The Shadows Within

Chapter 33

**Lilith's POV**

As I lay in bed, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The strange occurrences had been building up for weeks, and I was starting to get spooked.

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard a faint whisper in my ear. "Lilith, wake up." It was Ashley.

I sat up with a start, my heart racing. "What's wrong?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I think someone's playing pranks on us," she said, her voice low and serious. "I've been hearing strange noises at night, and I think it might be more than just the wind or the house settling."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Do you think it's someone from outside?" I asked.

Ashley shook her head. "I don't know, but I think we should be careful. Meet me in the common room in an hour?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of unease settle over me.

**Ashley's POV**

As Lilith arrived in the common room, I could see the fear in her eyes. I knew exactly what she was thinking - what if it's Scar? What if he's back?

We sat down at a table, surrounded by the others. Alexander and Shameka were there, along with a few of the newer recruits. We went over our supplies and equipment, trying to figure out who might be behind the pranks.

But as we talked, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were missing something. There was something more to this than just a few bored individuals playing tricks.

Suddenly, Shameka spoke up. "Guys, have you noticed anything... unusual?" she asked.

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Unusual?"

Shameka nodded. "Like, weird noises or movements out of the corner of your eye?"

The room fell silent as we all thought back to our own experiences. And then it hit me - yes, I had seen things too.

"Okay, this is getting creepy," Alexander said, his voice firm. "We need to figure out what's going on."

**Alexander's POV**

As we left the common room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. This was getting out of hand - we needed to get to the bottom of it before someone got hurt.

I turned to Lilith and Ashley. "You two stick together for now," I said firmly. "I'll go talk to Shameka and see if she can remember anything else."

They nodded, and I headed off with Shameka towards our quarters.

As we walked, Shameka filled me in on some of her own experiences. "I saw something moving out of the corner of my eye the other night," she said. "It was tall and shadowy."

My heart skipped a beat. That sounded like exactly what we needed to be worried about.

"Let's check the security cameras," Shameka said suddenly.

I nodded. "Good idea."

We headed back to the common room, where Ashley and Lilith were waiting for us.

**Shameka's POV**

As we checked the security cameras, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What were we looking at? And why did it feel like we were being watched?

The footage showed nothing out of the ordinary - just shadows and darkness. But then Alexander pointed to one frame - a figure standing just outside our compound.

It was tall and imposing, with eyes that seemed to glow in the dark.

"What is that?" Lilith breathed.

I felt my heart race as Alexander pulled up another frame - more figures appeared, their faces twisted into cruel grins.

"It's them," Ashley said softly. "The ones who attacked us."

The room fell silent as we stared at the screen in horror.

What were they doing back? And what did they want from us?

*To be Continued...*