beside us.

Waiting.

Nothing occurs.

I drop my sight.

Can I go to my room?"

She nods.

I do not wait.

The hallway feels longer than it should.

Perhaps I'm simply walking slowly.

When I get to my room, I don't immediately turn on the light.

I stand there.

Listening.

The flat is peaceful.

Too quiet.

It was not always like this.

I think.

I close my eyes and attempt to recall.

Attempting to bring something back.

A voice.

A chuckle.

Whatever.

But nothing arrives.

Just the same hollow sensation.

And something else.

A pull.

Faint.

But there.

I open my eyes.

"…Not here."

I grabbed the bag again.

I do not wish to remain.

I never do.

The streets are dark now.

Quieter.

The type of silence that makes any sound seem out of place.

The school's gates are still open.

They are constantly at this hour.

Nobody actually pays attention.

The hallway lights flicker once as I pass by.

Then, stabilize.

I do not stop.

My feet already know where I'm headed.

The Library.

It is always colder there.

Not freezing.

Just enough to feel it.

I take my regular seat in the far corner.

The one where the light does not completely reach.

I open a book to read

I won't read it.

I just sat there.

Listening.

Waiting.

It does not take long.

That emotion returns.

Stronger now.

As if something is standing behind me.

Close.

I do not turn around.

If I don’t look

It will not be genuine.

Right?

My fingers clench around the table's edge.

"…Stop."

The word hardly left my mouth.

However, the emotion persists.

It lingers.

Watching.

I can feel it.

Not with my eyes.

Not with sound.

Somewhere deep.

Minutes pass.

Or perhaps longer.

I can't tell anymore.

The clock on the wall chimes.

Steady.

Unchanging.

Up until

It does not.

Tick.

Tick.

Nothing.

My lungs rushes.

Then

Tick.

I stand up immediately.

The chair scratches noisily on the floor.

It's too loud.

But nobody reacts.

But obviously they do not.

I turn.

Slowly.

The library is looks the same.

Rows of shelves. 

The tables are empty. 

Dim the lighting.

Nothing strange.

There's nothing there.

I breathe out, shakily.

"…I'm imagining things."

I need to be.

There is no one here.

No one is observing me.

No one is following me.

I took a step forward.

And chill.

At the far end of the room.

Just before the shadows consume the light—

Someone is standing there.

Still.

Silent.

Watching.

My heart starts thumping.

I blink.

And they're gone.

The slot is vacant.

As if no one was ever there.

I do not move.

I don't breathe.

"…No."

My voice feels tiny.

"That's not possible."

But it felt genuine.

Too real.

I grab my purse fast.

I do not look back.

I do not want to.

As I leave the library, the emotion follows.

Not behind me.

It's closer than that.

It feels like it's already within the place where I'm standing.

I step out.

The night air seems thicker than normal.

The moon hovers overhead.

Soft.

Quiet.

Watching.

For a little moment, I experience a different sensation.

Something distinct.

Not the pulling effect.

Seems familiar.

Comfortable.

But it disappears too swiftly.

Like anything else.

I stroll home more slowly than usual.

When I open the door, the flat is completely black.

Selene is already sleeping.

I stand for a time.

Looking at the empty space again.

Something still feels weird.

It seems like someone should be there.

As someone used to be.

But I can't recall who.

I lock up the door quietly.

That night, I didn't fall asleep immediately away.

I remain in bed.

Gazing at the ceiling.

Waiting..

Paying attention.

And someplace between quietness and reflection.

I'm experiencing it again.

That presence.

We're getting close now.

Patiently.

As if it understands something I don't.

It feels like it has been waiting longer than I have.

And somehow

I know this won't be the last time I see it.

Because tonight.

It eventually noticed me, too.