CZARINA

FIRST FLAME

The sun blazed down mercilessly, but inside her mother's flower shop, Seraphina felt a sense of calm. As she arranged the vibrant blooms, she couldn't help but admire her flower Lilith, who looked particularly stunning today. "She's truly gorgeous," Seraphina thought, a warm smile spreading across her face.

"Sweetheart, could you take these flowers outside for me?" her mother asked, breaking her reverie."Of course, Mom!" Seraphina replied cheerfully.

She stepped outside with a bouquet of lilies, but her attention was immediately drawn to a luxury car parked nearby."Who could that be?" she murmured, squinting to get a better look. The sleek vehicle felt out of place in their quiet neighborhood. "Whatever," she dismissed, shaking off the unease as she returned to her work.

Half an hour later, the car remained, and an unsettling feeling settled in her stomach. "Why are they still here? This is weird," she muttered, glancing over her shoulder. A prickling sensation crept up her spine, as if someone were watching her. In a sudden rush of instinct, she pulled down the blinds.

"Seraphina, why did you close the blinds?" her mother asked, concern lacing her voice."Uh, nothing, Mom. Just... sorry," she stammered, awkwardly lifting the blinds again. The car was still there, a dark silhouette against the bright street. Trying to shake off her worries, she focused on her tasks.

As the clock struck 5 p.m., she announced, "Mom, I'm heading out now. I'll be back before 7.""Okay, honey! Be careful!" her mother called from the door.

"Maybe I should grab some snacks before I go see her," Seraphina thought, pedaling her bike to the nearest convenience store. Inside, she filled her basket with treats, her spirits lifting with each selection.

But when she stepped outside, her heart dropped. The same luxury car loomed before her, and panic surged through her. "What the-why is it here again?" she gasped, her knees feeling weak beneath her.

Seraphina's POV

I need to get out of here, I told myself, urgency flooding my thoughts. I dashed to my bike, acutely aware of a pair of predatory eyes fixed on me. The feeling was suffocating, and I pedaled away, desperate to escape the unsettling presence that had invaded my once peaceful day.

End of POV

Seraphina's heart raced as she pedaled away from the convenience store, the weight of the luxury car's presence heavy on her mind. She glanced back, half-expecting to see someone emerging from it, but the vehicle remained ominously still.

Determined to shake off her fear, she focused on the road ahead, the rhythmic sound of her bike tires on the pavement grounding her. Yet, the feeling of being watched lingered, prickling at her skin.

As she turned a corner, she spotted a familiar figure-Serene, standing outside her house, her expression brightening at the sight of Seraphina."Hey, Seraphina! You're just in time!" Serene called, waving her over. The warmth of her friend's smile eased some of Seraphina's tension.

"Hi, Serene! I just got some snacks," Seraphina replied, trying to sound casual. But the unease still gnawed at her."Want to come in and share?" Serene asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement."Sure, that sounds great," Seraphina said, grateful for the distraction.

As they entered Serene's home, the door closed behind them, shutting out the world outside. Inside, the atmosphere was cozy, filled with the scent of freshly baked cookies. They settled on the floor, surrounded by snacks and laughter, but Seraphina couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"Are you okay? You seem a bit distracted," Serene observed, her brow furrowing with concern."Yeah, I just... saw this strange car parked outside the shop earlier. It's been there all day," Seraphina admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Serene's expression shifted.

"A luxury car? That's odd. Did you see who was inside?"
"No, it was just sitting there. I felt like someone was watching me," Seraphina confessed, her heart racing again at the memory.

"Maybe it's just someone passing through," Serene suggested, though her tone lacked conviction. "Or maybe it's a new neighbor?" "Yeah, maybe," Seraphina replied, trying to convince herself.

But deep down, she knew that this was more than just a passing curiosity.As the sun began to set, casting long shadows through the windows, Seraphina's unease returned. She decided to share her feelings with Serene, hoping her friend could help ease her mind.

"Serene, I can't shake this feeling. What if something bad is about to happen?" Seraphina said, her voice trembling slightly. Serene reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Seraphina's arm.

"We'll figure it out together. If it makes you uncomfortable, we can go check it out. "Seraphina hesitated, fear battling with her curiosity. "Okay, let's do it," she said, steeling herself for whatever awaited them outside.

As they stepped outside, Seraphina noticed that the luxury car had vanished. "Hmm, that's strange. The car isn't here anymore," she remarked, glancing at Serene.

"See? Maybe they were just passing through," Serene shrugged, her tone light and dismissive."Yeah, right," Seraphina replied, her voice dull, betraying the unease that simmered beneath her surface.

Deep down, she felt a gnawing discomfort, a conviction that she wasn't simply overthinking the situation. They returned inside, attempting to enjoy their evening together, but the earlier tension lingered in the air.

"I'll head home now, Serene. See you later!" Seraphina called out, forcing a cheerful tone as she prepared to leave.
"Be safe!" Serene replied, her voice fading as Seraphina stepped back into the night.

"I should hurry," she muttered anxiously, mounting her bike and pedaling away at full speed. The unease coiled tightly in her stomach, each stroke of the pedals amplifying her sense of urgency.

The shadows of the evening seemed to stretch and shift around her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching her, lurking just out of sight.