Chapter 2: The Stranger at the Shore
Kaito's heart raced as he stared at the figure by the water's edge. The person stood perfectly still, their back to him, the waves crashing softly at their feet. The air around them felt heavy, charged with a strange, oppressive energy that seemed to pulse in the quiet night.
"Do you see that?" Kaito asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Haru and Yuki turned toward him, following his gaze.
Yuki squinted. "Who... is that? They don't look like they're from here."
"I don't know," Kaito muttered, his feet taking him forward before he even realized it. His friends quickly followed, but neither of them said anything. It was as if the figure held some kind of hypnotic pull over them.
As they approached, the figure remained motionless, as though waiting. The closer they got, the more Kaito could see. The person wore a tattered cloak, too large for their frame, and their face was obscured by the hood. They didn't seem to acknowledge the trio's presence, but something about the posture—a stillness, a calmness—felt unnatural, almost like they were part of the island itself.
Kaito hesitated, his instincts telling him to be cautious. "Maybe we should turn back," he suggested, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"No," Haru insisted, his curiosity getting the best of him. "We need answers. Let's talk to them."
With a deep breath, Kaito nodded. "Fine, but be careful."
He stepped closer, his foot brushing against wet sand, but just as he was about to call out to the figure, something strange happened. The wind suddenly picked up, swirling around them in a gust that made the air feel cold and heavy. The figure, still motionless, began to fade, as if swallowed by the mist.
Within seconds, the person had vanished completely, leaving the trio standing in stunned silence.
"Did that just happen?" Yuki whispered, her voice trembling.
Kaito's stomach churned. "I don't know, but we need to get out of here."
To be continued-