SHADOW

Unseen

The tall, dark woman loomed over Sha with an unsettling intensity in her stone eyes, sending a chill down her spine. Sha couldn't help but notice the woman's haunting beauty, yet her sinister smile gave her pause, filling the air with an aura of danger.

The statue standing between them should have provided some comfort, but Sha couldn't shake the unease that gripped her. Despite knowing it was just a lifeless marble figure, she hesitated for a moment, almost revealing her presence. The stakes were high, and any wrong move could cost her dearly.

In a swift motion, Sha pushed her body into the narrow alcove behind the statue. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to control her breaths, each one echoing like a pounding drum in the silence of the dimly lit corridor.

The fabric of her uniform offered little protection against the cold, unforgiving stone. Sha felt a painful squeeze against her breasts, a stark reminder of the danger she faced. She pressed herself harder against the back of the statue, desperate to blend into the shadows, praying that her presence remained unnoticed.

The gut feeling that led her to this hiding place was primal, an instinct guiding her away from the approaching beings. Soft voices mingled with the echoes, but their words remained indistinct, adding to the tension that hung in the air like a heavy fog.

Sha strained her ears to listen, and soon, the voice of an older woman reached her ears. It carried a pleasant yet languorous tone, tinged with a hint of flirtation. Sha recognized the voice, and for a moment, she cursed herself for hiding from a teacher she knew well. Nevertheless, she dared not risk revealing herself.

As the footsteps drew nearer, Sha braced herself, her heart quickening with every step. Finally, they appeared in front of her hiding place. The woman giggled and touched the man's arm, but he reacted with visible disdain, clearly displeased by her actions.

''They are all ready, my lord. This year we have ample harvest to satisfy any noble taste,'' the woman said, her voice dripping with a hint of mischief.

''This place smells of blood,'' the man replied, eyeing the smears on the floor with evident suspicion.

The woman dismissed his concern casually, attempting to erase the bloodstains with her foot, but only succeeding in spreading them further. Sha's heart raced; she was now hidden in the midst of a scene she didn't want to be a part of.

The man's figure loomed tall and imposing, an enigma in the dim light. His immaculate suit contrasted sharply with the eerie surroundings. A faint whiff of bergamot lingered in the air, a peculiar detail amidst the tension.

''My master is going to be pleased. He is going to participate himself this year. Now you must excuse me; I have other talks to attend,'' the man said, clearly eager to leave.

Sha remained hidden, waiting for them to depart. As the man hurriedly descended the stairs, the wooden steps creaked loudly, making Sha wince. The woman, however, seemed less inclined to leave. Sha could feel the discomfort of her position intensify, the coldness of the bricks seeping through her jacket.

The sound of stone rubbing against stone broke the uneasy silence, pulling Sha's mind back to her childhood memories of squishing herbs between bricks. The image of her own paintings adorned with vibrant colors flashed before her eyes, providing a brief respite from the tense situation.

Finally, the woman departed, leaving Sha alone in the corridor. Slowly, she emerged from her hiding place, her heart still racing from the near-miss encounter. 

Sha's eyes, now adjusting to the dimness of the corridor, wandered to the opposite wall where the another statue stood sentinel. Her gaze narrowed, drawn to the area directly in front of the imposing figure. There, in the soft illumination, she discerned a trail of faint scratches etched into the polished floor.

As if compelled by an invisible force, Sha stepped closer, her curiosity overriding the lingering unease. Her breath caught as her fingers brushed against the floor, tracing the lines with a feather-light touch. The grooves were subtle, like whispers in stone, yet beneath her palm, they pulsed with hidden significance.

Her fingertips followed the twists and turns, feeling the journey that the statue had undertaken, perhaps many times, in the concealment of darkness.

 The realization dawned on her, a thrilling revelation that sent a shiver down her spine. These weren't random marks of wear; they were a deliberate pathway—a secret passage concealed in plain sight.

Her heart quickened as her mind unraveled the implications. Sha pulled her hand away, her breaths now shallow with excitement. 

Curiosity piqued, Sha's mischievous smile returned, her mind now consumed by the allure of the unknown. Little did she know that her decision to explore the hidden passageway would plunge her into a world of unseen intrigues, where danger lurked around every corner.