Eve

Chapter three:

"Must be those weird dreams I keep having about my dad," Mary thought to herself, trying to make sense of the unease sitting heavy in her chest. His face was always there vague, looming, and unsettling. But never anything specific. Maybe that's why she was so jittery all the time, walking through life like something was waiting to happen.

She sighed, shaking her head and running her fingers through her curly ginger hair. It fell in soft, loose curls just below her shoulders, the rich auburn strands contrasting beautifully with her caramel-toned skin. Her brown eyes, deep and warm, stared back at her from the mirror.

Mary leaned forward, inspecting her reflection. She traced a finger across the faint freckles that dusted the bridge of her nose and cheeks. "You’ve got this," she whispered, though her voice wavered slightly, betraying the nerves she tried so hard to push away.

She had opted for comfort over anything else today her black hoodie was soft and oversized, perfect for hiding away in. Paired with gray sweatpants and black sneakers, her outfit gave off a casual, low-maintenance vibe. It was practical, and right now, that's all she needed. No fuss. No attention. Just to get through the day.

The hoodie’s sleeves were pulled down over her hands, and as she fiddled with the hem, she felt the familiar weight of her mom’s gold necklace beneath the fabric, a constant reminder of what she'd lost and how far she had come.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and tried to give herself one final pep talk. But as her reflection stared back, all she could see was the uncertainty pooling in her brown eyes. Something about this day felt... off.

Mary tried to brush the anxious thoughts aside, but they clung to her, lingering in the back of her mind like the ghosts of those unsettling dreams.

Before she realized it, she was walking into her first class, her feet carrying her to the lecture hall while her mind lagged behind, still tangled in her own thoughts.

The class was "Introduction to Computer Science."

As she entered the room, a sudden chill prickled her skin, and she couldn't shake the feeling that, somehow, today would change everything.
Mary walked into the classroom and instinctively chose a seat in the middle row, right next to the window. The view outside wasn't much—a few scattered trees, a patchy lawn, and the occasional passerby—but it gave her something to peek at when the class inevitably lost her interest. For now, though, she started strong. Her notebook open, pen poised, she diligently took down every word the professor said.

The lecture started to drift, becoming background noise to her. Her eyelids grew heavier, the professor’s voice a gentle lullaby. Just like always—start off attentive, then slowly sink into boredom.

Before long, Mary found herself slipping into sleep. At first, it was peaceful—no dreams, no noise, just darkness. But then her dream shifted, and it became anything but peaceful. She saw her father, his eyes cold and gleaming with that familiar, unsettling glint. The same look that used to send chills down her spine. Only this time, he wasn’t silent. He spoke.

"My daughter," his voice rasped, cutting through the stillness of the dream like a knife. It felt real—too real. Panic surged through her as she tried to break free, tried to wake up. Her heart raced, but she couldn’t shake the dream. She let out a small shriek, startling herself awake. The entire class turned to stare.

Flustered and heart still pounding, Mary met their eyes, her face burning. She could feel the embarrassment prickling her skin.

The professor turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Well, Miss...sleeping beauty, care to enlighten the class with your dreams or maybe just your student information?" he asked with a teasing smile.