immortalis

Angelo Zayne just wants to pass his exams, get rich, and live a peaceful life. Too bad peace is impossible when you’re stuck with a loud, bossy sister, a troublemaking brother, and a caretaker who’s given up on controlling the chaos.

As if balancing a lazy attitude with college prep wasn’t hard enough, Angelo’s world gets even stranger. Strangers recognize him, but he doesn’t remember them. Events unfold exactly as he wishes, though he never realizes it. And his past? A black void he can’t seem to fill.

But forgotten memories have a way of resurfacing, and Angelo’s lost history is far more dangerous than he knows. Beneath the everyday drama of sibling fights and sleepless classes lies a power older than time itself—one that Angelo can’t escape, even if he wanted to.

In a world where eternity remembers everything but him, can Angelo uncover who he really is before his past catches up to him?

Phantom of Eternity

Angelo had always believed in his ability to ignore problems until they went away. It was a strategy that had served him well for most of his life—except, of course, for the things that didn't go away.

Or the strange things happening around him.

Or the fact that every time he wished for something, the world seemed to bend to his will in ways he couldn't explain.

Unfortunately, his life had other plans.

The night after seeing the news report, Angelo dreamed of a place he didn't recognize—a vast expanse of white, stretching endlessly in all directions.

Something stood there, watching him. A shadow that wasn't a shadow, shifting and writhing like ink in water.

It didn't speak, but Angelo felt its presence, like a whisper at the back of his mind.

His room was dark except for the dim glow of his phone on the nightstand. He glanced at the time.

Too early to be awake, too late to fall back asleep.

He sighed and sat up, rubbing his temples.

The next morning, Angelo dragged himself out of bed and into the kitchen, where Annabel was already rummaging through the fridge.

She glanced at him. "You look like garbage."

"Thanks," he muttered, pouring himself a glass of water.

She shrugged, not pressing further. "Hurry up and get ready. Jade's waiting."

Angelo groaned. "Tell her to wait longer."

"She said if you're late again, she'll sew your pants shut while you're wearing them."

When he got to the tutorial center, Jade was waiting outside, arms crossed.

"You look like you saw a ghost," she said.

Angelo sighed. "Not a ghost. Just… weird dreams."

Jade raised an eyebrow. "Weird how?"

He hesitated. "Just… this white void. And something watching me."

Jade hummed. "Creepy. Maybe it's your subconscious telling you to study."

She smirked. "Come on, let's get inside."

Inside, JJ and Eli were already at their usual spot.

Angelo rolled his eyes. "I hate that nickname already."

Eli glanced up. "More weird dreams?"

Angelo hesitated. He hadn't told them much about his previous nightmares, but somehow, Eli always seemed to know when something was off.

JJ grinned. "Maybe your brain is finally waking up and realizing how boring law is."

Angelo groaned. "Let's not start that argument again."

"Whatever you say, future lawyer."

Jade clapped her hands. "Enough nonsense. Let's study."

For the first hour, Angelo actually tried to focus. He read, underlined, and even took notes.

They all turned toward the window.

A chair had toppled over—seemingly by itself.

The others looked just as surprised.

JJ blinked. "Uh… that was weird."

Jade narrowed her eyes. "Maybe we have a real ghost."

Angelo forced a chuckle. "Or just bad furniture."

Chapter 8: Echoes