C7

They set out toward the neighboring village where the healer resided. The journey by foot would have taken an hour, but they had opted for a carriage, reducing the time to around thirty minutes. With Ely’s condition growing more unstable, every second saved mattered. They were confident they’d reach the village before day fully broke.

Ely clung tightly to his mother’s side for most of the journey. He only left her when hunger nudged him, or when Pandora gently coaxed him with something to distract him. Their father, determined and focused, took the reins of the carriage. He only joined them inside when one of Ely's episodes flared up, thankfully, since the morning, it hadn't happened again.

The ride was mostly quiet, broken only by the sound of hooves and the soft whisper of wheels rolling across the dusty trail. Trees lined the path, casting long shadows that shifted with the rising sun. Ely leaned against his mother, his fingers lightly clutching her dress, his face pale and eyes alert, as though his body anticipated a fight that hadn’t come yet.

They reached the village within forty minutes, faster than expected due to their haste following Ely’s earlier episode. The villagers greeted them with warm smiles and friendly waves, easing some of the tension in Pandora’s chest. She felt her shoulders relax slightly. The environment wasn’t strange or hostile. That mattered, especially for Ely. Familiarity would help him feel safer.

“El,” their mother whispered softly, brushing his hair back from his forehead, “we’re here, my dear. You’ll be fine, okay?”

“Yes, Mama…” Ely murmured, his voice small. Then, looking around, he added, “Where’s Papa?”

“He went to park the carriage so it won’t block the entrance.”

Pandora, scanning their surroundings, noticed something off. “But Mama, are you sure the healer is around? The place… it’s locked.” Her eyes landed on the sealed windows and closed doors. The silence around the healer’s hut was unnerving.

Before their mother could reply, a figure approached, a woman with strikingly pale skin and ethereal beauty. There was something about her that felt otherworldly, though not threatening. Pandora tensed instinctively until she saw her mother’s face break into a soft smile.

“Sister, you’ve arrived,” the woman said.

Sister? Pandora and Ely exchanged a quick glance, the same word echoing in both their minds.

“Yes,” their mother responded. “Here are your niece and nephew, Ely and Light.”

The woman tilted her head slightly. “...Nice to meet them. Where’s my in-law?”

“He’s… oh, there he is. He’s coming.”

“Let’s go inside,” she said firmly. “Even the air can carry our words to the wrong ears.”

Everyone began moving toward the house but as Pandora stepped forward, the woman, who was evidently their aunt and the healer, lifted a hand, stopping her.

“Why? What happened?” Pandora asked, startled.

“She needs to be apart from this,” the healer replied calmly. “I will see her, yes but not yet. Not without telling you… and not without purifying her.”

“She’s my daughter, Eliara,” their mother said, eyes narrowing. “What are you doing?”

Pandora gently touched her mother’s arm. “Mama, it’s okay. I’ll be right here until you’re done.”

The healer’s voice dropped, her tone layered with warning. “Remember, hold fast. Don’t go anywhere. Nothing is as it appears.”

“Yes, Aunt,” Pandora nodded, swallowing the lump of unease that had begun to form in her throat.

Her mother gave her a long, lingering look before following her sister inside with Ely and their father.

Left alone on the porch, Pandora sat quietly. She pulled a small book from her satchel and began to read. The words on the page blurred occasionally as her thoughts drifted back to Ely. She heard a low groan from within the house, it sounded like her brother. Her grip on the book tightened. It didn’t alarm her too much; she had been warned that the healing process might be painful. Still… she wished there was something she could do to ease it for him.

Then… it came again.

That feeling.

That gnawing sensation at the edge of her awareness. Eyes. Watching. Following.

She’d first felt it back in their village, and again during the carriage ride. She had chalked it up to nerves, to the strangeness of the morning and Ely’s condition. But now… she was certain.

She was being watched.

Her breath caught in her throat. Slowly, she raised her eyes, scanning the villagers around her. Everyone appeared normal, men chatting idly, women carrying baskets, children running about. Whenever she locked eyes with anyone, they simply smiled at her, warmly even. But that didn’t help.

Whatever she felt, it wasn’t among them. It was… hiding.

And it was getting closer.

The air shifted. Tightened. Her lungs struggled to take in breath. Her head swam, the pressure behind her eyes building rapidly. She staggered to her feet, taking slow, backward steps, eyes darting from one corner to the next.

Then....a flash of a smile. Not warm. Not kind.

Predatory.

It slammed into her senses like a wave. Her knees buckled. The weight pressing down on her chest made her collapse, gasping, wheezing as her vision blurred.

When the darkness began to fade, she found her aunt standing over her, arms extended.

“This,” the healer said gently, helping her up, “was why I told you to stay outside for a bit.”

Pandora blinked, trying to regain her breath. “Something… was following me?”

“Yes,” the healer said. “And if you had come in, you would have brought it with you… unknowingly. That thing could have harmed your brother.”

“I’m sorry. Thank you.”

“No need,” the healer said, her tone softening. “But come now, let’s get you inside before it latches onto you again.”

Pandora nodded slowly. The fear hadn’t left her completely, but she understood now. Something else was unfolding beneath their feet, something her family hadn’t prepared her for.

And now… it had its eyes on her.