The moon was high, swollen and crimson, bleeding light over the school grounds.
Amara stood by the bell tower, her coat clutched around her as a cold wind howled through the arches. She had escaped her room—escaped the whispering glass, the crawling reflection, the fear in Selene's eyes. But not the truth growing inside her.
He was getting stronger.
And she could feel him now… like a heartbeat that wasn't hers.
Like a breath taken in her sleep.
Down below, in the shadows of the courtyard, Micah stood in the moonlight.
Or what looked like Micah.
He turned his head slowly, sensing her presence, and smiled.
But it wasn't his usual smile—the one that softened his eyes and made her feel like maybe, just maybe, the world could be kind. This smile was still. Patient. Too knowing.
Amara didn't run.
She descended the tower steps in silence, like something pulled her toward him.
They stood face-to-face in the courtyard.
"Why are you here?" she asked.
Micah tilted his head. "To remind you. You're not just the host. You're the gate."
She flinched. "I didn't choose this."
"But you did." He took a step closer, eyes glinting like molten silver. "That night in the Hollow Grove, when the moonlight touched your skin… you let it in. You wanted something to love you. Something that couldn't leave."
Amara's breath caught. "I wanted him. Not this."
"And I am him," he said gently. "Or at least… I will be."
Lightning rippled across the sky. A distant thunder shook the trees.
Selene was coming. Amara could feel it.
But still, she stood frozen. Staring into the face of the boy she had loved… and the creature her soul had nurtured.
"What are you?" she asked, voice cracking.
He smiled wider. "A child born of your loneliness. Your desire. Your curse."
"I'll end you."
"I am you."
The wind died.
And for a moment, they were just two shadows in a sleeping world.
Then he leaned closer.
"You're already dreaming of me, Amara. Singing lullabies in your sleep. When I'm born, you'll love me so much it'll break your heart."
She closed her eyes.
And whispered, "I'll break myself first."
A scream tore through the courtyard.
Selene appeared, her blade glowing blue with sacred fire. She swung at the figure, but it vanished—like moonlight in fog.
Amara collapsed into her arms.
"He's not Micah," she said.
Selene held her tighter. "He never was."
"But he's learning."
Selene's voice dropped. "We need to find the real Micah. Before it's too late."
Back in her room, Amara opened her journal and began to write.
Not a curse. Not a spell.
But a letter.
To Micah.
Wherever he was.
If you're still inside there—still watching—
Remember who you are.
Remember us.
I will not carry a monster.
But I will fight to save you… even from yourself.
And from the shadows of the school mirror…
The child smiled.
And began to hum.
A lullaby no one remembered.
Except Amara.
Because once… long ago… her mother sang it, too.
To a mirror.
To a curse.
To a child she never dared bring into the world.