Small ice pellets descended slowly, tossed by the gently caressing wind. Some landed on top of my unprotected head, some started to wet my shoulders. Despite wearing a fairly thick coat with a scarf that I found hanging lonely on a coat hanger near the front door, the stab of cold air was still felt, albeit faintly. The snow wasn't too heavy—it was quite rare—but they still forced me to go inside the house.
However, I didn't want to go back in this time.
I hid in solitude, in the middle of a backyard shrouded in emptiness. I didn't feel at ease inside, even though the fireplace in the living room was lit and a cup of hot chocolate was served. The piercing gaze of that monster—Arlon—still lingered in my mind, stalking me like a wild animal eyeing its prey. I wanted to get out of here, but what would happen if I left? That monster would return to the village, attack the settlement and livestock, then drag me here and devour me—or torture me. Maybe that was the scenario. I smiled faintly, yet cried at the same time at the thought of it all.
For a moment, the sound of rustling bushes caught my ear. I looked left and right, as well as front and back to make sure someone was coming, but there was no one there.
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
No one answered. Maybe it was just the wind shaking the leaves around.
However, the voice returned.
I walked past the flower gate that was frozen in place in the backyard, then slightly ran outside the fence that surrounded the house. I widened my gaze, trying to examine every corner that my eyes could catch. There was nothing but frozen grass and ice-covered shrubs, as well as trees that led to the forest behind the house.
Maybe it was just me.
As I turned around and was about to head back, the voice came back, resembling a subtle whisper calling my name... However, when I turned around, there was no one—or anything—there.
"Please, show yourself!" I called out impatiently.
I was stunned when something finally appeared before me. Not a human or an animal, but a small blue fireball floating just above the path. On closer inspection, the number of fireballs increased, marching towards the forest, as if showing a path to anyone who saw it.
And it seemed want me to follow it.
Without realizing it, I began to move my feet, following the direction of the blue fireballs that continued to burn and fade. I kept walking, even though I didn't want to. It was like something was pulling me. Not this fireball, but I didn't know what it was. My vision slowly blurred, then it was like there was a thick fog blocking my sight. Everything looked blurry except for the blue fireball which shone even brighter, until finally, the blue light of the fireball died out, and I realized that I was lost deep in the forest.
Whether I was just feeling it, or it was already evening, the forest area began to be crawled by darkness. Even the wind felt different. Panic set in, and my frantic feelings became even more inflamed. I hurriedly ran along the same path I had come, but I felt even more lost. I couldn't remember the path I was on.
I folded my arms, hugging myself as I continued to walk in search of a way out. The cold and gray atmosphere made me want to stop and wait for someone to come, rather than going around in circles looking for a way out. The problem was, I wasn't sure if anyone would want to enter the forest at this hour, especially since it was quite far from the crowds.
"Rosalynne... Rosalynne…."
Again. Something whispered my name. It sounded like a woman's voice, but I also vaguely heard the voices of men and children simultaneously, faintly in the distance. When I looked around, there was no one—or anything—besides the trees and shadows of the dark forest. I tried to ignore it, but the voice became clearer and clearer, and I ended up running without direction or purpose.
KRAK! I accidentally stepped on a large twig, causing me to fall onto the snow. I sprained my left foot, causing intense pain around my ankle.
"Rosalynne... Rosalynne..." The voice came back.
"Who is that?" I half shouted. There was no answer. There was an instant silence. Even the voices calling my name were gone.
Strangely, when the whispers disappeared, it wasn't calmness that I got, but a bad premonition that made my adrenaline arouse, even as the wind began to stop blowing.
From behind the dark trees far ahead, I saw a pair of sharp eyes emitting a bright red light. I couldn't feel the air flowing into my lungs, and my heart seemed to stop beating. I was still alive, but I felt like I was standing between life and death.
The pair of eyes seemed to be getting closer, although their movement was a little slower. It took the form of a black shadow. I scrambled to my feet despite the pain in my legs, preparing to run as best I could.
However, something suddenly popped into my mind, making me freeze and feel like there was something I had to make sure of before I left. Even though my mind said something was wrong, I had to confirm it myself.
I swallowed, nervous, and started to walk over to him—even though it felt very heavy.
"Arlon?"