Aurora - Part 5

One of the researchers brought a measuring device closer.

— I'm going to check for radiation.

The device was turned on.

At first, nothing.

Then it began beeping.

One signal.

Then another.

Faster and faster.

The researcher pulled the device away.

The beeping continued.

— It's saturating.

— How much?

— I can't measure it.

He switched to another device.

The second one began beeping immediately.

— This one too.

— Radiation?

— Yes.

The officer's expression became serious.

— How much?

The researcher looked at the display.

— Off the scale.

— Is that dangerous?

The man took a moment to answer.

— In theory, it should be.

He looked at Aurora.

— But the levels around her remain normal.

— And the humans?

— We're all normal.

Another researcher checked the data.

— If this were radiating like a conventional source, no one could remain here.

— Then what are we measuring?

The researcher looked at Aurora again.

— I don't know.

— Is she a radioactive source?

— Technically...

He took a deep breath.

— It's as if we're standing next to a walking nuclear power plant.

The officer looked at Aurora.

She continued floating.

Quietly.

Watching.

Showing no pain.

No fear.

No interest.

As if she were sitting in a park, watching people walk by.

A soldier approached the officer.

— Sir...

— What?

— If she really is all that...

The officer said nothing.

The soldier looked at Aurora.

Then at the weapon in his holster.

— We need to know if she's resistant.

— No.

— Sir...

— I said no.

The soldier remained still.

Then, on impulse, he drew his weapon.

— Put that down!

The gunshot echoed through the forest.

Aurora did not move.

The bullet struck her body.

And fell to the ground.

A small metallic sound.

Clink.

Silence.

No one breathed for several seconds.

Aurora continued floating.

There was no wound.

No blood.

Not even a mark on her clothes.

She didn't even look at the bullet.

A soldier slowly lowered his weapon.

— I...

No one answered.

The doctor approached, unable to believe what he had seen.

— That's impossible.

The researcher looked at the instruments.

— The impact didn't alter any of the parameters.

— Did she feel it?

— I don't know.

— Ask her.

The psychologist looked at Aurora.

— Aurora?

The girl turned her eyes toward her.

— Did you feel anything?

Silence.

Aurora looked back at the soldiers.

The researcher picked up the bullet from the ground.

It was still hot.

He stared at it.

Then at Aurora.

— We're not dealing with a disease.

The doctor replied:

— Nor with any known mutation.

— This isn't biology.

The officer remained silent.

Around them, dozens of people watched the girl.

Equipment continued operating.

Sensors recorded impossible readings.

Cameras kept filming.

Doctors examined her.

Psychologists tried to establish contact.

The military kept their weapons lowered.

And Aurora...

Aurora simply watched.

Floating a few centimeters above the ground.

Without speaking.

Without running.

Without attacking.

Without asking for help.

As if all those people were merely visitors in a place she already knew.

As if none of it were strange.

Perhaps, to her, it truly wasn't.

#terror #horror #supernaturalhorror #supernaturalfiction #psychologicalhorror #fiction #shortstory #horrorstories #horrorstories #darkfiction #darkstory #horrorstory #supernatural #mystery #forest #teenager #albinism #creature #possession #paranormal