In "The Calling" by Kelley Armstrong, the protagonist has a startling encounter when she opens her eyes to find a mysterious boy with captivating amber eyes staring back at her. This unexpected moment leaves her in disbelief, leading her to question his existence, as she struggles to comprehend the reality of the situation.

Despite her initial shock, the boy reassures her that he is indeed real, dismissing her concerns about being a ghost or a zombie. He demonstrates his reality by interacting with the environment around him, brushing his hand over the tall grasses, which adds to the surreal yet fascinating nature of their meeting.