I stood there.
Still trying to understand what had just happened.
The silence felt… different now.
Empty.
"Xeyer."
My body stiffened slightly.
That voice—
Calm.
Clear.
Too steady for this place.
I turned.
Clera stood a few steps away.
Unmoved.
Unbothered.
"How long have you been here?" I asked, my voice still uneven.
She didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes moved—
Not just to me—
But around me.
The ground.
The trees.
The space behind me.
Like she was checking something.
Then—
Her gaze settled on me.
And I felt it.
Not just being looked at—
But studied.
Measured.
Like she wasn't just seeing me—
But something beyond me.
"…You wandered off," she said simply.
I frowned slightly.
"I was looking for Kevin."
A pause.
"He's looking for you," she replied.
Her eyes were still on me.
Steady.
Unmoving.
"…You're wet," she said.
I hesitated.
"…I fell."
"Into what?"
My lips parted slightly—
But no words came out.
Because suddenly—
I wasn't sure how to answer that.
Clera watched me for a second longer.
That same gaze—
Quiet.
Sharp.
Then—very slightly—
Her eyes shifted past me.
Toward the direction the wolves had gone.
And for a brief moment—
I wondered—
Did she feel it too?
"Let's go," she said calmly.
No questions.
No confusion.
Just a decision.
I didn't argue.
Didn't ask anything more.
She turned first.
And I followed.
Clera didn't rush.
Her steps were steady, sure—like she already knew the way.
No hesitation.
No checking back.
I stayed a step behind.
Still cold.
Still trying to process everything.
After a few minutes—
A voice cut through the trees—
"XEY!"
I froze.
"…Kev?"
"YOU IDIOT—WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!"
Relief hit instantly.
Before I could even react properly—
He pushed through the branches and came straight toward me.
"What were you doing?! I've been looking everywhere—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His eyes dropped.
"…Why are you drenched?"
I exhaled, running a hand through my wet hair.
"I fell."
"Fell where?"
I opened my mouth—
Then paused.
"…Somewhere."
He stared at me for a second.
Then scoffed lightly.
"Wow. Very informative. Thanks."
I let out a small breath.
"…Shut up."
He stepped closer, grabbing my arm lightly.
"You're freezing, idiot."
I didn't pull away.
"Let's just get out of here," he muttered, more serious now.
For once—
I didn't argue.
I glanced at Clera.
She was quiet.
Watching.
Then I looked back at Kevin.
Normal.
Annoying.
Loud.
And yet—
Something felt… off.
We started walking back together.
But before leaving—
I turned once.
Toward the forest.
It stood there.
Silent.
Unchanged.
Like nothing had happened.
But I knew—
Something had.
We walked back in silence.
The forest slowly thinning behind us, the road finally coming into view under the dim moonlight.
The air felt… normal again.
Too normal.
Kevin walked beside me, occasionally glancing over like he wanted to say something—but didn't.
Clera was ahead.
A few steps in front.
Silent.
I leaned slightly toward Kevin.
"…Kev."
"Hmm?"
I lowered my voice.
"What's she doing here?"
He glanced ahead, then back at me.
"Who? Clera?"
"Obviously."
He let out a quiet breath.
"I couldn't find you, idiot. You just disappeared."
I looked away slightly.
"So I called her," he continued. "She was nearby anyway… said she was just passing by the house."
I frowned a little.
"Passing by?"
"Yeah," he shrugged lightly. "So I asked her to help me find you."
I looked ahead.
At Clera.
Still walking.
Still calm.
"…Oh."
That was it.
That was the explanation.
Simple.
Normal.
And yet—
Something didn't sit right.
I didn't say anything more.
Just kept walking.
But my eyes stayed on her for a second longer than they should have.
By the time we reached the house—
The tension had settled… at least on the surface.
Kevin pushed the door open first.
"Come in," he said casually, glancing back at Clera.
She stepped in without hesitation.
No pause.
No questions.
"For a while?" Kevin added.
Clera gave a small nod.
"Sure."
Simple.
Too simple.
I didn't say anything.
Just walked in behind them.
The house felt warmer.
Safer.
Or maybe—
Just familiar.
"I'm changing," I muttered, already heading toward my room.
"Yeah, do that," Kevin replied. "You look like you fought the lake and lost."
"…Shut up."
I closed the door behind me.
Silence.
For a moment—
I just stood there.
Still.
Everything from before started replaying.
The water.
The cold.
The wolves.
"…That was insane."
I ran a hand through my damp hair, exhaling slowly.
"Maybe…"
I paused.
"…Maybe I imagined it."
It sounded ridiculous even in my own head.
Wolves?
A whole pack?
Guiding me?
"…Yeah. No way."
I reached for my hoodie, pulling it off—
And froze.
My fingers tightened slightly around the fabric.
The collar—
Torn.
Not ripped randomly.
Not worn out.
Torn in one place.
Clean.
Deep.
Like something had gripped it.
Hard.
My breath slowed.
I stared at it for a few seconds.
Not moving.
Then—very slowly—
I touched the edge of the tear.
"…Teeth."
A quiet realization settled in.
Not imagined.
Not a dream.
Real.
I lowered the hoodie slightly.
Still staring at it.
Something in that forest—
Wasn't normal.
And somehow—
It had chosen me.
I changed quickly.
Dry clothes.
Dry skin.
But not a clear mind.
The torn collar stayed on the bed.
Unmoved.
I stared at it for a second longer—
Then looked away.
No point standing here.
I stepped out of the room.
Voices.
From downstairs.
Kevin.
And Clera.
I walked down slowly.
Kevin was already talking—
"…I told you, he just disappeared—"
Clera stood nearby.
Listening.
Not interrupting.
Her posture was relaxed.
But her attention—
Sharp.
They both looked up when I stepped in.
"There he is," Kevin said. "Alive."
"…Barely," I muttered.
His eyes scanned me quickly.
"You good now?"
"Yeah."
Simple.
Normal.
Clera didn't say anything.
Just looked at me for a moment—
And I felt it.
That same quiet gaze.
Then she looked away.
Like nothing happened.
Kevin leaned back slightly.
"So?"
I looked at him.
"What?"
"What happened?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You don't just vanish like that."
I paused.
Just for a second.
"Nothing," I said.
Kevin stared at me.
"…You're a terrible liar."
I exhaled lightly.
"I slipped. That's it."
"Slipped?" he repeated. "Into what?"
"…Water."
"A lake?"
I hesitated.
"…Something like that."
He frowned slightly, clearly not satisfied.
"That's why you were shouting?" he added.
I looked at him.
"I wasn't shouting."
"You literally yelled my name."
A pause.
"…Maybe once."
Kevin let out a small scoff.
"Yeah. 'Maybe.'"
For a moment, it almost felt normal again.
Then—
Clera spoke.
"Were you alone?"
Her voice was calm.
Not pressing.
Not soft either.
Just… placed.
I looked at her.
"…Yeah."
A brief silence followed.
She didn't react.
Didn't question it further.
Just held my gaze for a second—
And then looked away.
Like she had already taken what she needed from that answer.
Kevin stretched slightly.
"Whatever. At least you're not dead."
"…Reassuring," I muttered.
He smirked.
"You're welcome."
Silence settled again.
But this time—
It wasn't empty.
It felt like something was sitting between us.
Unspoken.
I leaned back slightly.
Trying to relax.
But my mind—
Went back.
To the forest.
To the wolves.
And for a brief moment—
I wondered—
If I was really the only one who saw them.
Silence settled in the room.
Heavy—but not uncomfortable.
I leaned back slightly.
Then stood up.
"I'll make dinner."
Kevin looked at me immediately.
"…What?"
"I'll cook," I repeated, already heading toward the kitchen.
"Are you serious right now?" he said, getting up halfway. "You were literally freezing ten minutes ago."
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
I didn't stop.
Kevin exhaled sharply.
"Xey—"
"I said I'm fine."
My voice wasn't loud.
But it was enough.
A pause.
He studied me for a second.
Then shook his head.
"…You're so stubborn."
"…You noticed?"
He scoffed lightly.
"Yeah, idiot. Since day one."
I ignored him and walked into the kitchen.
A moment later—
Footsteps behind me.
"I'm not letting you collapse while cooking," Kevin muttered, leaning against the counter.
"I won't."
Another pause.
Then—
"I can help," Clera said calmly from the doorway.
I glanced at her briefly.
"It's fine."
She didn't insist.
Just nodded once.
And stepped in anyway—
Quietly placing plates on the counter.
Not interfering.
Just… there.
I turned back to the stove.
Cut.
Stir.
Wait.
Something about the routine—
Made everything feel… stable again.
Even if my mind wasn't.
Cut.
Stir.
Wait.
The rhythm helped.
Kept things steady.
Kevin was still behind me, watching.
Not saying anything now.
Clera stood near the counter, placing things in order.
Quiet.
Precise.
Everything felt… normal.
Almost.
The flame flickered slightly.
I stared at it for a second longer than needed.
The light shifted—
And for a brief moment—
Grey.
Not flame.
Not light.
Eyes.
Shiny.
Still.
Watching.
My grip tightened around the knife.
A sharp sound—
Clink.
The knife slipped slightly against the board.
"Hey—careful," Kevin said immediately, straightening.
I blinked.
The flame was normal again.
Nothing there.
"…Yeah," I muttered.
I adjusted my grip.
Forced my hand steady.
"You sure you're okay?" he asked again, quieter this time.
"I said I'm fine."
But this time—
It didn't sound as convincing.
A small pause.
Clera didn't speak.
Didn't move closer.
But I felt it—
Her gaze.
Not on my face.
On my hand.
The one holding the knife.
Then—
Just as quietly—
She looked away.
Like she had already noticed enough.
We sat down.
The food was simple.
Warm.
Normal.
Kevin took the first bite.
Paused.
Then looked at me.
"…Okay. Respect."
I didn't react.
Clera ate quietly.
Composed as ever.
For a while—
Only the sound of cutlery.
Kevin leaned back slightly.
"So," he said, "next time we explore a forest, we stay together."
"…We weren't exploring," I muttered.
"Yeah, we were not getting lost," he corrected.
I almost smiled.
Then—
Clera spoke.
"Forests can be unpredictable."
Her tone was calm.
Measured.
Kevin nodded.
"Exactly."
She continued—
"Sometimes… they don't let you leave immediately."
My hand paused.
Just for a second.
Then I continued eating.
Kevin frowned slightly.
"…That sounds weird."
Clera didn't explain.
Didn't repeat it.
Just went back to eating.
And just like that—
The conversation ended.
But that line—
Stayed.
Later—
The house went quiet.
Kevin had already gone to sleep.
Clera stayed in the guest room.
I lay on my bed.
Staring at the ceiling.
Sleep didn't come.
Every time I closed my eyes—
Grey.
Those eyes again.
Still.
Watching.
I turned to the side.
Exhaled slowly.
"…It was real."
The torn collar rested on the chair nearby.
Silent proof.
I shut my eyes again.
This time—
The darkness didn't feel empty.
It felt… present.
Like something was there.
Not visible.
Not close.
But aware.
My breathing slowed.
Without me trying.
And for a brief moment—
I wasn't in my room anymore.
The forest.
Not fully.
Just a glimpse.
A feeling.
Cold air.
Still ground.
And somewhere—
Watching.
Not threatening.
Not kind.
Just… there.
I opened my eyes suddenly.
Back in my room.
Silence.
But my chest felt different.
Heavier—
Or calmer.
I couldn't tell.
"…What are you?"
No answer.
Only the night.
The night felt quieter than it should have been.
I lay back on the bed.
Soft.
Comfortable.
The cream bedsheet was still warm.
The blanket—light, familiar—settled over me like nothing had changed.
Like everything was normal.
But it wasn't.
My eyes stayed on the ceiling.
Unmoving.
"…It wasn't a hallucination."
The word felt wrong even in my own head.
The cold water.
The weight pulling me down.
The grip on my collar.
And those eyes.
Grey.
Watching.
I exhaled slowly.
My hand moved to the side—fingers brushing against the torn edge of the hoodie resting nearby.
Proof.
Real.
So then—
My brows pulled together slightly.
"…What about that?"
The thought came back without warning.
Sharp.
Clear.
That night.
A presence behind me.
Too close.
Too real.
And then—
That kiss.
My fingers stilled.
It hadn't felt like imagination.
Not even for a second.
The pressure—
The grip—
The way it didn't let me pull away—
Too real.
"…Then who—"
I stopped.
A faint unease settled deeper.
Because now—
I couldn't deny it anymore.
If the forest was real—
Then so was that.
My gaze darkened slightly.
"…Someone was here."
Not just passing by.
Not just watching.
Close.
Too close.
A faint memory flickered—
A voice.
Low.
Controlled.
"Still choosing someone else?"
My chest tightened slightly.
That tone—
Not unfamiliar.
Not entirely.
Like something I should remember—
But couldn't.
"…Have we met before?"
Silence answered.
But the feeling didn't leave.
That presence—
Wasn't random.
It wasn't curiosity.
It was…
Claim.
My fingers curled slightly into the bedsheet.
"…Who are you?"
No answer.
Only the quiet room.
But deep down—
Somewhere I couldn't reach yet—
It felt like I already knew.
I shifted slightly on the bed.
The softness didn't help anymore.
My thoughts had already moved on.
"…Those men."
The words felt heavier now.
Black suits.
Cold eyes.
No hesitation.
Not normal.
My fingers tightened slightly over the blanket.
"They weren't random."
No one comes like that—
Prepared.
Precise.
For nothing.
My gaze drifted to the side.
Unfocused.
"…They came for me."
Not the house.
Not anything else.
Me.
A quiet breath left me.
"…My blood."
The memory felt distant—
But sharp enough to leave a mark.
The way they moved.
The way they didn't speak much.
Like it wasn't personal.
Just a task.
"…Why?"
My brows pulled together slightly.
If it was just one strange thing—
Maybe I could ignore it.
But now—
The forest.
The wolves.
The stranger.
Those men.
All of it—
Connected.
Somehow.
"…This isn't normal."
A faint, humorless breath escaped me.
"Yeah… no shit."
Silence settled again.
But this time—
It didn't feel empty.
It felt like pieces were there—
Just not fitting yet.
"…Think."
I closed my eyes briefly.
Black suits.
Not local.
Not careless.
Organized.
Which means—
"They knew what they were doing."
And if they knew—
"…Then I'm not the only one who knows something's wrong."
My eyes opened slowly.
The ceiling looked the same.
Unchanged.
But everything else—
Wasn't.
"…What did they want from me?"
No answer came.
But one thing was clear now—
This wasn't over.
It hadn't even started properly yet.
Silence stretched.
Too long.
I exhaled slowly and turned my head to the side.
"...I need to stop overthinking."
It sounded right.
It didn't feel right.
My eyes closed.
Just for a moment—
A soft sound.
I opened them again.
Stillness.
Nothing moved.
"…Kevin?"
No response.
Of course not.
He should be asleep.
I stared at the ceiling again.
Then—
Tap.
My gaze shifted toward the window.
The curtain moved slightly.
Not enough for wind.
"…What now."
I sat up slowly.
The room felt the same—
But not quite.
Like something had changed—
Just a little.
Another sound.
Closer this time.
From outside the room.
The hallway.
My expression tightened slightly.
"…This is getting annoying."
I swung my legs off the bed.
Cold floor.
Grounding.
Real.
I stood up.
For a second—
I hesitated.
Then shook my head lightly.
"…It's nothing."
But my body didn't relax.
I stepped toward the door.
Each step slow.
Measured.
The handle was right there.
My fingers hovered over it.
A pause.
That same feeling again.
Like something was waiting—
On the other side.
My fingers closed around the handle.
Slowly—
I turned it.
The lock clicked.
I pulled the door open.
And stopped.
He was there.
Right in front of me.
So close—
I hadn't even heard him.
Tall.
Dressed in black.
A hood casting shadows over him—
And beneath it—
A black helmet.
No face.
No expression.
And yet—
"...Eh!?"
The sound slipped out before I could stop it.
Because—
…I knew.
He was smiling.
My breath caught.
Not from fear—
Something else.
A strange mix—
Excitement.
Nervousness.
My body tensed.
But I didn't step back.
Didn't scream.
I could have.
But I didn't want to.
Because a part of me—
Needed to know.
What would happen next.
Silence stretched between us.
Thick.
Unmoving.
"…You came again."
My voice came out quieter than I expected.
He didn't answer.
Didn't move.
Just stood there—
Looking down at me.
Waiting.
And somehow—
It felt like the next move—
Was mine.