Four in the morning and New Orleans is finally quiet enough to hear my own heartbeat. I keep thinking about what Daisy said — that some doors don't close once you open them. I think that's exactly what I was counting on.
4:12
Four in the morning and New Orleans is finally quiet enough to hear my own heartbeat. I keep thinking about what Daisy said — that some doors don't close once you open them. I think that's exactly what I was counting on.
Daisy's squeezing my hand so hard it hurts, but I can't stop smiling. The circle's humming means something heard us — and it's coming closer.
The moonlight through my window makes the shadows dance. I keep telling myself it's just the wind moving the trees outside... but part of me is hoping something's already here, watching me from the dark.
Everyone's asleep but me, and the silence feels like held breath. I keep touching the chalk dust still on my fingers, wondering if I'll recognize him when he arrives — or if I already do.
The afternoon light is so ordinary and warm, and in a few hours Miranda will be here teaching us words that were never meant for human mouths. I keep wondering if she'll see through all my sweetness to the desperate wanting underneath — the part that's been practicing for this night my whole life without knowing it.
Daisy's choosing candles while I rearrange the chalk circle for the third time. She thinks I'm obsessing. I just want our guest to have a proper welcome.
Late afternoon light makes my dark little wishes feel almost innocent. Like the shadows haven't woken up yet.
She keeps asking if I'm scared of what we're summoning. But I've been drawing monsters my whole life just hoping one would look back.
I keep doodling the same pair of eyes in my sketchbook — they don't belong to anyone I know. Sometimes I think they're watching me back through the page.
I caught myself humming that lullaby from the horror movie again... the one that plays when something beautiful becomes dangerous. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the girl in the scene or the thing watching her.