As soon as I got off the bus, the cold wind made me shiver.
Phone in hand — still no message from my friend.
He said, "I'll be there in ten minutes."
But those ten minutes had passed long ago.
Just then — five unfamiliar men appeared in front of me.
One of them spoke softly,
"Miss Leila?"
My heart froze.
I hadn't told anyone where I was going. I'd run away from home — no one knew.
Then how did they know my name?
One of them stepped forward, a strange smile on his face.
"Sir is waiting for you. Please come with us."
I was trembling inside, but I forced a weak smile and said, "Alright…"
The car door was open — dark tinted windows, I couldn't see inside.
I took a step forward, but suddenly a scream rose inside my chest — No!
I pushed the man beside me and ran.
The street ahead was crowded — traffic, horns, shouting, lights.
I disappeared into the crowd, gasping for breath…
I didn't look back — only heard,
"Catch that girl!"
I ran even faster…
After a while, I found myself beside a highway.
All around — forest, nothing but trees. Only one narrow road ahead.
The sun was setting; the light was fading fast.
No more voices behind me — maybe I'd lost them.
I thought I should hide in the forest for a while.
But suddenly I heard their voices again — they were still searching for me.
Panicked, I ran deeper into the woods.
After some time, I realized I was completely lost — surrounded by trees, vines, and shadows. No road, no light.
"Where have I come?" I whispered.
I sat down under a large tree, breathing heavily.
I thought of checking my phone — and then realized my purse was gone!
My fear kept growing.
I had lost the road — and now I was in the middle of a forest!
Evening had fallen; barely any light left.
A single thought echoed in my mind — "What if a wild animal shows up now?!"
The cold wind cut through me; I was shaking.
If I had to spend the night here, I'd probably freeze.
But if I went back to the road, those men might find me again.
No… that can't happen. I have to reach Ethan.
Ethan — my fiancé.
Just then—
I heard leaves rustling behind me!
My heart pounded — it felt like some beast was about to leap at me.
I didn't look back — I just ran.
Breathing hard, my legs trembling.
I thought, "If only I'd done some sports in school, I wouldn't be dying like this!"
Now I had only one prayer — "If I survive tonight, I'll finally learn the value of life."
Running and running — suddenly I saw it.
An enormous, ancient mansion.
Gray walls, tall towers touching the clouds.
Relief washed over me — "Maybe I can spend the night here…"
I knocked on the door. No answer.
Knocked again. This time, it slowly creaked open.
Inside —
Darkness everywhere. The air smelled old.
Dust on the floor, and somewhere far away… a faint sound of breathing.
Ignoring everything, I sat on the floor.
If I can just survive tonight, I thought.
Somewhere between fear and exhaustion, I fell asleep.
Suddenly I woke —
To the sound of someone groaning.
A man's voice — deep, pained, close to my ear.
I slapped my cheek.
What was I even thinking?
Had I just walked straight from a romance fantasy into a horror story?
The kind where the heroine's curiosity gets her killed?
Yes — I remembered the saying: "Curiosity kills the cat."
Well, I wasn't curious enough to die tonight!
I was trembling in fear.
The groaning was getting closer and closer.
I covered my ears, shut my eyes, and kept whispering—
"Just get me through this night… just this one night…"
Finally, morning came.
I hadn't slept a wink.
I decided to find out where that sound was coming from.
It's morning now — ghosts don't hang around in daylight, right?
Maybe someone else was trapped here too.
Or maybe an animal had attacked someone — and he was crying out in pain.
I could help him,
and maybe together we could get out of this forest.
Of course, I wasn't going there just to find out whose deep voice that was!
I climbed the stairs slowly.
The sound was coming from right here.
I pushed open a door —
On a large bed, someone was lying down.
I stepped closer —
A man.
An unbelievably beautiful man.
So beautiful I thought I'd go blind looking at him!
It felt like an angel had fallen asleep in this place.
I suddenly felt like Shrek rescuing Princess Fiona!
Or the prince who wakes up Sleeping Beauty or Snow White!
I shook my head —
What was I thinking?
A man was trembling, groaning in pain — and I was daydreaming!
But strangely —
There was no wound on his body.
It was like he was trapped in a nightmare…
Tears were sliding down from his closed eyes.
I'd never seen someone cry so beautifully.
If I were a painter,
I'd paint this moment —
"A handsome man crying in sleep."
I leaned a little closer, staring at his peaceful face — so calm, yet storming inside.
Softly, I said,
"Hey… can you hear me?"
No response.
I cleared my throat and tried again,
"Hey, handsome man… wake up!"
Silence.
Then suddenly —
A deep, heavy voice echoed in my ear.
That same terrifying voice I'd heard last night!
My heart jumped.
The man slowly opened his eyes…
His eyes—
Red.
Blood-red. Yet beautiful — eyes unlike any I'd ever seen.
They glowed, swirling with fire.
He didn't look like an angel anymore —
but a devil disguised as one.
Before I could speak,
he grabbed my hand — hard.
I almost screamed,
"Wha… wha… WHAAATTTT!!!"