The next morning, Lina woke up earlier than usual. For a moment, she stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about everything that happened yesterday. The new school, the new town, and especially Adrian and the strange way he talked to her.
She still remembered his words: "This town is not safe."
Lina sighed and got out of bed. "It's just a small town," she told herself. "Nothing bad is going to happen."
But deep inside, she wasn't so sure.
Downstairs, her mother was making coffee.
"Good morning," her mother said with a smile.
"Morning," Lina replied, sitting at the table.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes… I think so," Lina said. "I'm still getting used to this place."
Her mother nodded. "Moonridge is quiet, but quiet places are not always peaceful."
Lina looked at her mother. "Why does everyone keep saying things like that about this town?"
Her mother didn't answer immediately. She just looked at Lina for a moment and then said, "Just be careful who you trust."
Those words stayed in Lina's mind the whole way to school.
At school, Lina was at her locker when she felt it again—that strange feeling that someone was watching her.
She turned her head slowly and saw a boy leaning against the wall, looking directly at her. He had light brown hair and a confident smile, like someone who was used to getting what he wanted.
When he saw that she noticed him, he started walking toward her.
Lina tried to stay calm.
"You must be the new girl," he said.
"And you must be the boy who stares at people for no reason," Lina replied.
The boy laughed. "I like you. You're not scared."
"Should I be?" Lina asked.
He looked at her carefully before answering. "Maybe."
"I'm Lina," she said.
"I know," he replied. "I'm Lucas."
For a moment, they just looked at each other. Lina felt uncomfortable, but she didn't know why. There was something about Lucas that felt… dangerous.
"You look like someone I used to know," Lucas said suddenly.
"I think you're mistaken," Lina replied quickly.
Lucas smiled a little. "No. I never forget a face."
Before Lina could say anything else, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Lucas."
She turned and saw Adrian walking toward them. Adrian looked calm, but his eyes were cold.
"Don't talk to her," Adrian said.
Lucas raised his eyebrows. "You don't tell me what to do."
Then Lucas looked at Lina again. "We'll talk later."
He walked away slowly.
Lina looked at Adrian. "You know him?"
Adrian sighed. "Yes. He's my brother."
"Your brother?" Lina said, surprised. "You're completely different."
Adrian looked down for a moment. "Yes. We are."
"Why did you tell him not to talk to me?" Lina asked.
Adrian looked at her seriously. "Because Lucas brings problems wherever he goes."
"And you don't?" Lina asked.
Adrian looked at her, and for a second, he didn't answer. Then he said quietly, "I bring worse things."
That evening, Lina stayed late at school to finish some work. When she finally left, the sky was already dark. The streets were empty, and the town was very quiet.
As she walked home, she had the strange feeling again.
Like someone was behind her.
She walked faster.
The footsteps behind her became faster too.
Lina stopped walking and turned around quickly, but she didn't see anyone.
Her heart was beating fast now.
When she turned back to continue walking, someone was standing in front of her.
She almost screamed, but then she saw who it was.
Lucas.
"You should not walk alone at night," he said.
"You scared me!" Lina said. "Why do you keep appearing like that?"
Lucas smiled a little. "Maybe I like scaring you."
"That's not funny," Lina said.
Lucas looked at her for a moment and then said, "I'm serious. This town is dangerous at night."
"Adrian said the same thing," Lina replied. "What is wrong with this town?"
Lucas stepped closer to her. "Moonridge has secrets. And you… you are one of them."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Lina said, feeling nervous.
Lucas was about to say something else, but suddenly he turned his head toward the forest, like he heard something.
"What is it?" Lina asked.
Lucas didn't answer. He grabbed her arm.
"We need to leave. Now."
"Why?" Lina asked, scared.
Then Lina heard it.
A low, terrifying growl coming from the trees.
Lina slowly looked toward the forest, and her body froze.
Two red eyes were shining in the darkness.
Watching them.
Lucas moved in front of Lina, protecting her.
"Listen to me," he said quietly. "When I tell you to run, you run. Don't look back. Don't stop. Just run."
Lina was too scared to argue.
The growl came again, louder this time.
"RUN!" Lucas shouted.
Lina started running as fast as she could. She could hear something running behind them, fast and heavy. She didn't know what it was, and she didn't want to know.
After a few minutes, she reached the main road where there were lights. She stopped and tried to catch her breath.
A few seconds later, Lucas appeared from the darkness. His shirt was torn, and there was blood on his hand.
Lina looked at him in shock. "What happened? What was that thing?"
Lucas looked at the blood on his hand like it was nothing.
"It's not my blood," he said.
Lina felt a cold shiver run through her body.
"Then whose blood is it?" she asked.
Lucas looked at her and smiled slightly.
"That thing's blood."
Lina stared at him, her heart beating fast.
"What are you?" she whispered.
Lucas looked at her with dark, mysterious eyes and said:
"That's a dangerous question, Lina."
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