Selina’s POV

Gasping for air, Selina jumped up in bed.

Her skin was wet with perspiration, and her heart thumped as though it may explode through her chest. Her wild eyes darted across the room as she gripped the blankets. The woodland has vanished. There were no shadows, Dorian, or blood-red skies just the soft hum of her tiny bedroom and the early morning light coming in through the blinds.

A dream.

Only a dream.

What, though, was causing her body to still feel as though it had been pulled through hell?

With her fingers shaking as they touched her skin, she threw the blankets away and swung her legs off the bed. As though it had been branded, her arm hurt—burned, even. She looked at it, frowning, and pulled up her sleeve.

Her throat tightened each breath.

A bizarre emblem was engraved on her forearm in shimmering silver. It pulsed like a heartbeat, shimmering faintly in the dawn light. It resembled a delicate yet strong vine encircling a crescent moon. It was something *beneath* her flesh, nearly alive, and it wasn't ink.

"What the fuck?"

Leaping from the bed, she sprinted to the mirror. The symbol on her arm gleamed as if it were from another universe, and her reflection gazed back, wide-eyed and pale. In the hopes that it might smudge, disappear, or *something*, she rubbed at it with her other hand, but it didn't. It got warmer the more she touched, till she yelled and pulled away from the searing feeling.

It wasn't a dream.

Or, if it was, she hadn't yet awoken.

A sharp knock at the front door just as worry was starting to set in. Selina's heart pounded as she froze. This early, no one knocked on her door. *Never* did anyone knock on her door.

She paused.

One more knock. This one is louder.

The hush lingered as she cautiously slipped down the hall, wrapping her arms around herself. She pushed her eye to the peephole as she arrived at the door.

Nobody.

She cracked open the door.

Nothing on the porch.

“Hello?” she exclaimed. "Is there anybody there?"

The breeze returned the whisper.

Selina went outdoors and looked around the deserted street. The world was half sleeping, and her small neighborhood remained peaceful. She looked down.

A letter.

A blood-red wax stamp sealed it, and it sat nicely on the welcome mat. Across the front was her name, *Selina*, in flowing silver ink.

Her fingers brushed the cool parchment as she leaned down to pick it up. Her stomach churned. Not only was this odd, but it was *wrong*. It shouted danger in every way. But more than terror, curiosity gnawed at her.

She opened the letter and cracked the seal.

**“The Mark-bearer has woken up. It is the start of the Awakening. Arrive to the mirror location before dusk, otherwise the shadows will take you over forever. **

No name. No signature.

Selina's fingers were shaking as she gazed at the letter.

The *place of mirrors* was where?

The air was ripped with a scream.

She let the letter fall.

It originated in Mrs. Fern's house, which is next door. Every Thursday, Selina would get cookies from the kind elderly woman.

Selina ran across the lawn as her instincts took over. The door stood ajar. The air had a metallic, charred stench, like blood and fire.

"Mrs. Fern?" She went inside and called. It's Selina! Are you alright?

No response.

The home was in disarray. Picture frames were broken, furniture was flipped over, and drapes were slit as if someone or *something* had ripped through them in a fit of rage.

When Selina noticed the black stain on the hallway floor, her stomach fell. Not ink. Not paint.

Blood.

Covering her mouth, she slipped forward as the metallic smell intensified.

Then she caught sight of her.

Although Mrs. Fern's skin was pale, almost gray, her eyes were wide open in astonishment and her lips was frozen in mid-scream as her corpse sprawled in the center of the living room. As though she had been sucked out of life.

Selina screamed and staggered back.

Then she noticed it.

A symbol was etched into the floor next to the body.

On her arm, *the same symbol* was shining.

"No," she muttered as she retreated. "No, no, no."

She banged into someone as she turned to run.

Her shoulders were seized by hands. Before she recognized the voice, she cried out in a choked voice.

"Selina! I'm Caleb.

Her neighbor. Tall and dark-haired, he reads dense volumes on his porch and is usually at ease.

With a quivering voice, she questioned, "What—what are you doing here?"

His eyes darted to the living room as he replied, "I heard the scream." "Oh my god, I came to check..."

His face was pale as he gazed at the spectacle.

Selina didn't hold off till someone asked her. "I must go. I must leave this place.

Caleb said, "Wait," obstructing her way. "What took place? Have you seen anyone?

She gave a headshake. "No. However, I believe they were trying to find me.

He blinked. "What?"

"Caleb, I can't describe it. I myself don't comprehend it.

When she attempted to push by him, he grabbed her arm and halted her in her tracks.

He fixed his gaze on the blazing mark.

"You got it," he muttered.

Selina stopped. "Are you aware of this?"

Caleb's expression changed. The bewildered neighbor had vanished, his face now piercing, intent, and menacing. "We must leave. Right now. before they discover you.

Her heart pounding, she stuttered, "Wait." "You were aware? You *knew* that this would occur?

He whispered, "I hoped it wouldn't," and pulled her to the door. However, the mark is truthful. You have woken up. They will now be after you.

"Who *are* they?"

"Those who inhabit the space between worlds." those who are afraid of who you are becoming.

"What am I turning into?!"

With deadly seriousness, he gazed at her. "The key is you. To everything.

Suddenly, the front door slammed.

A shadow rose like smoke from the floor as the wind howled through the home. It sprang into being, body flickering like mist and flame, eyes like emptiness.

She was pushed behind him by Caleb. "Go!"

The darkness lunged toward them, and Selina retreated. A flash of golden light blasted from Caleb's palm as he raised his hand, knocking the shadow against the wall.

"Are you a witch?"

"No time!" he exclaimed. "Go to the vehicle!"

Selina ran toward Caleb's old truck as soon as she exited the door. She had him just behind her. He pressed the throttle pedal and drove down the road, the vehicle roaring to life, tires squealing.

Selina stared at the odd glowing imprint on her skin while holding the letter tightly.

She gasped and questioned, "Where are the mirrors?"

On the steering wheel, Caleb's knuckles turned white. "You will not be pleased with the response."

"Anyway, tell me."

He looked at her. It's the woodland you've been dreaming about. Not the version you saw, though.

Selina gave a blink. "What do you mean?"

It is now awake. similar to you. It also retains all of its memories.

She gazed out the window with trembling hands.

However, the truck shook sharply before she could ask any more questions.

The roof had been hit by something.

The metal was scratched by claws.

As the windshield cracked and a hideous face with razor-toothed eyes and a hissing voice appeared through the glass, Selina screamed:

"You can't escape who you were."