Despite the relative calm that had settled over the past few days, Hanna couldn’t shake the unease that lingered in the back of her mind. Ciara’s uncharacteristic silence felt less like surrender and more like the eye of a storm—a temporary reprieve before everything spiraled out of control again.
It was a feeling she couldn’t ignore, even as life moved forward.
One afternoon, Hanna found herself in the library with Emily, their books and notebooks spread out across a corner table. The quiet hum of whispers and the soft rustle of pages surrounded them as they went over their notes for what felt like the hundredth time.
“We’ve covered all our bases,” Emily said, sitting back in her chair and tapping her pen against the table. “If Ciara tries anything, we’re ready. She doesn’t have the same pull she used to.”
Hanna nodded, but her expression remained clouded. She doodled absently in the margin of her notebook, her thoughts far away. “I hope so,” she murmured, the words weighed down by doubt.
Emily frowned, leaning forward. “Hey,” she said, her voice firm but reassuring. “We’ve got this. She’s lost her power. All we need to do is stick to the truth.”
Hanna offered a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah. You’re right.”
They packed up their things, sliding books into their bags as the late afternoon sun streamed through the library windows. Hanna’s phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with a notification. She reached for it, expecting a message from Finn or a reminder about practice, but as soon as she saw the sender, her heart dropped.
Unknown Number: Watch your back.
Her hand tightened around the phone, the knot of unease in her chest pulling tighter.
“What is it?” Emily asked, noticing her friend’s frozen expression. She leaned over to look at the screen, her face darkening as she read the message. “It’s her.”
Hanna nodded slowly, her throat dry. She stared at the words, feeling a cold chill creep up her spine.
“She’s not done,” Hanna said, her voice steady but quiet. She slipped her phone into her bag, standing up as her jaw set with determination. “Not yet.”