Foxfire and The Demon's Heart

Selene walked down the hallway of the school, feeling the familiar weight of her books pressing against her chest. It was just another ordinary day, or at least it was supposed to be. Yet, there was a strange sensation she couldn't ignore. An odd feeling, like someone was watching her, hovering just outside her field of vision. She brushed it off as paranoia, maybe a result of the stress from the exams coming up, but it lingered, like an invisible hand on her shoulder.

She paused at her locker, setting her books down and rummaging through her bag for her notebook. The feeling tugged at her again, the slight prickling sensation at the back of her neck that made her glance over her shoulder.

The hallway bustled with students, some chatting, others rushing to their next class. Amara, her best friend, was a few steps away, leaning against the wall and scrolling through her phone. Selene smiled and walked over, eager for a distraction from the strange feeling gnawing at her.

"Hey, Amara," she greeted, trying to shake off the unease that clung to her.

Amara looked up from her phone, her lips curving into a knowing grin. "What's up with you today? You look like you're about to jump out of your skin."

Selene shook her head, trying to muster up a laugh. "I don't know. I just feel... off. Like someone's watching me."

Amara raised an eyebrow. "You've been watching too many horror movies. Maybe you're just imagining it."

"Maybe," Selene replied, but she didn't sound convinced. "But it's more than that. It feels... real."

Amara studied her for a moment, her expression softening. "You know, you've been acting weird lately. You sure everything's okay?"

"I think so," Selene said, forcing a smile. "It's just this weird feeling. It's nothing."

"Well, if anyone knows what it's like to have a weird vibe, it's me. So, if you want to talk about it, I'm here." Amara tucked her phone into her pocket, her tone gentle but insistent.

"Thanks, Amara. Maybe it's just... stress, you know? School, everything piling up..."

"Yeah, I get that. But don't ignore what you're feeling, Selene. Sometimes those little things are worth paying attention to."

Selene nodded, grateful for her friend's concern but still unsure. She turned her attention back to her locker, spinning the combination lock, trying to focus on something normal.

"Okay, enough of the deep stuff. Let's grab lunch after class," Amara suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

Selene smiled faintly. "Yeah, sounds good."

With that, the conversation shifted, but Selene's mind kept drifting back to the sensation she couldn't shake. Someone was out there, somewhere. Watching. Protecting? But that didn't make sense. Who would be doing that?

She shook her head, dismissing the thought as she grabbed her books and closed the locker. Amara walked ahead, chatting about some class gossip, but Selene's attention was elsewhere. It wasn't just the feeling of being watched; it was as though someone—some force—had been guiding her steps today.

You're imagining things, Selene, she scolded herself. Get a grip.

As she walked toward the stairs, her mind wandered again. Thoughts of her conversation with Zane last night, the way he always seemed so effortlessly charming. She couldn't quite place him—something about him intrigued her.

But there was something else, something nagging at the back of her mind. That odd feeling wouldn't leave. It was as if someone was trailing behind her, just out of view. The air felt heavier as she climbed the steps.

She took another step, her foot catching on the edge of the stair, and she felt her body lurch forward. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized she was about to fall hard.

The world seemed to slow as she began to tip forward, her arms flailing to regain balance. And then, just as she was sure she was going to crash to the ground, a sudden force—something soft but firm caught her.

Her body stilled, as if something or someone was holding her up, a steadying presence that felt as solid as it was intangible. The sensation was so sudden, so unexpected, that for a moment, Selene couldn't even breathe.

She stood there, frozen, her heart hammering in her chest.

The force vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving her feeling as though she had only imagined it.

Her legs felt wobbly as she straightened herself, taking a deep breath. The feeling of having someone right behind her—the warmth of it, the undeniable sense of safety was gone, leaving only a lingering unease.

She glanced around, expecting to see someone who might have caught her, but the staircase was empty. No one was there. Just the echo of footsteps and the distant chatter of students.

Selene swallowed, trying to shake off the strange feeling. She turned and continued up the stairs, her heart still thumping wildly in her chest.

What just happened?

It couldn't be real. Could it?

She didn't want to admit it, but the sensation felt almost… supernatural. As if something unseen had been looking out for her.

As she reached the top of the stairs, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was still with her. She glanced over her shoulder at the spot where she had nearly tripped. Her breath caught in her throat. There was no one near her.

Still, her mind refused to let go of the idea. She couldn't shake the thought of someone—someone she couldn't see being so close, watching over her.

It was nothing. Just a coincidence.

But deep down, a small part of her wasn't so sure.

Meanwhile, from the shadows of the stairwell, Orion exhaled slowly, his posture relaxed but his eyes vigilant. He had been watching her for a while now, unseen, keeping his distance, ensuring she stayed safe. The strange sensation she felt was no coincidence. He had made sure she wasn't alone when danger loomed, even if that danger was something as simple as a loose step.

His gaze never wavered from Selene as she made her way up the stairs, her movements graceful, though still tinged with the uncertainty of someone unaware of the forces at play around her.

Amara, having reached the top before her, turned around with a curious look. "You okay, Selene?"

Selene nodded quickly, trying to mask the unease in her expression. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tripped a little."

Amara raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more, sensing that something was off but not wanting to push further.

His breath came in a quiet sigh as he watched her disappear around the corner.

The two of them made their way to the next class, Selene trying to focus on the lecture ahead, but her thoughts kept wandering back to the sensation that still lingered. The force that had steadied her on the stairs—had it been real? Was there someone following her?

Was someone really out there, watching over her? Or was it all just her imagination?