Seven Ways To The Abyss

WHEN EYES CANT SEE

Sofia
The next morning, Sofia awoke with her cheek pressed against the desk. Her back throbbed from the awkward position she'd slept in, and her head pounded from hours of relentless studying. Sunlight spilled through the curtains, illuminating the chaos of scattered books and scribbled notes.

She groaned, stretching out the stiffness in her muscles, and glanced at the unopened textbooks Amaline had given her. The sight alone made her stomach churn.

The weight of the looming exam crushed her resolve, but failure wasn’t an option. Not with Amaline breathing down her neck.

“Two more days,” Sofia murmured to herself, her eyes flicking to the calendar pinned on the wall. She dragged herself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to shake off the remnants of sleep.

But the unease lingered. Last night, she’d felt it—a presence, sharp and watchful. Even in her sleep, her instincts had been on high alert, tugging her towards awareness.

Now, in the soft light of morning, she brushed the sensation off. "Paranoia," she muttered, gripping the sink. “I’m safe here. A gifted school can’t be worse than running for my life, right?”

---

Damian
In a darkened hideout, Damian sat cross-legged, his fingers carving faint grooves into the wooden floor. His expression was stoic, but inside, his thoughts warred with one another.

He’d found her. Vulnerable. So close. She hadn’t even sensed him. Yet, he’d walked away.

His fist slammed into the ground, splitting the wood beneath him. “Why didn’t I kill her?” he snarled, his voice laced with frustration.

Deep down, he knew the answer, though he refused to admit it. Something about her had shifted. This wasn’t the frail, frightened girl he’d nearly destroyed before. There was something new—quiet strength, unyielding determination.

And that intrigued him.

But there was no room for curiosity. His mission was clear: eliminate her before she became a greater threat.

Damian stood abruptly, his piercing eyes narrowing. "Next time, I won’t hesitate."

---

Sofia

By the third day, Sofia had devoured every textbook, memorised every formula, and practised until her mind ran in loops. Her body operated on autopilot, her nerves simmering beneath the surface.

“Are you ready?” Amaline’s voice cut through her thoughts as they approached the imposing school gates.

Sofia looked out at the sprawling campus. The walls were high, intricately designed, and the building itself resembled a modern palace more than a school. She tightened her grip on her bag.

“I guess,” Sofia mumbled.

Amaline frowned. “Guessing isn’t good enough. You’ll do fine.” Her tone was sharp, but concern flickered beneath it.

Sofia nodded, stepping out of the car. The hum of students and parents filled the air, their confident chatter making her feel even more out of place.

Just get through this, she told herself. You’ve survived worse.

The exam hall was massive, desks lined in perfect rows across polished floors. Sofia found her seat, her heart pounding. When the invigilator handed her the question paper, she took a steadying breath and began.

---

Damian

From a rooftop overlooking the school, Damian tracked her every movement.