Harbinger of shadows: The Umbral Harbinger Series

Chapter 1- Stranger in the Dark

The night was tranquil, a peaceful blanket of darkness settled over the neighborhood, punctuated only by the distant murmur of traffic. Streetlamps casting a warm, golden hue on the parking lot, where Leilani and Ayanna approached the entrance of the local convenience store. The neon sign flickered softly, its vibrant colors reflecting on the wet pavement from an earlier drizzle. As they drew nearer, the store's bright windows offered a cool sanctuary from the stifling humidity.

Inside, Leilani was enveloped in the store's familiar ambiance—fluorescent lights humming gently, shelves rustling softly with their goods. The door chimed loudly as they entered, a small but inviting store brimming with snacks and a rainbow of beverages. Leilani's eyes lit up as she headed straight for the candy aisle. She eagerly grabbed a bag of sour gummy worms and tossed it into their basket. With a mischievous grin, she added another bag, relishing the playful banter she knew her sister would start once she noticed.

Ayanna picked up one of the bags and teased, "I can't believe you're buying sour gummy worms again! I'm starting to think you have an addiction!"

Leilani flashed a wide grin and countered, "I don't have an addiction! I can stop eating these anytime I want."

Ayanna rolled her eyes dramatically, a smirk playing on her lips. "Spoken like a true addict."

Leilani nudged her sister with a mock scowl. "Oh really? Coming from the girl who eats mint chocolates! I mean, really?! Mint and chocolate combined. Yuck!"

Leilani purposefully sped past the mint chocolates, laughing as Ayanna reached out to playfully kick her in the back of her thigh. "Mint chocolates are good! You just have no taste!" Ayanna declared, catching up to her to swing a gentle hit on her arm with the bag of mint chocolates.

Leilani's laughter echoed through the aisles, the warmth of the store and the lighthearted exchange making the night feel just a little bit brighter.

As they continued down the aisle, Leilani felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck faltering her laughter. Something felt off. Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed a tall man in dark clothing trailing them from a distance. His presence seemed out of place, lingering near the back of the store with an unsettling stillness. Her smile faded, replaced by a wary expression. Leilani's mind raced with unease, questioning why he was there. Was he just shopping, or was there something more sinister at play? The rational part of her dismissed it, maybe he was just another late-night shopper. But the alarm bells going off in her head told her otherwise.

"Hey Ayanna," she whispered, leaning closer to her sister and trying to keep her voice light, masking the unease creeping into her tone. "Don't look now, but I think we're being followed."

Ayanna stiffened slightly, her eyes widening in alarm. "What? Are you serious?" she whispered back, her voice barely above a breath.

"Just keep calm and keep moving," Leilani advised, trying to sound reassuring despite the quickening pace of her heartbeat. "Let's get what we came for and get out of here."

Leilani's mind raced as they made their way further down the aisle. The previously inviting store now felt claustrophobic, the aisles too narrow, and the fluorescent lights too harsh. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, and every rustle of packaging and beeping of the scanner seemed amplified in her ears. She kept stealing glances at the man, who seemed to be keeping a deliberate distance. Was she just being paranoid because it's late? Yet this could also be a new kidnapping tactic she hasn't heard about yet.

Making it to the checkout, Leilani stole another glance at the man. He was still there, standing at a distance, his gaze, unwavering, fixed on them. Her hands trembled slightly as she fumbled with her wallet. The cashier, a young woman with a bored expression, seemed oblivious to the tension, casually bagging their snacks as if it were just another uneventful night. Leilani tried to keep her composure, but her heart was beating a mile a minute with different possible scenarios playing in her mind. Did he have a weapon? Was he waiting till they left the store where there are less witnesses?