📝 Chapter 1
The day was calm and bright.
Sara sat alone on a wooden bench, her eyes scanning the park restlessly. She was waiting.
"When will this waiting finally end?" she whispered to herself.
Suddenly, she felt footsteps approaching from behind. A chill ran down her spine.
Turning quickly, her face lit up with joy.
"Alina!" she gasped.
Alina's face looked pale, dry, and expressionless. But the moment Sara spoke her name, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"It's been so many years since we last met," Sara said emotionally.
Alina nodded, her voice quiet. "Yes… it's been eight long years. You never came back. I was left all alone."
Tears welled up in Sara's eyes.
"Forgive me… I heard what happened to your family… that terrible murder."
Alina lowered her gaze, her face heavy with sorrow.
"Yes… I don't know how I survived that night. I tried to save them, but I failed."
Sara held her hand gently. "It wasn't your fault."
Alina forced a weak smile and asked softly, "Can we go to your house? It's been so long… I haven't even met your family."
---
(Flashback – 8 Years Ago)
Alina was just fifteen when her parents and younger brother were brutally murdered in their own home. The horror of that night broke her mind apart, and she was admitted into a mental hospital. For years, she remained behind those walls, haunted by memories.
And now — after eight long years — she was finally free, standing beside her only friend, Sara.
---
(Present Time)
Sara's house stood in a lonely, quiet place surrounded by dense forests. Only a few houses stood nearby, making the air even heavier with silence.
Sara's five-year-old brother played in the living room while her parents welcomed Alina warmly. That evening, they all sat together at dinner, talking, laughing, and sharing memories.
Before going to bed, Sara's father looked at them with a serious face.
"Listen carefully," he warned. "Do not open the door at night. And don't step outside. Thieves and dangerous people often wander in this area."
Sara rolled her eyes playfully.
"Papa, don't scare her. Nothing's going to happen here."
Alina gave a nervous laugh.
"If something happens… I'll just hide, haha."
The night grew darker. Everyone went to their rooms.
Alina's room was in a separate portion of the house. Around midnight, she felt thirsty and went downstairs to get some water.
As she passed by the window, her eyes froze.
Outside, in the shadows, stood a strange man. His face hidden, his hands clutching a large axe.
Suddenly— the doorbell rang.
Alina's heart pounded. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she stared at the trembling door.
Would she dare to open it?
Or was this just the beginning… of something far worse?