Page 7

The morning sun filtered through Tasha's curtains, painting golden streaks across her room. She stirred awake, stretching lazily before rolling onto her side. Fragments of a dream clung to her mind—whispers in the wind, shadows stretching through a dense forest. The sensation of running, of something unseen watching her, sent a strange shiver down her spine.

She shook off the lingering unease and sat up, rubbing her temples. It was just a dream.

Downstairs, the house was unusually quiet. Too quiet.

Her mother was always up before her, either preparing breakfast or answering early work calls. But today, the silence felt heavy, almost deliberate.

Yawning, Tasha padded toward the kitchen. Her mom stood by the sink, her back turned, a steaming cup of coffee resting untouched on the counter.

"Morning, Mom," Tasha greeted as she opened the fridge.

Her mother flinched—actually flinched—before quickly composing herself. "Oh, good morning, Sweetheart. You slept well?"

Tasha narrowed her eyes. "Yeah... I guess. Are you okay?"

Her mother offered a tight smile, stirring her coffee absently. "Of course, just... a lot on my mind."

Something in her tone didn't sit right. Tasha watched the way her mom's fingers gripped the coffee cup, the way she avoided eye contact. Before she could press further, a car honked outside, making her mom jump.

"That must be Mina's dad," she said too quickly. "He's dropping by to pick something up."

Tasha frowned. "Mina didn't say anything about that."

Her mother turned to her with a forced laugh. "Sweetheart, we adults have lives outside of your teenage drama."

Tasha rolled her eyes, but the strange feeling gnawed at her. Maybe she was overthinking things.

Maybe.

**Mina's House**

Mina sat at the dining table, idly twirling a spoon between her fingers. Across from her, her dad sipped his tea in silence. Normally, he'd be buried in a medical journal or talking about a new research breakthrough. But today, he just... watched her.

She raised an eyebrow. "Okay, seriously, Dad. What's with the intense staring? Do I have something on my face?"

He let out a short chuckle but didn't look away. "No, sweetheart. I just..." He hesitated. "You're growing up so fast."

Mina blinked. "Uh, yeah? That's kinda how time works?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "There's... something I've been meaning to talk to you about. It's important."

A strange weight settled in her stomach. "This isn't one of those awkward puberty talks, is it? Because I swear, I already know—"

He held up a hand, stopping her. "No, it's... different."

Mina leaned forward. "Okay, now you're scaring me."

Her father hesitated again, his fingers drumming against the table. Then, carefully, he asked, "Have you... noticed anything strange lately? Maybe feeling different? Changes in your body, your emotions?"

Mina frowned. "I mean... yeah? I guess? But that's normal, right?"

"Yes. But sometimes, certain changes can be... more than just growing up."

Something in his voice made the hairs on her arms rise. "Dad, what are you getting at?"

He opened his mouth, but then, as if reconsidering, he simply reached for his tea and took a slow sip instead. "Nothing. I just want you to know that no matter what happens, you can always talk to me."

Mina groaned, slumping back in her chair. "Seriously? That's it? You got all dramatic for that?"

Her dad just smiled softly, but something flickered in his eyes. Something that looked an awful lot like fear.

**Later That Day**

Tasha arrived at Mina's house that afternoon, still unable to shake the weird feeling from that morning.

"You would not believe how weird my mom was acting," she said as soon as Mina opened the door.

Mina snorted. "Try living with my dad. He was all cryptic and intense this morning. Like he was about to confess to a murder or something."

Tasha chuckled as she stepped inside. "Okay, what if our parents are in a secret cult?"

Mina burst into laughter. "Dude, at this point, I wouldn't even be surprised."

They made their way to Mina's room, flopping onto her bed.

"So, what's up with you?" Mina asked, turning onto her side.

Tasha hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell her. "I had a weird dream last night."

Mina groaned. "Oh no. Not this again."

Tasha smacked her with a pillow. "Shut up. I'm serious. It felt... different. There was this forest, and I was running. But I wasn't scared. It was like I was meant to be there."

Mina sat up. "And?"

"And then I saw... something. A figure. It felt familiar, but I couldn't see its face."

Mina raised an eyebrow. "And this is different from your usual supernatural obsession how?"

Tasha sighed. "I don't know. It just... felt real."

Mina scoffed. "Tasha, you watch way too many fantasy shows. I swear, one day you're going to convince yourself you're actually a werewolf or something."

Tasha laughed. "Hey, that would be cool."

Mina shook her head. "Okay, whatever. If you start howling at the moon, I'm calling an exorcist."

Tasha rolled her eyes. "You're the worst."

Mina grinned. "And yet, you love me."

**That Evening – Dinner at Mina's House**

Tasha's mom arrived just in time for dinner, looking slightly more composed than she had that morning. But Tasha noticed the way her mom and Mina's dad exchanged quick, knowing glances.

Dinner was normal—at least, on the surface. Mina cracked jokes, Tasha shared stories from back at school, and the parents listened, smiling at all the right moments. But beneath it all, something felt... off.

An unspoken tension wove itself into the conversation, too subtle to be called out, yet impossible to ignore.

After dinner, Mina and Tasha retreated to Mina's room, leaving the parents alone in the dining area.

Mina plopped onto her bed. "Okay, that was weird, right?"

Tasha nodded. "Super weird."

Mina hummed. "I swear, they know something we don't."

Tasha exhaled, lying back against the pillows. "Yeah. And I'm gonna find out what it is..... or is my mom pregnant and your dad is responsible?"

Mina replied. "That'd be cool but nevertheless irresponsible of them."

They both laughed it off as the wildest thing ever.

Little did they know, the secrets their parents were keeping weren't just ordinary ones.

They were about to change their lives forever.