Shadow’s Fire

Kaleah Brooks leaned her head against the cool glass of the window, watching the trees melt into soft hues of twilight. The familiar thrum of the engine and her father’s gentle humming mixed with the haunting strains of Silent Running by Mike + Mechanics lulled her, playing softly on the radio. Jeremiah Brooks’ fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel. She couldn’t help but feel the usual warmth of comfort that came from these quiet drives home after the clinic.

“You did great today,” he finally spoke, breaking the silence, his dark eyes warm even as they focused on the winding road. Kaleah looked up, meeting his proud smile.

“It was just luck,” she shrugged, glancing away, though the memory of the stray dog’s frightened eyes lingered in her mind. “I just… did what felt right.”

Her father chuckled softly, glancing over at her with a knowing glint. “That wasn’t just luck, Kaleah. Not everyone can calm an anxious animal like that.”

Kaleah frowned, arching an eyebrow at him. “You’ve done it tons of times,” she replied, leaning back and crossing her arms. “You’re just saying that because you’re my dad.”

Jeremiah’s smile softened. “That may be, but… it’s different with you. Whatever’s in me, Kaleah… is also in you.”

She raised an eyebrow, ready to press him for an explanation, but something in his face made her pause. His gaze hardened, his jaw clenched as he stared out at the road, and his fingers tightened around the steering wheel.

“What’s wrong?”

He didn’t respond immediately, his gaze transfixed on the windshield as pale, misty wisps began to rise from the road. It was thin at first, mere tendrils drifting from the trees, but it thickened quickly, coiling around them like ghostly hands. The trees along the roadside vanished into shadow, swallowed by an unnatural darkness that sent a chill down her spine.

“Strange,” her father murmured. “Why is it so foggy all of a sudden?”

The answer was a tense silence, Jeremiah’s usual calm replaced by wary concentration. He slowed the car, scanning the obscured road ahead as the fog crept closer, clinging to the vehicle and frosting the windows in cold condensation.

“Shit?” Deacon muttered, his grip turning knuckles white as he fought to keep the rising panic out of his voice. His eyes darted from side to side, tracking the shadows that writhed and pulsed just beyond the glass. Kaleah reached out and clutched her father’s arm with trembling fingers. “Dad… what’s happening?”

Then, it started.

Kaleah gasped as a bone-chilling cold seeped into the car, sinking deep into her bones. Shadows flickered at the edges of her vision, darting shapes that flitted across the road and then vanished into the fog. Goosebumps prickled across her arms, and she instinctively zipped her hoodie, as if that could keep the encroaching cold at bay.

“Dad…” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the eerie hush.

Faint, darting shapes flitted along the edges of her vision and then whispered, unintelligible voices erupted all around them. The car windows blacked out completely, plunging them into a suffocating void.

Kaleah’s eyes darted around the thickening shadows, her heart pounding as she clutched her father’s arm. The darkness felt alive, as if it had substance, pressing in closer. Her father’s breathing grew shallow, his knuckles taut as he gripped the wheel, struggling to maintain control.

And then there were the voices. They rose in a crescendo, a cacophony of whispering and hissing burrowing into her mind. Kaleah clenched her eyes shut, fighting to block out the sound, but it only grew louder, each murmur clawing at her senses.

“Stop it!” Her voice trembled, clasping her hands over her ears. “What’s happening?”

Jeremiah stared wide-eyed back at his daughter. “Kaleah…”

But before he could answer, the shadows surged toward them, and the car lurched violently. Kaleah screamed, her voice strangled with panic as the vehicle veered wildly as metal shrieked in protest. Her seatbelt dug into her chest as the car swerved, throwing her sideways into the seat. The screeching of tires against the pavement echoed in her ears. Her father struggled to regain control, but the car spun and skidded across the road with a bone-jarring impact.

Kaleah’s head throbbed, a dull ache pulsing behind her eyes as she struggled to regain her senses. She opened her eyes to see the world tilted. Am I lying sideways? She groaned softly, numb fingers struggling to unbuckle her seatbelt and trying to make sense of the chaos around her.

“Dad?” she rasped, finally removing the seat belt but was met only with silence.

Her body ached as she leaned against the passenger door, looking over at her father. He groaned, holding his head while he called for her. Cold terror clawed its way up her spine, as she noticed crimson liquid pouring from the wound on his head.

“K-Kale..” He slurred, his head bobbing up and down.

“No no no, Dad! Stay with me.” She quickly moved towards him, her aching limbs as she looked around, catching glimpses of faint, serpentine shapes slithered in her periphery, their shadowy tendrils writhing along the edges of her vision. What do I do?

The whispers returned, scraping against her mind with a vicious urgency. The passenger’s window smashed open, Kaleah screaming as they slithered closer with half-formed faces reaching and clawing at her.

“No!’ She screamed and suddenly a light erupted from her peripheral vision. She looked back but, but shielded her eyes from the searing light.

“Close your eyes, baby.” Her father’s voice resounded in the silence. Obeying, Kaleah squeezed her eyes shut, pressing herself against the seat. It cut through the whispers and chaos, wrapping her in a momentary calm. The light expanded, a radiant shield pushing back against them forcing the shadows to retreat.

She clung to his voice and the warmth, anchoring herself to that fleeting sense of safety. Kaleah’s eyelids fluttered open, drawn to the sight of her father as he remained bathed in that fierce, unnatural light. His face was taut with determination, every muscle in his body braced against the encroaching darkness. The shadows that had once recoiled were now pressing forward again, tendrils curling, tightening, as if desperate to reach him—to consume him.

“Dad…” Her voice trembled, and tears blurred her vision, a raw ache clawing at her chest. She wanted to move, to reach out, to hold him, but her body felt frozen, held back by some invisible weight.

He turned to her, his dark eyes meeting hers with a calm that struck deep, a softness in his gaze even as the shadows closed in. “Kaleah…” he called out in a gentle but firm voice. “You’re stronger than you know. Remember that.”

A faint, serene smile graced his lips, and Kaleah could feel a sudden warmth enveloping her chest. She could feel it spread from her chest to the tips of her fingers, all throughout her body. He took a deep breath, and his entire body seemed to radiate with a final surge of energy, a light so intense it seared her vision, forcing her to look away.

When she turned back, the shadows had overtaken him, swallowing him whole. His figure wavered, consumed by darkness, until only a faint outline of light remained, flickering like the last glow of a dying star.

“No, Daddy!” she screamed, her voice tearing from her throat, reaching toward the void that had taken him. But he was gone. The light vanished, leaving only the cold and suffocating darkness. As the shadows crept closer, she felt herself falling, the horror closing in around her until she woke with a start, gasping, her body trembling, drenched in sweat. The silence of her room closed in, and she clutched her chest, the echo of her father’s last words haunting her, lingering in the stillness.

“Not again…” she whispers to herself. She drags a hand over her chest, feeling her beating heart.

Why won’t they go away? She suddenly felt a weight on her legs and soft fur grazing against her. Two pairs of yellow and green eyes stared at her in the dark. The young woman smiled as she scratched the orange tabby rubbing against her arm and the black-and-white tuxedo female purring at her feet.

“Thanks, you two.” She reaches over to pet the black and white feline at her legs. “It was just a dream.”

Both cats responded by purring, and she could feel her heartbeat slow to a normal rhythm, despite her mind still being disturbed by the dream. As she clutched the silver cross hanging around her neck, she began to take deep breaths.

Okay girl, just like Ms. Cabbot taught me. In and out…

Kaleah engages in measured breathing, chanting the mantra over and over to herself. ” I can handle this. It’s just a dream. Just a dream..”

As she continued to breathe, the rhythmic purring of her two cats, created a soothing backdrop as they nuzzled against her. She focused on the rise and fall of her chest, counting each breath to center herself. After a few minutes, she felt the tension in her body begin to ease. Once she calmed down, she reached for her phone on the nightstand and unlocked the screen. The harsh blue light made her blink, and she squinted as her eyes adjusted. The time displayed in bold numbers is 2:00 AM.

In just a few hours, her alarm would go off, signaling the start of another long workday. The thought of facing the day ahead with so little sleep made her groan softly. She leaned back against the pillows, hands readjusting her bonnet and rubbing her tired eyes.

Wonderful. With a huff, she placed the phone back on the nightstand. She needed to get some rest and focused on the steady rhythm of her breathing, trying to hold on to the temporary calm in the middle of the night.

The sun slowly peaks over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of gold and copper, signaling the beginning of a new day. The sounds of birds and small animals rustling in nature as the sun’s rays reach farther among the quaint houses and blossoming gardens. As the first rays of sunlight streamed through her bedroom window, Kaleah began to stir from her slumber, greeted by the soft chirping of birds outside.

“Meow.”

She felt the soft little paws kneading her back, and she groaned in protest. Just a few more minutes. She pulled the cover over her head, only to feel a furry body plop itself near her face.

“Alright, alright,” Kaleah finally sat up, stretching her arm, yawning, and opened her eyes at two sets of feline eyes peering up at her. She places her feet on the wood flooring and the orange tabby and black and white cat swarm her legs as she lets out a soft laugh.

Another day. I can do this.

Memories of the early events before dawn left her feeling groggy and unfocused but she pushed them aside as she stood before her body mirror, staring at, a round face with warm brown skin, close-set eyes, and a heart-shaped mouth staring back at her. Adjusting the black silk bonnet on her head. Taking deep breaths, Kaleah repeats the mantras out loud to herself.

“You are here. You are here.”

The soft morning light filters through the curtains, casting a hopeful glow in the room. She could feel one cat wind between her legs.

“Dang y’all, don’t make me fall.” She chuckled as she stepped away from the mirror, walking out of her room towards her bathroom. Both cats follow suit, stopping outside the bathroom door. After cleaning up her face and brushing her teeth, she removes the silk bonnet from her head to reveal her dark hair in a wrap. With a wide-tooth comb, she combs her hair from the wrap, the dark tresses falling just below her shoulders. She opens the small drawer, rummaging around until she finds a black hair tie. She ties her hair up and makes her way past the two felines, past the closed door down the hallway to take the stairs to the kitchen. Approaching the counter, she opened her cabinet to decide which coffee flavor to use in her Keurig.

“I’m feeling pumpkin spice.” She mused as she grabbed a small cup and placed it in her Keurig machine. As she did this, the long-haired orange tabby and short-haired white and black cat began rubbing at her legs, making purring sounds.

“Alright, you guys.” Kaleah laughed, walking over to where the washing machine and dryer and doors to a pantry. She grabbed the bag of cat food, filling their bowls as the scent of fresh coffee wafts through the air. Once that was done, she rummaged through her cabinet to find a granola bar to snack on while she waited for her coffee. As she goes through the motions of preparing for the day, She checks her phone for the time, and she sets the half full cup down while she heads back to her room to get ready She opens a dresser drawer, pulling out her blue scrubs. As she puts them on, she can feel the caffeine slowly perk her up.

Kaleah’s phone buzzes with an incoming alert that it was almost time to leave.

“Okay,” Kaleah said, glancing at the mirror for one last look. She smoothed a stray hair back into place and gave herself a reassuring nod. “Let’s get it, girl.”

She turned to her two beloved cats; her orange tabby Samson and her black-and-white female cat Dinah. Both were watching her with curious eyes. She crouched down, giving each a final pet before heading out. Samson nuzzled her legs with his soft head, while Dinah purred loudly, her tail flicking contentedly.

With a heavy sigh, Kaleah finally pulled herself away from her cats, grabbing her bag, and stepped out of her cozy duplex into the early morning air. The sky was still dark, with only a faint hint of dawn on the horizon, casting a bluish-gray hue over the quiet neighborhood. The street is lined with similar homes, all silent and still at this hour, save for the occasional flicker of a porch light or the distant hum of a passing car.

Kaleah locked the door behind her and made her way to her silver compact car parked in the small driveway. The air was crisp and cool against her exposed skin which she found refreshing. She placed her lunch bag on the passenger seat, ensuring it wouldn’t topple over during the drive, sliding into the driver’s seat. The car’s interior was still cool from the night, and Kaleah adjusted her light jacket before she started the engine. She pulled out of the driveway, taking another sobering breath to shake off the remnants of sleepiness that clung to her.

The streetlights cast long shadows as she drove down the quiet street, the glow from the dashboard illuminating her tired face. As she turned onto the main road, the city began to come to life. There were a few more cars now, their headlights cutting through the early morning gloom, and the occasional pedestrian, bundled up against the chill making their way to bus stops or early morning shifts.

Kaleah turned on the radio, the soft strains of music filling the car as she kept the volume low, allowing the music to blend with the sound of the tires rolling over the pavement, creating a soothing background as she drove. Her mind drifted to the day ahead, the tasks waiting for her at work, and the list of things she needed to get done.

At a red light, Kaleah took a moment to rub her temples, the headache that had threatened earlier beginning to make its presence known. She reached for the travel mug in her cup holder, taking a sip of the lukewarm coffee she had prepared before leaving. The bitterness jolted her awake, just enough to help her focus.

The cityscape changed as she drove further, the small shops and residential areas giving way to taller buildings and busier streets. Traffic picked up, and the roads became more congested with people rushing to start their day. Kaleah navigated the familiar route with ease, her thoughts still lingering on the early hours of the morning, the nightmare, and the comfort she had found in the company of her cats.

She soon arrived at Ruby Ridge Vet Clinic nestled in the building against the backdrop of the mountains, creating a sense of unity with its surroundings. Its exterior features a combination of textured wood and stone, evoking a cozy and welcoming vibe. The wooden elements have a weathered appearance as if they’ve been part of the landscape for generations, creating an instant connection to the town’s history. The red-orange color spread over the wooden exterior evokes a harmonious blend of rustic charm and modern functionality.

Large windows adorn the front of the clinic, allowing natural light to flood the interior. These windows provide a glimpse into the inviting waiting area, where visitors and their pets can relax before appointments. Hanging flower baskets and planter boxes filled with vibrant local flora add a burst of color and life to the clinic’s backdrop.

A handcrafted wooden sign that reads “Ruby Ridge Vet Clinic” in elegant yet understated lettering marks the entrance. It accented the sign with a subtle silhouette of a dog and cat, symbolizing the diverse range of animals the clinic cares for.

A covered porch area extends from the entrance, providing shelter for pet owners on rainy days. Wooden benches line the porch, inviting people to enjoy the fresh air and scenic views while waiting for their appointments.

Arriving at the clinic, Kaleah parks her car in the near-empty parking lot. She took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders to release the tension that had built up during the drive. With her bag in tow, she steps out of her car and walks up to the entrance. Approaching the door, she sent a text off with her fingers, and a familiar face greeted her at the door.

A tall woman with fair skin, a heart-shaped face with round green eyes, appeared at the door. She had her blonde hair gathered into a low bun, with two bangs on the sides of her head. She smiled at her as she unlocked the door.

“Good morning, Liv,” Kaleah greets, a smile rising on her face.

“Morning!” She greets her as she opens the doors. “How’s it going?”

“It’s going,” Kaleah replied. Once inside, Kaleah and Olivia prepare the clinic for the day. She pops into the office and says hi to the on-call veterinarians. “Good morning Dr. Hernandez.”

“Good morning, Kaleah.” Dr. Jose Hernandez was one of the four veterinarians who practiced at the clinic. He was an older gentleman in his mid-fifties, medium stature with tan skin. Glasses framed his kind eyes, and he had short black hair.

She directs her focus to the other veterinarian. “Good morning Dr. Stabler.” He was around the same age as Dr. Hernandez, except that he was Caucasian, tall with short blonde hair and deep-set blue eyes.

“Mornin,” he chirped back. “Almost done setting up for today?”

“Yes sir. Just finished booting up the computers and checking the charts.”

“Very good. Let’s have a good day today!” He gives her a warm smile and Kaleah returns it as they continue with their opening routine. A few other vet technicians showed up and soon it was almost time to open.

Kaleah hummed in agreement as she booted up her computer and got ready to clock in.

“Oh, and remember, we have to make time for that dog from the shelter for a check-up this afternoon.”

Olivia gives her thumbs up. “Got it!”

As she unlocked the door and changed the sign to open, Olivia paused for a moment. “Hey, I was thinking, maybe after work, we could grab a cup of coffee and catch up. It’s been a while since we had a chat outside the clinic.”

Kaleah smiles, looking up from her screen. “I’m for it! It has been a while since we hung out. We should invite Shay too.”

“Great! I can’t wait.” Both ladies’ head over to the front desk and continue their banter until the first call comes through the day.

The morning was a medley of check-ups, vaccinations, and medical procedures, each encounter unique and heartwarming in its own way. Kaleah quickly settled into her day at the clinic. She noticed an older woman approached with slow and hesitant steps through the front door. In her hand, she held the leash of a sweet brown Labrador mix.

“C’mon Bear,” the older woman coaxed. The dog moved with a slight limp as his graying muzzle and gentle hazel eyes looked up at her. Kaleah’s heart softened, noticing the slight shake in her hands. The lines of worry etched deep into her face were impossible to miss as she guided Bear to the counter.

“Hello, how can I help you today?” Kaleah greeted the woman, feeling the waves of anxiety rolling off her in waves, like a cold splash jolting her awake.

“I’m here for a drop off.” She lets out, gripping the leash nervously. “My sweet boy is having surgery today.”

Kaleah glanced at Bear, his warm gaze meeting hers as if sensing her intent. From him, she felt an aching discomfort and confusion but also a deep, steady love for his owner.

“I see,” Kaleah replied gently, her own emotions steadying in response to the swirling worry in the room. “Let me get him checked in for you. Bear is in good hands here, I promise.”

As she reached for the clipboard, she allowed a calming presence to flow from her—a subtle thing she didn’t fully understand but came to trust over the years. The woman’s breathing eased slightly, her fingers relaxing on the leash, if only by a fraction.

“Thank you,” the woman murmured, letting out a deep sigh.

Kaleah smiled softly, bending down to scratch Bear behind his ears. “We’ll take good care of him.”

Bear wagged his tail faintly as she led them to the hospital room where she put her hand on Edna’s, channeling her positive energy towards the wary woman. As she looked at her, Kaleah could feel the tight knot of anxiety slowly unwinding as the waves slowly ebbed away. The deep lines of worry on her face began to soften, replaced by a more relaxed expression.

“Thank you,” Edna murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “I trust you guys. You all have always been so good to us.”

As she spoke, Kaleah also reached out to pet Bear. Running her fingers through his thick fury, she could sense his nervousness, the instinctive fear that came with unfamiliar surroundings and the pain in his leg. Focusing her energy, she let her energy roll off of her like a gentle embrace cocooning him in warmth.. Bear, sensing the change, leaned into Kaleah’s hand as she stroked his head, his tail giving a slow, tentative wag.

Kaleah smiled, looking back at the older woman. “It’s our pleasure,” she replied, her tone filled with warmth.

Kaleah finished the check-in process. She handed Edna the necessary paperwork, explaining the steps in a calm and clear manner that ensured Edna understood everything without feeling overwhelmed.

“Dr. Hernandez and our team will be with him the entire time,” Kaleah said as she gently stroked Bear’s head. The old dog, feeling the calming waves from Kaleah, leaned into her touch, his earlier nervousness replaced by a sense of security. “You can come back in a few hours, and we’ll have him ready to go home with you.”

Edna nodded, visibly more relaxed now, though still holding onto Bear’s leash as if she wasn’t quite ready to let go. Kaleah understood and gave them a few more moments together before Bear was led away by one of the vet techs, his tail giving another slow wag as he disappeared through the door.

Hours later, after the successful completion of the surgery, Kaleah took a quick break and made her way to the recovery room. The soft beeping of monitors filled the room, and the air was thick with the scent of antiseptic. Bear lay on a padded bed, his leg bandaged where the doctor had removed the mass. He was groggy but peaceful, his breathing steady as he slowly came out of anesthesia.

“How’s our patient doing?” she asks Shay, a vet tech. Elishay Watkins was a vet tech that worked at the clinic that’s been there for five years for Kaleah’s three. She is a woman in her early 30s who is tall and slender, with short, dark dreadlocks that stop at her shoulders with rich brown skin and golden brown eyes. She lives with her girlfriend, Trina, and two bully mixes.

Besides her, there were three others: a woman named Jeanine in her mid-forties who tended to be more strict, Mary, who is in her mid-twenties, had just gotten married a few months ago. And Liam, who was in his early twenties, had finished getting his certificate. He was quiet, but was serious and patient with his job.

“Surgery went well.” She pets the chocolate lab mix gently on the head. “He’s a fighter.”

Kaleah gently stroked the dog. She thanks Shay and heads back to the receptionist’s desk to call Edna and let her know that everything went well. Once she confirmed the pickup time, Kaleah slipped into the break room, the sound of the clinic muffled as the door swung shut behind her. She sighed, letting the morning’s emotional waves settle as she sat and opened her lunchbox. Grabbing a granola, she scrolls through her phone while munching on the snack until the door creaked open, and Rachel, a coworker, stepped in. slumping into the chair across from her.

“Hey.” Kaleah waves at the other woman while she looks from her. ’Hey.”

“Are you doing okay?”

“I’m fine,” Rachel responded, but energy said otherwise.

Rachel’s usual confidence felt dulled, like a light dimmed by something heavy. Kaleah didn’t push, but the feeling nagged at her.

“Long day?” Kaleah ventured carefully.

Rachel hesitated before nodding. “Yeah. Just… stuff. You know how it is.”

Kaleah could feel the barriers go up as Rachel spoke. She wanted to press further, but she’d learned to let people open up in their own time. Instead, she reached for her coffee and smiled softly. “If you want to talk, I’m here. No judgment.”

Rachel blinked, the offer catching her off guard. “Thanks,” she said after a moment, her voice quieter.

Kaleah finishes up her granola bar and makes a quick stop to the bathroom before resuming her shift. The clinic buzzed with activity, but there was a rhythm to the chaos that Kaleah found grounding. She sorted through medication refills behind the counter until she heard a child’s voice echoed from the exam room.

“I don’t want Buddy to get a shot! He’s scared!”

Kaleah turned, her ability kicked in almost like a reflex, and she felt the child’s nervousness like a raw and electric energy. It mingled with the steady pulse of worry radiating from the mother, who was doing her best to calm her son. Even Buddy, a wiry terrier’s small body, tensed, his tail tucked low. He whined softly as the boy continued to protest on his behalf. The assistant stood, her eyes wide as she looked at Kaleah pleading in her eyes.

Setting the bottles aside, Kaleah stepped into the room with a soothing smile. “Hey there, Buddy,” she greeted the mother and boy, crouching down to meet the dog’s gaze. “You’re such a brave boy.”

The child stared at her, wide-eyed. “He doesn’t like shots,” the boy muttered, clutching his stuffed animal like a shield.

“I know. Shots can be a little scary, huh?” Kaleah’s voice was steady yet patient. “ But they help Buddy stay strong and healthy. And you know what?” She leaned in conspiratorially. “I think he’s being so brave because he wants to keep you safe, too.”

As she spoke, Kaleah focused on radiating calm. She didn’t know how it worked—she only knew that when she centered herself, she could shift the emotional atmosphere in small, subtle ways. Buddy’s trembling eased, and the boy’s grip on his stuffed animal relaxed just slightly. Even the mother’s tension ebbed, her shoulders dropping an inch.

“Do you think so?” the boy asked, his voice softening.

“I do,” Kaleah said, her smile widening. “And you know what else? You’re brave, too. You’re here to help Buddy.”

By the time the vet tech administered the shot, Buddy was still, his trust placed fully in the calm Kaleah had fostered.

***

As their shift ends, Kaleah and Olivia tidy up the clinic, preparing it for the evening shift and leaving the closing to the rest of the crew. She stretched, feeling the cool fall air settle on her skin. “You have any plans for tonight, Liv?”

Olivia shrugs. “Depends if Will gets home on time tonight. Otherwise, it’ll just be me, Skittles, and Rainbow.” William Beckett is her boyfriend of three years, who is an office worker at a small company. Skittles and Rainbow were the two parakeets that he gifted to her a couple of years ago for their second anniversary.

“They still got him working late?”

Olivia nodded, letting out a discontented sigh. “His team’s project requires a lot of work, and they need everyone to help.

“Dang, I hope they finish soon.”

“Shoot, me too.” Olivia stops at her dark blue sedan. “Have a great rest of your day, Keke.”

“You too, girl.” As she heads out to the car, she calls back out to her friend.

“Hey, don’t forget, let’s go out for coffee sometime this week.”

Kaleah gives her a thumbs up. “Text me the time.”

As the afternoon sun painted the sky with a warm glow, the day continued with equal fervor. She returned home to feed her cats and changed into a t-shirt and gray butterfly print lounging pants. After grabbing some leftover chicken salad from yesterday, she scrolls through social media until she comes across a message from her sister, Malani.

Malani: “Hey sis! What do you think?”

Smiling, Kaleah taps the message. Her eyes light up in awe as looks over the sketches of various animals, plants, and fictional characters she had been working on. The sixteen-year-old high school student was passionate about graphic design. She frequently shared her artwork on social media

Kaleah: “These look amazing, sis!” she texts back. A smile emoji and a heart emoji appear from her sister.

Malani: “Thanks! Still works in progress.”

Kaleah and Malani continued to text for a few minutes until she heard someone coming down from the stairs. She looks up to see a young woman around her age wearing a black tank top with a purple plaid flannel, and black pants with matching combat boots. Her long locs were gathered into a mid ponytail, with two long locs hanging on both sides of her angular, brown face, the underside shaved with a zigzag design.

“Oh!” Kaleah looks up from her phone. “Hey Raven, I didn’t realize you were home.”

“Yeah,” she replied, stuffing her phone in her back pocket. “Had to stop home to pick up something.”

“Ah, I see.”

Kaleah notices Dinah rubbing against her roommate’s slender legs. “Someone missed you.” Kaleah smiled as takes another bite out of her food.

The quiet girl grins, bending down and scratching the white and black cat between her ears.

“I’ll be at the school, ” she announced, before standing upright. “Then I’ll be off to work. I’ll be back pretty late.”

“Okay,” Kaleah responds. “Be careful, okay? I be worried when you’re out so late.”

Raven turns back and gives her a smirk. “Thanks, but I’m a big girl.” And with that, she heads out the door, leaving the young woman to her thoughts.

To this day, Kaleah still doesn’t have a clue what Raven does for work. She said she was some type of exterminator at one point, but she was skeptical. Still, she didn’t question it when she was paying her half of the rent. The only things she knew about her were that she was a part-time college student. The duplex had a two-bedroom, two-bathroom with an open kitchen, with its own parking lot and garage. It also had a patio with a small backyard.

From the moment they started living together, Raven kept to herself, often disappearing for extended periods with little to no explanation. Though it’s almost been a year, Kaleah has tried reaching out to Raven in various attempts to establish a friendship and often encounters a polite but distant response. Over time, Kaleah noticed peculiar things about her roommate. Late-night whispers behind closed doors, unexplained symbols scrawled in notebooks, and talismans hung up by the doors. Although Kaleah wrote them off as her roommate being superstitious, she did wonder if the woman was into some…stranger things. She decided not to pry further, understanding that everyone has their reasons for guarding certain aspects of their lives. Kaleah continued texting her sister until she said goodbye to head to her next class. She decided to watch some TV until her phone pinged.

Olivia: “Ladies! Let’s hang out at Cubby’s Cafe.”

Kaleah smiled while her fingers danced across the phone screen.

Kaleah: “I’m in!”

Shay: “Count me in.”

Olivia: “Awesome! See you ladies then!”

After she closes the text, she continues to watch smiles as she prepares dinner. She recalls fond memories of her father fostering this love for animals, a bond that transcended generations. The warmth of those recollections contrasts with a sudden shift in her mood as she thinks back to the haunting nightmare from the previous night. The stress of the dark shadows infiltrates her thoughts, momentarily clouding the joy of the homecoming with an undercurrent of unease.

Samson and Dinah started weaving in between her legs, purring and chirping as they stared up at her. Kaleah senses the joy and affection radiating from her cats and she runs her fingers through their soft furs. She always suspected she inherited her gift from her father, whose love for animals had rivaled her own. Like Kaleah, he worked at a vet clinic, utilizing his gift and skills to care for and treat animals.She remembered how he dedicated his spare time to volunteering at local shelters, how he would bring her along with him.

Uh uh. She briskly shakes her head to dispel the troubling images and turns her attention to the present. Her fingers instinctively trace the contours of the silver cross around her neck. The cool metal serves as a grounding presence as she mentally chants the mantra over and over in her mind.

“Tomorrow is a new day.”