Heavy breathing. Way too heavy. Like someone was dying in the dark.
Hunter couldn't see anything. No sky, no ground, just black everywhere. But he was running anyway. Legs moving, chest burning, every breath feeling like shit.
His heartbeat was loud. Too loud. Fast, then faster.
Something was behind him. He knew it even though he couldn't hear it. Couldn't see it. The feeling wrapped around him like—like something. He didn't know what. Chains? Whatever. It sucked.
Then everything stopped. Heartbeat gone. Breathing gone. The pressure too.
Silence.
An eye appeared. Just one. Floating in the black.
Hunter felt cold. The eye stared right at him. Not through him. At him.
It felt weirdly familiar. Like he'd seen it before. Like it knew him back.
The eye got wider. The darkness around it started moving, rippling. Hunter stepped back. It came closer. Another step. Closer.
His reflection showed up inside the eye. And the reflection was smiling.
Hunter wasn't.
"What—"
The eye exploded. Darkness broke apart. Hunter jerked awake in bed.
---
He sat there breathing hard, staring at his wall. The dream was already fading. Darkness, eye, weird feeling. Gone.
He rubbed his face. "What the hell was that."
Clock said 6:30 AM. Great.
"So I was dreaming inside a dream." He leaned back against the headboard. "Crazy."
Sun came through the blinds. Outside, cars, birds. Normal stuff. Hunter liked that. The dream had felt too real. He tried remembering more but the harder he tried, the less he got. He gave up. Dreams were weird. That was it. At least that's what he told himself.
---
He got up. His room wasn't big but it worked. Bookshelf with textbooks and novels and notebooks. Workout bench by the window. Dumbbells on the floor. Desk was organized for a nineteen-year-old. Everything had a place. Less teenage bedroom, more workspace. Hunter liked it that way.
He stretched. Joints popped.
"Time to wake up."
He dropped and did push-ups.
"One. Two. Three."
Exercise always helped clear his head. After weird nights. After weird dreams.
By thirty his muscles warmed up. By fifty he was sweating. By seventy-five his breathing got deeper. By a hundred his arms burned.
He got up. "Still got it."
Not that he'd doubted it.
---
Forty-five minutes later he was done. Push-ups, pull-ups, dumbbell curls, shoulder presses, squats. Same as always. Sweat everywhere. Muscles tired but good tired. He grabbed water and drank half.
Phone lit up on the charger. Notifications. Instagram, messages, friend requests. Hunter looked away.
"Nope."
Social media could wait. Shower couldn't.
---
Bathroom filled with steam. Hunter got under the hot water and sighed. Muscles relaxed. This was the best part. No assignments, no lectures, no anything. Just quiet.
Water ran through his hair. He closed his eyes.
The black eye flashed in his head.
Eyes opened. Image gone. Feeling stayed.
Hunter frowned. "Why am I still thinking about that."
Usually dreams disappeared right when he woke up. This one stuck around. Annoyed him.
He stood there another minute then shook it off. Enough. Classes to go to. A dream wasn't ruining his day.
---
Showered and dressed by 7:30. White t-shirt, black jacket, black jeans. Simple. Packed journals in his backpack, slung it over his shoulder. Ready.
Hallway smelled like coffee. He smiled. That was worth waking up for.
---
Dining room was quiet. Mostly.
Rachel sat at the table with her phone. Hunter stopped in the doorway. She looked wrecked. Dark circles, messy hair, staring at her phone but about to fall asleep on the table.
"Morning."
Rachel looked up. Smile too bright, too fake. "Good morning, Hunter! How was your sleep?"
Hunter went to the coffee machine. "Pretty good. You?"
Rachel's smile twitched. She looked away. "Uh... good. But not that great."
Hunter poured coffee. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"That's unfortunate."
"I know."
He sipped. "Probably because you played Valorant all night."
Rachel almost dropped her phone. "...What?"
Hunter looked up. "What?"
"You don't know that."
"I don't?"
"No."
"No?"
Rachel hesitated. "...Maybe."
"There it is."
"You have no proof."
"I don't need proof."
"You do."
"You literally look like you lost a fight with sleep."
Rachel groaned. "Oh my God."
Hunter sat across from her. "How late?"
She wouldn't look at him. "Not that late."
"Rachel."
"A little late."
"Rachel."
"Fine." Dramatic sigh. "Three in the morning."
Hunter stared.
Rachel smiled nervous. "Maybe four."
Hunter laughed.
Hunter stared at Rachel across the table. She tried to keep her face straight—lasted about two seconds, then cracked up, grinning like an idiot.
He set down his coffee, slow and deliberate. "Four in the morning?"
Rachel held up a finger. "Technically, three fifty-two."
"That's not better."
"I think it is."
"Nope."
"A little."
Hunter couldn't help it and laughed, leaning back. Rachel always did this—caught dead to rights, still trying to talk herself out of trouble. Especially when she was obviously guilty.
"Let me guess," he said. "One match?"
Rachel looked offended. "Excuse me?"
"One match."
"No."
"Two?"
"No."
"Three?"
"No."
Hunter narrowed his eyes. Rachel suddenly found something very interesting on the far wall.
"There it is."
"What?"
"The guilty look."
"I don't have a guilty look."
"You absolutely do."
Rachel groaned and dropped her forehead onto the table. "It's not my fault."
"Sure."
"It's not."
Hunter folded his arms. "Okay, spill."
She sat up. "Our Sage disconnected."
He blinked. "What?"
"Our Sage disconnected."
"That's your defense?"
"It ruined everything."
Hunter laughed. Rachel wasn't done.
"We were winning."
"Uh huh."
"We were."
"Of course."
"Then she disconnected." Rachel pointed at the ceiling, like she was personally blaming God. "And chaos followed."
"A tragic tale."
"It is! I'll tell the authorities."
Rachel grabbed a napkin and pitched it at him. Hunter dodged.
"Violence now?"
"You deserve it."
"Nope."
"You absolutely do."
They both laughed. That's always how it went. Constant banter, but somehow, they got along weirdly well. Four years apart—felt more like friends than siblings, most days. When they weren't driving each other nuts.
Hunter took another sip. Casually: "Maybe I should tell Mom."
Rachel froze. One second fine, next second apocalypse-level panic.
"Don't."
"Hm?"
"Don't."
U
"I mean, she deserves to know."
"No."
He nodded, pretending to ponder. "Maybe I'll mention four in the morning, specifically."
Rachel gasped, full drama. "That's evil."
"Is it?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. Interesting."
She leaned across the table. "Please."
He pretended to think it over. Rachel's eyes narrowed.
"You want something."
"What?"
"You've got that look."
"What look?"
"The older brother look."
"That's not a thing."
"It absolutely is." She folded her arms. "What do you want?"
Hunter stayed silent. Rachel groaned, clearly annoyed.
"Oh my God."
He grinned. She pointed at him. "You planned this."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You absolutely do."
He lifted his coffee. She sighed.
"Movie ticket voucher."
Hunter paused. Now they were talking.
"Movie voucher?"
"My last one."
"Hm."
They stared each other down. Seconds dragged. Rachel broke first.
"Why are you like this?"
"I learned from Mom."
"That's actually worse."
"Movie voucher?"
She nodded, quick. "Movie voucher."
"And?"
Rachel's eyes widened. "And?"
"You're negotiating."
She looked genuinely betrayed. "You can't do that."
"I can."
"You already won."
"I know."
"This is corruption."
Hunter laughed. "Maybe."
She slumped. "Fine."
"Fine what?"
"You get the movie voucher."
"And?"
Rachel looked at the ceiling, giving in. "And snacks."
"There it is."
"I hate this family."
"No, you don't."
"Unfortunately."
They shook on it. Rachel pointed a warning finger. "If Mom finds out, we're enemies."
"I'll remember that."
---
Hunter's phone rang. He glanced over. Screen lit up.
Rose ❤️
Rachel spotted it instantly. "Oh no."
Hunter sighed. "What?"
"The girlfriend."
"She's not—" He rolled his eyes.
Rachel made a gagging sound.
"Please stop."
"Nope."
"Rachel."
"No."
Hunter grabbed his phone and headed for the stairs.
"Tell her I said hi," Rachel called after him.
"I'm not doing that."
"Tell her her boyfriend forgot how to answer messages."
"I answered her yesterday."
"Not fast enough."
"You're impossible."
"Love you too."
"Idiot."
"Doofus."
"Gremlin."
Rachel gasped. Hunter was already up the stairs.
---
In his room, he answered. Rose's voice exploded out of the speaker.
"Why aren't you picking up, babe? Huh? You cheating on me?"
Hunter laughed, almost dropped the phone. "Cheating?"
"Yes."
"Who even cheats at seven in the morning?"
She went quiet. Then, "…Good point."
"See?"
"Still suspicious."
"Based on what?"
"I have instincts."
"Your instincts are terrible."
"My instincts are excellent."
Hunter could barely breathe, he was laughing so hard. Rose made a hurt noise.
"I'm serious."
"Sure."
"I am."
"Okay."
"Stop laughing."
He couldn't.
---
"So?" Rose's voice softened. "Are you coming or not?"
"Hm?"
"University."
"Oh." Hunter checked the time. 7:34. He winced.
Rose picked up on it immediately. "How late are you?"
"I'm not late."
"How late?"
He sighed. "A little."
"Define a little."
Silence.
"Oh my God."
"It's not that bad."
"It is that bad."
"I'll be there soon."
"Soon?"
"Yeah."
"You said that last time."
"That was different."
"It really wasn't."
"It was."
"It wasn't."
Arguing with Rose was pointless. Not because she was always right—she was just stubborn as hell. Unlucky for him, so was he.
"Twenty minutes."
"Fifteen."
"Twenty."
"Fifteen."
"I have to walk."
"Run."
"I'm not running."
"You should."
"You sound like a coach."
Her voice brightened. "Thanks!"
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it anyway."
Comfortable pause—neither wanted to hang up.
"Hurry up," she finally said, a little softer.
"I'm leaving now."
"You better."
He grabbed his backpack.
"See you soon," Rose said, even softer.
He smiled. "See you soon."
Call ended.
---
Downstairs, Rachel looked up at him, that same mischievous grin plastered on.
"Oh no," Hunter groaned.
"Oh yes." She leaned in. "How's Rose?"
"Fine."
"Just fine?"
"Rachel."
"Alright, alright."
He shook his head, headed for the door. Peered down the hall—parents' room still quiet. No surprise, the store kept them late most nights.
Hunter opened the door quietly. "I'm heading out."
Rachel waved. "See you later, doofus."
"See you later, gremlin."
She threw another napkin. This one nailed him.
"Direct hit!"
He laughed and stepped outside. Cool air, clear sky, sun blazing—perfect day.
He slung his backpack over one shoulder and started walking toward Saint Rosemary. No clue that, before the morning was done, strangers would be saying his name.
The front door clicked behind him. Hunter stood there a second, adjusting his backpack strap. Air was cooler outside. Nice after the house.
Breeze through the neighborhood. Leaves moving. City was up already—cars, some guy walking a dog, kids at a bus stop. Normal stuff. Hunter breathed in and started walking.
Saint Rosemary wasn't far. One reason his parents liked the house. Store was close, school was close, neighborhood was quiet. At least for New York.
He shoved one hand in his jacket pocket, pulled out his phone with the other. Lock screen full of shit—Instagram, messages, some meme from a gym buddy. He locked it without looking. Later. Social media could wait.
Walking, his mind went back to the dream. The eye. Still there, weirdly. Usually dreams were gone by now. This one stuck around. The dark, the silence, that feeling of being watched. Hunter shook his head. "You're thinking too much." Sounded reasonable. Didn't feel it though.
Passed a café. Smell of pastries. Students outside, most looked dead tired. Hunter smiled. Rachel wasn't the only one. One kid had his head on the table, gripping coffee like it was oxygen. His friend laughing at him. Hunter kept walking.
University close now. Could see the buildings. Then—strange feeling. Subtle. He slowed, looked across the street. Nothing weird. Businessman crossing, woman with a dog, two teens arguing at a bus stop. Normal. But the feeling stayed. Someone watching.
He looked over his shoulder. Nothing. Road, cars, people. Nobody looking at him. But the feeling wouldn't go.
"Get a grip." Hunter laughed at himself. Dream making him paranoid. Watched enough horror movies to know how that worked. Still, he kept scanning. Just in case.
Bus stop ahead. Metal shelter, few people waiting. Most on phones. Old guy on a bench. Woman drinking coffee, scrolling. Normal. Then Hunter saw him.
Guy at the far end. Tall, broad, brown hat, sunglasses at seven in the morning. Cigarette in his mouth, newspaper open. Didn't know why he stood out. Everyone else looked like commuters. This guy looked... intentional? Like he picked every detail. Ridiculous thought. But it stuck.
As Hunter got closer, the guy lowered the newspaper. Their eyes shouldn't have met—sunglasses—but Hunter felt it. The guy was looking right at him. Brief moment. Then the guy smiled. Not friendly, not mean. Just... knowing. Like he recognized Hunter. Like he knew something.
Chill down Hunter's spine. Less than a second. Then the guy went back to his paper. Moment over.
Hunter kept walking. Pace faster now. Farther from the bus stop, better he felt. By the time the university gates showed up, the whole thing felt silly. Almost. Glanced back once—bus stop too far, guy gone. Hunter shook his head. "Definitely overthinking." Accepted it. Part of him didn't though.
Saint Rosemary University of Science. Campus already busy. Students everywhere, talking, laughing. Familiar. Comforting. Hunter's mood lifted immediately. Then he saw Rose.
Near the entrance. Waiting. And by her face... not happy.
"Uh oh."
Rose spotted him same moment. Eyes narrowed. There it was. The look. The you're in trouble look. Hunter approached careful.
"Good morning."
Rose folded her arms. "What part of this looks good?"
"That bad?"
"You tell me." She pointed at her phone. "Been here twenty-eight minutes."
"You counted?"
"Of course I counted."
Hunter blinked. "That's impressive."
Rose looked unimpressed. "Not the word I'd use."
"Determined?"
"Annoyed."
"Fair."
She was hiding a smile though. Hunter saw it. Rose saw him seeing.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're smiling."
"So are you."
Rose looked away fast. "I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
Hunter laughed. Rose punched his stomach light.
"Stop it."
"Ouch."
"Good."
"That actually hurt."
Rose looked pleased. "Also good."
Hunter shook his head. "Violence shouldn't be your first move."
"It's not."
"It is."
"Second move."
Hunter stared. Rose stared back. Both laughed. Tension gone. Like always. She never stayed mad long. At least not at him.
They got to the security checkpoint. Students lined up, swiping IDs. Rose reached in her pocket.
"You know," she said, "some people arrive on time."
Hunter nodded. "Interesting."
"Very."
"Researchers study these people?"
Rose rolled her eyes. "They're called responsible adults."
Hunter looked horrified. "That sounds terrible."
Rose laughed despite herself. Reached the scanner. Held up her ID dramatic.
"Observe."
Beep. Green light.
Rose smirked. "See?"
Hunter nodded. "Remarkable."
"I know." She stepped through, looked back. "What you waiting for?"
Hunter blinked. "Oh." Reached in his pocket. Nothing. Smile faded. Checked another. Another. Another.
Rose watched. Her face changed.
"Hunter."
No answer. Checked again. Still nothing.
"Hunter."
Sinking feeling. All at once.
"Oh no."
Rose knew that tone. The tone of someone who fucked up.
"What'd you forget?"
Hunter looked up. Slow.
"My ID."
Silence. Rose stared. Hunter stared back. Neither moved.
Finally Rose closed her eyes. "Tell me you're joking."
Hunter wished he was.
Rose stared at him. Several seconds. Hunter tried a smile. Didn't work. Probably made it worse.
"My ID," he said again, careful.
Rose kept staring. Then pointed at him. "No."
Hunter blinked. "No?"
"No."
"That's not how forgetting works."
Rose took a breath. "Hunter."
"Hm?"
"You forgot your ID."
"Apparently."
"Your university ID."
"Yes."
"The thing you need to enter the university."
Hunter rubbed his neck. "When you say it like that, it sounds bad."
"It is bad."
"It's a little bad."
Rose looked offended. "A little?"
Hunter laughed. Rose pointed at him again.
"Don't laugh."
"I'm trying not to."
"No you're not."
"Okay, maybe I'm not."
Some student behind them chuckled. Rose shot him a look. He looked away fast. Hunter nearly laughed harder.
---
Line kept moving. Students swiping cards. Beep. Beep. Beep. Each one felt personal.
Rose folded her arms. "How do you even forget your ID?"
Hunter thought about it. Shrugged. "Left in a hurry."
"You looked at your backpack this morning."
"I know."
"Packed your journals."
"I know."
"Packed your pens."
"I know."
"Packed everything except the one thing you need."
Hunter sighed. "When you keep saying it, sounds worse every time."
"Good."
He laughed. Rose tried staying annoyed. Failed. Small smile anyway.
"There it is," Hunter said.
"What?"
"The smile."
"No smile."
"There is."
Rose looked away. Hunter grinned.
"Definitely a smile."
She punched his arm light. "Idiot."
---
Security guard came over. Late fifties, broad, gray hair. Face like he'd dealt with too many students already.
"Problem here?"
Hunter raised a hand. "Forgot my ID."
Guard stared. Nodded slow. "Freshman?"
"No."
Frowned. "First semester?"
"No."
More confused. "Then what's your excuse?"
Hunter thought about it. Rose covered her face. Answer wasn't gonna be good.
"Poor decision-making?"
Guard burst out laughing. Even Rose fought a smile. Guard shook his head.
"Appreciate the honesty."
"Thanks."
"Still can't let you in."
"Fair."
Guard pointed to the side. "You know the rules."
Hunter nodded. "Yeah."
"No ID, no entry."
"I know."
Guard moved aside. "Next student."
---
They stepped away from the entrance. Crowd flowing around them. Rose checked her phone.
"Gonna miss part of lecture."
"Maybe."
"Definitely."
Hunter sighed. "Sorry."
Rose glanced at him. Apology sounded real. Her face softened some.
"It's okay."
"It isn't."
"Not the end of the world."
Hunter smiled. "Thanks."
"Still an idiot."
"There it is."
Rose rolled her eyes.
---
Hunter pulled out his phone. Rose knew who he was calling.
"Rachel?"
"Rachel."
"Good luck."
Hunter nodded serious. "Pray for me."
Rose laughed. "You're being dramatic."
"Have you met my sister?"
"Fair point."
He found Rachel's contact. Call connected after two rings. She answered immediate.
"What now?"
Hunter frowned. "What kind of greeting is that?"
"The kind for people who call me this early."
Hunter smiled. "Need a favor."
"No."
"Haven't asked yet."
"I know."
He laughed. "Rachel."
"No."
"Rachel."
"Nope."
"Rachel."
"No."
Rose could hear Rachel laughing through the speaker. She knew exactly what was happening.
Hunter sighed. "Siblings are supposed to support each other."
Rachel gasped, dramatic. "Wow."
"What?"
"You're really desperate."
"Rachel."
"What'd you forget?"
Hunter paused. Rachel screamed.
"YOU FORGOT YOUR ID!"
Several students turned around. Hunter pulled the phone from his ear. Rose burst out laughing. Even the security guard glanced over.
Hunter closed his eyes. "I hate this family."
Rachel's laughter exploded through. "Oh my God."
"Not funny."
"It absolutely is."
---
Rachel kept laughing for like ten seconds. Hunter waited. Rose was no help, laughing too. Eventually Rachel calmed down. Barely.
"How?"
Hunter sighed. "I forgot."
"That's not an answer."
"It literally is."
She laughed again. "You go there every day."
"I know."
"Carry it every day."
"I know."
"Need it every day."
"I KNOW."
Rose nearly doubled over. Hunter sounding actually defeated made it funnier.
Rachel finally calmed. "So."
"So."
"What do I get?"
Hunter knew it. Negotiation time.
"Thank you."
"No."
He sighed. "Hug."
"No."
"Heartfelt appreciation."
"No."
Rachel laughed. "Movie voucher."
Hunter froze. Of course. The voucher. Should've seen it coming.
"You planned this."
"Did not."
"You absolutely did."
"Did not."
"You sound suspicious."
Rachel grinned through the phone. "Learned from the best."
Hunter frowned. "Mom?"
"You."
He looked offended. Rose laughed again.
---
"Fine."
Rachel perked up. "Fine?"
"Movie voucher."
"Good."
"And that's it."
Rachel paused. Hunter knew. There was more.
"There is more."
"Maybe."
"Rachel."
"Maybe lunch too."
Hunter groaned. Rose nodded, approving.
"Accept it."
"You're helping her."
"She's right."
"This is betrayal."
Rose laughed. "Pay your sister."
Hunter sighed dramatic. "Fine."
Rachel sounded delighted. "Excellent."
"Bring my ID."
"Already on my way."
Hunter blinked. "What?"
"Left five minutes ago."
"You knew?"
Rachel laughed. "Mom found your ID on the dining table."
Hunter stared. Of course she did. Of course.
---
Call ended. Hunter slid phone in his pocket. Rose shook her head.
"Your sister is terrifying."
"You have no idea."
"I believe I do."
"No."
Hunter sighed. "Trust me."
---
Rose checked time again. "How long till she gets here?"
"Ten minutes."
"Maybe fifteen."
Rose nodded. Glanced toward the buildings.
"Should head to class."
Hunter understood. "Yeah."
Neither moved right away. Rose adjusted his jacket collar. Surprised him. Simple. Casual. But... something. Intimate maybe.
"There."
Hunter smiled. Rose noticed instant.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're smiling again."
"You fixed my jacket."
"So?"
"It was nice."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Don't make it weird."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Hunter laughed.
---
Finally Rose stepped back. "Call me when Rachel gets here."
"Okay."
"Don't get distracted."
Hunter smiled. "By what?"
"I don't know."
"Very helpful."
Rose pointed at him. "You somehow find trouble."
"I do not."
Rose stared. Hunter stared back. Pause.
"...Okay, maybe sometimes."
Rose laughed. "Exactly."
---
After Rose went through the gates, Hunter turned toward the bus stop. Still had time to kill. Morning felt quiet now. Laughter, teasing, embarrassment—all fading as he walked.
Then that feeling came back. Same one from before. Being watched.
Hunter slowed. Eyes across the street. People walking normal. Cars going by. Nothing wrong. But the feeling stayed. Persistent. Uncomfortable.
He frowned. Then something caught his eye.
Across the road, electronics store, several TVs showing same news. Bright red letters flashing.
Breaking News
Curiosity replaced the discomfort. Hunter crossed the street. No idea that in moments, he'd hear news about something way darker than he could imagine.