ログインScott POVI woke up with Julianna’s name already stuck in my throat.I aImost as if it meant to split me down the middle. Lying still, I watched the ceiling without moving. Yesterday’s events played through my mind, one after another. That moment in the dining hall stuck with me. Her coldness felt less accidental, more like a quiet attack.I stepped out of my bed. Soreness hung in my limbs like old news. My reflection caught me there, in the glass. Tangles ruled my head, wild and uninvited. Red filled my eyes. Tightness gripped my jaw. I wore the look of someone who’d fought a ghost till dawn.First thing I did was to splashed water on my face. Put on my uniform. My hair needed sorting so I gave it a quick once-over.My hand found my phone. There were no messages from Julianna. Not surprised since the attitude she has been giving me. I headed for the door. Today was the day I was going to talk to her and get answers.I made it a few steps into the haIIway before I saw Lily. She was ju
Scott POVI woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck that then backed up and ran me over again for good measure. The forest trip replayed in my head on loop: Solara throwing herself into my arms like I was the only thing keeping her upright, Julianna hanging back with that look on her face—like she’d seen something she couldn’t unsee. The bus ride home had been torture. She sat three rows ahead, staring out the window the whole time, not once turning around. Not even when I said her name.I told myself it was exhaustion. The forest had been brutal. Everyone was wrecked. She’d be fine today.She wasn’t fine.Breakfast in the dining hall was the first sign. I spotted her at the far end of our usual table, head down, picking at toast like it had personally offended her. I walked over with my tray, same grin I always used when I wanted to make her laugh.“Morning, time bender.”She glanced up&m
Julianna POVThe cave smelled of damp stone and charred wood. Solara’s embers cast a faint, unsteady orange glow across the rough walls, just enough to see the shape of her beside me, knees drawn up, arms wrapped tight around herself like she could hold the pieces together. Our breathing was the only sound for a long minute, ragged at first, then slower, until the silence felt heavier than the attack we’d just escaped.I leaned my head back against the cold rock. My palms stung from scrapes I hadn’t noticed during the run. Every muscle ached, but the real pain was deeper, guilt twisting like a knife I’d turned on myself.“I shouldn’t have walked away,” I said quietly. “I’m sorry.”Solara didn’t answer right away. She stared at the small flames dancing on her fingertips, watching them flicker like they might go out any second.“You think sorry fixes it?” she finally said. Her voice was low, rough from crying. “We’re lost in a forest that wants to eat us because we couldn’t agree on whi
Julianna POVThe forest swallowed my voice the moment it left my lips. “Solara?”No answer. Just the low groan of branches overhead and the soft crunch of leaves under my boots. Mist thickened with every step, curling around my ankles like cold fingers. I moved faster, heart thudding against my ribs. The argument replayed in my head—sharp words, turned backs, the stupid pride that made us both storm off.This was my fault.If I hadn’t snapped, if I’d listened instead of digging in my heels, she wouldn’t be out here alone. The trees seemed to lean closer now, bark glistening wetly in the fading light. Shadows stretched too long, too thin. Every rustle made me flinch.“Solara!” I called again, louder. My voice cracked on the second syllable.Nothing.I stopped, breathing hard. The path—if it could even be called that—had vanished ten minutes
Julianna POVDawn came too soon, gray and heavy, like the sky knew what was waiting for us. I hadn’t slept more than an hour. Every time I closed my eyes, the vision returned: Scott’s body on cold stone, blood pooling under him, his chest still. No breath. No heartbeat. Just me standing there, useless, hands shaking with the knowledge that I’d caused it somehow.I packed in silence, small backpack, water, the folded map from the announcement, a spare jacket. The school-issued forest gear felt stiff: dark pants, reinforced boots, a lightweight jacket with red reflective strips for visibility. I caught my reflection in the mirror before I left: eyes shadowed, mouth tight. I looked like someone pretending to be okay.Lyra was already up, humming as she shoved snacks into her bag. “Flag hunt in a creepy forest? This is gonna be fun. You and Solara—try not to set each other on fire, yeah?”I forced a half-smile. “I’ll behave.”She eyed me. “You sure you’re good? You’ve got that ‘I’m smilin
Julianna POVThe cheers from the arena still rang in my ears as I slipped out the side door, the sound fading behind me like smoke. My legs moved on autopilot, carrying me down the corridor while my mind stayed stuck on the vision: Scott’s body crumpled on cold stone, blood spreading beneath him like spilled wine, his sea-green eyes empty and staring at nothing. Every time I blinked, it was there—sharp, vivid, accusing.I pressed my back against the wall outside the training wing, sliding down until I sat on the cool floor. My hands shook. The new technique—the temporal shift—had felt like victory a minute ago. Now it felt like a cruel joke. I could move my body through seconds, dodge fire, reappear behind an opponent. But I couldn’t reach back far enough to pull Scott out of that future. I couldn’t even warn him without sounding insane.Footsteps echoed down the hall.I straightened quickly, wiping my face even though no tears had fallen yet. Scott rounded the corner, still flushed f







