Chapter 3: The knock that changed everything

Ivy's heart raced in her chest, her breath shallow as the knock echoed through the silence of the house. She exchanged a quick glance with her mother, who was standing at the door, her face pale and tight with fear. The air around them was thick with tension, the atmosphere heavy with the unknown.

The knock came again, louder this time, demanding attention. Ivy's mind swirled with confusion and fear. Who could it be? The man had left, but the unsettling feeling in her gut told her that whatever was happening wasn't over. In fact, it was only just beginning.

Her mother's voice was a low whisper, barely audible. "Ivy, go to your room. Now."

Ivy opened her mouth to protest, but her mother's fierce expression silenced her. She nodded reluctantly, her feet moving on their own as she backed away from the door. Her mother stepped forward, blocking Ivy's path as if to shield her from whatever—or whoever—was outside.

"I won't let them get you," Mrs. Carter said under her breath, her voice firm but laced with fear.

Ivy's heart skipped. Who was she talking about? What was going on?

But before she could process it, the door creaked open.

"I know you're in there," came a voice from the other side—low, but unmistakable. Ivy's blood ran cold. It was the man. The same deep voice. The one who had appeared in her room.

Her mother's expression faltered for the briefest of moments, but she quickly regained control, her eyes narrowing. "Leave," she ordered, her voice shaking but strong.

The man didn't respond immediately, but there was a shift in the air. A sense of something ominous building, something dangerous. And then, with one swift motion, the door swung wide open.

Ivy gasped, her hand going to her chest as she saw him standing there, just as tall and intimidating as before. But this time, there was no doubt in her mind—he was no ordinary person. There was something otherworldly about him, a certain energy that seemed to pulse around him like a force field.

"You don't have a choice in this," the man said, his voice colder now. "We need to talk."

Her mother stepped forward, as if she was ready to fight, but the man's gaze shifted toward her, his eyes dark and unwavering.

"You can't protect her anymore," he said quietly, almost sadly. "It's too late."

Ivy's confusion only deepened. *What did he mean? What was too late?*

"You don't know who you're dealing with," Mrs. Carter snapped, her voice trembling with something Ivy hadn't heard before—desperation. "I won't let you drag her into your world."

The man's eyes softened for just a moment, but then his expression hardened again. "She's already part of it," he replied, his voice steady but filled with finality. "And so are you."

There was a silence that hung in the air, thick and suffocating, as Ivy stood frozen in place. She didn't know what was happening. She didn't know who this man was, or why her mother was so terrified of him. But she knew one thing for sure—whatever this was, it was more dangerous than anything she had ever imagined.

The man turned his gaze to Ivy. "You don't understand yet, but you will," he said softly. "You'll know everything soon."

Before Ivy could ask him anything more, the door slammed shut, leaving them alone again in the silence of the house.

"What—what just happened?" Ivy asked, her voice barely a whisper as she turned to her mother, who was now visibly shaken. Mrs. Carter's eyes were wide, her breath uneven as she glanced at Ivy, her face pale and drawn with worry.

"Ivy," she began, her voice breaking, "there's so much I need to explain. But not right now. Not like this."

Ivy's mind spun with the overwhelming flood of questions she had.

"What did he mean by "she's already part of it?"

"What world was he talking about?"

She had so many things she wanted to ask her mother, but there was no time. The urgency in her mother's voice had told Ivy everything she needed to know—the danger wasn't over. It was just beginning.

"We need to leave," Mrs. Carter said suddenly, her voice sharp, almost frantic. "We need to go now."

Ivy's eyes widened. "What do you mean, leave? Where?"

Mrs. Carter's gaze darted to the window, as if she feared someone—or something—was watching them. "Pack a bag. We're going to Moonridge Academy. Now."

Ivy felt her heart drop into her stomach. Moonridge Academy? That was the school where she had just received her scholarship. The very same school that the mysterious man had mentioned. But why would they need to leave now? Why was it so urgent?

"But I just—" Ivy began, but her mother cut her off, her voice stern and full of authority.

"Now, Ivy," she repeated, her eyes wide with fear. "I don't have time to explain everything. But you need to trust me. We're not safe here anymore."

Ivy stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing. Her mother had never been this scared before. Whatever was going on, whatever was coming for them, was something bigger than anything Ivy could comprehend.

Without another word, Ivy turned and ran to her room, her heart thumping in her chest. She threw open her suitcase and began to pack, her hands trembling as she shoved clothes and essentials into the bag. She didn't know why she was following her mother's instructions, but she couldn't ignore the urgency in her voice.

She had no idea what was waiting for her at Moonridge Academy. But one thing was clear: her life was about to change forever.

As Ivy finished packing, she hurried back to the living room, where her mother was waiting, her expression tense and worried.

"We need to go," Mrs. Carter said, her voice tight. "Now."

Ivy grabbed her bag, and together, they hurried toward the door. But as they reached the front step, Ivy's gaze was drawn to something in the distance. Something in the shadows.

A figure stood at the edge of the yard, watching them.

Ivy's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the figure. It was him. The man.

He was standing there, motionless, his eyes locked on her.

And then, with a cold smile, he took a step forward.