1 Homesick

Eva gripped the window edge as the bus twisted and turned along the narrow, winding road. The familiar landscape of her hometown rose to meet her, but it felt strange and unfamiliar.

She was no longer the same person who had left this place so many years ago. As the bus pulled into the station, she saw the faces of the townspeople she had once known.

Some looked at her with pity, others with suspicion. She knew that returning home would be difficult, but she had no choice. With a heavy heart, she gathered her things and stepped off the bus.

As Eva made her way through the town, she was struck by how much had changed. The old shops and businesses were gone, replaced by new chain stores and restaurants. Even the faces of the people were different. Where once she had known everyone, now she recognized only a few familiar faces.

Her old home, a small bungalow on the outskirts of the town, was the only place that felt unchanged. But as she approached the front door, she felt a wave of grief wash over her.

The front door creaked open, and Eva stepped inside. The familiar scent of her mother's homemade cookies filled the air, but it only made her feel more homesick. The house was silent except for the ticking of the old grandfather clock in the corner.

Suddenly, a loud crash came from the kitchen. Eva froze, her heart pounding in her chest. Slowly, she crept toward the sound. She peered around the corner and saw a plate shattered on the floor, and a shadowy figure standing in the corner.

As the shadowy figure turned to face Eva her breath got caught in her throat as She recognized the figure. It was Eva's mother but she was different… Her skin was pale and waxy, and her eyes were completely black.

As the figure moved towards Eva, she backed away, her heart racing. She tried to scream but no words came out. The figure drew closer, its hand reaching for her, just as Eva felt the cold touch of its skin, she jolted awake back in her home, safe and sound, It had all been a nightmare.

As Eva sat up in bed She could still feel the terror of the nightmare. But as she looked around the room Eva felt a sense of relief."It was just a dream " Eva told herself

But as She got up to go to the bathroom, Eva noticed something strange. In the mirror, her eyes were completely black. Eva gasped out, shocked by her looks, her heart pounding in her chest as she reached up to touch her eyes, but they felt normal

She blinked a few times and her eyes returned to their normal color.

"I must have imagined it," Eva thought.