I waited patiently for the weekend as the days ran past faster than I expected.
I kept counting the time, watching the calendar like it was racing against my heart. I didn't really know what it was inside me that kept longing to see Raven again, but whatever it was, I realized something quietly, almost shyly.
I think I was loving it.
The early morning of Saturday came with a cool breeze and a strange, strong calm in my spirit. Since the encounter with Raven at the field, I hadn't laid eyes on him again. Not once. Not even from afar. And now, as the weekend finally arrived, I kept wondering what would happen if he had forgotten about today, about the place he said he would take me.
I was still lost in my thoughts, wondering what my next move would be, when my phone rang.
A strange number.
My heart skipped as I stared at the screen for a second before picking up the call.
"I'm done. Hope you are ready?"
A cold, familiar voice spoke the moment I answered.
"Raven…" I whispered.
"Yes. Be coming out. I'm already waiting outside," he said calmly, then hung up.
I rushed to the bathroom and took a quick shower. My movements were hurried but careful, my thoughts scattered everywhere. After drying up, I wore something simple and casual, nothing too loud.
I stepped out of my room, locked the door behind me, and hurried outside.
Raven was already in a taxi, seated quietly. When he saw me, he beckoned for me to enter. I didn't hesitate. I joined him instantly.
There was something about him. Every time I was with Raven, everything felt strange but safe at the same time. Entering the cab with him, I didn't feel fear, suspicion, or danger. Just calm. A deep, unsettling calm.
I didn't understand it, but I knew one thing.
I was loving this feeling.
The driver drove through several streets, the scenery changing slowly, until we finally stopped in front of a small house. It looked old, almost like a hut—simple, quiet, and oddly isolated.
Raven stepped down first and waited for me. The moment I came down, a man with a long white beard stepped outside the house. His presence alone felt heavy, like the air had shifted.
He asked us to come inside.
Raven turned and looked at my face first. I must have looked visibly uneasy because he quickly told the man that we would prefer to stay outside.
The man brought out two seats and placed them in front of the house, but his gaze never left me. Not even once.
Every time he tried to look into my eyes, I shifted my gaze away.
Raven sat down and nodded for me to sit beside him. I obeyed.
He smiled faintly when he saw my face, but I didn't smile back. I couldn't tell whether I was scared.
"Can I see your hands?" the man asked, his eyes fixed on me.
I turned to Raven. He nodded gently, signaling me to do as the man asked.
Slowly, I stretched out my palms. The man tried to hold them, but instinctively, I pulled back. My heart raced.
Raven noticed immediately. He gently held my arm and guided my hands forward, giving them to the man while looking at me, reassuring without words.
The man held my palms and studied them closely, like he was reading something invisible. His silence stretched, thick and uncomfortable.
Then, finally, he released my hands.
He turned to Raven, then back to me.
"A hand of action," he said quietly, his voice low but firm.
I stared at him blankly as he continued.
"Your Life Line is deep and long, like a great river that never runs dry. Your vitality is strong, and your resilience is a shield against illness."
"The Head Line is long and clear, showing a mind that is sharp, analytical, and capable of great wisdom. You are not easily fooled, and your intellect will guide your path."
"Behold the Fate Line," he continued. "It runs straight and strong from the wrist to the middle finger. Your life's purpose is clearly defined and influenced by a powerful destiny. Success is your birthright."
"The Sun Line is prominent and unbroken. A rare mark. Fame, recognition, artistic success. The public will admire you. Your name will be known far and wide."
"Your Mount of Jupiter is well developed. Leadership, ambition, authority. You were born to command respect."
"The thumb is long and straight. Immense willpower. Determination. You can turn dreams into reality."
He stopped.
I didn't fully understand everything he said. Honestly, I didn't understand much at all. I just sat there, staring at him, my mind trying to process his words.
Then his expression changed.
"But listen."
Raven's face stiffened immediately.
"You will succeed in your war," the man said slowly, "but one thing… one thing will happen after that, and it will end you."
Raven almost stood up before forcing himself back down. His eyes darted to me, then back to the man.
I still didn't understand everything, but a strange chill crawled up my spine.
"I am not a fan of all this," I thought, but I stayed seated.
"Trust," the man said suddenly, looking directly at me. "Trust will end you. After you succeed in everything your power is aimed for."
Raven turned to me. I looked at him, then back at the man, who had already withdrawn his gaze from both of us.
"Sorry, grandfather," Raven said calmly. "Could you rephrase? Trust… by who? Can it be avoided?"
"If it can be avoided," the man added, "then it needs to start from now."
He stood up quietly and went inside the house, leaving us there in silence.
Raven turned to me. "Come on. We need to leave."
He helped me up, and we walked away. I turned back once, hoping the man would come out again, but he didn't.
As we walked along the narrow road leading to the main street, I finally spoke.
"Raven, who is that man? And why are we here?"
Raven stopped and turned to face me.
"I brought you here to see if you would succeed in your mission," he said, "because of how anxious you've been lately. He is a physiognomist."
"Oh," I murmured.
"Jina," Raven said, his voice serious. "When he talked about trust… I believed him."
I looked at him.
"Jina, you trust people too easily," he continued. "That's your weakness."
"So he said I would succeed," I said quietly. "But trust would end me. What does that mean?"
"Jina," Raven sighed, "I don't know how you'll do it, but at least try. Right now, you don't need anybody to call a friend."
He paused, then added softly, "You are alone. Just like me. I don't trust anyone. I don't even have a friend."
"Raven—"
"Don't tell me you didn't believe him," he cut in. "But I've said my part."
Before I could reply, two men emerged from the path leading to the main road.
Raven immediately stepped in front of me.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
"Oh no…" I whispered.
Suddenly, their nails grew unnaturally long. Their teeth fell out.
Raven turned to me and looked deep into my eyes.
Everything went dark.
I became drowsy and fell on his arms
"Jina… Jina…"
I woke up in my hostel room, lying on my bed.
I sat up abruptly. "Raven!"
"What happened?" I asked breathlessly.
"Jina, you collapsed when you saw those men," he said calmly.
"I saw their nails grow," I insisted.
"Your eyes saw something else," Raven replied quietly. "You need to rest."
He stood up.
Only then did I notice his clothes—stained from behind. His hands were dirty.
"Raven, did you fall?" I asked. "Why are you so dirty?"
He glanced at himself. "I carried you home. Remember?"
Then he added casually, "And you need to reduce the quantity of food you eat. You're becoming heavier."
I stared at him.
He stopped at my desk, picked up the dancing ballerina, stared at it for a moment, then placed it back and walked out without looking at me.
"I am really a weakling," I whispered to myself.
"Raven carried me…"
"Why is it always me?"
I walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind me.