It was a windy night. Outside, the air was cold like winter, and the sound of leaves rustling filled the street. But inside my home, it felt like a warm summer day. The fireplace was glowing softly, and the wooden walls around me made the room feel safe and cosy.
I sat on my old wooden chair, leaning over the table as I carefully sketched a mountain with my pencil. The scratching sound of the pencil on paper was the only noise in the room. My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn't eaten since evening. Just as I pushed the chair back to get up, the sudden ring of the telephone made me jump.
I picked up the receiver.
"Hello?" I said.
On the other end, I heard a cheerful voice. It was Chakshu, one of my closest friends who lived only a short walk away, about 450 meters from my house.
"Hello, Magic! I have very delightful news for us!" he said with excitement.
"What happened?" I asked, curious.
"I just got news from the town hall," he replied quickly. "They're going to organize a treasure hunt event!"
I sat up straight, my eyes widening. "Wait, really? No way… You must be joking."
"No, brother!" Chakshu laughed. "I'm serious. They're actually doing it!"
"That's amazing!" I said, feeling the rush of excitement. "Do you know when it will happen? Or where?"
"I don't know about the place yet," he admitted. "But I heard the Mayor himself will take part in this event. And from what I've heard, it might happen next month."
"Next month? November?" I leaned against the chair, trying to imagine it. "Do you know the exact date and time?"
"Not yet," Chakshu said, his voice calming down a little. "But maybe tomorrow we'll get more news."
"Alright, that sounds good."
"Okay then, I need some rest now. Good night, Magic."
"Good night, see you tomorrow," I replied before hanging up the phone.
The room went quiet again, but my head was still full of excitement. I wanted to keep thinking about the treasure hunt, but my eyes felt heavy. I was tired too. With a small sigh, I closed my sketchbook and placed it on the table. My stomach still reminded me of its hunger, so I walked toward the kitchen, hoping to grab something to eat.
But then… I stopped.
From the corner of my eye, I thought I saw something moving outside the window. A shadow… or maybe a figure. My heart skipped a beat. The warm, safe feeling inside the house suddenly disappeared, replaced with a sharp chill that had nothing to do with the weather.
I froze in place, not even breathing for a moment, just staring at the dark glass. The wind outside howled, making the branches scrape against the window. Was that all it was? Or… was someone actually out there?
Slowly, I reached for the kitchen drawer and pulled out a small knife. My hands were shaking, but I gripped it tight. With careful steps, I moved to the back door and unlocked it as quietly as I could.
The night air hit my face immediately—it was cold, almost biting. The wind was blowing so hard that the trees bent and creaked. I stepped into the garden, scanning the darkness. My eyes searched every corner—the fence, the shed, the path.
Nothing.
Only the endless sound of the wind.
After a few long minutes of searching, I finally let out the breath I was holding. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe I was just imagining it.
I closed the door and locked it tight this time. My shoulders dropped as I tried to calm my nerves. It must be because I'm so tired, I thought. After all, I had just finished an eight-hour shift at Hawk Bar today. My body was exhausted, and my mind was probably playing tricks on me.
Putting the knife back, I headed toward my room. The bed looked more inviting than ever. I lay down, pulling the blanket over myself, and let the tiredness win.
Within minutes, I drifted into sleep.
The night passed slowly. At first, I slept peacefully, but soon my dreams began to twist into something strange. I saw flashes of mountains, keys glowing with golden light, and shadows chasing me through endless corridors. Every time I tried to escape, the shadows whispered my name.
"Magic…"
I woke up with a start. My room was dark, only lit by the pale moonlight slipping through the curtains. My heart was racing, and sweat covered my forehead. For a moment, I wasn't sure if I had really heard my name or if it was still part of the dream.
I sat up and listened carefully. The house was silent—too silent. Even the sound of the wind seemed weaker now.
Then… knock knock.
The sound came from the back door.
I froze, every muscle in my body tight. At this hour? Who could it be? Slowly, I slipped out of bed and walked toward the kitchen. Each step on the wooden floor creaked louder than I wanted. I picked up the same kitchen knife from earlier and held it close to my side.
The knocking came again. Knock. Knock. Steady, slow, and patient.
"Who's there?" I called out, my voice shaking. No answer.
I took a deep breath and, gathering my courage, pulled the curtain of the small kitchen window to peek outside.
Nothing. Just the garden, silent under the moonlight. The trees moved gently in the wind, and the shadows stretched long across the grass.
But then… out of the corner of my eye, I saw it.
A figure standing near the fence. Tall. Still. Watching me.
My heart jumped into my throat.
I shut the curtain quickly and stepped back, my hands trembling. I didn't know who or what it was, but I knew one thing... I was not imagining this time.
But my curiosity got the better of me. My hands shook as I reached for the curtain again. Slowly, I pulled it open just enough to peek outside.
Nothing.
The garden was empty. The moonlight painted the ground silver, and the shadows of trees swayed with the wind. My eyes searched every corner, but there was no figure this time. It was like whoever—or whatever—I saw before had vanished.
I let out a shaky breath, almost laughing at myself. Maybe I really am losing it…
But then—
A warm breath brushed against my ear.
I froze. My body went cold, and my knife almost slipped from my hand. The sound was clear, close, like someone standing right behind me. I spun around instantly—
No one.
The kitchen was silent. Empty.
Yet, the air felt heavy, as if I wasn't alone. It was like something was still there, unseen, waiting for me to notice. My heartbeat pounded so loud I could hear it in my head.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Who's there?" I whispered, though part of me didn't want an answer.
No reply. Just the faint sound of the wind outside.
Still, a strange thought pressed into my mind—like a voice without words, a feeling rather than a sound. As if something wanted to tell me something… or maybe… I was supposed to already know it.