After nearly thirty minutes of waiting, Alana's name was finally called. She followed the doctor down a quiet hallway into a small examination room, its walls washed in a sterile white that somehow made her more aware of her own breathing. The doctor gestured for her to sit, then rolled his chair close enough that she could feel the brightness of the examination lamp warming her face.
"So, Miss Hayes… you mentioned a change in eye color?" he asked, adjusting the light.
"Yes," Alana replied, clasping her hands together. "It started three days ago. It's been… shifting. I don't know why."
The doctor leaned in, studying her eyes with a focus that only made her more tense. His brows pulled together—not in alarm, but in a quiet curiosity that didn't ease her nerves.
"You're right," he murmured. "This isn't typical. Eye color doesn't change suddenly in adults."
He sat back, folding his arms across his chest. "But structurally, your eyes look perfectly healthy."
Alana exhaled, though the news didn't comfort her in the slightest.
"Any other symptoms?" he asked. "Blurry vision? Headaches? Dizziness? Pain?"
"No. None of that. I feel normal."
He nodded slowly, as if her answer didn't quite match whatever he had expected.
"All right," he said. "Let's run a few tests to be safe."
Several minutes passed in quiet examination—machines humming, lights blinking, the steady tapping of the doctor's pen against the tablet as he completed each assessment. When he finally returned, scrolling through her results, his expression was unreadable.
"Everything looks fine," he reported. "No inflammation. No infection. No trauma. Your nerves are perfect. Your pressure levels are normal." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "Medically speaking… you're completely healthy."
Alana swallowed, an uneasy tightness forming in her chest.
"So what's causing the color change?" she asked.
He offered her a thin, apologetic smile.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But whatever it is, it isn't harming you—at least not physically."
His tone lowered, more thoughtful than concerned.
"Keep an eye on it. If anything else changes—anything at all—come back immediately."
"I will," she promised.
As she stepped out of the examination room and into the quiet hallway, the peacefulness of the morning felt distant now. Answers hadn't brought comfort—not when all they confirmed was that something was happening inside her, and no one could tell her why.
Alana stepped out of the clinic with a small paper bag holding the eye drops the doctor prescribed. The morning was cool, the kind of quiet that felt too still for someone who wasn't used to small towns. She didn't feel like returning to the empty house yet, so she headed toward the bakery she had visited the day before.
Alana was almost at the bakery when a loud siren startled her. She turned around quickly and saw a police car pulling up. The door swung open, and Eugene stepped out. He was huge, his broad shoulders and tall frame making him look even more intimidating. The sun caught the shiny badge on his chest, and it glinted as he moved closer. the gold gleam unmistakable, a sheriff's badge.
He walked up to her, his shadow covering her almost completely. The smell of leather and cologne mixed in the air. Alana felt her heart race a little. She looked up at him, and her eyes, which weren't wearing glasses, seemed brighter. She caught herself staring too long.
Eugene looked down at her with a small smirk. "I didn't know city folks could scare so easy," he said, teasing her. His voice was deep and smooth, but there was a teasing tone in it.
Alana huffed softly, feeling a little embarrassed. Without saying a word, she turned and headed straight into the bakery. She went directly to the counter where Madam Kim, an older Asian lady, was busy arranging some bread. The warm bakery smell wrapped around her, and she hoped the sweet smell of cookies might help her forget the moment.
Alana stepped into the cozy bakery, her eyes immediately drawn to the glass case filled with fresh pastries and sweet treats. She approached Madam Kim, who greeted her with a warm smile. "What can I get for you today?" the lady asked softly.
Alana hesitated only a moment before replying, "I'll have a parfait, please." She watched as Madam Kim carefully layered three different flavors into a clear cup—bright strawberries, creamy vanilla, and rich chocolate. The sweet scent of fruit and sugar filled the air, making her stomach rumble softly. She loved sweets, but today, she realized just how much she adored them.
Madam Kim handed her the parfait, and Alana's fingers closed around the cold, smooth cup. As she turned to leave, she carefully placed two more parfaits into her tote, the cool paper contrasting with the warmth of her hands. She brought the one in her grip to her lips, the anticipation making her smile. It was creamy, sweet, and perfectly refreshing—an instant lift.
Without hesitation, Alana thanked Madam Kim and quickly stepped out of the shop, the bell over the door jingling softly as she disappeared down the street.
Eugene watched her go, his gaze lingering a moment before he turned his attention back to madam Kim
Just as Alana was leaving, Madam Kim looked over at Eugene and asked with a teasing smile, "What can I offer our kind sheriff this morning?"
Eugene cleared his throat, a faint smile pulling at his lips. "Just a coffee and a couple of doughnuts, please," he said smoothly.
Madam Kim chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling. "Someone seems interested," she murmured to Eugene, almost teasing.
Eugene shrugged, a bit amused. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, reaching for his coffee and a glazed doughnut.
He took a sip, the warmth of the mug grounding him as he savored the rich aroma, the subtle sweetness mingling with the scent of fresh brewed coffee. Glancing back toward the door, he nodded politely. "Have a good day now."
"You too," Madam Kim called out warmly, her smile lingering as Eugene left the shop, the bell over the door jingling softly behind him.
Alana left the store and took a moment on her parfait, deciding to explore Gray Hollow. She suddenly have all this free time to hersel. Now, she hoped to forget her past—her trauma, her eye color, her late-night dreams that haunted her. She paused, her thoughts drifting. Speaking of dreams, she wondered what she could do to make more money if she ever decided to leave this quiet, peaceful life behind.
The fresh air brushed softly against her face and through her hair, cool and gentle. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the clean, earthy scent of the town and a hint of woodsmoke from a nearby chimney. Another worry crept into her mind— she exhaled.
She decided to focus on her surroundings instead. The town was still and calm, quiet enough to hear the faint chirping of birds. Off in the distance, she saw a couple riding a horse down the street. The horse's hooves made a soft, rhythmic clip-clop on the dirt road. It all looked so normal here—people didn't stare or gasp like they would in a busy city like New York. It was peaceful, simple.
For just a moment, the thought crossed her mind—what if she got a horse too? The idea made her smile faintly, imagining herself riding through open fields, feeling the wind on her face.
She spotted a small, white disposable bin by the side of the street and gently tossed her litter inside. Nearby, a playground burst with color—bright reds, yellows, and blues. She walked over and sat on a wooden bench, watching children play. Their laughter floated through the air, light and carefree. Their tiny hands clutched bright toys, and their faces lit up with joy. Something about kids made her smile—an innocent happiness she often missed in her own life.
The sun warmed her skin slightly, and she closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the distant sounds of the town—birds singing, children laughing, and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze. In this quiet corner of Gray Hollow, she felt a small flicker of peace.
She felt cold splat on her face. Blinking, she opened her eyes and immediately wrinkled in disgust—an unwelcome bird had shat on her face. With a silent grimace, she grabbed her handkerchief and wiped her face, silently thanking herself for having brought it along. She decided it was time to leave this uncomfortable place.
In her haste to stand, she nearly lost her footing. A quick, unseen force—an almost imperceptible tug—gripped her wrist. She froze, instinctively looking down at her hand, then up into the shadows.
Her eyes met those of a stranger. In that fleeting moment, as their gazes locked, her vision blurred—an instant where time seemed to fold in on itself. Images flooded her mind, fragments of a story not her own. She recoiled slightly, overwhelmed, but the connection was broken as suddenly as it had appeared.
She blinked, shaking off the sensation, and took a step back. Her heart pounded—not just from the surprise, but from the strange, unexplainable rush of insight she had just experienced.