A Deal in Shadows
The house was quiet, save for the gentle rustle of leaves brushing against the windows as the wind carried whispers of the forest inside. Harry sat cross-legged on the worn rug, the diary lying open in front of him while Tom stood nearby, his nearly transparent form, watching him intently.
“You’re sure Teeth understands the plan?” Tom asked, his voice calm, though his posture was tense.
Harry glanced up, his green eyes glinting in the dim light. “We’ve already discussed this. Teeth knows what to do.”
Tom’s gaze flicked toward the window, where the moonlight barely penetrated the darkness beyond. “I still find it difficult to believe you can communicate with… that creature. It doesn’t speak.”
Harry shrugged. “It doesn’t need to. We understand each other.”
Tom didn’t respond immediately, but his unease was apparent. He folded his arms, trying to mask it behind a veneer of control. “You’ve already made the arrangements, then. No second thoughts?”
“None,” Harry said firmly, standing and brushing dust off his trousers. He walked to the back door, opening it slightly to let in the crisp night air. The shadows beyond seemed to stretch and twist unnaturally, and moments later, Teeth emerged.
The creature’s elongated frame moved with an unnatural grace, its eyeless face tilting toward Harry. Its jagged grin caught the faint light, making Tom’s stomach tighten instinctively.
Harry stepped forward, his expression calm as he addressed the creature. “It’s time. Two. Alive. Bring them back.”
Teeth’s grin widened slightly, and it let out a low, guttural sound before turning and vanishing into the treeline. The shadows seemed to ripple and swallow it whole.
Tom exhaled, his composure slipping as he stared at the spot where Teeth had disappeared. “You make it sound so… easy.”
Harry closed the door and turned back to him. “It is. Teeth’s a hunter. This is what it does.”
Tom studied him carefully, his expression unreadable. “You’re remarkably calm about all of this.”
Harry shrugged, sitting back down on the rug and picking up the diary again. “I’ve survived worse.”
The words hung heavy in the air, and Tom’s frown deepened. “You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met, Harry.”
Harry’s lips curled into a faint smile. “You’ve said that before.”
Tom let out a short laugh, though it lacked humor. “Yes, well, the sentiment remains.”
Silence fell between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The flickering firelight danced along the walls, and the distant sounds of the forest carried a strange sense of anticipation.
“It won’t be long,” Harry said, breaking the quiet.
Tom glanced at him, his brows furrowing. “And when it’s done? What then?”
“Then,” Harry said simply, “we make you whole.”
Tom didn’t reply, his gaze drifting toward the window once more. The prospect of what lay ahead was exhilarating—and terrifying.