The beginning

After thinking and overthinking, exhaustion finally took over, and Ava drifted off to sleep. She was only woken up when she heard her bedroom door creak open.

Still groggy, she blinked in confusion and sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. In the doorway stood her mother.

"Mommy? What's wrong?" Ava asked, her voice thick with sleep.

Her mother's face was tense. "Get dressed. You have a game to go to," she said. "I'm taking your father to the hospital."

Ava nodded slowly, her mother's words sinking in. Then it hit her—her father had gotten worse overnight. He had already looked sick when he came home last night, but now…

She swung her legs over the side of the bed to stand, but the moment she did, a wave of dizziness rushed through her. Lightheaded, she grabbed onto the wooden frame of her bed to steady herself. Her head felt strange—this was the second time it had happened recently.

Taking a deep breath, she waited a few moments, focusing on controlling her breathing.

 When she finally felt steady again, she walked to her cupboard and pulled out a pair of loose-fitting jeans. Lately, wearing anything too tight had been uncomfortable. She grabbed a gray long-sleeved shirt, a bra, and some socks before quickly getting dressed.

Then, she reached for her warm brown jacket—the one with the soft, fleece-like lining inside—and slipped on her brown flat boots. She grabbed her phone and tucked it into her jacket pocket.

New Jersey could get cold, and the ice-skating rink would be freezing inside. She wasn't in the mood to shiver through the day—especially since today was her anniversary with Lucas. They had plans after the game.

Ava quickly braided her hair into two neat braids, securing them at the sides of her head. Once she was ready, she walked to the front of the apartment, where her mother was helping her father.

Her heart nearly stopped when she saw him.

His arm was draped over her mother's shoulder for support, his face pale and drained of color. His eyes were red and irritated, and his once-dark beard now looked almost gray against his sickly skin.

"Mommy, should I help?" Ava asked, her voice filled with worry.

Her mother shook her head. "No, it's okay. I just need you to open the door for me—and the car door too."

Ava nodded but hesitated. The test.

Before following them, she quickly rushed to her school bag, unzipped it, and grabbed the blue box. Making sure her mother didn't notice, she discreetly pushed it into her jacket pocket.

Taking a deep breath, she hurried to open the door.

Her father glanced at her but said nothing. "Good morning, Daddy," Ava said softly, worry laced in her voice.

With her mother's help, he slowly walked out of the apartment. Ava's heart pounded with concern as she watched them.

Her father looked so unwell, and panic tightened in her chest. His complexion was pale, his lips dry, and his dark hair somehow seemed even darker against his colorless skin.

Steeling herself, Ava stepped outside, closed the door behind her, and locked it.

As soon as they stepped out of the building, a cold breeze hit them. Thank goodness Ava had worn warm clothes today. She hurried to the car and opened the passenger door for her father, while her mother carefully helped him inside.

With her worried green eyes studied Ava her father—the man who had always been so strong, the man who had raised her.

 Now, he looked frail, barely speaking. His brown eyes, once full of life, were now glassy and distant. Ava carefully reached for the seatbelt and buckled him in.

"It's okay, Daddy. We'll get you better," she whispered, fastening the buckle before closing the door.

Her heart felt heavy, and a deep unease settled over her. Something felt wrong.

She opened the backseat door and saw her mother climb in. Ava followed, pulling the door shut behind her. Soon, the car came alive, and they started moving.

As they drove through the streets of New Jersey on a Saturday morning, Ava gazed out the window. People were busy heading to their destinations, unaware of the storm brewing inside her.

"Sweaty, will you stay with Lucas after the game?" her mother asked while keeping her eyes on the road.

Ava turned to her. "Well… we were planning to go out. It's our anniversary."

Her mother glanced at her through the rearview mirror, her green eyes intense. "I just want to know if you'll be able to stay with Lucas because I don't know how long we'll be at the hospital."

Ava took a deep breath. "It's okay, I'll stay with him until you're finished, Mommy."

Her mother gave her a small smile before turning her attention back to the road. Ava looked outside again, unable to shake the worry weighing on her chest.

Before she knew it, the car came to a stop in front of the ice rink. Her mother switched off the engine and turned to face her.

"Be safe and let me know if you need anything," she said, concern evident in her voice. "I'll be with Daddy at the hospital, okay?"

Ava nodded, taking in her mother's words. "I will. Please call me if there's any news about Daddy."

\"I will." Her mother opened the door and stepped out.

Ava did the same, but just as she shut her door, the passenger-side window rolled down.

"Ava…"

Her father's voice was weak, but it was the first time he had spoken since they left the house. She immediately walked over and opened the door, finding his tired brown eyes locked onto hers, his brows furrowed with worry.

Then, she felt his cold hand reach out and take hers.

Her heart shattered into a million pieces. Tears welled in her eyes. "Daddy…" she whispered, her chest tightening with emotion.

"Ava… you have to…" His voice was heavy, his breathing uneven. "No matter what… don't come to the hospital."

Silent tears ran down her cheeks. She wiped them away with her free hand. "Daddy, why are you saying that?"

His brown eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Because I know you, Buttercup."

Ava almost gasped when her father's gaze drifted downward—to her stomach.

"You have to protect yourself… and that little one inside you."

Every drop of blood drained from her face. It felt like her soul had left her body. How did he know? She hadn't even taken a test yet. No one knew. Not even her mother. Or did she?

"Daddy, how did you know —" Ava started, but before she could say more, her mother appeared by her side.

Her father looked up at her mother before turning his gaze back to Ava. She let go of his hand and hurriedly wiped her tears away. Without hesitation, she leaned in and hugged him tightly.

She didn't care that he was sick, that his body was cold and damp with sweat. He was her father, and she needed to hold him one last time before he left.

Tears spilled from her eyes as she squeezed them shut, feeling his weak arms wrap around her with the last bit of strength he had left.

"I love you, Buttercup," he whispered. "You'll always be my little girl."

She wanted to break down at his words, but she held it in, even though it was tearing her apart.

"I love you more, Daddy," she whispered through her sobs.

"Come on, sweetheart," her mother said gently. "It's time to go. I need to take your father to the hospital."

Ava slowly pulled away, standing beside her mother once more, and wiped her tears.

"I'll let you know if there's any news," her mother promised.

Ava turned to her and pulled her into a hug. Her heart ached. Something felt off—like last night, when she had that uneasy feeling she couldn't shake. Maybe it was just hormones making her emotions run wild.

She tightened her embrace and whispered, "I love you, Mommy."

Her mother held her just as tightly. "I love you too, sweetheart."

After a moment, they pulled apart, and a familiar voice called out.

"There you are!"

Ava quickly wiped her face and turned. "Anya?" she said, surprised. "Good morning, Mrs. Backers!" Anya greeted cheerfully.

Her bright blue eyes sparkled as a wide smile stretched across her lips. "I'm so glad you came! There's so much I have to tell you!"

Ava nodded, glancing back at her father. Despite his weakness, he forced a small smile for her.

"I love you, Daddy."

"Love you, Buttercup," he whispered.

She took a deep breath, turning back to her mother. "I'll call you later when the game is over," she promised. Just then, Anya grabbed her hand and pulled her along, her usual excitement bubbling over.

Since they had left the car, Anya hadn't stopped bubbling about her and Bladen. Ava was dragged along as they entered the building, handing their tickets to the security guard at the front. But Anya kept going on about Bladen—his lips, how he made her feel, and how he had come over last night to keep her company.

Her parents hadn't returned yet, but at least they had called and told her they would be home today. Somehow, instead of heading straight to the ice rink, Anya led them in the opposite direction.

"Anya, aren't we supposed to go that way?" Ava asked, frowning as she noticed her friend taking a different route.

Anya glanced over her shoulder with a playful wink. "I know, but first, we're going to see two very important people."

Ava's heart started to race when she realized Anya was heading toward the boys' locker room—where they definitely weren't supposed to be.

They walked down a narrow hallway, and there was Bladen, casually leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. He looked effortlessly cool in his ice hockey gear.

"There's my girl," Bladen said smoothly as he pushed off the wall. He reached for Anya's hand, pulling her close before pressing a kiss to her lips.

Ava let go of her friend's hand, her mind wandering to Lucas. Where was he? Somehow, it felt colder in the hallway near the locker room.

"Oh, Lucas has been looking for you," Bladen said, glancing her way. "You can go in—he's at his locker."

Go in? Ava hesitated. She had never stepped foot inside a boys' locker room before. What if there were guys in there—naked? Her eyes narrowed in uncertainty, but before she could protest, she felt a hand take hers.

She nearly jumped, turning to meet a pair of dark blue eyes. Her heart skipped a wild beat.

Lucas.

Without a word, he pulled her to the side, guiding her down the hallway.

"Lucas, where are you taking me?" Ava asked playfully, feeling a rush of anticipation.

He glanced over his shoulder at her with a smirk. "You'll see."

Ava's eyes never left Lucas as he led her down the hallway. He looked so effortlessly attractive in his white hockey shirt with a V-neck, paired with black sporty pants and thick socks. He hadn't put his skates on yet, but even without them, he was making her melt.

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. When they reached a quiet spot where no one was in sight, Lucas suddenly pulled her closer, their bodies colliding. His strong arms wrapped around her, and he looked down at her with a soft smile.

"Happy anniversary," he murmured, his deep blue eyes locking onto hers.

She felt herself get lost in his gaze, warmth rushing to her cheeks as a slow smile spread across her lips.

"Happy anniversary, handsome," she teased, her voice playful.

Before she could say anything more, his lips crashed against hers. A rush of warmth flooded her body as she melted into his kiss, feeling the softness of his lips against hers. As if drawn by an invisible force, her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him even closer.

In that moment, the world around them seemed to disappear. Nothing else mattered—just the two of them. When his tongue brushed against hers, a shiver ran down her spine, and butterflies fluttered wildly in her stomach.

After a while, they pulled apart, breathless, though their bodies remained close.

"I have something for you," Lucas said softly.

Ava watched as he took her wrist gently in his hand. Her heart raced as she noticed him pulling something out.

"I thought we weren't exchanging gifts," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"We're not," he admitted with a small smirk. "But I wanted you to have this."

He fastened something around her wrist, and when she looked down, her breath hitched. A delicate silver bracelet glistened in the dim hallway light, featuring a small heart-shaped locket adorned with white stones.

"Lucas… it's beautiful," Ava whispered in awe. The bracelet was breathtaking—light, elegant, and so perfectly her.

When she looked back up at him, she noticed a faint redness in his cheeks.

"I saw it, and it reminded me of you," he said softly, pulling her closer. He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear before adding, "And the heart… it's so you'll always have mine with you, everywhere you go."

Ava's heart swelled, emotion catching in her throat. He was perfect for her. She had no doubts. No matter what happened next—no matter what the test results said or what her father had told her—she and Lucas would be okay.

 Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "I love you, Lucas."

His hand moved to her cheek, his fingertips brushing gently against her skin. "I love you more," he murmured before pulling her into another kiss, sealing the moment between them.

 In that moment, Ava knew—she belonged with Lucas. They were perfect together, and the thought made her even more eager to take the test. She needed to know. Was she pregnant?

After a final lingering kiss, it was time for Lucas to head back to the locker room. The game was about to start, and he needed to get ready. Ava whispered a long goodbye against his lips, stealing a few more kisses before finally letting him go. Then, she and Anya made their way toward their seats at the ice rink.

As they approached the entrance, Ava could already see the crowd gathering, people eagerly finding their seats. Excitement buzzed in the air, but just as she was about to step forward, someone passed by her—and she froze.

A man. But not just any man.

His eyes were unnatural, inhuman. His skin was deathly pale, almost ghostly, and his irises—pitch black with a flicker of red.

Ava's breath hitched. A chill crawled up her spine as she took in his appearance. Something about him was deeply unsettling. He wore a hoodie, pulling the fabric low over his face as if trying to hide. But even through the dim lighting, she could tell—this was no ordinary person.

A shiver ran through her, but before she could react, Anya's voice snapped her out of her trance.

"Ava, are you coming?"

Ava jerked her gaze away, blinking rapidly as she turned to her friend. Her heart was pounding, but she forced herself to nod. Still, the eerie encounter had left her feeling cold. A sudden urge washed over her—she needed to go to the restroom. Now. She'd take the test while she was there.

"I'm just going to the bathroom," Ava said quickly. "You go ahead and take our seats."

Anya frowned, concern flickering in her eyes. "Are you sure? I can go with you."

Ava hesitated, glancing back toward the rink. The players were already stepping onto the ice. She spotted Lucas, his skates gliding smoothly across the surface as he adjusted his white helmet.

Then he saw her.

Even from a distance, their eyes met, and Lucas waved at her. Her lips curved into a soft smile, and she waved back, playfully blowing him a kiss.

When she turned back to Anya, she forced a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. I'll be back before the game starts."

Anya studied her for a moment before nodding. "Okay… just don't take too long."

Ava nodded to herself before slipping away from the crowd. The arena was packed—this was a big game against the Manhattan team. She weaved through the sea of people, her mind racing.

Finally, she made it into the hallway where it was quieter. The moment of peace felt like a breath of fresh air amidst the chaos. She could finally make her way to the bathroom to take the test. It wasn't ideal—a public restroom, but she needed to know.

She found the ladies' room and stepped inside.

Thankfully, it wasn't too busy. Ava spotted an open stall and walked into it, closing the door behind her. With a deep breath, she steeled herself. This would be her first time doing this, and the weight of it made her nerves flare up.

Her body began to shake as she reached into her jacket pocket, pulling out the pregnancy test. It was a midstream test, something simple enough to just pee on. She quickly read over the instructions to make sure she was doing everything right.

 She opened the box, pulling out the sealed blue plastic wrapping and tore it off. Inside was the test, and she quickly unbuttoned her jeans, unzipped them, and pulled them down with her panties. The coldness of the toilet seat made her flinch, but she knew she had to act fast.

She carefully removed the pink, see-through cup from the test and held it between her legs, waiting.

Her nerves were at a boiling point.

 She had no idea if she was doing this correctly, but she had to know. After a few long seconds, she felt a small sense of relief and quickly brought the test up, placing the pink cup back over it. Her eyes anxiously scanned the test as minutes ticked by, and she noticed the hourglass icon that appeared—it must be part of how the test worked, she thought.

While she waited, she wiped herself, flushed the toilet, and closed the lid. The five minutes felt like a lifetime. Her mind was running a mile a minute, and in the background, she could have sworn she heard screams.

Ava frowned, her head tilting to the side. Was it just the game, or was something happening? The noises sounded distant, muffled, and eerie. She shook her head, trying to focus.

She slipped the test into her jacket pocket as she opened the door and walked over to the sink, washing her hands. She dried them slowly, trying to collect herself before she looked at the test again.

Once her hands were dry, she took the test out and stood by the wall, leaning against it, preparing herself for whatever the results were.

When she looked down, her eyes widened in shock as the words on the test came into focus: 5+ weeks pregnant.

A wave of silence hit her as she read the words again, her hands shaking, her lips trembling.

So it was true. Her father had been right all along. All the symptoms, the odd feelings she had been brushing off—everything had led to this moment.

Tears began to fall silently down her cheeks as she stared at the test in her trembling hands.

 It was undeniable—there was no mistaking the result staring back at her. It was a reliable, high-quality test, one that had been recommended to all woman, yet it was the very test she never imagined she would find herself holding at this moment.

 It confirmed a truth she had been desperately trying to deny and avoid.

She was pregnant and according to the test was she more than five weeks along.

But how could this be real? She had questioned the possibility countless times before, insisting that it had to be her mind playing tricks, tormenting her with false hopes and fears. The tears blurred her vision as she stood frozen in the bathroom, trying to absorb the weight of what this meant for her future, her life.

 Each sob felt trapped within her as she wrestled with the sudden flood of emotions.

Her body felt utterly numb, as if the shock had drained all feeling from her limbs, and her breath caught painfully in her chest. She wanted to scream, to release the tidal wave of confusion and heartbreak churning inside her, but her voice failed her, rendering her paralyzed.

Just then, the atmosphere around her seemed to crackle with a jarring cacophony of terrified screams.

Instinctively, she shoved the test into the depths of her jacket pocket and dashed out of the bathroom, her heart racing wildly.

The lights overhead flickered ominously, dimming in a way that felt foreboding, like something had gone horribly wrong with the electricity in the rink. Ava's eyes darted around, taking in the chaotic scene unfolding before her. People were sprinting from the exits of the rink, their faces painted with sheer terror and confusion.

Something was terribly wrong, and Ava could feel a rising sense of dread in the pit of her stomach.

Her heart surged as she watched the crowd flow toward the entrance, a tide of panic washing over her.

It felt as if her heart nearly stopped when she overheard the horrific sounds emanating from the skating rink—cries and shrieks that seemed to echo off the walls.

 In that instant, her thoughts immediately turned to Lucas and Anya, who were still inside. They were in there, she thought frantically.

Without hesitation, she rushed toward the throng of people streaming out. Her eyes scoured the crowd, desperate to spot Anya or Lucas, or even Bladen. Most faces were twisted in fear, filled with confusion, and the sound of their screams mingled with the atmosphere of chaos. People were rushing past her, propelled by instinct as she tried to call out, "Anya!"

 searching for her friend amidst the tumult. Yet the press of bodies pushed her along with the surge of terrified individuals.

"Lucas!" she cried out, hope mingled with fear, as she tried to peer through the mass of fleeing people.

What is happening?

Why is everyone screaming and rushing out? The whole atmosphere buzzed with panic, and just as she began to feel overwhelmed, she sensed something beneath her feet—a low rumble that spread through the ground, unsettling her as the walls around her began to crack ominously.

Ava's gut twisted with unease as she realized something terrible was unfolding before her. She instinctively turned away from the frantic exit, opting to plunge through the crowd in search of a different escape route.

Breathing heavily, she began maneuvering away from the chaotic mass of bodies when suddenly, the walls of the rink started to quake violently. The horrifying echoes of destruction filled the air, freezing her in her tracks.

Her blood ran cold as she slowly turned around, the screams growing louder and more horrifying. Tears streamed down her face silently, and her lips trembled as panic washed over her.

What she saw before her made her entire being freeze. Creatures of unimaginable horror were crawling out of the skate range exit, busy tearing people apart, one by one, with an eerie sort of efficiency, as if they were mere prey.

Their eyes glowed an unsettling red, and their skin was a sickening blend of mottled white. They had tails and two legs like humans, yet their powerful arms and menacing forms looked like something born from a nightmare.

Body trembling, Ava slowly took a step backward.

She wanted to scream but feared that any sound would attract the attention of the horrific creatures.