Into the Void

1) The Call of the Unknown

Xena's POV

---I sighed, my gaze wandering out the window, losing focus on the monotony of class. My mind started to drift, slipping away from the mundane details of the world around me. Suddenly, a shrill scream pierced through my thoughts, sharp and jarring—like a banshee screeching my name. I flinched, heart skipping a beat as I snapped back to reality, only to see Mrs. Knox, our aging banshee-in-residence, glaring at me mid-lecture on Einstein's photoelectric equation. Her thin lips twisted in irritation as she pointedly looked my way. "See me after class," she barked. I gave her a reluctant nod, wondering what exactly she expected from a teenager who'd pulled an all-nighter just to cram for an assessment.

Once class ended, I sat through her predictable lecture on the "pivotal importance" of this school year and how I needed to get my act together. As her words droned on, my thoughts started to drift again. Eventually, I managed to escape the confines of the school building, practically racing to my car. Freedom, finally—away from that torture chamber they called school. If given the choice, I'd probably dig my own grave before I willingly went back. But to make matters worse, I was entirely friendless. My best friend, Lily, had transferred to another school last year, leaving me alone in this wasteland.

Just as I was starting the car, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Lily: "Sorry, can't make it to the bookstore today. Something came up. Sorry!" I sighed, typing a quick "No worries" back, though I felt a familiar pang of disappointment. We had a favorite bookstore-slash-cafe down the street, our go-to spot. Since Lily couldn't make it, I considered skipping it but ended up going anyway. The bookstore's cozy warmth greeted me, and I felt a little of the day's tension start to ease.

I found an empty table tucked into a quiet corner and started to unwind. But not long after I sat down, an odd, prickling sensation ran up my spine—the unmistakable feeling of being watched. I glanced around, expecting to see nothing, but there, across the room, someone was staring directly at me. Their gaze was intense, unwavering. I tried to brush it off, focusing on my book, but the discomfort lingered. Eventually, I moved to a different seat, out of sight, and tried to let the eerie feeling fade.

After finishing a chapter, I decided to leave. As I passed the table where the stranger had been sitting, my eyes landed on a large, old book they'd left behind. The cover was thick, weathered, and marked with strange, intricate symbols that almost seemed to shimmer under the dim light. No one else seemed to notice it. Despite my instincts screaming to ignore it, curiosity pulled me in. Before I knew it, I was reaching out, fingertips grazing the cracked leather cover.

The moment I touched it, a tingling rush went through me. Nothing happened at first, but as I lifted the cover, a blinding light burst from the pages, overwhelming my senses. I felt myself being dragged forward, body twisting and stretching painfully, like I was being pulled through the very fabric of the book. Panic surged, but before I could even scream, everything went dark—a deep, cold blackness swallowing me whole. ---A/N 

Hiiiii this is my first book ever so please be a bit liniant on me.

Thank you 

Yours truly 

~Sarah <3