Prologue

Zafira Medical Centre, 11: 30 PM, January 11, 2019.

Sitting on the bench outside the emergency room. Amna Shahzad couldn't help but think of the night she was attacked by the shadow hunter in 1997. Her hand unconsciously rubbed the scar on her neck, tracing the mark left behind from the ice pick.

The memories of those attacks still frightened her, and finding that her daughter had been admitted to the hospital only heightened those feelings.

She said to herself, "Oh GOD. Why my daughter needs to be a Virgo too… This should not start again please GOD.".

Amna's thoughts were interrupted by a gentle tap on her shoulder. She turned to see a nurse standing beside her, a concerned expression on her face. "Madam," the nurse said softly, "are you with Ayesha Shahzad?".

"Yes… I am her mother. What happened to her? Is she okay?" Amna nodded, her heart pounding in her chest.

The nurse smiled reassuringly. "She is alright. She wanted to talk to you. Come, follow me.".

Amna got up from the bench, her legs feeling weak and unsteady. She followed the nurse through the hospital corridors, her mind racing with worry and concern. As they approached her daughter's bed, Amna could hear the sound of machines beeping and the soft murmur of voices.

Ayesha is lying in bed, her face pale and drawn. She looked up as her mother entered, a weak smile appearing on her lips.

"Mom," Ayesha said softly, "I'm sorry to worry you. I'm all okay, really.".

Amna rushed to her daughter's side, taking her hand in hers. "This won't happen again. I promise.".

"I don't know how this all happened... On my way back home from the library with a book that I issued, a tall strange entity in a black coat followed me. I used pepper spray but it didn't work on him. He looked less like a human and more like a ghost. He attacked me with a pointed weapon to my neck… I was unconscious after that and the next thing I know was that I was here in this bed.".

The memories in which the Shadow Hunter attacks her. Those memories kept bothering her. Fear surrounded her from all sides. She felt as if her soul was under someone's control.

**********

"Good evening, I'm Sarah Ahmed from ZNN(Zafira News Network)". The news anchor's face was solemn as she delivered the breaking news to the town of Zafira.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just received an update that after 22 long years, the shadow hunter has returned to our town. Reports indicate that he will continue his hunt for young Virgo girls, leaving them with his usual signature mark on their necks."

The camera panned out to show the anchor seated behind the news desk, flanked by 22 years old sketches and photos of the shadow hunter and a map of the town. She continued her voice low and measured.

"We have received news that the shadow hunter has already struck in Zafira, attacking Ayesha Shahzad just last night.

Ayesha is currently receiving medical treatment and her condition is stable.

Residents of Zafira, we urge you to take extra precautions and be vigilant. If you or someone you know fits the target profile, please do not travel alone, especially at night. Keep your doors and windows locked, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately."

She leaned forward, her expression earnest as she looked directly into the camera.

"We know that the return of the shadow hunter has brought fear and uncertainty to our town, but we must remain strong and united. We will not let this monster terrorize us again. Stay safe, Zafira.".

As the night progressed, the atmosphere in Zafira became increasingly tense. The news of the shadow hunter's return had spread like wildfire, and people were taking every precaution they could think of to protect themselves and their families.

As the fear and anxiety grew, some families began to hide their daughters who were Virgo, afraid that they might be the next target of the shadow hunter. The girls themselves stopped leaving the house due to fear of being Virgo and getting ambushed by shadow hunter.

The once-bustling streets of Zafira were now eerily quiet, as people huddled together in their homes, peering out of their windows, and listening for any signs of danger.

Ayesha Shahzad's attack had hit the town hard once again. Everyone knew her, and the fact that the shadow hunter had targeted her sent chills down their spines. People were wary of stepping out, even during the day, and would hurry their errands in the hope of returning home quickly.

Parents were seen huddling together, talking in low voices about how to keep their children safe. Some had even started to plan their escape routes, just in case the shadow hunter came knocking at their doors.

The town was now on high alert, and everyone was on edge, knowing that the shadow hunter could strike at any moment. It was a time of great uncertainty and fear, and the people of Zafira could only pray that they would survive this latest attack.