The soft morning breeze rustled the fields outside a humble farmhouse where a kind and hardworking man named Mark lived. His hands were rough from years of labor, but his eyes always softened when they landed on his young son, Aric—a boy of seven, full of curiosity and quiet strength.
Aric had never known his mother, Jasmine. She had vanished the day he was born. Mark never spoke much about her, only offering a sad smile whenever her name was mentioned. Despite the pain, he raised Aric with love, teaching him how to be strong, how to work hard, and how to survive in a world that wasn't always kind.
Next door lived Mark's closest friend, Paul—a jolly, loud-voiced man who always brought laughter with him. He too had a son, Max, who was nine years old and Aric's best friend. The two boys were inseparable, often seen chasing chickens, playing with sticks like swords, or helping their fathers in the fields.
Each morning, Paul would arrive at Mark's doorstep with Max riding on his back, both grinning from ear to ear. Together, the two men would set out to work the land, with Aric and Max trailing behind like little shadows.
One night, long after the stars had claimed the sky, Mark heard a knock at the door. He opened it to find Paul and Max standing there, lantern light flickering against their excited faces.
"Mark!" Paul called out with a grin. "There's a show in the village tonight. I heard from a traveler it's something special. Fire dancers, music, games! Let's go!"
Before Mark could respond, Aric and Max were already jumping with excitement.
"Please, Father! Let's go! Please!" Aric pleaded, tugging on his sleeve.
Mark hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Alright, alright. Let's get going."
The village was a bit far, nestled between hills and fields. They walked together under the moonlight, laughter echoing as the boys ran ahead. When they reached the village, it was like stepping into a dream. Lights twinkled on every corner, music filled the air, children danced in the streets, and vendors shouted joyfully.
But then—without warning—the sky turned pitch black.
The laughter stopped.
A cold wind swept through the village, and a thick black mist began to spread, swirling through the crowd like a living shadow. Screams rang out. Lights flickered and died.
Through the fog, a group of cloaked figures entered the village, moving silently like ghosts. As they passed through the panicking crowd, one of them turned his head slowly—his face hidden behind a dark veil—and his eyes locked onto Mark, Paul, Aric, and Max.
He said nothing… yet a chilling voice echoed directly into Mark and Paul's ears.
> "I will return."
Mark shivered. He looked at Paul, who was just as pale and shaken.
Without another word, they grabbed their sons and ran. By the time they reached their homes, the village behind them had grown deathly silent. Mark locked the door, bolting it tight.
"Go to bed, Aric," he said, his voice trembling.
"But Father… what happened?" Aric asked, looking up at him.
Mark didn't answer.
He just stood by the window, staring out into the dark.
---
A week passed. Life returned to normal—or at least it pretended to. Mark worked harder than ever, but a shadow remained in his eyes.
One afternoon, he called out to Aric. "Go to the village, son. We're running low on supplies. Get what we need and come straight back, alright?"
Aric nodded. "I'll be quick!"
He ran off, barefoot but full of energy. The village streets were quiet that day. He bought vegetables, rice, and a new cloth for their water pot. But just as he turned to leave—
The sky darkened again.
The wind stilled.
That same cold mist crept in from the shadows.
Aric froze, his hands trembling. He saw them again—the cloaked figures—and this time, they weren't just passing by.
They were slaughtering.
Screams filled the air. Flames erupted. Villagers ran in every direction, but the mist was faster.
Aric dropped everything and ran—faster than he ever had in his life.
> "Father...!" he cried in his heart, feet pounding the dirt path. "Please be safe!"
As he reached the house, chest heaving and tears in his eyes, he saw the farmhouse in the distance.
But something was wrong.
The door was open.
And silence waited inside.