"Mum, are you okay?" Kara asked, noticing the confusion in her mother's eyes.
"Yes, I'm good. Just... honey, is something going on?" Nareen hesitated, eyeing Kara's outfit again.
"I mean, your look—it's so... modest. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, just... unexpected. Your makeup too, it's barely there. You usually like a little more pop."
Kara smiled gently.
"Mum, it's cool. I've never worn this skirt before—Grandma gave it to me just before she passed. Thought it was time. And the makeup… well, I'm running late." She brushed off her mom's concern as she walked to the dining table.
They ate in a heavy silence, filled with unspoken thoughts. Nareen kept glancing at her daughter, unsure what had changed overnight—but knowing something had.
Later, they drove in silence too.
In hell...
"WHAT IS THIS!!! KARA WILLIAMS!!!" Lucifer's voice thundered like a raging firestorm.
Flames rose around him, shadows shrank, demons paused their screams.
Then—calm, unshakable, divine—God's voice echoed across the darkness.
"That is enough, Lucifer."
Lucifer clenched his fists, his pride burning hotter than the flames around him.
"I will keep trying."
He turned away, watching the damned writhe in torment. A sinister smirk formed on his face.
"She won't hold out forever..."
Back on Earth...
As Nareen neared the school gate, she noticed Kara's hands trembling on her lap.
"Honey, are you okay? You look pale."
Kara gave a half-hearted smile.
"I'm fine, Mum. Just nerves, I guess. I'll see you at home."
She quickly leaned over, kissed her mother's cheek, and got out of the car.
Nareen watched her walk toward the building, worry etched deep in her expression.
Kara stood outside the school, staring at the familiar building. Her heart thudded with unease.
"I've passed this... I've been through this already. Do I really need to come back?"
She took a deep breath and walked in.
"Dude! What were you doing?"
Kara turned to see Becky marching toward her with their usual group in tow.
"We all waited for you so we could make a big entrance!" Becky folded her arms.
"It's senior year! You were the one who suggested that, remember?"
Kara stared at her, stunned.
It was real.
All of them. Here. Alive. Human. Just like before.
She scanned the group—Becky, her beautiful and demanding best friend. The same Becky who somehow won prom queen, even though Kara was sure she had it in the bag.
Then there was Kelvin, Becky's boyfriend. Popular, charming, leader of the soccer team—and one of Kara's closest guy friends.
And Iris, trailing quietly behind them. Part of the group, technically... but always treated like a servant. The girl who held bags, fetched drinks, and barely got acknowledged.
Kara's eyes narrowed. This time will be different.
But one person was missing.
She looked around, heart beginning to race.