Teen Secrets: Shadows of Transylvania

The Rising Shadow

Chapter 10 - The Rising Shadow

Ethan’s powers were growing faster than any of them had anticipated. It had been only a few days since his transformation, yet the strain of hiding his hybrid nature was beginning to show. The group walked cautiously through the halls of Monster High, feeling the weight of each glance from their classmates.

Max, leading the way, looked over at Debbie, whose face was tense with worry. “We can’t keep this up forever,” he muttered under his breath. Debbie nodded slightly, her mind racing. The day had barely started, and already she felt like it was slipping out of their control.

Anita trailed close behind Ethan, keeping a watchful eye on him. “We need more time,” she whispered to Max. “His vampire side is starting to emerge.”

Max clenched his fists, frustrated. “We don’t have time, Anita. If anyone finds out what he is, it’s all over.”

Inside Ethan, the conflict was building. His werewolf side made him feel invincible, but his vampire instincts were wild, unpredictable. His eyes flickered crimson for a moment before he quickly turned his head away from the others. He hated feeling like a ticking time bomb, a threat to his newfound friends.

As they reached the school library, Jace was already there, surrounded by books. His ghostly form hovered slightly above the ground, immersed in old texts. “You’re not going to like this,” he said as they approached.

“What did you find?” Max asked, a knot forming in his stomach.

Jace pointed to an ancient prophecy inscribed on one of the open books. “It’s about the hybrids. There’s a prophecy that says a hybrid will rise, either to unite the monster world… or destroy it.”

The room fell into a heavy silence.

“And which one do you think Ethan is?” Anita asked, her voice tight with worry.

“I don’t know,” Jace replied, “but if Dracula finds out about this, he won’t take any chances. He’ll see Ethan as a threat.”

Max’s heart pounded as the implications hit him. “We need to figure this out before the council returns. We have to hide him better.”

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the assembly hall nearby. They exchanged glances before sprinting out of the library, fear racing through each of them.

When they burst into the hall, they saw Ethan at the center of it, his eyes glowing red, his fangs bared. His vampire side had begun to take over, and the assembled students were backing away in fear.

“No,” Max whispered, watching his friend lose control.

Anita stepped forward. “Ethan!” she yelled, trying to reach him. “You have to stop!”

But Ethan couldn’t hear her. His instincts had taken over, and in that moment, he was a force of raw power and chaos. Max ran toward him, trying to get between him and the frightened students.

“Ethan, snap out of it!” Max shouted.

Ethan’s glowing eyes flickered for a moment, his gaze locking onto Max. In that split second, Max saw the pain and confusion behind the rage. He reached out and grabbed Ethan’s shoulder. “We’re here for you,” Max said firmly, “You can control this.”

Slowly, Ethan’s breathing steadied, and the glow in his eyes faded. He stumbled back, horrified at what had just happened.

“We need to get out of here,” Debbie said urgently. She scanned the room, noticing that several students were already whispering and pointing.

The group hurried out of the hall, keeping their heads down as they headed for the safety of Debbie’s room. Once inside, they locked the door and collapsed into the chairs and on the bed, exhausted from the close call.

“We can’t let this happen again,” Anita said, still shaken.

Debbie stood silently by the window, staring out into the darkening sky. “My father will be back soon,” she said softly. “If he finds out about Ethan… it’ll be worse than just the council.”

Max looked over at Ethan, who was sitting in the corner, head in his hands. “We’ll figure this out,” Max said quietly. But deep down, he knew they were running out of time.
Epilogue:

The Keeper : "This chapter closes with a heavy feeling of uncertainty and fear. The prophecy looms over them, and Ethan’s uncontrollable powers threaten to unravel everything they’ve worked to protect. Dracula’s return draws nearer, and with it, a reckoning none of them are prepared for".