I stared at it, half expecting it to sprout legs and start running around like one of those freaky horror movie props. It didn't. Which somehow made it worse. 

"Okay," I said to the empty room, because talking to myself is what I do when I'm about to lose it. "Mom left. Pendant's gone. And now my room is leaving me creepy clues like I'm in a really bad escape room."

I took a cautious step closer. The feather shimmered, shifting between deep purple and blues like an oil slick. Yeah. Totally normal.

Then it whispered.

I did what any rational person would do: I chucked my history book at it.

The book landed with a thud. The feather didn't burst into flames or summon a demon, so... progess? But the whispering? It got louder. Like a dozen voices muttering just out of reach.

I scrambled back so fast I knocked over my nightstand. Water bottle? On the floor. Half-eaten bag of chips? Scattered. My dignity? Also gone.

And then I saw it... movement.

Near the closet.

The door was open wider now, like it had been waiting for me to notice. Which was ridiculous. Closets don't wait. Closets just... hold clothes and forgotten homework assignments. Right?

I cleared my throat. "Mom?" My voice cracked. Not great for my whole 'brave protagonist' image.

Silence.

Which would've been fine. Great, even. Except then the light inside the closet flickered. Once. Twice.

And died.

Then the whispering stopped.

And something exhaled.

Right. Behind. Me