THE SHADOW PATH ⎯ james potter

[016]

chapter sixteen: 

if these walls could talk

The stands were buzzing with excitement as students crowded around to watch the Quidditch trials. Ellie sat with Charlotte, Remus, and Peter, all leaning forward in their seats as they watched James and Sirius try out for the Gryffindor team. The wind whipped through their hair as players zoomed by on their broomsticks, the sharp sound of air being cut filling the air. James was soaring through the sky, showing off his impeccable flying skills, while Sirius was in his element, maneuvering with precision as he weaved through the other trialists.

Beside her, Charlotte was cheering loudly, her face flushed with excitement. Remus was more reserved, watching intently but with a calm smile on his face. Peter was jumping up every time James or Sirius pulled off an impressive move, shouting his support like a proud little brother.

Ellie tried to focus on the match, but something felt... off. She frowned, feeling a slight twinge of unease. Dorcas had said earlier that she would be studying in the library, and while that wasn't completely out of character for her, it still seemed strange. Dorcas loved to watch Sirius and James show off their Quidditch skills just as much as the rest of them. Ellie couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to it, but she didn't say anything, figuring she might bring it up later.

Suddenly, the world around her seemed to spin. Ellie blinked, trying to shake off the dizziness that was slowly building in her head. She placed a hand on her forehead, feeling clammy and light-headed. The sounds of cheering and broomsticks whooshing past became muffled, as if someone had turned the volume down on reality.

"I'm going to step out for a minute," she whispered to Charlotte, who barely heard her over the roar of the crowd.

"You okay?" Charlotte asked, momentarily tearing her eyes away from the action.

"Yeah, just feeling a bit off," Ellie said, standing up from her seat.

She quickly descended the steps of the stands, making her way toward the castle. She kept her head down, trying to steady her breathing. But the further she walked, the more her vision blurred. The world around her seemed to dim, and before she realized what was happening, the familiar cold sensation washed over her.

Ellie was back in the Shadow Path.

The dark, endless expanse stretched out before her, with nothing but the soft, eerie hum of the shadows surrounding her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she realized she had no control over it once again. She had promised herself she wouldn't come back here—had been warned not to. Yet here she was, surrounded by the oppressive darkness once more.

Ellie squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. She hated this feeling. The overwhelming sense of helplessness, the constant tug of fear gnawing at her. She wanted to help the people trapped here, but she also wanted to run. She wanted to scream.

"I don't want to be here," she whispered to herself, her voice echoing eerily in the void.

The darkness around her seemed to pulse in response, and Ellie could feel the presence of something—someone—lurking just out of sight. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself as she felt the tears start to fall.

She had no control here, and that terrified her.

She dropped to her knees, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions, the cold pressing in on her like the weight of the world. She let out a sob, her voice cracking as she buried her face in her hands. The tears came faster now, as fear, frustration, and exhaustion all mixed together into a torrent of despair.