The Hallways Shadows

Emerald's POV 

I leaned against the door for a moment as I closed it behind me, feeling the day's burden finally sink in. I could still see the light and bright laughter that Ryker and I had shared like a breath of fresh air after a storm. For a brief moment, he had a way of making everything seem less serious.

I had to sigh quietly of relief as soon as I entered the room. It was peaceful and quiet, and for once, I felt like I could finally breathe. I went directly to the bed and grunted quietly as I fell onto it allowing the warmth of the blankets to envelop me. 

My wolf, Lena, suddenly reverberated in my head with her same voice. Like the last of the laughter I shared with Ryker, Lena's voice was light and carefree as she said, “He was so funny.”

I closed my eyes and chuckled quietly as I sank farther into the bed. “Yes, he was. Not in a long time have I laughed so hard.”

“ Oh, I know,” said Lena, who was obviously still laughing. “He made a few moves. But absurd. But it was hilarious because of that. I wish you had seen him turn around. I believed that he might collapse at any moment!”

I grinned as I could almost hear her shaking her head in shock. “That's just one of his many surprises.”

With a slight change in tone and a low growl in the back of her voice, Lena continued, “You know what I didn't like? That Ivy. I find her intolerable. Her wolf makes me uneasy. I promise that if I ever had the chance I would rip that wolf apart like paper.”

The mention of Ivy caused a tiny knot to tighten in my stomach. My mouth still tasted bitter from her presence and the poison in her words continued to reverberate in my head. “No Lena. Violence is not necessary. All I want is to finish this without creating any more issues.”

Lena growled softly as she huffed. Emerald shes so troublesome. “I don't like her. You can sense that, don't you? The feeling that her wolf is constantly watching and lurking bothers me.”

I want nothing more than to rip that emotion from my chest. In an attempt to focus I sat up a little. “I understand Lena. It's something I also sense. But we must remain composed. There is no solution to violence.”

After a brief period of silence during which I could hear a low rumbling growl Lena spoke once more. “Okay, but she doesn't have my trust. Additionally, I don't trust her wolf. I'm afraid of her Emerald. It is palpable in my bones.”

Despite knowing Lena couldn't see me, I nodded. “I understand. However, it is well managed. We must remain vigilant.”

We remained silent for a while the tension from our earlier exchange with Ivy still weighing heavily. Then as though to cheer me up, Lena's voice came back much lighter this time. “Alright, alright. Enough about her. Let's return to the topic of Ryker. He's not that horrible, is he?”

I leaned back against the bed, grinned, and laughed quietly. “In fact, he's a lot of fun. That was unexpected of him. Even though he is a complete idiot he can make me laugh when I need it most.”

With playful amusement in her voice, Lena teased, “I knew you liked him. Emerald, you can't run away from me. Keep in mind that I'm in your head.”

She couldn't see me, but I rolled my eyes. “That's not how I like him, Lena. He's simply a good man, you know, and I'm glad he was there to help me forget about everything. Laughing was enjoyable.”

Lena, obviously not convinced, replied, “Sure, sure. You know I can tell when you're flushed. When your heart rate changes I can sense it. Don't try to conceal it.”

Shaking my head I laughed. “You realize that you're impossible?”

“I see.” She purred obviously enjoying herself. “But you like him. And that's the only thing that counts. Don't let things get complicated, though. You already have enough to be concerned about.”

A knock on the door startled me and made me jump a little before I could react. I looked toward the door and felt a sudden surge of uncertainty which caused my heart rate to increase. It wasn't like I was expecting a visitor. 

I sprang to my feet already mulling over the possibilities. After our conversation did Ryker or someone else come back to see how I was doing? As I approached the door I kept my hand slightly above the handle. Once again, I felt uneasy, but I tried to ignore it and maintain my composure. It was most likely nothing more than an error or a bystander. 

When I opened the door, I thought Ryker would be standing there grinning, perhaps telling another joke to lighten the mood. But all I saw when I swung the door open was blank space. There was silence in the corridor. 

The corridor was filled with long shadows as the lights above flickered a little. I blinked as I attempted to process what had just transpired. A knock had been heard. Despite my clear hearing, there was nobody there when I opened the door. No Ryker. Nobody. With my heart still thumping in my chest, I walked out into the hallway. 

I looked to my right and left but nobody was there. As usual, the hallway was deserted save for the slight echo of my steps. I scowled my forehead furrowing in perplexity. Why would someone knock and then walk away without saying anything? Who had knocked? I went out a bit further and glanced down the lengthy hallway in both directions.

There were no shadow-dwelling figures or signs of movement that someone had been here just now. It seemed as though the knock had only occurred in my head. However, I was aware that it hadn't been. I'd heard it. Something felt strange. I started to feel uneasy which caused me to glance back toward my room. 

I was beginning to sense that I was being observed once more. I got a chill and felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Even though Lena, my wolf, had stopped talking, I could still feel her presence and her increased awareness. 

Was I being manipulated, or worse, was I being watched from the shadows? I had no idea. I didn't know the solutions. I was definitely not alone in this place anymore, though, and there was something out there that was just out of my grasp.

I was unable to get rid of the sensation that I was being watched and I was unsure of whom or what I could trust. I took a deep breath and slowly closed the door. The locks click slightly, making a louder-than-usual sound in the quiet room. 

As I leaned against the door, my thoughts were racing with potential outcomes, but I was certain that something was on the horizon. I wasn't sure if I was prepared for it.