A Spirit Between Us (bxb)

Chapter 32 - Finley.

Knock, knock, knock.

Lyla practically launched herself off the couch, her nerves shot as she rushed to answer the door. She cracked it open just enough to peek outside before yanking it wide. Archie stood there, his usual deadpan expression in place, though his eyes held a flicker of urgency.

"Took you long enough!" she whisper-shouted, glaring at him.

Archie raised an eyebrow. "I was barely ten minutes ."

"Try twenty-five."

"Whatever." he muttered, stepping inside and kicking off his shoes in the doorway like it was his own house.

She grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the living room. "He's in there, and he's creepy as hell."

"Well, yeah," Archie replied. "It's a centuries old, evil entity. Did you think it was going to act like a golden retriever?"

Lyla ignored his sarcasm, her hand tightening on his arm as they approached the doorway. "Just... don't piss it off, okay? I've worked really hard to keep him calm."

"yeah, yeah." he sounded sarcastic, but it was only to mask his underlying anxiety.

Back at the school, Archie's mom was doing everything she could to help. Katherine had torn apart the library and Mrs. Rosery's classroom, searching through every dusty shelf and hidden nook for anything that could explain the ritual or how to stop the Mimic. Books were scattered across the tables, ancient texts and half deciphered notes piling up like a chaotic puzzle.

Originally, Archie had planned to stay with her. It was the logical thing to do. Divide and conquer while Lyla keeps the creature at bay. But then Lyla texted, insisting he come to her house.

She'd been the one to point out something odd about the Mimic's behavior, something that gnawed at her thoughts. It didn't make sense. The Mimic was supposed to be powerful, dangerous enough that people centuries ago had gone to extraordinary lengths to seal it away. And yet, despite possessing Finn, it wasn't doing anything catastrophic. It wasn't wreaking havoc or leaving a trail of destruction.

It was causing Finn to act out, sure, making him cruel, rebellious, and unpredictable–but that was it. Lyla's theory was chilling. The Mimic was waiting. Waiting for something bigger.

The idea cranked up the urgency tenfold. Whatever it was biding its time for, they couldn't afford to let it gain any more strength.

"How's it going? At school?" she asked in a hushed tone

Archie gave her a look but didn't respond. They had something else to focus on. Together, they stepped into the room.

Finn sat stiffly on the couch, his posture unnaturally straight, his hands folded neatly in his lap. He looked up as they entered, his blank expression contorting into a strange, forced smile.

"Well, look who it is," the voice said, using Finn's familiar tones but dripping with malice. "Archie Hollow, the boy wonder. What a surprise."

Archie didn't flinch. He took a step closer, his gaze locked on Finn's. "Finn," he said firmly, his voice steady. "Hey."

The grin faltered, just slightly. "What are you doing here, Arch?"

Archie took another step forward. "I need you to listen. I know this thing is trying to control you, but it's not stronger than you. You're still in there, Finn, and you can fight it."

Lyla hovered near the door, holding her breath as she watched.

For a moment, there was no reaction. Finn's face remained blank, his eyes unblinking. But then, ever so slowly, his fingers twitched.