Attack of the shadow

The creature leaned closer to Mallory, its hooded face near her as it sniffed her. At the same time, Mallory's eyes opened and she saw a blurry figure above her. 

"Ah…!"

Mallory gasped for air as she shot upright in bed, her heart racing. She scanned the room frantically, searching for the shadowy creature that had hovered above her. But there was no one there—only the stillness of her surroundings. Had she been dreaming? The chill lingered on her skin, and goosebumps prickled her arms.

It was so strange to dream something out of context, something she had never seen or heard of, thought Mallory to herself. When the doorknob turned, her heart made a dive for a moment, and she felt it resurface upon seeing Hadeon. 

"It is you…" Mallory murmured, feeling her mind slightly disoriented. 

"Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?" Hadeon teased, closing the door behind him and walking towards her with a playful smirk on his lips.