The rain fell heavily, drumming against the roof and windows as the sky darkened into a deep, restless gray. Thunder rumbled faintly in the distance, like a warning whispered by the clouds. I stood by the window for a long while, my arms folded across my chest, watching the rain streak down the glass. Each drop felt heavy, as though the sky itself was carrying a burden too great to bear.
Jan entered the room quietly and came to stand beside me, a small smile resting on her face.
"Jina," she said softly, her voice light despite the storm outside. "Guess what?"
I turned to her slowly. My mood was far from fine, and I knew it showed on my face. Jan's smile faded just a little as she studied me more closely.
"Jina," she called again, her tone shifting. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, Jan," I replied, forcing a small nod. "I'm fine."
She didn't look convinced, but she sighed gently and tried again. "Okay, Jina. Like I said, guess what?" she said, tilting her head as she looked at me.
I faced her fully. "What is it?" I asked.
Her expression grew serious. "Jina… it's about Eunwoo."
At the sound of his name, my heart tightened. I stepped closer to her. "What about him?"
"I think he has been found," Jan said carefully. "And yes… you were right. He was kidnapped."
My breath caught. "Where is he?" I asked quickly.
"Jina," Jan continued, "that woman… the house we went to before—it wasn't Eunwoo."
I frowned. "Then whose house was it?"
Jan hesitated before answering. "It was the house of the person who saved Eunwoo. It's safe to say she protected him from harm all this while. But…" Jan paused, her brows knitting together. "Eunwoo has lost his memory. I don't think he remembers anything."
I stood still, trying to process her words. My thoughts felt tangled, like threads pulled too tight.
"So, Jina," Jan went on, "it's safe to say we can leave tomorrow morning to see him. At least to confirm everything."
I watched Jan for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay."
She looked at me with concern. "Jina, your mood still isn't right. I hope you're really fine."
"Yes, Jan," I said again, though even I wasn't sure if it was true. "I am."
I reached for the door and pulled it open.
"Where are you going at this time?" Jan asked, sitting back on the bed.
"I'm going to the cafeteria," I replied. "I feel hungry."
Jan nodded. "Go ahead. I'll wait here."
Stepping out into the hallway, I felt the air grow colder. The rain echoed faintly through the building as I made my way to the cafeteria. When I entered, the place was unusually quiet.
"Did they close early?" I muttered to myself, looking around.
"Maybe it's because of the weather," I added under my breath as I turned to leave.
That was when I saw her.
A woman stood directly in front of me, dressed completely in black. She wasn't old—her presence felt sharp, controlled. Her face was covered with dark fabric, revealing nothing. She didn't move. She just stood there, blocking my path.
I tried to pass her from the other side, but suddenly something like a wave of force pushed me back. I lost my balance and fell hard to the floor.
My breathing grew fast and uneven as I scrambled to my feet. My heart pounded violently as I stepped closer, drawn by something I couldn't explain.
Slowly, the woman lifted her hand and removed the cloth from her face.
My heart froze.
It was the same woman—the one we planned to see the next day about Eunwoo.
She stepped closer, but before she could speak, a hand grabbed her arm firmly. She turned sharply.
It was Raven.
Seeing Raven there made my fear deepen. Everything felt wrong all at once.
Raven moved in front of her, his gaze locked onto hers. Neither of them spoke. The air between them felt heavy, charged with something dangerous. Raven's breathing quickened, as though he was holding himself back from doing something terrible.
I stood frozen, unsure of what to do. I didn't know whether to save the woman from Raven—or save Raven from whatever was about to happen.
Instinctively, I closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, the woman had begun moving her hands in a circular motion. She raised her fingers upward, her eyes closing as if concentrating. At first, nothing happened.
It felt like an exchange of power—silent, unseen.
Then suddenly, like a violent wave, something struck from behind us. A powerful force threw all of us to the ground.
I cried out as my body hit the floor.
Soah stepped forward through the chaos, smiling calmly. She rushed straight to Raven.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, holding him. "I hope I didn't hurt you."
Raven pushed her away immediately and stood up. His eyes were sharp, confused, and dark.
"Who are you?" he demanded, staring at Soah.
But then his attention shifted. He turned away from her and rushed toward the woman who still lay on the floor, unmoving.
Raven knelt beside her and placed his fingers against her neck, checking for a pulse.
Suddenly, the woman's eyes flew open. With a sharp movement, she pushed Raven away with incredible force. Before anyone could react, she vanished—disappearing like a wave dissolving into air.
I sat on the floor, stunned, watching everything unfold as though it wasn't real.
Soah ran to Raven again, holding him tightly. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Raven pulled his arm free and looked at her coldly. "Who are you," he asked again, "and why do you have so much power?"
Soah only smiled. She turned away without answering and walked off, disappearing down the corridor.
I remained seated, my body trembling as I replayed everything in my mind.
Raven turned to look at me. His gaze lingered for a few seconds, unreadable. Then he turned to leave.
"You know you can actually stop," I said, forcing myself to stand.
He stopped walking but didn't turn around.
"Yes," I continued, my voice shaking but firm. "You should stop now. Leave this school. Or I will do what I am meant to do—and trust me, next time, I won't spare your life."
Raven turned slowly and looked at me. His eyes held something deep—pain, regret, or something else entirely. He didn't say a word. He turned away and walked off.
I stood there for several seconds, then found myself following him.
I didn't understand why Raven rushed to check if the woman was alive. That woman was the one with Eunwoo. Did she come to see me? Or did she come for something else entirely?