His Shadow
The bright afternoon sun shone over Gen. Pantaleon Garcia Senior High School, but Dani felt cold inside. Ever since her boyfriend, Haru, had turned on her and spread lies to become popular, Dani wanted revenge. She missed the happy moments they had together, but his betrayal had broken her heart. As she walked toward the cafeteria, her heart raced with a mix of excitement and fear. The laughter of other students filled the air, but it felt empty to her. A chill ran through her, as if the shadows were watching her every move, knew that seeking revenge could take over her life, and deep down, she feared that karma would come back to not only punish her but also take away her chance at love.
Dani walked into the cafeteria and spotted Haru laughing with his friends. Her heart pounded as she prepared to pull off her prank for revenge. She’d planned this for days, and it was finally time.
But just as she was about to start, the lights flickered, and a cold breeze swept through the room. Dani shivered and glanced around. For a second, she thought she saw a shadow move along the wall, but when she looked again, it was gone.
Her phone buzzed. It was Emma. "Was that part of your plan?" the text read.
Dani hesitated, feeling uneasy. Then, Haru looked up and smiled at her in a way that felt strange, almost too friendly. I’m probably imagining things, she thought, trying to shake off the feeling, but something about the whole situation felt wrong.
Dani's plan war ready - shed set up an anonymous text that would expose over an the Haru's secrets to everyone. "send" button, icy sensation utton, astrange pressure wrapped around on her shoulder. She her, looked up, and Haru's eyes were already alread but his gaze Felt on her, But as she hovered Filled the air and almost across like cold fingers the cafeteria, his expression unreadable, like it pierced straight through her,
The lights Flickered a ghastly, spectral and for spectral version a split second, his face changed- Of him with hollow "eyes, watching twisted, almost possessive smirk. She felt - her with a twiste something pulling her closer to him, her anger Fading into something darker, almost hypnotic. His voice echoed in her mind, like a spell: "We're bound together, Dani, You'll never be Free of me"
Her phone slipped From her hand, clattering to the floor as she backed away, Feeling as if his shadow was 'creeping closer, following her every step. she glanced back at bin, but he was gone from his seat, and she could peel his -presence behind her, close enough that she felt his Breathe but on her neck, she whipped around, heart pounding no one was there Terrified, she lost the cafeteria, her steps Quickening, her heart heavy with the realization that whatever tied them together was beyond revenge, beyond anger, she sensed it now a chilling, eternal. bond that no act of vengeance could pere entwined in a way to escape.
She ran out of the cafeteria, the cold night air hitting her like a slap. Stopping in the empty courtyard, she tried to catch her breath. Her legs shook, and she turned to look behind her, expecting to see him—but no one was there.
No matter how much she wanted it to be over, she knew it wasn’t. He wasn’t gone. She could feel his presence, heavy and cold, like a shadow she couldn’t escape.
The quiet around her felt strange, like it was hiding something. Her heart pounded loudly, and a chill ran through her. Wrapping her arms around herself, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still with her.
This wasn’t just anger or revenge anymore. Whatever connected them was dark, strong, and unbreakable. It felt like it would last forever.
Her voice shook as she whispered, “What do you want from me?” into the emptiness around her.
Only the wind answered, cold and hollow. She knew then—he would never truly leave. Wherever she went, he would be there. Watching, waiting, and pulling her closer to something she didn’t understand but feared deeply.
