A message popped up.

Zoe’s name lit up Amara’s phone.

 Zoe: Hey, can you come to the spot? I really need to talk. It’s important.

Amara stared at the screen for a long minute. They hadn’t really talked since she stopped hanging around the group, but guilt still lingered, the kind that makes you go even when you know you shouldn’t.

So she went.

The night air smelled like rain. The sky was gray and heavy, and the streets of Ravenswood were half asleep.

She walked fast, clutching her phone, the message replaying in her mind.

When she got there, the place was empty, the same rundown space where they used to smoke, laugh, and pretend they were older than they really were.

The same place that used to feel alive.

Now, it was too quiet.

“Zoe?” she called, glancing around.

No answer.

Then she heard footsteps behind her, slow, steady, confident.

 “She’s not here,” a voice said.

He stepped out from the shadows like he had been waiting there all along.

His face was unreadable, calm, almost bored.

“What are you doing here?” Amara asked, her voice shaking slightly.

“Zoe didn't want to talk,” he said casually. “I did.”

Her stomach twisted.

 “Where is she?”

“Home. Maybe. I don’t really care.”

He took a step closer.

She stepped back.

“You shouldn’t have stopped coming around, Amara. We were good together. All of us.”

“No, Dylan. You.... You scared me. Amara whispered 

His voice lowered, dangerous and smooth.

You’re different from everyone I've met You’ve got a fight in you. That’s what I like.”

Amara’s pulse hammered.

She turned, ready to leave.

But he grabbed her hand “Stay,” he said sharply.

She froze.

He inched closer, his shadow swallowing hers, his eyes unreadable in the dim light.

“No one ignores me, Amara. Not you. Not anyone.” 

From the first day, I set my eyes on you, I wanted you.

but you kept pushing me away, treating me like trash

I thought after the pest; Elena leaves, you will finally realise my true affection for you

“Please, Dylan. I don’t want any trouble.”

“ He smiled faintly, but his eyes said something else. “I never intended to hurt you. Not if you had just listen and given me a chance.”

He reached out, his hand brushing her arm. She flinched.

“Don’t,” she said firmly.

The smile faded.

Something in him shifted, like a mask slipping off.

The quiet between them turned cold.

 “You think you’re better than me now huh? Like you're some kind of precious jewel, You think you can just walk away?”

“I just want to go home.”

He laughed once, low and humorless.

“You will soon.”

The echo of his voice followed her as she backed away, trembling.

“Dylan please” Amara yelled 

You smell really good ;Amara.....Dylan said low and smirkly.

She tried resisting his touches which only made him more angry and violent. 

 

“Stay still; Dylan said frustrated 

But Amara kept fidgeting

“Please,  please, please”…..; Amara cried out

You're just so enticing i can't stop myself.... Dylan grinned

All of this could have been avoided, if you didn't stay away and you became mine.

Stay Still..... Dylan yelled; ..Bashing Amara's head to the ground...

Amara blinked, her vision swimming, her chest rising shallowly.

And in that moment, as everything started slipping away, her thoughts didn’t go to Dylan, or to the place, or to what brought her there.

They went home.

To the sound of her mother’s voice humming in the kitchen.

To Elena’s laugh, the way she would throw her head back and pretend nothing in the world could touch them.

To the simple things, mornings they never appreciated, promises they never said out loud.

A tear slid down Amara’s cheek.

She tried to whisper something, but her voice came out faint, trembling.

Dylan stood a few steps away, his face unreadable, his hands dripping with blood shaking like he wasn’t sure what he had just done.

The silence was louder than anything.