His Perfect Lyra

Lyra's POV-

"So…"

I dramatically point my finger at the duck plushie.

"Your name is Ducky. You're gonna help me, alright? Because I'm going crazy in here. Trapped in this tiny room with zero social interaction? Yeah. You're my emotional support animal now."

Ducky is big—like something a four-year-old would win at a fair. Way too soft. Way too comforting.

Damn it. I can't even be mad at it. Ducky's not the problem here.

I stare at its round eyes for a moment. Too long.

"Listen," I whisper, "I've been stuck in here for twelve days. In two more, that's two weeks. But I have no idea what day it actually is. No time. No sun. Just this… repeat loop."

I pick Ducky up and shuffle to the couch. The movie's about to start.

"The longer I'm stuck here, the more I feel like I'm falling apart. Like I'm forgetting who I am."

The old TV flickers to life—slow, like it always does. Static buzzes softly.

And then—

There he is.

Not his face.

Just a live message—text being typed across the screen. Like a computer feed. Like he's watching right now.

"Good morning, afternoon, or night.

 Who cares.

 How are you?

 I see you really like Ducky. 

 I'm glad I won it from that silly zoo game."

I jump behind the couch, heart pounding. My whole body goes into defense mode, instinct screaming.

"I hope you stay friends with Ducky.

 You'll need it more than you think.

 See you soon.

-Silas"

The screen goes black.

Then the movie starts. Like nothing happened.

Like it's just another normal day.

But it's not.

He's watching me.

He has eyes in this room.

Cameras. Has to be.

But I already checked. Every inch.

So where? How?

Did I miss something? Or is he just that good at hiding them?

Then—

A flash. A memory.

Someone's hand, holding out a tiny duck doll. Giving it to me.

Was I that little girl? Why was that moment important?

And then a voice echoes inside my head. Clear. Familiar. Real.

"Hidden cameras…..

can be.....

anywhere…

 …Even in your treasure things."

That voice—

I know it. I trust it.

I just don't know why.

I step back around to the front of the couch.

The movie keeps playing—fifteen minutes in, I think.

But I'm not watching it.

I'm staring at Ducky.

What if…

I grab the duck with both hands.

Then glance at the table.

A fork. Still sitting there from meal.

A sudden thought explodes in my head.