Page 58 of Dark Bonds

What if this is just the beginning? What if there are more of these things, hidden all across the island, waiting to strike? And what if, in our arrogance, we just invited our students back into a war zone?

The beast’s claws descend, and I brace myself for the end, but in that moment, as death stares me in the face, I make a silent vow.

If I survive this, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Frankie, to protect all of them, even if it means becoming the very darkness I’ve sworn to fight.

In this world of shadow and terror, they are the only light left, and I’ll be damned if I’l let that light go out.

With a primal scream that tears at my throat, I unleash every ounce of power I possess. Shadows erupt from my body, a maelstrom of darkness that engulfs the beast. For a moment, everything is chaos—screaming winds, flashing claws, the acrid smell of otherworldly flesh burning.

Then, silence.

I collapse to my knees, gasping for air. The beast is gone, banished back to whatever hellish dimension it came from, but at what cost?

I look down at my hands, watching as wisps of shadow dance across my skin. I can feel the darkness inside me. It’s stronger now, hungry. Is this what Frankie feels? This constant battle for control?

A humorless laugh escapes my lips, tinged with hysteria. I’ve won the battle, but the war is only just beginning.

I fear the price of victory may be my soul.

Chapter 18

Frankie

My alarm goes off,yanking me out of sleep like a bucket of cold water. I jolt awake, my heart racing as phantom images of glowing red eyes fade into the dim morning light. I fumble for Tori’s phone, nearly knocking it off the nightstand before I manage to silence it.

The memory of the evacuation still haunts me as well—the blaring alarms, the panicked screams, and the crush of bodies all desperate to escape. I remember Tori’s hand in mine, her knuckles white with fear as we ran. The eredar beast’s roar echoed across the campus, a sound that sent primal terror coursing through my veins.

As we filed back onto campus, that same fear lingered in the air. Students huddled in small groups, their eyes darting nervously to the shadows. The familiar buildings seemed different somehow, as if the stones remembered the terror of that night.

“Mmph… Five more minutes,” Tori mumbles across the room, burrowing deeper into her cocoon of blankets. Then, surprisingly alert, she adds, “Frankie, whatever you need today, I’ve got your back. No questions asked.”

Her words, muffled by the blankets, still manage to warm me. “Thanks, Tori,” I whisper, grateful for her existence. She’s usually a morning person, but we didn’t get in until late.

I didn’t sleep much, and when I did, all I saw were glowing red eyes.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed. The freezing floor makes me jump. Well, I’m definitely awake now. It’s the first day of the new term, and I have a meeting with Professor Blackwood.

Normal stuff, except nothing feels normal anymore, not since the eredar beast tore through our campus last night, leaving destruction and terror in its wake. The sound of its terrifying roar still echoes in my mind, a constant reminder that our world will never be the same again.

As I stumble through my morning routine, I can’t help but wonder how we’re supposed to just… go back to classes, assignments, and worrying about grades when there are monsters lurking in the shadows. The hot water of the shower does little to wash away the lingering fear and adrenaline from last night’s events.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the steamy mirror. There are dark circles under my eyes, and my hair is a tangled mess. I look like I’ve been through hell, which, come to think of it, isn’t far from the truth. The girl staring back at me seems older somehow, her eyes holding secrets and fears that weren’t there just days ago.

It reminds me of who I was with Valerie, and that isn’t someone I can ever go back to.

I’m halfway through wrestling my hair into submission when a soft knock at the door makes me freeze. It’s too early for visitors. My pulse quickens as I approach the door, shadows instinctively gathering at my fingertips. Even in the safety of my dorm, I can’t shake the feeling of being hunted.

I crack the door open, ready for… well, I’m not sure what, but it’s certainly not Bishop, standing in the hallway looking like he hasn’t slept a wink either.

“Bishop?” His name comes out as a surprised whisper. The scent of coffee wafts from the travel mug in his hand, making my stomach growl traitorously. “What are you doing here?”

He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes darting around before settling somewhere over my left shoulder. “I thought… after last night… maybe you shouldn’t walk alone.” He holds out the coffee like a peace offering, reminding me of Leo. “Brought you this. Two sugars, splash of cream, and hazelnut syrup, right?”

I blink, surprised. It’s weird how normal this feels, like just a friend bringing coffee.

Bishop isn’t a friend.Not now, brain.

I accept the mug, the warmth seeping into my cold fingers. “Thanks,” I say, taking a sip. The rich, bitter taste floods my mouth, instantly perking me up. “But you didn’t have to come all this way. I can take care of myself, you know.” The words come out more defensive than I intended, a reflex born from years of self-reliance.

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