**Chapter 3: Shadows of the Past**
Part 3
The city streets seemed to whisper secrets to Maya as she walked home from school, the evening shadows deepening into mysterious alcoves that seemed to swallow her whole. She quickened her pace, her senses on high alert, as if she was being watched by unseen eyes. The encounter in the teacher's lounge had left her with a sense of unease, a feeling that she was juggling too many secrets and that one wrong move could send everything crashing down. As she turned onto her street, Maya noticed a figure lingering by her apartment building. At first, she thought it was just a neighbor, but as she drew closer, she realized it was Eric. He was leaning against the wall, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "Eric, what are you doing here?" Maya asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. "I was hoping to talk to you, Maya," Eric replied, his eyes never leaving hers. "I've been doing some research, and I think I might have stumbled upon something that could help you." Maya's instincts went on high alert. What could Eric possibly have discovered that would be of use to her? She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, and Eric fell into step beside her as she walked towards the building. As they entered the lobby, Maya noticed that the usual warmth of the fluorescent lights seemed muted, casting long shadows across the floor. She felt a shiver run down her spine, and Eric seemed to sense it, his eyes flicking towards her with concern. "What's going on, Maya?" he asked, his voice low and urgent. "You seem... different. Is everything okay?" Maya hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But there was something in Eric's eyes, a spark of understanding that made her trust him. "I'm just a little... on edge," she said, choosing her words carefully. "I've been having these... feelings, like something is watching me. And I don't know what it is." Eric's expression turned thoughtful. "I think I might know what's going on," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've been researching the supernatural, and I think you might be connected to it in ways you don't even realize." Maya's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. What did Eric know, and how much was he willing to share? She felt a thrill of excitement mixed with fear as she followed Eric into the elevator, unsure what lay ahead, but ready to face it head-on. As the doors slid open on her floor, Maya caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror that hung on the wall. For a moment, she saw not just her own reflection, but a shadowy figure lurking just behind her, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. Maya spun around, but there was no one there. Eric's voice cut through her confusion. "Maya, I think we need to talk about this somewhere safer. Can I come in?" Maya hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She had a feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't even imagine. As she unlocked her apartment door, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping into a world of shadows, where nothing was as it seemed.