A Shadow in the Trench

Halsey is waiting at the trench side, alone. She’s feeling a little giddy for some reason. There’s a book plopped open on her lap but she barely pays any attention to it. Instead, she keeps on glancing behind her to see if Nathan has arrived.

It’s really early in the morning. The whole town's sleeping and Halsey seems to be the only one who’s awake. Lincoln and Charlotte were also sleeping soundly in their rooms. Halsey left a note next on Charlotte’s bedside table about meeting Nathan for a project. She can only hope that Charlotte doesn’t misunderstand her like Lincoln does.

“Will he even come?” She wonders out loud. Nathan doesn’t seem like someone who wakes up early.

Halsey debates whether to call him or not when she hears the bushes behind her shuffling.

“Nathan?”

She peers at the bushes and for a second, she thought she saw a shadow there. Halsey slowly stands up, feeling cautious.

“Hello?” She says a little loudly. “Is anyone there? Is that you, Nathan?”

Silence.

Halsey doesn’t