The thick, murky night draped over Evelyn Miller's pristine white slip dress, the thin fabric tracing every graceful line of her figure. She stood gazing toward the distant dormitory building where scattered lights flickered like far-off stars. The evening breeze lifted the fine strands of hair across her forehead.
Winter nights sliced deep. Temperatures kept plunging, and the cold pressed in from every direction, seeping into her fair, tender skin like a spreading virus determined to devour her whole.
Yet this time she did not shiver. Her heart still beat with fierce, living heat. That frightened little girl who once feared both the cold and the dark had died long ago in her past. She would never again huddle in some filthy black corner, waiting for rescue that never came.
Whatever she needed or loved, she would take for herself. She understood that truth completely now. She would bare sharp claws and fangs to drive off every covetous stare, and she would stop at nothing to make the person or thing she cherished recognize her alone as its master.
The hour grew later still. More lights winked out across the dormitory windows. After one long, resounding bell, the entire building went dark, as though the whole world had surrendered to shadow.
Evelyn turned and stepped back inside. The skin that had gone pale from the chill slowly warmed with color again. She glanced at the new message on her phone, her expression perfectly calm while violent currents churned unseen beneath the ice.
…
Noah Miller received no reply from Evelyn all night. When he woke, the chat window still showed only his apology from the night before. He told himself it was fine—she must have gone to bed early and simply missed it, so he hadn't disturbed her.
But every class that morning was hers, and even when he saw her in person during lecture, his phone stayed silent.
He knew he had truly angered her this time. He planned to behave extra obediently and deliver a proper apology face-to-face later, but after worrying himself sick through the night, his energy was gone. His eyelids kept fighting to close.
He held on for a while, but eventually his head began to drop. Just before he drifted off, he tapped his neighbor Ryan on the shoulder, asking him to keep watch on the teacher.
His roommate barely had time to react. The instant Evelyn's gaze shifted their way, Ryan started to whisper a warning, but she called Noah out directly.
"So after analyzing the problem, which method should be used to solve it?"
"Uh…" Panic flooded him. He dropped his eyes to flip through his textbook, scrambling for the answer. Evelyn gave him no chance. She simply delivered one cold command: "Go stand in the back."
She turned back to the board and continued the lecture, her attention flowing smoothly between the textbook and the blackboard. She asked no more questions and never looked at him again, as if she did not care whether he obeyed or not.
Noah still did the sensible thing. He gathered his book and, under the sympathetic stares of his roommates, walked obediently to the rear of the classroom.
Standing as punishment was rare even in high school and almost unheard of in college lecture halls. Yet it proved remarkably effective, especially on students battling morning drowsiness.
The other classmates who had not known what was happening suddenly snapped awake. They sat up straight and paid close attention, terrified of becoming the next one sent to the back.
More than twenty minutes later the bell rang, ending the period. Noah's legs had gone numb and shaky. He could barely lift his head, and the textbook nearly slipped from his grip.
During the ten-minute break, hardly anyone moved around the room. The atmosphere felt unnaturally quiet.
Nora glanced back at Noah, who looked dazed and unsteady, then walked over with her water bottle.
"You still have to stand? One full class should be enough, right?"
"Whether it's enough is up to the teacher. Don't worry about me."
"Want some water at least?" She unscrewed the cap and offered it.
Noah shook his head. "No, thanks. You should head back before you end up standing here too."
"I was paying attention the whole time." Nora's eyes dropped to his trembling legs, which looked ready to give out. "By the way, did you see the message I sent you last night?"
"No, what was it about?"
"The cybersecurity competition. Every class needs at least two participants. You interested?"
"Probably not. I don't think I have time." Noah declined without hesitation. He had little interest anyway, but more importantly, Evelyn likely would not want him involved. Right now, keeping his sister happy mattered most.
"All right. I'll ask someone else then."
Nora felt a small pang of disappointment but knew better than to push. Yet as she stood in front of him, she happened to block Evelyn's line of sight completely.
In the second period, Nora was called on as expected. Although she had studied diligently, Evelyn's questions were deliberately tricky. She barely managed to answer the first one.
When the second question came, she had to open her textbook. Evelyn did not wait. She did not send Nora to stand in the back like Noah, however. She simply waved for her to sit down and added one calm remark: "Pay closer attention in class."
The final morning bell rang right on schedule as lunch hour approached. After Evelyn dismissed the class, students grabbed their things and streamed out as if fleeing for their lives.
The noisy chatter faded into the distance. The now-empty classroom held only two figures: one at the lectern and one at the very back. Evelyn finished organizing her materials, then walked slowly toward Noah.
She studied the boy's pitiful face. The little puppy had been worn down until he looked utterly defeated.
"Ready to listen to your sister now, Nate?"
"Yes, yes. I'll listen. Sis, I was wrong."
"Finally calling me sis again? What did you call me last night?" Evelyn reached up and pinched the flushed side of his cheek, twisting just enough to sting.
"I know I messed up. I won't do it again." His face twisted in discomfort, expression humble. "Can I sit for a minute, sis? My legs really can't hold me anymore."
"Come with me. Your sister hasn't calmed down yet."
With that, Evelyn turned and left the classroom. Noah had no choice but to force his aching legs to follow, like a misbehaving elementary-school kid being marched home by a parent.
Once inside the faculty housing, he trailed her into the room. She said nothing, simply opening her laptop to handle the incoming files. Noah stood awkwardly beside her, his legs growing more and more painful.
"Sis, can I sit down now?" he finally asked, voice cautious.
"Tired?"
"Yeah…"
"Hungry?"
"Starving."
"Sit nicely. Your sister will make lunch." With those words, Evelyn stood and left the room.
Noah perched obediently on the edge of the bed, head drooping as drowsiness crept over him again. Soon the savory, spicy aroma of hot oil drifted through the half-open door.
Just as he was about to nod off, someone tapped his head lightly. He looked up to find Evelyn standing there in an apron.
"Come eat."
Noah obediently took his place at the table. Today's lunch suited his appetite perfectly. As he wolfed it down, he noticed Evelyn's bowl contained only a small portion of plain white rice. "Sis, you're hardly eating anything."
Evelyn ignored the comment and asked instead, "You don't have any classes this afternoon, right?"
"No, none."
Then he watched her swallow the last small bite of rice from her bowl. The faint smile at the corner of her mouth gradually vanished, and a chill gathered in her eyes. "Nate, you should never make your sister angry. Never."