Nyla attempted to shake off the lingering sensation as she descended the stairs. With the feeling now faded, she found it difficult to articulate her experience, left only with a hazy recollection of what it had been. As she reached the first floor, a sudden movement outside the window drew her attention.

  “Dammit, it’s snowing again,” she groaned, irritation creeping into her voice. The orphanage sat deep within the woods, linked to the main street by a narrow, winding road. To reach it, she had to take a bus, with the nearest stop a gruelling forty-minute walk along the main road. Normally, she relished her nature walks, finding solace in the sounds of chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the gentle whistle of the wind. But in the snow, those peaceful moments turned into a tortured ordeal.

  She shook her head and entered the living room where she was greeted by a warm fire in the fireplace and kind Maryam who was knitting a scarf on a rocking chair next to it. She was a woman in her late fifties with strands of gray mixed in her auburn hair. The life has not been kind to her. Being widowed at a young age and losing her son so early had affected her, making her look much older than she actually was. But the years left one thing untouched: her eyes. Her warm brown eyes constantly watched over the children under her roof as if they were her own. Even after the children had gone to bed, Maryam remained busy, tending to their needs—mending their clothes, planning for the next day, or, in this instance, knitting them warm winter garments.

  “How did it go, love? Was he… um… upset?” She asked nervously as she poured a steaming cup of coffee and handed it to Nyla, her hands trembling slightly.

  Nyla settled onto the couch, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she gratefully accepted the warm cup. The rich aroma of the freshly brewed coffee enveloped her like a comforting blanket, washing away the lingering, indescribable fears that had plagued her earlier, pushing them to the farthest corners of her mind.

  As Nyla took a sip, she felt the warmth spread through her, soothing her frazzled nerves. The dark liquid was a familiar comfort, a small indulgence that reminded her of simpler times. She could almost hear Maryam’s voice in her head, expressing her disapproval of caffeine this late in the evening. Yet, Maryam had long since given up that battle, realizing that sometimes, a little rebellion was necessary for happiness.

  Nyla glanced around the cozy living room, its soft lighting casting a warm glow on the walls adorned with group photos of children who had stayed here. She could hear the faint sounds of the wind outside, but inside, the atmosphere felt safe and inviting. As she cradled the cup in her hands, she let herself relax, grateful for this moment of peace.

  “He is completely fine, Maryam. You worry too much.” Nyla said with a smile while taking another sip of the delicious dark liquid.

  “I can’t help it. Nutrients are very important for growing boys and God knows that they already don’t get much of it. I shouldn’t have sent him to bed without supper, but I lost my temper…” Maryam said, pulling on the yarn she held.

  The orphanage depended on the Church and a few outside donors for funds, but each year, they received less support than the last. This was especially true in election years like this one when money was often redirected to other priorities. Maryam felt the pressure of the orphanage's struggles. Each pull of the yarn reminded her of the tightening budget and the challenges they faced in caring for the children. Despite the difficulties, she was determined to provide for them. She looked down at the unfinished clothes in her lap, imagining how warm and cozy they would be for the kids during the cold winter months.

  “He’ll be fine.” She assured Maryam and tried to hide her smile. Earlier when she entered Billy’s room, she had caught a glimpse of snack cakes hiding on his nightstand. He probably had persuaded Emma to give him some in secret. He could be very charming when it suited him, and Emma was a simple girl who managed the kitchen.

  She continued sipping her coffee as Maryam continued to tell tales of the children and activities of the house, especially the winter charity event. Everyone was excited about it. Her main concern was that Father Francis was returning as an inspector to make sure that the orphanage’s operation was going smoothly.

  Maryam glanced at Nyla with concern. She had to admit she was relieved when Father Francis left the orphanage a couple of years after the basement incident because of a promotion and was not pleased at all about his return. His visit would likely affect the children, especially since she hadn’t focused much on their religious education. But Maryam was more concerned about the impact it might have on Nyla.

  Even though Nyla tried to hide it, Maryam knew she avoided basements whenever possible. It was a subtle sign that the incident still lingered in her mind. However, Maryam was relieved to see Nyla showing no visible reaction to the news. Instead, she casually scrolled through her phone, just like any other young person her age, giving no hint of distress. But Maryam wondered if this was a sign that Nyla was truly indifferent or if she was just masking her emotions as she often did.

  Nyla stood up and stretched, glancing out the window at the snow swirling in the wind, creating a picturesque scene outside. The soft white flakes danced through the air, settling gently on the ground. She turned to Maryam with a warm smile, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

  “Is it time for you to leave, Nyla, darling?” Maryam asked, glancing at the clock on the wall.

  “Unfortunately, yes,” Nyla replied, carefully placing her cup on the table. Although she was aware of Father Francis's return, she didn’t see any need to worry Maryam about it. There was no point in adding to her concerns when she was already managing so much.

  “That’s disappointing, I was hoping you would stay the night since it’s been a while. Do you have to go in this weather?” Maryam went to the window to see if it was still snowing or not.

  “I have an early shift tomorrow so…” Nyla responded while checking her schedule on her phone.

  “Wait! I know what to do! I just remembered Brian was saying he is going to be around here tonight. How about we ask him to give you a ride?” Nyla froze at the mention of Brian’s name.

  He was one of Matt’s friends, a fellow worker in the same field. They had met at the academy and later joined the same division of the ADA. It was Brian who had delivered the heartbreaking news of Matthew’s death three years ago. Though she understood that Brian wasn’t responsible for the tragedy—he had been one of the few who tirelessly searched for Matt until the very end—she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of resentment. Death was an inherent risk for hunters, but a part of her heart still held him and the others accountable for the loss.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  He still visited the orphanage regularly, doing what he could to honour his fallen comrade, despite the town's cold attitude toward the ADA. Each time she saw him, however, Nyla was haunted by memories of that dreadful day. In fact, she often tried to schedule her visits to avoid running into him. Unlike her, Maryam appeared to relish his visits, eagerly soaking up the endless stories about Matt’s academy years. Just as Nyla opened her mouth to oppose the idea, the doorbell rang and interrupted them.

  “Great! It must be him!” Maryam walked to the entryway to answer the door, and Nyla could hear her greeting someone cheerfully. Moments later, she returned to the room, accompanied by a young blond man with a striking figure clad in an army green uniform adorned with the panther emblem of the ADA on his chest. Nyla forced a smile, feeling a mix of emotions as she took in his presence.

  “Come in, come in. Sit next to the fire to warm yourself, Brian. Would you like some coffee?”

  Maryam asked while guiding him toward Nyla.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Gordon. Don’t mind if I do.” He glanced at Nyla cautiously, relieved to see a faint smile rather than her usual frown. With a cheerful demeanour, he settled down next to her. His hair was slightly damp, and the tip of his nose had turned red from the cold, suggesting he had been outside for a while, likely mustering the courage to come in. He was well aware that Nyla would be here tonight; Maryam had made sure of it.

  “Hello, Nyla. How are you doing this evening?” He asked with a wide smile while carefully sitting on the couch next to her.

  “Hi Brian, I’m fine, thanks, how are you?” As Maryam left the room to make more coffee, Nyla felt an awkward silence settle in. Small talk had never been her forte, but fortunately, Brian was quite adept at it. He effortlessly shifted between various topics, filling the space with his chatter while occasionally glancing at Nyla to gauge her reactions. She listened, doing her best to engage, even as her mind wandered back to memories she preferred to forget.

  As Maryam stepped into the room, she caught sight of the two on the couch. For a fleeting moment, she recalled a time when she had envisioned her son occupying Brian's seat, but that was a chapter long closed, and life was meant for those still living. Now, her thoughts turned to Nyla, and the desire for her to start a family of her own blossomed in her heart. After all, time was a precious commodity, and she wouldn’t be around forever.

  Brian seemed a fitting match—handsome, charming, and dedicated to his work with the ADA branch in Pendle, which was renowned as the safest haven against demon activity. Maryam couldn’t help but suspect he had transferred to Pendle to be nearer to Nyla. She observed the way his eyes sparkled when they met hers; it was evident he was already smitten. Yet, Nyla seemed oblivious to the budding affection. A little push was all she needed—a gentle nudge that only Maryam could provide to set them on the path to something beautiful.

  “You came right on time, Brian.” She set the freshly brewed pot of coffee, along with extra cups, milk, and sugar, on the table in front of the couple. Nyla preferred her coffee black, just like Matthew had, while Brian enjoyed his sweetened with milk and sugar. Maryam smiled as she began pouring coffee for Brian, her eyes twinkling with the hope that the warmth of the beverage would spark a little warmth between them as well.

  “Really? How come?” He asked accepting the cup of coffee from Maryam with a grateful smile. The warmth of the mug seeped into his hands, and he took a moment to inhale the rich aroma, savouring the moment.

  “Nyla was about to leave by herself in this weather—can you imagine? I told her to wait for you since you wouldn’t mind giving her a ride, would you?” Maryam said, winking at Brian when Nyla wasn’t looking. Her playful gesture was subtle but carried a knowing encouragement, hinting at her hopes for the evening's unfolding dynamics.

  “Maryam!” Nyla cried, her voice laced with disbelief. It felt as if her friend was practically forcing the poor guy into giving her a ride. She turned to Brian, ready to apologize, but before she could utter a word, he interrupted her with a warm smile.

  “It would be my pleasure, Nyla.” He said with a big smile.

  “God bless you, Maryam,” Brian thought to himself as he picked up his cup. If he had offered Nyla the ride himself, she would have surely refused, just as she always did. He had harboured a crush on her ever since Matthew introduced them during a summer break from the academy. However, Nyla never seemed to show any interest in him, making it difficult for him to muster the courage to ask her out or even get closer. The warmth of the coffee did little to ease the nervous flutter in his stomach; he felt as though this was a rare opportunity to change that.

  “I don’t want to bother you, Brian. I’m sure you have better things to do…” Nyla said apologetically as she racked her brains to find an excuse.

  “Please, a gentleman must make sure beautiful ladies such as yourself get home safely. We can leave as soon as I finish my coffee.” He flashed another dazzling smile that made her cheeks heat up, stirring a wave of guilt for mixing his presence with the haunting memory of Matthew’s death. With a resigned sigh, she thanked him and rose to gather her things, her heart a fluttering mess as he continued to chat with Maryam.

  As she picked up her coat from the entryway, a sudden squeak echoed from the stairs, slicing through the quiet like a whisper. She spun around, but the space behind her was empty. A shiver crawled up her spine as she peered into the shadows of the staircase, feeling an unsettling awareness that someone—or something—might be watching her from the darkness. The sensation clung to her like a chill in the air, and she strained her ears, hoping to catch a hint of movement or breath.

  “Are you ready to go?” Brian's voice broke through her thoughts, his presence a reassuring anchor as he stepped in behind Maryam. He reached for her coat, grabbing it from where it hung and holding it out for her to wear.

  “Ah, yes. Thank you,” she replied, the warmth of his smile momentarily dispelling the eerie feeling that lingered in her mind.

  As she slipped into the coat, she took a deep breath, reminding herself that she wasn’t alone in the house—and that whatever shadows lingered, they had no power over her. It had been a strange day for her, one that felt heavy with the weight of memories and unspoken thoughts. It had been ages since her last day off, and juggling full-time responsibilities at both the orphanage and the supercenter was beginning to take its toll. She chuckled to herself, realizing that she was probably just overworked and imagining things.

  As she made a mental note to ask Oliver for fewer shifts, she wrapped her arms around Maryam in a warm goodbye. The comfort of her friend’s embrace reminded her of the warmth that existed in her life, even amidst the chaos. With a determined nod, she stepped outside to join Brian, who was patiently holding the car door open for her.

  “After you,” he said, his voice inviting as she slipped past him

  “Thank you.” She felt the heat rise to her cheeks once more as she stepped past him.

  Brian was accustomed to this kind of behaviour; he had dated enough girls to know how to charm and make them blush. But for her, it was different—unfamiliar and exhilarating. Her heart raced as she climbed into the car, the gentle hum of the engine contrasting with the fluttering in her stomach. She stole a glance at him, catching the easy confidence in his smile, and wondered if she would ever feel as at ease with someone as he seemed to be.

  “You are very welcome.” He spoke politely, carefully closing the door before walking around the car to take his place in the driver’s seat. Inside, he fought to maintain a nonchalant demeanour, attempting to mask the giddiness bubbling beneath the surface.

  As they drove toward the main street, the world outside began to blur into a flurry of white snowflakes, and Nyla turned to wave at Maryam one last time. She watched as her friend gradually became a smaller figure in the rearview mirror until she finally disappeared from view