"Who are they?" I wonder to myself as I look at the paper which was lying besides my bed. The names, Stella and Elara, are written there in my own handwriting. But I can't seem to recall who they could be. I frown, crumpling the paper and tossing it aside. I shrug it off, figuring it was probably some half-remembered dream.

I sit up and glance out the window. It's bright outside, the kind of morning that would usually feel refreshing, but today it just feels... empty. Mom and dad will return home by evening, so there's not really anything to do. Boredom creeps in, and I know I can't stay cooped up here for long. I reach for my phone and dial my friend Aric's number.

After a few rings, he picks up. "Yo Heliar," his familiar voice greets me.

"Wanna hang out man? I'm bored as hell," I ask, yawning.

"Bikes?" he suggests, like we always do when there's nothing else to fill the time.

"Yeah, bet! That sounds good. Meet me at my place."

I hang up and get off from the bed. I finish my morning routine and get dressed. As I enter the living room downstairs, a black hat lying on the table catches my attention. I can't seem to remember where I got it—probably Dad got it for me. I look at it again and put it on.

I look at it again, and put it on.

Quickly I prepare some breakfast and gulp it down with a cup of coffee. Perfect.

I step outside, just as Aric rides up on his bike, skidding to a stop, grinning widely.

"Ready to roll?" he asks.

"Yeah, let's go," I reply, hopping on my bike.

"Nice hat, by the way. Suits you," he says.

"Thanks man."

We pedal down the street, the wind rushing past us. It's the perfect day for this—clear skies, warm sun, the kind of day where everything feels like it should be fine. But I feel a little uneasy.

"Heliar, is something up? You're too quiet," Aric asks, a bit worried.

I shrug, unsure of what to say. "Just... one of those days, I guess. Felt like being outside."

Aric doesn't push it. He speeds up and nods at me to follow. We keep riding, zigzagging through a few empty streets. It's freeing, being out like this, with no particular destination. The boredom starts to lift, and I start feeling lighter.

"Hey how about a short break now. Wouldn't hurt to get a breather." Aric suggests as he comes to a halt.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Sure thing. Let's head to the local park for a while."

We head towards the park. We're a few streets away when a group of girls comes riding towards us from the opposite end. They're laughing and talking, not really paying attention as they speed up the street.

One of the girls—she looks like she's new to this—suddenly wobbles, her front tire jerking to the side. Losing control, she veers straight toward us.

"Watch out!" Aric yells, swerving to avoid her.

I slam on my brakes just in time, barely avoiding a collision. She comes to a shaky stop right in front of me, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Sorry! I—uh—lost my balance," she apologizes, catching her breath.

"No worries," I say, giving her a smile. "You alright?"

"Uh yeah! All good." She nods quickly, still a little flustered.. Her friends slow down and stop, giggling.

"That was close," one of them teases, looking between her and me.

Aric chuckles, glancing at the girl. "Hey, it happens. Your first time riding a bike or something?"

"No!" she protests, her cheeks turning red. "Just... not my best day."

We all laugh, the awkwardness easing a little.

"Well, I'm Heliar, and this is Aric," I say, offering a smile to the group.

There's some laughter, introductions, and quick handshakes as we exchange names. But just as we're settling in, one of the girls abruptly gets back on her bike, and starts pedaling away, fast.

Her friends call out. "Elara, what happened? Are you okay?"

Elara. Elara. Elara.

The name rings in my ears. The world around me seems to slow down as memories come flooding in. Stella and Elara. The Shadow Thing. The hat.

"ELARA, PLEASE STOP!" I scream just as she turns the corner.

The others look at me in worry.

"Heliar?" Aric begins, but I cut him mid-sentence.

"We need to follow her," I say, getting on my bike. They don't understand what's going on, but nonetheless everyone gets on their bikes and we follow Elara.

Oh no, she's heading towards that park. This cannot be good.

The laughter and lightheartedness of just moments ago feel like a distant memory. As she nears the park, we keep following her.

"Heliar, slow down!" Aric calls as he tries to keep up.

But I cannot. I need to reach her. "We have to catch up!" I shout back, determination fueling every push of my pedals.

As we approach the park, we see that Elara has got down from her bike. She's standing there — near that alley, just a few meters away from that spot where she disappeared just yesterday. I can't seem to understand what's going on. How could I have forgotten Stella and Elara, even when I wrote down their names? Is this girl actually Elara, or is it a trick? There are so many questions, yet not even a single answer.

I come to a halt, and approach her quickly. The others follow behind.

"Elara..." I call out. She turns around to look at me. She tries to say something, but suddenly she takes a few steps backwards. She's at the same spot now.

"What is happening?" one of the girls asks.

No. No. No. No. No. This can't be happening. Again?

I watch with dread as there's a lump of darkness behind her. The Shadow Thing.

Why? Why? Why?

I reach out for her. Almost there. Just a bit more. She stands still as darkness wraps around her. As it takes on a humanoid form, something within me snaps. I take off the hat and throw it at his face. I dash forward, grab Elara's hand and pull her away.

He stands still. Suddenly he glances towards me, and whispers—I'm not sure if it is a whisper, but his voice enters my ears.

"Try to find me," he rasps. And with that, he's gone. Again, the hat is left behind.

Whatever spell she was under, Elara breaks free.

"Heliar!" she screams as she sees me, hugging me tightly. I can feel the warmth of her embrace.

The others catch up.

"What the hell was that?" they ask in unison.

"Well, story time I guess," I reply smiling, glancing at Elara.