11. Shadows of the Night

"Thanks for the ride," Lia expressed with gratitude as she stepped out of Jacob's car. Jacob nodded with a friendly smile. "Anytime. If you need a ride again or anything else, just let me know." Lia returned the smile, appreciative of the gesture. "Will do, Jacob. Have a good night!" As Jacob drove away, Lia stood for a moment, taking in the quiet night and thinking Jacob and Damon had been good friends for many years. They studied in the same university abroad. Unlike Damon, who was rigid and cold, Jacob was a sweetheart. They were both so different. The chilly air nipped at Lia, while walking home. After all, she was in her Rachel persona, a character without a home since Rachel, by design, didn't exist. The walk was long, and the surroundings were quiet and dark. It took about 20 minutes, and during that time, Lia couldn't shake off the feeling of a lingering shadow. At first, she thought it was just her imagination, but as minutes passed, the sensation remained. A subtle