LOCKED SHADOWS

CHAPTER 003

BETWEEN LIGHT AND FEAR

The morning after Daisy’s nightmare felt strangely heavy. Sunlight streamed through her curtains, golden and bright, yet it carried no comfort. She sat at the edge of her bed, her fingers clutching the sheets, staring at her reflection in the mirror across the room. Her face looked pale, her eyes ringed with shadows. She barely recognized the girl staring back.

Lucia still slept soundly, sprawled across the bed with one arm thrown dramatically over her head. Daisy envied her peace. How could her friend sleep so deeply while she herself wrestled with images of faceless men and cold blades slicing through the silence of her dreams?

She pulled herself to her desk and opened the laptop, as though forcing herself into a sense of normalcy. The screen flickered to life, the document still there with its meager three thousand words. She typed a sentence. Deleted it. Typed again. Deleted again. It felt like pressing her head against a wall, waiting for it to crumble. The frustration nearly reduced her to tears.

She closed the laptop with a sharp snap and buried her face in her hands.

A groggy voice came from the bed. You’re going to break it if you keep slamming it shut.

Daisy lifted her head to see Lucia sitting up, hair wild from sleep. Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you.

You didn’t. I was already half awake. Your aura is too heavy. Lucia stretched, yawning, then padded over. You’ve been stressing again.

I can’t write, Daisy admitted. Her voice cracked with desperation. Every word feels wrong. Every sentence feels like garbage. I’m supposed to finish this book in two weeks. How do I do that when I can’t even string together a page?

Lucia placed a hand on her shoulder. You don’t have to finish it in a day. One step at a time.

I don’t have time! Daisy snapped before softening immediately. Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.

Lucia didn’t flinch. You’re scared. It’s normal. She sat on the desk edge. But listen to me, Daisy this vacation? It’s not just about relaxing. It’s about breathing. You need to leave this room, this space that’s choking you. If you don’t, you’ll drown in your own thoughts.

Daisy rubbed her forehead. What if I fail?

What if you don’t? Lucia countered gently.

The words lingered in the air. Daisy wanted to believe them. She wanted to let hope sink into her bones, but doubt was a parasite that refused to let go.

Later that day, Edith called Daisy into the kitchen. The smell of fried plantain and eggs filled the air, and Daisy’s stomach growled despite her tension. Edith studied her daughter as she stirred the pan, her eyes filled with unspoken concern.

You’ve been restless, Edith said softly. Your eyes give you away. Bad dreams?

Daisy hesitated, then nodded. They’re just… nightmares.

Dreams carry messages sometimes, Edith murmured. Perhaps your mind is warning you.

Of what? Daisy asked uneasily.

Edith shook her head. I don’t know. But promise me you’ll be careful on this vacation. Promise me you’ll listen to your instincts.

I promise, Daisy whispered, though the words felt fragile.

Edith reached for her daughter’s hand, holding it with a gentleness that carried both love and fear. You’ve grown so much, Daisy. You’re stepping into adulthood, and adulthood is not easy. But you have to carry wisdom with you. Don’t let excitement blind you.

Daisy swallowed hard. I’ll be careful, Mom.

Good, Edith said, though the unease in her eyes remained.

That evening, the group met again at the eatery to finalize plans. The place buzzed with chatter, music humming faintly in the background. Couples shared quiet moments in corners, children darted between tables, and waiters balanced trays of steaming food as they hurried to and fro. Amidst it all, Daisy’s group gathered around their usual spot.

Alex arrived first, beaming, carrying a folder. “I got the confirmation from Moses. The lodge is ready for us. Three days, all paid. It’ll be unforgettable.”

Lucia clapped her hands. Finally! Some good news.

Dave leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. As long as there’s a gym or something. I’m not going to sit around doing nothing.

You and your muscles, Lucia teased. “Can’t you relax like normal people?”

Relaxing makes people weak, Dave shot back.

Stop, Daisy interrupted, forcing a smile. Let’s not fight. This is supposed to be fun.

But Daisy’s voice wavered, and Lucia noticed. Her friend was trying to mask her unease, but the shadows in her eyes betrayed her.

Alex leaned forward, excitement brimming. “This place has everything a pool, a games room, a little theater. Even a nature trail. We’re going to love it. It’s private, quiet, perfect for us.”

Lucia eyed him suspiciously. And you trust Moses completely?

With my life, Alex said without hesitation.

Let’s hope your life isn’t too cheap, Lucia muttered under her breath.

Dave smirked. Paranoia suits you, Lucia.

It’s called common sense, she shot back.

The bickering continued, though lightly, and Daisy tried to laugh along. But her thoughts drifted back to her dream, the faceless man, the cold steel of the dagger, the silence that smothered her scream. She picked at the edge of her cup, nails digging into the plastic, until she forced herself to take a deep breath.

When they left the eatery, dusk painted the sky in strokes of purple and red. The air was cooler, the streets quieter. The city lights flickered on, dotting the horizon. Daisy walked home beside Lucia, their arms brushing. I don’t know if I’m ready for this, Daisy admitted quietly.

Lucia squeezed her hand. “You are. Trust me.”

But Daisy’s eyes lingered on the horizon, where the last traces of daylight faded into darkness. She wondered if the shadows waiting there were only in her mind or if they were real, inching closer with every passing night.

As they neared Daisy’s house, they slowed their steps. Neither wanted to break the comfort of their companionship. Lucia nudged her with a small smile. Promise me you’ll try to enjoy this trip. No sulking, no hiding behind your laptop all day. Just fun. Okay?

“Okay,” Daisy said, though the promise felt half hearted.

Lucia stopped and pulled her into a hug. We’ll make memories that last forever.

Daisy clung to her tightly, wishing she could freeze the moment. Wishing the shadows in her dreams could never reach her here, in the warmth of her friend’s arms.

That night, Daisy lay in bed long after everyone had gone to sleep. The room was dark, but sleep refused to come. Her mind replayed Edith’s warning, Lucia’s encouragement, Alex’s excitement, and Dave’s bluntness. They each had their role, their energy but what if she was the weak link? What if the vacation turned into another failure, just like her unwritten book?

She turned on her side and stared at the glow of the laptop on her desk. The black screen reflected her face faintly, warped and shadowed. For a terrifying second, she thought she saw another shape behind her in the reflection. She sat up sharply, heart racing, but when she looked over her shoulder, the room was empty.

She forced a shaky laugh. “Get a grip, Daisy,” she whispered. “It’s just your imagination.”

But deep down, she wasn’t sure.

And so she lay awake, staring into the dark, listening to the sound of her own breathing and waiting for the silence to break.