In a realm cloaked in mist, a girl with white hair and a simple white dress sits barefoot on a leafless tree on an island. She swings her legs gently, the fog curling and swirling in delicate patterns around her feet. The island is small, isolated, surrounded by a foreboding expanse of grey water. Above her, a lantern with a white flame hangs from a low branch. Its ethereal glow seems to intimidate the fog, which recoils and retreats, creating a clear, serene space around the tree.
The girl seems lost in thought, her expression serene yet tinged with melancholy. She murmurs to herself, "I almost forgot this was a thing of this realm." Concentrating hard, her brows knit together in a fierce focus. Suddenly, her eyes snap open wide, a glimmer of revelation flashing through them. But just as quickly, her face returns to its calm, almost detached demeanor.
In her hands, a letter materializes, seemingly from thin air. She regards it with a mixture of curiosity and resignation before tossing it into the sky. The letter vanishes, dissolving into the fog that swirls around the island.
* * *
When I wake up, I'm drenched in sweat, my clothes sticking to my skin. My hair is tousled and tangled. As I shift to sit up, my hand brushes against something unfamiliar, and I freeze.
A letter.
For a moment, I just stare at it, my mind scrambling to piece together how it got here. My heart pounds, each beat loud in the quiet room. I glance toward the window, wondering if someone might have thrown it in, but it's shut tight. A nervous unease creeps over me as I return my gaze to the letter. I hesitate, unsure of what to do, the weight of the paper heavy in my trembling hands.
But then, as I continue to stare, a warm sensation washes over me, calming the nervous flutter in my chest. I can't quite place why, but the questions I had moments ago now seem unnecessary, irrelevant.
I open the letter and find documents inside—a birth certificate bearing my name, a general application form for the same school as Daniel's, and various other official records.
My fingers tremble as I inspect the papers, the weight of their significance slowly sinking in. I carefully fold them back and tuck them under the pillow I brought up. For a moment, I just sit there, staring at the empty space around me, trying to process what these documents mean. With these, I could enroll in the same school as Daniel. I could have a future—an identity that exists outside of this attic.
The realization settles in slowly, like a quiet hum in my chest. My heart starts to beat a little faster as the possibilities unfold in my mind. The thought of being able to live a normal life—to be part of Daniel's world—sends a wave of cautious hope through me.
After a few moments, I notice the bowl of food placed next to the mattress and smile softly. Daniel's gesture warms my heart, a quiet reminder that I'm not alone in this. I eat the curry slowly, savoring its familiar taste, letting the warmth of the food soothe me. Even though I'm alone, the simple act of eating something he brought makes me feel connected, grounded.
When I finish, I set the bowl aside and glance at the papers still tucked under my pillow. The thought of those documents stirs something inside me—I have a chance now, a real future. The attic feels safe, but suddenly too small. I can't sit still anymore, not with the possibilities that lie ahead.
It's getting late, but I don't feel tired after having slept so much during the day. My mind buzzes with renewed hope and energy, and before I know it, I'm carefully sneaking down from the attic, making sure not to make a sound as I descend the stairs. As I step out of the house, a thrill of freedom washes over me.
Surprisingly, I have never ventured out at night before. My nights were usually spent buried in schoolwork or just staying home. I never went to parties or hung out with people. Now, the town looks entirely different under the blanket of darkness. It feels quieter, more mysterious, with a serenity that contrasts with the hustle and bustle of the day.
As I wander farther from home, my excitement slowly gives way to curiosity. The world seems more alive in the stillness of the night. The sound of cicadas chirping fills the warm air as I walk along the deserted streets. The soft glow of the streetlights casts long shadows, and the leaves of the trees rustle in the gentle breeze. It is a peaceful scene, yet I can't shake off a sense of anticipation.