Two years ago, we met in the most unexpected way — during a silly game of Among Us. Neither of us could’ve known that in between chasing imposters and fixing wires, we were actually about to stumble upon something real.Something… life-changing.

He asked for my Instagram.And I gave it to him.

I don’t usually do that. I never give my Instagram to strangers — not in games, not online. But something about him felt different. Like he wasn’t just another player. Like I already knew him somehow.

Later, I found out — he doesn’t usually ask for Instagrams either.So maybe it wasn’t just chance.Maybe it was fate… disguised as a video game.

When his message came through, I felt a strange fear. Not because he was scary — but because I wanted to reply.I wanted to talk.I wanted to know more.

So we talked. Casually. Like two strangers with a spark they didn’t know how to explain. Then, he asked for my photo.

I hesitated, but I sent it.

And then… he took a screenshot.

That moment crushed me.I was afraid. Not of him, but of what it meant. Because for the first time in my life, someone I felt so deeply connected tohad done something that made me want to cry.I don’t even know why — maybe it was disappointment, or maybe it was the fear of losing something before it even began.

But we kept talking.And slowly, the fear faded.And the warmth returned.

Because sometimes, even the most beautiful stories start with a moment of doubt.And love — real love — is when you stay. When you talk. When you grow past the fear, together.

And that’s exactly what we did

PAGE 2:

Back in the present, Yura writes a book detailing his experiences and the future technologies he witnessed.

Text (Narration): "In the end, it wasn’t about the fame, or the ideas, or the technology. It was about understanding the journey, the lessons learned… and the bond I shared with Allen."

Yura (thinking): "I saw the future. I saw things I never believed possible. But I learned one thing: we can’t control time, but we can choose how we live in it."

The book in front of Yura is open, showing a page where he has written down all the events he encountered in the future. The last sentence reads: "In the future, Allen will be reborn, and his name will echo throughout time."

Text (Narration): “I had to tell the story. I had to share the knowledge I gained… of the future, of Allen’s legacy.”

Yura (writing): "It's reality, or just a scenario… Who’s to say?"

Yura looks at the last page of the book, where Allen’s name is written in bold letters. It’s underlined, and below that, there is a cryptic line: "Allen will be reborn."His eyes narrow, as if he's come to a realization.

Text (Narration): “In this world, Allen will always be a part of me, whether I am in the past, present, or future. He’s more than a name, more than just a memory of a strange time."

Yura (thinking): "The future is shaped by us all... but no one ever really knows how it unfolds. Maybe I was just a part of the story, or maybe it was always meant to be."

The last panel is a close-up shot of the book’s pages fluttering in the wind.

Text (Narration): “The pages of time are always turning… and who knows? Maybe the story isn’t over yet.”

Text (Final Thought): “The book is finished… but the world is still writing its own."

Text on the last page of the book(written by Yura):"Time is fluid, but choices define us. We are all connected across time. I wrote this to make sure the world remembers: Allen will be reborn."

With a helpless whimper, Alice kissed Jax back, breathing rapidly, and loving the hard feel of his muscles overpowering her body. Alice definitely wasn’t in charge of anything, totally controlled, yet at the same time she wasn’t afraid.

Just as she thought she might lose herself completely, Alice bit down on his bottom lip. Hard. Drawing blood. Jax hissed and pulled back, but Alice followed, running her tongue over his bruised lip. Jax looked down at her, with an almost feral glint in his eyes, as if she had just issued a challenge he was more than willing to accept.

Alice suddenly pulled back, her eyes darting over Jax's shoulder. "Good evening, Sheriff," she said smoothly.

Jax laughed, tilting his head at her with a playful, skeptical look. "Really, Alice? You think I’m falling for that again?"

But then a voice came from behind him, cool and authoritative. "I’m afraid I’m quite real, Mr. Ryder."

Jax stiffened and turned around to see the sheriff standing a few steps away, his hands casually resting on his belt. The man’s gaze flicked between the two of them, lingering just long enough to make Alice uncomfortable.

"I’m here because Miss Carter dropped her location pin to her friend Susy during all that trouble at the drive-in," the sheriff explained, his voice calm but firm. "Susy called us after she tracked it to these woods."

Alice bit her lip, her face flushing. Jax shot her a surprised look, his eyebrows raised. "Really?"

The sheriff ignored the exchange and continued. "Also, it seems Mr. Ryder here called us himself—before he intervened with Cade in the lot."

Alice turned to Jax, her expression softening with surprise. "You called them?"

Jax shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "Figured someone needed to keep it clean."

The sheriff cleared his throat, cutting through the moment. "I need your statements about what happened tonight, but first, I’ll be taking Miss Carter home. She’s been through enough for one evening."

Jax’s jaw tightened, and he stepped closer to Alice protectively. "I’ll take her home myself."

The sheriff raised a brow. "I parked up the road. You can follow us on your bike, Mr. Ryder. Afterward, I’ll need you at the station to sort this out." He paused, his gaze sharpening.

Jax nodded reluctantly, his eyes lingering on her before stepping back.

The sheriff motioned toward his car, and Alice gave Jax one last look before following. As the taillights disappeared up the road, Jax swung onto his bike, revving the engine before tearing off into the night, the roar of the motor echoing loudly through the trees.

After her police escort and a quick phone call to calm Susy down, Alice stepped out onto her back porch, needing air and space to think. The moonlight bathed the yard in a silvery glow, illuminating the tall trees that bordered the property. A warm breeze stirred the leaves, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and earth. The night was still, almost soothing, but Alice’s mind refused to settle.

She sank into an old wicker chair, her legs curled beneath her, staring out into the darkness. The events of the night churned in her head—Cade, Jax, the sheriff showing up. Her pulse still raced, adrenaline coursing through her veins, too rattled to even consider sleep.

After a moment, she grabbed her laptop from inside and opened it. Writing had always been her way of processing, her method of untangling the chaos in her mind. The screen’s soft glow illuminated her face as her fingers flew across the keys. She didn’t stop to edit or analyze, letting the raw emotions pour out onto the digital page.

An hour passed before her eyelids grew heavy and her energy finally faded. With a mix of impulse and adrenaline still coursing through her, Alice hit send, forwarding the draft to her editor without giving it a second thought. She snapped the laptop shut and exhaled deeply, her body finally surrendering to exhaustion.

She shuffled back inside and climbed into bed, the weight of the night pressing down on her as her eyes closed. Somewhere between her last coherent thought and sleep, she wondered what her editor would think of the chaos she had just unleashed.

The next morning, Alice woke to a notification that made her heart leap. Her editor had emailed her, raving about the draft. He loved it, he wanted more, and he even used the word publish. A spark of hope surged through her, and for the first time in days, she felt like maybe she was heading in the right direction.

Bursting with excitement, Alice decided she couldn’t keep the news to herself. She grabbed her keys and headed straight to Susy’s house. She also wanted to spill every detail about the hot kiss with Jax, hoping Susy would help her process it—or at least scream with her.

But when she knocked on Susy’s door, there was no answer. Strange. Undeterred, Alice went around to the back and found the door slightly ajar. A pang of unease hit her, but curiosity got the better of her. She stepped inside, calling out, "Susy? You home?"

Footsteps shuffled, and suddenly a wet and flustered Susy appeared in the hallway, wrapped in nothing but a towel. "Alice! Uh—Hi! This isn’t a good time!"

Before Alice could respond, a very naked and equally wet Eddie stepped out from the bathroom behind her, running a hand through his dripping hair. Yes, that Eddie—the same Eddie who had fought them at the bar.

Alice’s jaw dropped. "Oh my God. What the hell, Susy?"

Susy’s cheeks turned crimson. "This… This isn’t what it looks like!"

"It is exactly what it looks like," Eddie said with a smirk, clearly unbothered by the situation—or his lack of clothing.

Alice blinked at him, then at Susy.

Susy groaned under Alice's judgmental stare, tightening the towel around her "It’s not as bad as it seems!"

"Really?" Alice raised an eyebrow. "Because it looks like you’re hooking up with the guy who tried to kill us two days ago."

"That’s not fair!" Susy said, throwing her hands up. "After the whole Cade thing yesterday, Eddie found me in the parking lot. We started talking, and—well—"

"One thing led to another," Eddie finished with a smug grin.

Alice looked between the two of them, utterly baffled. "Are we just… ignoring the part where he literally threw punches at us? This feels like the world’s weirdest rom-com!"

Susy sighed. "Look, I wasn’t planning for this to happen, okay? But Eddie’s actually kind of sweet when he’s not… you know… brawling in bars."

"Sweet," Alice echoed, shooting Eddie a skeptical glance.

Eddie shrugged. "What can I say? I’m actually just a pussycat."

Alice groaned Just… put some clothes on before I end up in therapy, okay?"

Susy and Eddie exchanged a sheepish glance before disappearing into separate rooms. Alice sank into the nearest chair, muttering to herself, "I need new friends."

As Susy reemerged from her bedroom, now in an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, she gave Alice a knowing smirk. "You know, you’re one to talk."

Alice blinked, still trying to erase the image of a naked Eddie from her brain. "Excuse me?"

Susy folded her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you’ve been looking at Jax."

Alice sputtered, her cheeks heating. "That’s… that’s different! Jax didn’t try to kill me!"

"Right," Susy said, raising an eyebrow. "Because getting tangled up with a motorcycle gang leader is the safer option."

Alice narrowed her eyes. "Okay, point taken. But at least I haven’t taken naked steps toward my bad decision."

Susy grinned. "Not yet, anyway."

Alice grabbed a couch pillow and launched it at her friend, who laughed and ducked out of the way.

"Just saying," Susy added, "you’re a total hypocrite, but I love you for it."

Alice groaned, shaking her head. "Why are we even friends?"

"Because you secretly enjoy my chaos," Susy quipped, flopping onto the couch beside her. "Now spill—what happened with you and Jax yesterday?"

After breakfast at Susy’s, Alice needed to clear her head. The summer heat was stifling, and she craved the solitude of nature. She decided to revisit the lake where she and her friends used to swim as teenagers.

Though the weather was warm, the area was nearly deserted—a stroke of luck. Not that it mattered; Alice knew of a secluded spot, hidden by tall reeds and a canopy of trees.

She waded into the water in her white bikini, the coolness a welcome relief against her sun-warmed skin. After a long soak, she rose slowly, eyes closed, as her hands smoothed back her damp hair. With a satisfied exhale, she opened her eyes and began to move toward the edge.

That’s when she saw him.

Jax stood at the water’s edge, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that made Alice's pulse quicken. His smile was predatory, his dark eyes glinting with amusement as he casually tossed his shirt aside, revealing a broad chest and a body carved like stone. Every inch of him screamed raw strength and danger.

"Let me guess," Alice said, arching a brow. "You thought it was the perfect time for a swim?"

"Mmhm," he mumbled, kicking off his boots. He stood there in his boxers, clearly not prepared for a dip but entirely prepared for something else.

Alice folded her arms, her tone dry. "Well, the lake’s all yours." She began to move to the left, but Jax mirrored her movements, his grin widening.

She half-expected it. No, she anticipated it. Maybe even hoped for it.

Pausing, she smiled and cast her eyes downward, her fingers idly skimming the water’s surface. Then, without warning, she advanced toward him, slow and deliberate.

"You’re definitely stronger than me…" she murmured, her voice low and teasing.

Her hand slid beneath the water, brushing her right hip. "But the real question is…"

She rose from the water, her movements smooth, revealing a small knife holstered around her upper right thigh. The blade gleamed in her hand as it emerged from its sheath, resting lightly between her fingers.

"Are you faster?"

Jax’s laugh was deep and genuine, his expression equal parts amused and surprised. "You’ve got moves, I’ll give you that."

Alice smirked, twirling the blade once. "Please, make a move on me," she challenged, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I’d be happy to stick it anywhere."

His grin widened. "Your mouth is going to land you in so much trouble someday."

Her eyes narrowed. "You do realize you’re on the wrong side of the border, right?"

Jax stepped closer, his confidence unshaken. "I’m a Viper," he said with a shrug. "We don’t recognize borders."

Alice watched as Jax stepped into the water, his strides slow and deliberate, the surface rippling around his powerful legs. Her breath hitched, though she tried to hide it, as he came closer, the space between them shrinking to nothing.

He stopped just inches away, the water lapping at his hips. His gaze raked over her, lingering on the drops of water gliding down her neck and over the curve of her collarbone. He reached out, his fingers brushing lightly along her waist before settling firmly on her hip, pulling her closer.

"Now," he murmured, his voice a low growl, "where were we before the sheriff interrupted us?"

Before she could answer, his lips captured hers, the kiss demanding and unapologetic. It wasn’t gentle; it was fire meeting fire, igniting every nerve in her body. His hand pressed against the small of her back, bringing her flush against him as his other hand tangled in her wet hair.

Alice melted into him despite herself, her knife falling forgotten into the water. The heat of his mouth made her head spin, his taste intoxicating and wild, like danger wrapped in temptation. Her hands instinctively gripped his shoulders, fingers digging into the hard muscle as his kiss deepened.

The world around them faded—the lake, the sun, the troubles of the night before—all of it disappeared. There was only Jax, his body against hers, his lips claiming her in a way that made her feel like she might come undone.

Jax moved with confident tenderness, his fingers tracing the outline of her bikini top, drawing a tremble from Alice. His hands glided over her, caressing her breasts through the delicate fabric, and a rush of warmth flooded her as her body arched into his touch.

Abandoning her mouth, Jax trailed kisses down her neck, each one slow and deliberate. He moved lower, teasing her through the fabric of her top—licking, nibbling, his tongue flicking against her nipple until a soft moan escaped her lips.

Emboldened, Jax reached behind Alice and unfastened her bikini, letting it slip away. His mouth returned to her bare skin, worshiping her with kisses and licks as Alice gasped, her back arching. His fingers found her hardened nipples, rolling and tugging gently, coaxing louder moans from her.

His lips found hers once more as his right hand drifted lower, easing between her thighs. Alice’s breath hitched as he nudged her legs apart, her body instinctively shifting forward, craving more.

Jax deepened their kiss as his fingers traced the fabric of her bathing suit, teasing the heat beneath. A shudder ran through Alice, her legs parting further as she surrendered to the sensation.

He pressed against her, rubbing slow circles over her clothed entrance, the thin material growing slick with her arousal. Alice whimpered, her hips rocking against his hand, desperate for friction.

With a boldness that sent a thrill through her, Jax hooked a finger under the edge of her bikini bottoms, sliding them aside. His fingers met warm, slick skin, gliding effortlessly over her swollen clit.

Alice gasped, her hips jerking as he stroked her, spreading her wetness in slow, maddening passes. A sharp cry tore from her throat when his thumb circled her clit, her body trembling.

He traced a fingertip around her entrance, teasing, before pressing inside with a single smooth thrust. Alice’s back arched, a ragged moan spilling from her lips as he filled her, his thumb still working her clit in relentless circles.

Her movements grew frantic, her ass grinding against him, urging him deeper. Jax obliged, fucking her with his fingers in a steady rhythm, each stroke pushing her closer to the edge.

When her climax hit, it crashed over her in waves—her body clenched around him, her cries muffled against his shoulder. She rode out every pulse, her hips stuttering until, at last, she collapsed against him, spent and breathless.

Alice froze as the sound of her phone ringing shattered the charged silence between her and Jax. The device buzzed insistently on the edge of the sand, just out of reach. She grabbed her bikini top and slipped it back on, then turned to move toward the buzzing phone—but Jax’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist with just enough force to stop her in her tracks.

"We’re not done," he said, his voice low and gravelly. His dark eyes bored into hers, full of unspoken promises. "The price hasn’t been paid in full."

Alice raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips curling into a playful smirk. "Oh, I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day," she teased, pulling her arm free as effortlessly as she could manage. "Besides, I have an appointment with the real estate agent to sell my aunt’s house."

Jax’s jaw tightened—his eyes narrowing as if he were weighing his options. But then his gaze shifted to the growing number of people scattered along the shore—families setting up towels, teenagers laughing as they ran into the water. With a resigned sigh, he let her go, though not without a parting shot.

"This isn’t over," he said, his voice tinged with both irritation and something far more dangerous.

"I never thought it was," Alice replied, turning to retrieve her phone. She felt his eyes on her as she grabbed the device and started toward her car, the tension between them leaving a crackling trail in her wake.

By the time she reached her house, the sun was dipping low in the sky, casting long shadows across the lawn. Alice unlocked the door, stepping inside with a mix of relief and exhaustion. She dropped her bag on the floor, ready to collapse after the whirlwind of a day.

The house felt quieter than usual. Alice hesitated at the doorway, the familiar hum of her home somehow feeling too still. And then—she felt it—the unmistakable prickle of being watched.

"Hello, Alice," a voice drawled from the shadows.

She spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. There, leaning casually against the doorway to her living room, was Cade. His smile was slow and predatory, his eyes gleaming with malice as he straightened to his full height.

"Miss me?" he asked, his voice dripping with mockery.

Alice took a step back, her hand instinctively reaching for her phone, but Cade was faster. He lunged forward, snatching it from her grasp and tossing it onto the couch behind him.

"Let’s have a little chat, shall we?" Cade’s tone was deceptively calm as he advanced toward her.

Alice’s pulse raced as she backed away, her mind scrambling for a way out. But her retreat was cut off by the sound of the door clicking shut behind her.

"Don’t worry," Cade added, his smile twisting into something darker. "I’ll make sure Jax knows you’re in good hands."

Hello guys. I am the writer and narrator of this book. You don't need to know much about me, it won't be about me. However, to start off, here's a quick introduction:

I'm young and I'm in this fandom. My native language is not English, so I get help from language translators when writing articles. To be honest, I joined a little late and when I joined, I was a fan who didn't produce content. I both like and dislike this fandom and you can more or less guess the reasons why.

I find the Countryhumans fandom unique and I think it's nice to have works about countries that are a part of our lives. This is why it's a fandom I wouldn't leave even if I quit, that's why.

...

Where I live, we are raised to be patriots, we have a great connection to our country and we like to be interested in history, country and politics, whether it's good or bad. Personally, I am not very interested in politics but if you knew, you would see that these conversations exist in our society and that they are serious. Simply put, the public is directly interested in this issue, which is why there have been conflicts and ruptures in our history regarding this issue. The location name given to us is not definite anyway. Are we Asian, European or from Middle East? This is complicated. This diversity comes back to us as both positive and negative and this is evident in the fandom.

The above paragraph is entirely about what the society I grew up in was like. Personally, I am someone who likes to research and question a little more. I don't find a country bad or good actually. I'm only interested in what's happening and the reasons and results of events and this helps me get to know countries better, just like getting to know people. I mean, I love my country but I'm also aware that it has flaws and every country has flaws, just like people. Generally, by humanizing something, we also humanize countries in order to better understand and connect with it.

☆ In general, the classic reasons for rejection from this fandom are:

1. Racism

2. Dark humor

3. Ships

4. 18+

But when we look carefully, they are all things that are present in our lives. Sometimes people can be racist towards each other and even make bad jokes about other side' race. Having relationships and even do +18 things. As I said, if we are humanizing something, we have to accept that these things are inevitable. But we should not accept them directly.

Once upon a time...

Beyond seven mountains and seven forests, where the sun hid behind a fiery horizon, stood a castle, and in it lived a beautiful princess. It was said that a curse bound her, preventing her from leaving the castle walls, and that her beauty outshone anything a human could ever dream of. Many brave souls had followed the path to free the princess and claim the reward, but they did not know that the walls surrounding everything concealed terrible secrets.

This story begins like a fairy tale but ends like a nightmare...

On a cold morning shrouded in mist, Elian, a knight with a sword at his side and courage in his heart, made his way toward the castle. A mountainous landscape surrounded him, resembling a dead land, with no living being to oppose him. The castle walls rose to the sky like rusted blades, ready to cut through the very fabric of the world.

The castle looked as if it were inviting him in for reasons unknown. The massive doors, worn with time, opened on their own, silently, as if they had been waiting for him. When he crossed the threshold, the castle's interior stunned him—he saw magnificent murals on the walls and gilded decorations that gently reflected the torchlight.

But something was wrong. As Elian ventured deeper into the corridors, a strange atmosphere began to surround him. Despite the appearance of beauty, everything felt too neglected and forgotten. The echo drifting through the halls was distorted. As he went further, he began to notice small details—slight cracks in the walls, stains on the silk curtains, wind howling through the air.

Still unaware of the true nature of this place, Elian pressed on. He hoped to find the princess, though he didn’t know what to expect. But when the doors to the throne room opened, his hope began to slowly fade.

In the throne room, dead silence reigned, as if time had come to a standstill. It appeared abandoned, and yet unnaturally perfect. The golden decorations on the old, forsaken chairs gleamed, but emitted no warmth. At the very centre stood a massive throne, adorned with intricate carvings, on which no one had sat in centuries. Elian felt a chill run down his spine, as though something were watching him.

In the corner of the room near the windows, he noticed a shadow that seemed to move. He approached cautiously, sword ready. And then he saw her.

The princess was nothing like Elian had imagined. She stood as if under a spell, looking at him with sadness in her eyes. Her gown, though light and flowing, seemed to belong to another era. Her hair shone, yet there was something lifeless about it, as if it did not belong to a living being. When she looked at him, his heart beat faster—not from awe, but from fear. Her gaze was as empty as an endless, bottomless abyss.

"Welcome, Knight," her voice was quiet, echoing off the castle walls. "You won't escape. No one ever has."

Elian stepped closer, but before he could speak, the castle began to tremble, as if everything around him shuddered beneath his feet. The once-still walls began to crack with a sharp sound. The air was thick with the scent of magic—powerful, dark magic.

"Tell me, princess," Elian asked, uncertain whether his words would reach her, "How can I help you? How can I break the curse?"

The princess looked at him with a cold gaze that pierced him to the bone.

"You don't understand. It is not a curse that holds me here, knight. It is my fate. This castle is not my prison—it is my home. And you cannot set me free. Because I am not the one you're looking for."

Elian stood frozen, staring at her in disbelief as she finished speaking.

"You came for me?" Her voice was like an icy wind cutting through the air. You think you came to rescue me, but I am not the one in danger. It is all of you. You who tread upon land forgotten by the living."

Elian realised that the castle, which at first was full of promise, was nothing more than an illusion. The beautiful princess was only part of a plan to lure him inside, and he now understood he was trapped. He tried to flee, but the castle was a maze with no exit. Every door led him back to the same hallways, as if the structure itself was toying with him, laughing at his helplessness. The stone walls, overgrown with rotting moss, seemed to breathe. Every step he took echoed endlessly.

He always returned to the same place—the throne room. Where she was waiting for him.

The castle was becoming more and more of a trap for him. He felt his own will slowly weaken, each part of him gradually yielding to this place. The princess—whom he now saw differently—was no longer just the object of his desire. With every passing moment, she gained more control over his mind. She knew him inside and out. She knew his fears, his unease. Her words, full of secrets, pierced him like rusted nails. Her presence grew increasingly terrifying, as if each encounter with her left a bloody mark on his soul.

As the hours passed, Elian began to notice things he had previously overlooked. Mirrors—everywhere his eyes turned. Tall, adorned with strange gilding and gleaming with an unnatural light. But the worst were the reflexions.

They didn’t show the princess as they should. Her face in them was… different. Distorted. As if something pulsed beneath her skin, as if her beauty were just a thin mask concealing something else. Sometimes, when he looked out of the corner of his eye, he saw shadows in the mirrors moving slowly around her, even though she stood completely still. Shadows that didn’t belong to her taking on monstrous shapes.

Or maybe… maybe they did belong to her? He could no longer be sure of what he was seeing.

When he asked her about it one evening, sitting across from her by the fireplace, she only smiled.

"Mirrors sometimes lie, Elian," she whispered with amusement. "Not everything you see is true."

Her voice was soft, melodic, but it sounded like a blade sliding across glass.

He felt like a prisoner of this place. It wasn’t bars that held him there, nor any chains, but something far worse. Something he couldn’t name. With each passing day, the fortress seemed to draw him in deeper, as if it were a living organism—and he was slowly becoming part of it.

But Elian did not intend to surrender without a fight.

He began to explore corridors he hadn’t walked before. The castle’s interior seemed to shift, as though the walls were moving, closing off certain paths and opening others. In some rooms, the silence was so profound he could hear only his own thoughts. In others, he had the distinct feeling that something was there. Something breathing in the darkness.

He found himself in one of the dust-covered rooms, where old furniture lay abandoned like bodies after a battle. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling like strips of skin, and the air was heavy with the mouldy scent of forgetfulness.

And then he saw it—a portrait.

It hung alone on the wall, faded, almost devoured by time. It portrayed a man with stern facial features and eyes in which a shadow of sorrow lurked. But it wasn't him who caught Elian's attention—it was something behind him.

In the background of the painting, in a dense shadow, stood a figure. Vague, blurred, almost invisible at first glance. And yet, as Elian stepped closer, his heart beat faster. He had the feeling that the figure had seen him, that it was looking straight at him—and smiling.

A voice echoed in his mind, whispering that he was no longer human. That he was nearing the moment when he would no longer be able to distinguish himself from the monster.

He moved on. This time, he entered a chamber he hadn’t noticed before. It was hidden behind a door that had suddenly appeared. Inside, he saw a sight that shook him to the core: the room’s walls were covered in faces. Each one was different, but they all shared one thing—their expressions. Their eyes conveyed despair, pain, and fear, as if these faces were made of stone, yet alive, breathing, and feeling.

Elian stood paralysed, staring at the faces that seemed to be watching him. A cold shiver ran down his spine, and a soft sob escaped his lips. He felt he could no longer stay, but at the same time, something held him there, refusing to let him go.

Suddenly, he heard a faint whisper—a voice filled with fear and desperation, but also carrying a warning: Run, while you still can.

He shuddered. When he looked in the direction the voice had come from, he saw no one. The faces on the wall remained motionless, yet something in their eyes suggested the warning had been real. He had to leave, but his legs seemed frozen. For a moment, he felt he couldn’t escape, as if the castle’s very evil held him in place.

Elian ran from the chamber. His heart pounded, and his thoughts raced with what he had just seen. But it wasn’t long before he once again stood face to face with the Princess.

“I know you’re afraid, Elian,” she said, standing in the doorway of one of the chambers. Her tone was soft, soothing, as if trying to erase all doubts from her mind. “But this is not a place for the weak. This place is my home—and it could be yours too.”

“What is happening here?” he asked, trying to keep calm, though his voice betrayed his unease. “Why are those faces on the walls? What happened to them?”

“It’s nothing, Elian,” she replied, though her voice sounded less convincing. Those faces are just memories, shadows of the past. You don’t need to worry about them. Stay here. Forget everything that was outside. Forget the world you left behind. Only in this castle will you find peace.”

Her gentle words only deepened Elian’s dread. He felt as if she were trying to draw him into a snare from which there was no escape. And that voice that wouldn’t stop trembling in his mind—Run, while you still can...—the voice from the face in the stone. He felt there was no turning back.

With each passing moment, a piece of the castle was seeping into his body and mind. He no longer knew where he ended and where the castle began. Every attempt to escape ended in the same cursed place that was swallowing him more and more.

After another sleepless night full of terrifying dreams, Elian stumbled upon something that might be the key to understanding. He found an old book, dusty and torn in places. It had appeared out of nowhere beside his bed. Its pages revealed dark secrets, answers to all the questions that haunted his mind.

The castle... fed on souls. Everyone who entered became a part of the place. Those who stayed too long didn’t die—they became part of the structure. Their souls were absorbed, and their bodies turned to stone, becoming pieces of the fortress they once tried to escape.

“This is your place, Elian,” the Princess told him. She was not the victim he thought she was. She was the Beast—cursed to bring the castle new souls. Perhaps she was a prisoner too, but her role was different: to lure new victims, lead them through corridors of lies, until they became a part of the castle forever.

“You’ll always be here. This is your destiny, Elian. The castle has chosen you, and now you must become part of it.”

Elian felt the words tear something apart inside him. He knew he was nearing the end of this journey, but he felt powerless, as if all his attempts to escape had been in vain. The castle had him in its claws, and it was no longer just about whether he would manage to leave. His body had begun to change. His skin, when he looked at it, seemed harder, rough like stone, as if it were absorbing everything that had once been soft and alive. His hands had grown cold, as if touched by shadows from the past, and his eyes... darkness lurked deep within them.

He understood—he was no longer Elian, the man who had come to the castle with hope of a better life. The castle had consumed him, was turning him into something that had no right to exist.

The Princess approached him slowly, looking at him with an expression Elian recognised—it wasn’t pity, it was something else. She couldn’t help. She was just as trapped as he was, though her curse was different—she was the Beast.

"This won’t end, Elian," she said. The castle won’t let you go. Everyone who ends up here stays forever. And you... you’ve become part of it. "You know that, don’t you?"

He closed his eyes. He could feel his body still changing into something inhuman, how the stone and darkness were swallowing him whole. Though he could still think, still feel, he knew there was no saving him. The castle had him, and he could no longer escape.

The Princess was the guardian, and he... he had become another victim of this place, another soul to be devoured by stone and shadow.

Elian felt that time was slipping away, and he himself would soon disappear, just like those before him. When he returned to his chamber, he looked through the old book once more. The writings spoke of a way to break the curse. The curse was tied to Beauty—she was the Beast of this castle, but also its heart. To destroy the curse, she had to be killed. Only then would the castle lose its power, and the stones that absorbed souls would cease to feed on life.

It was shocking. With every word he read, Elian began to understand that Beauty was a prisoner just like he was. But she was not powerless. She was the central part of this cursed estate. Without her, the castle would cease to exist—but her death would bring about its destruction.

He teetered on the edge of despair. On the one hand, he knew that to save himself, he would have to kill her, but on the other, she was part of the curse, and her presence still gave him hope. He saw how strong her desire was to stay, to endure with him in this cursed world. The castle offered him a life that was not truly a life, and Beauty begged him to give in to it, for them to stay together—forever.

When he met her again, she was there, in the chamber, always full of that same dark elegance.

“Elian,” she said softly, her voice carrying sadness, and perhaps a strange kind of hope. “I know what you discovered. I know you intend to kill me. But don’t do it. If you want, you can stay here with me. Together… you won’t have to be afraid. The castle isn’t so frightening any more when we have each other. We can be together. Forever. All doubts will vanish, everything from the outside world will fade. Just you and me, eternally.”

Her words, full of warmth, seemed to seep into him, making him think—if only for a moment—that maybe this was the solution. He stopped being afraid of the place. What would he even do outside, in that cruel world? The castle, though dark, gave him everything he needed. Beauty was with him. And wasn’t that what mattered most? He wouldn’t have to run, wouldn’t have to battle loneliness. Every time he looked into her eyes, doubt crept in.

But then he remembered—the castle was not a home, it was a prison. And Beauty was the Beast, not the victim. There was no future in the castle. It devoured people, turning them into its own, swallowed by time and space. This was not life.

And so, he made a decision. Though every cell in his body resisted it, he knew what he had to do.

“I’m sorry,” he said, and there was despair in his voice. This is the only way. I choose freedom, even if it costs me my life.”

Beauty didn’t look away. Instead, her eyes filled with quiet acceptance.

“I know,” she replied, and looked at him with a gaze full of relief. “I know it’s the end.”

He stepped closer to her, feeling her presence fill the room, as if everything in the castle had become unreal. With her death, everything was supposed to end—but that also meant the end of their shared world. Beauty had been in this castle for centuries, forced to be its Beast, its imprisoned soul.

With his hand gripping the blade, Elian struck a blow that sliced through the air.

When Beauty collapsed to the ground, her body began to crumble, like withered flower petals scattering in the wind. The castle trembled, as if its very existence had been torn apart in one vast, shuddering scream that echoed off the walls. The stone cracked in shock, and the walls crumbled into rubble, as if the castle could no longer bear its own weight. The entire space around Elian turned to dust, rising into the air and vanishing into the dark abyss. The castle was dying—and with it, all who had been trapped within its shadowed halls, sinking into oblivion.

Elian ran, feeling the castle’s powerful magic—like unseen threads—trying to pull him back. He barely managed to escape through the collapsing corridors, and finally, the ruined castle shattered into fragments. Elian fell to the ground, exhausted, barely alive—but free.

Elian felt his whole being torn apart. Though he had escaped the crumbling castle, he knew he could never escape what lingered inside him. What he had lived through could not be forgotten—not by him, nor by the cursed world that had birthed that place. The castle that had consumed him, devoured his soul, was not just a dead structure. It was something that still lived in his heart, in his mind.

For a moment, he stood on the edge of exhaustion, gazing at the ruins. Beauty, her death, everything he had done—it all mattered now, but not in the way he had imagined. Destroying the castle, the thing he had longed for all this time, had not brought him peace. He had broken the curse, but he had also destroyed a piece of that world. She had given him hope for a better life, even if it meant being trapped in that cursed place. She had been part of the same curse—but now, by killing her, he had stripped himself of every illusion.

He looked into the distance, at a new wanderer approaching the chasm where the castle once stood. A new victim? Or just another innocent traveller who had stumbled upon the remnants of a ruined tale. Elian felt bitterness—but also relief. It was the end of that story.

But was it the end of his own journey? He had survived—true—but in what sense? The castle was gone. The Beautiful Beast was dead. Yet Elian knew he no longer had a past. The life that had once been full of hope was now just a memory in a shattered world. All that remained was emptiness.

Perhaps he was no longer human. Perhaps he never was. Perhaps from the beginning he had only been a shadow, wandering this cursed world.

Time passed, and in his heart, a flicker of hope still burned. For something, he couldn't name. For peace. For life. Maybe for a new beginning—though he seemed to know that what he had experienced could never be erased. The castle, the beauty, even what he had become—these things would live inside him forever.

But at least he had freedom. Even if it was freedom amongst ruins, amongst the shadows of the past, it was still his freedom. And now, he was the one who would choose what to do with it.

And so, the story of the Beautiful Beast and Elian came to an end. But was this truly the end? Or perhaps... only the beginning of a new, equally dark tale?

Iwasn’t looking for love.

Not then.

Not at the beginning of a new lifein BTech, when everything felt so loudand unfamiliar.

But then… there she was.In my class. Not with a bang — no. With a stillness that pulled me in.​​​​​​​Her eyesweren’t just eyes— they wereanswersI hadn’t known I was asking for. The way she carried herself, unaware of the spell she cast…

She wasn’t trying to be seen.That’s probably why I couldn’t look away.

And then — something close to a miracle.A twist of fate, or maybe a cruel joke dressed as kindness.Our English teacher split the class into boy-girl pairs for an icebreaker — apparently to help us “communicate better”.

A task I would’ve laughed at on any other day. But that day, I whispered a prayer.And somehow… the universe whisperedback.And somehow, she became my pair.

I still remember the rush — like every word I knew had vanished.But she broke the silence first.Anime. Books. Songs.She read stories I loved.And she seemed likeone.

Both a little introverted, both a little lost in our own worlds.But somehow, we found each other in the same chapter.

She smiled when I spoke. I smiled because she listened.Time blurred. The bell rang.And just like that — it ended.

And we never spoke again.

But something strange kept happening — our buses, parked side by side every day. Coincidence?Maybe. Or maybe a second chance, parked beside me daily.

Still… I said nothing. Because I was afraid.Afraid of saying too much.Afraid of being misunderstood.Afraid of being too much for someone who never asked for me in the first place.

I never even knew her real name. Not then. But I gave her one— quietly, in my own head.

Seren.

It means "star"in a language I don't speak, but somehow understood.

Because that’s what she felt like.Distant. Quiet. But somehow... always there.Not burning bright — just being.A kind of calm I wanted to orbit.

She never knew, of course. She never knew she was Serento me.

I told myself — four years is a long time. I’ll talk to her again. When the time is right. But fateisn’t always patient.

In amidstof all, one day, she changed her branch.Moved classes.Moved… away.And I was left wondering…

I stood there, not broken — but almost.

“How foolish of me,” I thought.

Waiting for the right time, without ever trying to make it right.

So now I ask— Will our paths cross again?Or was this always the story of a foolwho named a girl Seren,and never found the courage to tell herwhy?

The day of dread arrived. My mind was made up after Summer's advice and I decided to head over to the hospital Friday evening to meet with Gio.

Once I arrived I texted him that I was waiting for him in the main lobby. He came out of the elevator after a few minutes.

"Thanks for coming." He moved in for a hug. His eyes were low and pink lining surrounded his water line indicating he'd been crying for a while and probably hasn't slept. I didn't say anything to him, I just allowed him to hug me for as long as he needed until he felt comfortable enough to let go. Once we parted he cleared his throat not looking directly at me but at his feet walking towards the room his sister was in. I followed close behind him until we reached a large brown door.

I felt my palms and forehead moistening with sweat and my anxiety rising. The white walls and cold atmosphere brought me back to last year. My breathing hitched a bit once we approached the door and I felt the air around me getting thinner making it slightly harder to breathe. Gio turned around before opening the knob of the door in front of us. "You okay?" He asked me as I visibly started to feel panicked. "Yeah I just need a second." He patted my back walking into the room. Before closing the door he spoke. "Come in when you're ready."

I released a shaky breath and wiped my palms as I began  pacing the hall. I grabbed my phone and pressed the only number I knew to call while feeling this way.

"Hello?" A groggy voice sounded from the other end.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?" I said apologetically.

"No you're fine. Is everything okay?" I heard shuffling in the background. It sounded like she was moving to a different room because her voice began to echo.

"Yes, I just needed to hear your voice."

There was a silence between us while I tapped my foot calming my nerves.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm at the hospital."

"Visiting your friend's sister right?"

"Yeah."

"I'm glad you ended up going. I'm proud of you." Words I haven't heard spoken to me in a long while lingered in my ear.

"That means a lot."

"Y'know I never got to apologize to you."

"What for?"

"I feel like I abandoned you. After that kiss, I kind of disappeared on you when I feel like we could've just had a conversation."

"No, you were right what I did was wrong. I shouldn't have acted so stupidly and ruined things between us like that."

"Still, I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for but if 'I forgive you' is what you need to hear, I do."

I heard a door slam on her side of the phone, followed by a series of muffled noises I couldn't quite make out. "I have to go," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Good luck." Then, the call disconnected.

I glanced at my phone after our conversation wondering what cut it short but moved past it. I finally felt okay enough to go inside and check on Gracie. I entered the room slowly allowed the squeaky hinges on the door to fill the room. Gracie looked over at me and flashed me a weak smile. She had a pink and white hat covering her head and the color of her skin was pale and faded. She looked fragile, but held herself up and seemed to carry positive energy. I'd only met her a handful of times but she was always bubbly and sweet.

"Hi Tommy!"

"Hi Gracie, I like your hat."

"Thank you." She gave a meek smile and a small hint of color rose to her cheeks. "I'm so glad you came I got you something."

"You did?"

"Mhmm." She eagerly brought out a gift bag from her bedside. She placed it on the bed and patted next to her inviting me to sit with her. I looked over at Gio sitting in the lounge chair silently watching us. I laid next to Gracie carefully and placed the gift on my lap digging my hands into the tissue paper.

I lifted the top of a small leather box and a silver necklace with a heart sat on the cushion surface.

"Gracie you didn't have to get me anything."

"I know but I wanted to. To be completely honest, I've had a massive crush on you since we met and didn't know how to tell you without feeling embarrassed. I figured there was no better time to tell you than right now."

"Well, I didn't bring you anything, now I feel horrible."

"Don't worry, I don't want anything. Besides, I'm tired of receiving flowers." She pointed to the other corner of the room to a table filled up with an assortment of flowers and other gift bags. We talked for another hour before a nurse came in to tell us that visiting hours were over.

"Bye Gracie." I gave her a final hug.

"Thank you for coming, it means a lot that you were here today."

"I'll always be here for you if you need me." She pulled away from our hug holding my face.

"Promise me you won't wait to do anything."

I let myself process her words. "I promise." My voice wavered as I let them sink in.

I left the hospital room leaving Gio alone with her so they could have a moment alone. Once he came out we walked out together in complete silence. We separated once we got to the parking lot and the silence weighed heavy on me. I sat in my car for a minute, unsure, but something inside told me it was time to see my mom. It felt like the right thing to do.

"Hey mom."

There was an emptiness in the silence with my voice echoing through the dark. The snow had covered most of the stone her name was etched on but I brushed most of it off.  I talked to my mom for another couple of hours before my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi babe, where are you?"

"I'm on my way back home."

"I thought you were with Gio."

"I was."

"Gio said you left two hours ago."

"I'm visiting my mom."

"Oh. Well i'm at your house because I thought you were home already."

"I'm coming."

I hung up and inhaled the crisp air before releasing a sigh of frustration. I said my last words to my mom before driving back home.

The rain started just as the cookies came out of the oven.

Andrea peeked through the blinds at the house next door, then looked back at Maya with a hopeful grin.“Maybe it’s a sign. You know—romantic weather, warm cookies, handsome neighbour?”

Maya didn’t smile back. She was drying the cookie tray with slow, careful hands.“I’m telling you, something’s not right about him.”

Andrea rolled her eyes. “You’re paranoid. He’s nice. He helped that old lady with her groceries the other day.”

Maya raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. Where’s the old lady now?”

Andrea paused, just for a second. Then she shook her head and grabbed a plate. “Let’s just say hi. Five minutes, then we come back.”

Maya hesitated. But the storm outside was building, and she wasn’t about to let Andrea go alone. With a sigh, she grabbed her jacket and followed her out the door, cookies carefully wrapped in foil.

The rain was heavier than it looked from inside. When they reached the neighbour’s porch, their shoes were soaked, and the wind howled like something alive. Before they could knock, the door swung open.

There he was—Elias.

He smiled, as if he’d been waiting for them.

“You shouldn’t be out in this weather,” he said, voice smooth and calm. “Come in, please.”

Andrea stepped inside first. Maya followed, clutching the cookies like a shield.

The inside of the house was... strange. Clean, but too clean. No smell of food, no photos on the walls, no colour. Just sharp corners, expensive furniture, and cold air. A fire flickered in the living room, but it didn’t seem to warm the space.

“This place is... quiet,” Maya said carefully.

Elias looked at her. “I like quiet. Don’t you?”

Andrea handed him the plate of cookies. “We made these for you! Thought it’d be nice to welcome a new neighbour.”

He took the plate and smiled—polite, empty. “That’s very kind. Why don’t you stay until the storm passes?”

Before Maya could say anything, Andrea nodded eagerly and settled on the couch near the fire. Elias went to the kitchen to make tea.

Maya stood, unsure. The silence pressed in around her. Something ticked faintly, like a clock. Then she noticed it—a locked door, half-hidden near the hallway. And beneath it, the faintest sound. A thud. Then another.

She stepped toward it.

“Guest bathroom’s the other way,” Elias called from the kitchen.

Maya froze.

“I wasn’t—” she started.

But he was already behind her.

For a second, the house felt like it was holding its breath.

Elias’s smile returned. “Tea’s ready.”

Back in the living room, Andrea was sipping chamomile and chatting about books. Maya sat beside her, heart thudding. Elias joined them, his gaze never leaving Maya.

“You seem uncomfortable,” he said softly.

Maya forced a smile. “Just tired.”

He leaned forward slightly. “Tired... or suspicious?”

Andrea laughed nervously. “She’s just cautious. Maya reads a lot of crime novels. Always thinks a killer is hiding behind every door.”

Elias’s smile sharpened.

“Sometimes, there is.”

The fire cracked.

For a moment, no one said anything. The wind screamed against the windows.

Then—THUMP.

It came from the basement.

Elias didn’t flinch. He simply stood up.

“Pipes. Old house. I’ll check on it.”

He walked toward the hallway.

Andrea looked at Maya, finally uneasy. “Do you think—”

“Don’t say I didn’t tell you,” Maya whispered.

And this time, she meant it.

To be continued in Chapter Three…

Last week, our class had a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to visit the Thompson Art Gallery, and it was an amazing opportunity for all of us.

The gallery was filled with vibrant paintings, sculptures and installations that reflected various artists' thoughts and creativity. Walking through the gallery felt like stepping into different worlds.

One of the most striking pieces we encountered was a landscape painting, a starry sky that used bold colours, unique shapes and textures to express a powerful emotion. Although the meaning was not clear at first, our guide explained how artists wanted viewers to interpret the piece in their way. This taught me that art isn't what you see on the surface.

The other paintings taught me that we should be thankful for art as it makes us have a beautiful environment.