Chapter 39

Still annoyed after being shut down when her curiosity wasn't even answered, Serena stomped back to her room feeling seriously ticked off. Today had been a mess — first Sophia, then Vivian — it felt like she had been tossed into a live-action video game, fighting bosses all day like some kind of superhero. She was wiped. Somewhere past midnight, a sudden flash of lightning lit up the room, followed by a deafening crash of thunder. Thunderstorms like this were rare in Westbridge’s autumn. The noise was so loud, even someone like Serena — who could usually sleep through an earthquake — snapped awake. Cold wind was pouring in. She’d forgotten to shut the window earlier. Out of nowhere, a twisted black shadow showed up by the window, moving weirdly. Her brain went straight to the creepy folklore elders used to mutter about — ghosts with unfinished business. What if it was her adoptive parents, blaming her for running away from her wedding and bringing misfortune? Were they back to haunt he