What did they mean? I knew who I was, didn't I? I was Rosalia Mallory, a girl left on the doorstep of our town's foster agency to find a new home. From there I went through three homes before at the age of 16 instead of having to live in the group h...
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Hunter's POV:
Something's wrong with me today. I don't quite know what but something's wrong with me. I keep thinking I see someone out of the corner of my eye, watching me, but every time I turn to face them they've vanished. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that every time I see them - her - I feel like my heart will break with a bittersweet mix of sadness and joy. Who is she? Is she even real?
I try and focus on my normal tasks but somehow this elusive spirit keeps reaching me. Every time I look out of the corner of my eye I see dark hair with caramel streaks. Or I smell the exotic scent of Ambra that leaves my head reeling. Who is this girl? Is she even real or just a figment of my imagination? And why does she make me feel like this? Why does she feel so familiar yet clearly be a stranger?
The image remains elusive in my mind, like my shadow girl when I grew up. Remembering her I suddenly have the wild thought that I've gone mad and somehow projected my shadow girl into reality that no one else can see. Stupid. That's clearly got to be a sign that I need more sleep. Except she doesn't leave when I close my eyes. If anything she gets more defined. More real. Each night ends with me waking up like I want to scream only I can't remember why. Just a lingering feeling like I lost something vital.
The next morning I wake up with that same hollow feeling eating at me but I don't say a word. Especially since I don't even know what caused it in the first place. Other than...does it have a link to the Shadow Girl?
I'd dreamt about her ever since I could remember. I can never see her clearly, it's like she's stood in a shadow and I can't make out distinctive features. When she turns in the light I see dark hair and shining eyes but nothing more. Only leaving the fleeting impression of someone with otherworldly beauty. She haunted my dreams for years and I thought I'd seen the last of her but clearly, I had been wrong. Now she was almost a tangible presence wherever I go.
Every time I turn a corner I feel like someone's brushing past me, leaving nothing more than a memory that continues to haunt me. If I stand too close to certain things - like a specific window in my rooms - I get a feeling like someone's stood next to me. A girl. She's tall enough that her head reaches my shoulders so her hair leaves a tickly sensation. I can almost feel it. But how? And who is she? Why do I feel like I know her?
Rosalia's POV:
The walk back from the Lonely Fir Wilds clearings to the Ebony Hex mansion is oddly subdued. Ash keeps giving low whines, nudging me with his head every few minutes. Keeping a brave face I give a gentle rub between his ears in consolation. I'm ok. Just a little confused.
Understatement of the century. Ash answers and I hear an undercurrent of muttering from the rest of the pack. As we walk through the forest my mind keeps wandering back to my conversation with Laurel and specifically what she said. You'll know soon enough Rosalia Nadir. Soon enough. What was she meaning? My last name is not Nadir, it's Mallory. Isn't it? Surely I'd know if I had a different last name? Or would I considering what I'd always been told which was that I was dumped on the agency's doorstep with no personal information? That and that the only reason I'm even called Rosalia is that I refused to respond to anything else?
