The first few days in Ashwood felt strangely like living in a dream a world untouched by time, where the past seemed to linger in every crevice, and the present moved at a slower pace than she was accustomed to. Emilia had wandered around town, trying to familiarize herself with the surroundings, but no matter how much she explored, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Ashwood was peaceful, almost too peaceful. And the more she looked, the more she noticed that there were no other newcomers no visitors at all.
Her footsteps echoed through the empty streets, the silence enveloping her like a heavy fog. The few people she had seen so far greeted her with polite smiles, but their eyes held a strange, guarded look. They didn't seem too interested in talking to her, as if she was an outsider they wished to ignore, or perhaps they were simply wary of strangers.
It was a stark contrast to her old life in the city, where everything moved quickly, people were always on the go, and the constant noise of traffic never ceased. Here, in Ashwood, the air was different quieter, more oppressive. Even the birds seemed to sing in a lower tone, as though they, too, were aware of the town's secrets.
Emilia shook her head as if to clear it. It was just her overactive imagination. She had been through a lot lately, and the weight of her parent's death still hung heavily on her shoulders. Maybe Ashwood, with its isolation, was simply the perfect place to lose herself.
She didn't want to think about her parents' tragic death again not today. Not when she was trying so hard to escape it. She was here for a fresh start, and she wasn't going to let herself be swallowed by the ghosts of her past. She took a deep breath and decided to take a walk through the nearby forest that bordered the town. The woods were one of the few places in Ashwood that seemed inviting, untouched by the sense of foreboding that seemed to grip everything else.
As she walked, the thick trees seemed to close in around her, their gnarled branches creating a canopy that blocked out much of the sky. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and pine. Emilia breathed it in, feeling the weight of the silence once again.
But then, a sound broke the stillness an animal's cry, distant but unmistakable. It was haunting, filled with a feeling of deep sorrow, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She stopped walking, scanning the forest around her. The cry was cut short, replaced by an eerie stillness.
Something was wrong.
Emilia didn't know what it was, but she had an overwhelming urge to leave. She turned on her heel, heading back toward the town, but as she walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled as if someone or something was watching her.
She quickened her pace, her footsteps growing louder against the forest floor. Her mind raced with thoughts of what could be lurking in the shadows. Wolves? Bears? She had no idea, but something told her it was no ordinary creature.
Suddenly, a rustling sound from behind caused her to spin around, heart pounding in her chest. The forest was empty. There was nothing there, but the sense of unease only grew stronger. It was like the forest itself was alive, its silent eyes tracking her every move.
She forced herself to keep walking, her mind trying to rationalize the situation. It was just the isolation playing tricks on her. She needed to shake off this paranoia.
As she neared the edge of the woods, she spotted a figure standing at the edge of the trees. It was a man, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark silhouette barely visible against the dimming light of the evening.
Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized him.
It was the man from the truck the one who had given her a ride to the inn.
Alaric.
His dark eyes met hers, and the intensity of his gaze sent a rush of heat through her. She wasn't sure if it was the lingering effects of fear or something else entirely, but she couldn't look away. His presence seemed to command the space around him, and for a moment, the world around her felt suspended in time.
"Emilia," he said, his voice low, almost a growl. "You shouldn't be out here alone."
His words sent a chill down her spine. "I was just taking a walk. I didn't realize... I mean, I didn't know"
"You don't belong here," he interrupted, his tone soft but firm. "This town, this forest... they don't let strangers in so easily."
Emilia's heart thudded in her chest as she tried to make sense of what he was saying. His words felt like a warning, but it wasn't clear if he was trying to protect her or push her away. The more she stared at him, the more questions piled up in her mind.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just looking for a place to be. I'm not... I'm not a threat to anyone."
Alaric took a step forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "You don't know the danger you're in," he murmured. "Ashwood isn't what it seems. And neither are the people in it."
The air between them thickened, and Emilia felt as though she were standing on the edge of something much bigger than herself. There was a mystery here a darkness and Alaric seemed to be its key. She didn't know why, but she felt both drawn to him and afraid of him at the same time.
"You need to be careful," he continued, his voice softer now. "There are things in Ashwood that you don't understand. Things that can't be explained."
"Like what?" Emilia asked, her curiosity piqued. She wanted to know more, to understand why this town felt so oppressive, why Alaric seemed to know things he wasn't saying. But before he could respond, a sharp rustling sound cut through the air, followed by a low growl that sent a jolt of fear through her.
Alaric's expression darkened as his eyes flicked toward the source of the sound. He moved closer to Emilia, placing himself between her and the trees.
"You need to go back," he said quickly, his voice urgent. "Now."
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed her arm gently but firmly and led her away from the woods. Emilia tried to protest, but his grip was unyielding. The growls grew louder, echoing through the trees as though something was stalking them.
As they reached the edge of the forest, Alaric glanced over his shoulder, his expression grim. "Stay inside tonight," he warned. "Lock your doors. Don't go out after dark."
Before she could ask another question, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the trees, leaving Emilia standing there, more confused and unsettled than ever.