Chapter 11

                                    

                                          
The next morning, the sunlight crept through the curtains, painting the room in a soft, golden hue. It was a stark contrast to the darkness of the night before, and for a moment, Elena allowed herself to believe that it had all been a terrible dream. But as she opened her eyes, the whispers were there, a gentle murmur that grew louder as she became fully aware.
Anastasia stirred beside her, her eyes opening to meet Elena's. The concern etched on her friend's face was a stark reminder of the reality they now faced. They both knew that the whispers were not a figment of her imagination, but a tangible, terrifying truth that had invaded their lives.
"Good morning," Elena whispered, her voice still thick with the residue of fear from the night's dreams.
Anastasia managed a tired smile. "Good morning," she replied, her eyes betraying the concern she felt. They both knew that this was no ordinary day, no simple case of calling in sick to avoid a lecture.
Elena nodded, slipping out of bed and padded to the bathroom, the whispers in her mind a constant reminder of the gravity of the situation. The warm water cascaded over her, a temporary reprieve from the whispers that seemed to follow her everywhere. She closed her eyes, letting the spray wash over her face, and whispered a silent prayer to the gods she wasn't sure she believed in anymore.
Anastasia listened to the shower's steady rhythm, her thoughts racing. She picked up her phone, her thumb hovering over the contact for the university. Her heart was a drum in her chest as she dialed the number, the whispers of the ancients a muted crescendo in the background. She hoped Principal Katerina would understand, that she wouldn't think them mad for their sudden absence.
The line connected, and Katerina's brisk voice filled her ear. "Anastasia, what can I do for you at this hour?" she asked, the early morning chill in her tone. Anastasia took a deep breath, steeling herself for the unbelievable truth she was about to share. "Elena and I won't be coming in today," she began, her voice wavering slightly. "It's... it's a family emergency."
Katerina's tone softened, the concern evident even through the phone. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said. "Is there anything I can do?"
Anastasia took a deep breath, the whispers of the ancients seeming to hold their breath alongside her. "No, thank you," she replied, her voice steady. "We just need some time to sort things out."
Elena emerged from the bathroom, her hair a wet curtain framing her pale face. She looked over at Anastasia, the question in her eyes unspoken but clear. Anastasia nodded, her expression a mask of reassurance she didn't quite feel. They had a plan, a slim thread of hope to cling to in the face of the whispers that had consumed Elena's life.
They dressed quickly, pulling on clothes that felt too tight, too mundane for the gravity of the situation. The whispers grew louder as they ventured into the kitchen, a cacophony of voices that seemed to whisper secrets just out of earshot. Elena made coffee, her hands shaking slightly as she poured the dark liquid into two mugs, the aroma a comforting embrace in the shadowy room.
Anastasia took a deep breath, the warmth of the mug seeping into her cold fingers. "What do we tell the priests?" she asked, her voice low.
Elena looked up from her steaming coffee, her eyes haunted by the whispers that had stolen her sleep. "The truth," she said, her voice steady. "We'll tell them everything, from the scroll to the whispers, to the way my apartment... changed."
Anastasia nodded, her grip on the phone tight. "But how will they believe us?" she whispered, her eyes never leaving Elena's.
Elena shrugged, the whispers of the ancients a persistent murmur in her mind. "We'll have to make them understand," she said, her voice filled with a newfound resolve. "We have to."