The car ride was silent, save for the occasional hum of the engine. I stared out the window, my mind still reeling from the day's events.
"You live in Rock View?" The driver scoffed, breaking the silence. "What do you clean there?"
I rolled my eyes at his rude remark—one I'd heard more times than I cared to count.
"It may be hard to believe," I said flatly, "but I come from a very rich family."
His only response was a shrug before the car was filled with silence once again.
I leaned my head against the cool window, my thoughts spiraling. Ever since I moved back a few months ago, I'd been on edge. One strange phenomenon after another. Am I unwell? Should I see a doctor? There has to be someone with answers—someone who can explain this void in my memory.
Am I… developing early-onset Alzheimer's?
The brakes screeched to a stop, yanking me from my thoughts.
I barely had time to step out before the car sped off, leaving me standing in the middle of the road.
"What a rude brat," I muttered under my breath. "If he weren't Marda's nephew, I'd have given him a terrible review."
I crossed the road, stopping in front of the massive security gate of the estate. A small, shy smile tugged at my lips. Would he be here today?
I bit my lip, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. What am I, a teenager?
I shook the thought away and walked toward the entrance, only to be met with an unfortunately moody guard.
Not him. Great.
"Gate card," he demanded, his voice flat and disinterested.
"Oh, right. One second."
I rummaged through my bag, nearly spilling its entire contents onto the pavement.
Strange. I could have sworn—
My breath hitched.
I left it in the car.
I swallowed. "I—I forgot it in the car. But I promise, I live here! My house is just a couple of streets down. Do you know the Romanovs?"
"Move to the side," he cut me off coldly.
I gaped at him as he briskly walked past me to attend to another vehicle, leaving me standing there like an idiot.
Just as I was about to lose my patience (not really)—
"Ava?"
I snapped my head up.
Rhys.
He was walking toward me, his uniform perfectly tailored to his massive frame, a walkie-talkie clutched in one hand. His brow furrowed slightly in confusion.
God really took his time on this one, huh?
"Yes," I finally replied.
His lips curled into a small smirk. "What are you doing standing in the cold?"
Before I could answer, he draped a blanket over my shoulders.
I blinked. Where did that even come from?
"Thank you," I murmured, gripping the fabric. "I forgot my gate pass." I shot a glare toward the other guard, who was still busy with the incoming vehicles.
"Ahh, that." Rhys chuckled. "Sorry about him. He's new. Probably wouldn't have recognized you."
"No worries," I said, tracing the rim of my glasses nervously.
"Anyway, where's your car? Don't tell me it caught on fire again." His smirk deepened.
My cheeks tinged pink. "It did not catch on fire. But... it did break down again," I admitted sheepishly.
"You really need a new car," he teased.
I bit my lip, shifting my weight. "It was my dad's before he passed. It's just... hard to let go of."
His expression softened.
"Well, at least you made it back in one piece," he said, dimples peeking through his grin. "Get some rest, yeah?"
I waved him off, my heart still pounding as I headed home on foot.
---
By the time I arrived, I was exhausted.
The Romanov estate towered before me—silent, empty, dark.
I had lived alone for some time now, except for the occasional cleaning staff. Though, oddly, I hadn't seen them since I moved back.
Still, the house was always spotless, the fridge always stocked. I had no idea who was maintaining it.
I stepped onto the cobblestone pathway, my footsteps echoing in the eerie quiet. The main entrance loomed ahead, its massive double doors untouched—I never used them.
Instead, I veered toward the back door, punching in the passcode.
ERROR.
I frowned. "What?"
I tried again.
ERROR.
I froze.
A cold wave of unease crept up my spine. I pulled out my phone, scrolling frantically to check if I had changed the code—
A hand.
Cold. Pressing against my shoulder.
My breath hitched. My body locked in place.
I turned.
Nothing.
The garden was empty. The evenly cut grass stood undisturbed, not a single blade out of place.
But I felt it.
I felt something standing there. Watching.
My hands trembled. My breaths grew shallow.
The passcode screen blinked again.
ENTER PASSCODE.
My vision blurred. My knees nearly buckled. My eyes were open—but I could feel it.
Something was staring at me. Reaching for me.
The door unlocked.
I didn't question how.
I sprinted inside, my legs nearly giving out beneath me.
The hallway was pitch black.
I didn't make it far before—
SMACK.
I collided face-first with something solid.
A wall?
No—
Something moved.
Then—darkness.