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Chapter 1: The Storm
The wind howled through the narrow streets of Willow Creek, carrying with it the promise of rain. Dark clouds roiled overhead, and the first fat drops splattered onto the cobblestone square as the townsfolk hurriedly closed their shops and headed home.
Mikel Carter was the last to leave the bookstore, his arms laden with a stack of novels he had promised to read by the end of the week. The storm didn't bother him much; he found the sound of rain soothing, even if the occasional flash of lightning made him jump.
As he turned the corner toward his cottage, he saw her.
The girl stood alone in the middle of the bridge, her silhouette illuminated by a flickering streetlamp. Her hair, jet-black and drenched, clung to her face and shoulders. She wore no coat, no shoes—just a simple white dress that was now soaked through.
Mikel hesitated. Something about the girl felt... off. But he couldn't just leave her there.
"Are you all right?" Mikel called out, his voice nearly drowned by the wind.
The girl turned slowly, revealing eyes the color of emeralds and a face pale as moonlight. She didn't respond, only stared at Mikel with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.
"You'll catch your death out here," Mikel said, stepping closer. "Come with me. My house is just up the hill."
The girl hesitated, her gaze flickering toward the woods on the far side of the bridge. For a moment, Mikel thought she might run, but then she nodded silently and followed.
As they walked, Mikel couldn't help but steal glances at his companion. The girl moved with a strange grace, her bare feet making no sound on the wet pavement.
"What's your name?" Mikel asked gently.
"Sarah," the girl replied, her voice soft and melodic.
"Where are you from?"
Sarah didn't answer. Instead, she looked up at the sky, where the rain was beginning to fall harder.
When they reached Mikel's cottage, he ushered Sarah inside, handing her a blanket and a mug of tea. Sarah sat by the fire, her eyes fixed on the flames as though they held secrets only she could see.
"You can stay here tonight," Mikel said, breaking the silence. "In the morning, we'll figure things out."
Sarah looked at him, and for the first time, Mikel thought he saw a flicker of gratitude in those haunting green eyes.
But as the storm raged on outside, Mikel couldn't shake the feeling that he had just invited a mystery into his home—one that might change his life forever.
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