As we were chatting warmly, the sound of a door opening suddenly echoed from inside the house.
"I'm home."
A young man appeared at the doorway. We all turned to look. He was tall, with a calm expression. His jet-black hair was neatly cut, slightly falling over his forehead. His skin was fair, and his brown eyes had a soft, gentle gaze. His smile was warm, and his presence radiated a calming charm. He stood tall, almost like a model in a school uniform ad.
"This is my oldest son," the neighbor lady said with a smile.
"His name is Kaelion. You two go to the same school, right? Raeya mentioned she's attending St. Edenia Academy. Kaelion goes there too—he's in third year."
My eyes widened. Oh... he's a senior at my new school?
Kaelion walked over to me.
"Hi, I'm Kaelion. Nice to meet you," he said with a smile, offering his hand.
I stood and gently shook it, my cheeks heating up—whether from nerves or awkwardness, I wasn't sure.
"I-I'm Raeya. I'm starting at St. Edenia… please take care of me, Kaelion-senpai."
"Heh, just call me Kael. No need to be formal. If you ever need help with school stuff, just ask me."
After that, Kaelion headed to his room. We continued chatting with his mom for a while before finally saying goodbye.
"Thank you for the cake, please come again sometime."
"Thank you too for having us."
I bowed politely, and we made our way back to the apartment.
I felt happy... it was nice getting to know the neighbors here. But that night...
---
That night, as Aunt Lily and I were sleeping, a loud noise broke the silence.
"I'm sick of your attitude!"
"You think I'm not exhausted taking care of everything alone?!"
Shouting erupted from apartment 207. Then came the heartbreaking sound of a baby crying.
I sat up, covering my ears. Aunt Lily immediately wrapped her arms around me.
"Raeya, it's okay, sweetie... it's just noise from next door. We're safe here."
But I couldn't stop my tears. My breathing grew heavy, my chest tight. Those voices… they brought back memories. Painful ones. The echoes of my parents' fights.
"Auntie… I'm scared. I feel so bad for the baby. I remember Mama..."
"Shhh… sweetheart… I know. But we can't intervene right now. We're new here. If things get worse or dangerous, we can report it to the building manager or call the police. But for now... we stay quiet, okay?"
"But the mother… she's crying..."
"I know, and it breaks my heart too. But we're outsiders. Sometimes stepping in uninvited can make things even worse, love."
I fell silent. It hurt. But I nodded. Auntie was right. I needed to learn when to step forward... and when to hold back.
Eventually, the noise died down, and I fell asleep again in Aunt Lily's warm embrace.
❃.✮:▹ ◃:✮.❃
It's been a few days since I started school. And… well, I've made some friends. Not many, but for me, that's more than enough.
Tonight, I'm sitting out on the balcony, letting the night breeze wash over my tired face. The sky is dark, but somehow soothing—like it's wrapping the world's pain in a quiet embrace. I don't see any stars, just thin clouds drifting slowly, like gentle fingers brushing across a silent sky.
There's a peace I can't quite explain. Nighttime has always been when I can truly breathe.
My dream of living alone in an apartment has finally come true. It's just me here now. Auntie Lily has gone back—back to what used to be my old home.
I step back inside the living room and sink slowly onto the couch. Silence. It feels too quiet, maybe because I'm not used to it yet.
It's 8:30 p.m., but I'm not sleepy. My mind drifts—nowhere in particular, just heavy and scattered.
I grab my jacket and slip it on. The air tonight is chilly, and maybe a short walk will help clear my head.
"Haahh…" I sigh softly, as if trying to breathe some of the weight out of my chest.
My steps take me outside, wandering through the quiet streets around the apartment. I don't know where I'm going—my feet just seem to move on their own. Small alleys, sidewalks, narrow paths… they're starting to feel familiar, yet still hold shadows I don't recognize.
Then suddenly—a sound stops me.
Rustle. Crackle.
I freeze. My heart jumps a little. That sound… like plastic being dragged? Or a box being stepped on?
I turn quickly, but no one's there.
Crackle…
Again. Softer this time. Like something watching in silence.
I strain my ears. A chill creeps up my neck. The night breeze that had just felt cold now cuts through me. No… it's not just cold. There's something different. The air around me has grown… heavy. Too still, like the night is holding its breath.
My steps carry me to the end of a dead-end alley—dark and deserted. No lights. Just a pile of discarded boxes, a broken wardrobe, and other abandoned junk. But now, the shadows seem longer than they should be. Like they're moving—slowly. Or maybe it's just my imagination.
I swallow hard.
This place… it's creepy.
A faint breeze stirs, but it doesn't sound like regular wind. It whispers—low and incomprehensible. And the temperature… it drops fast. My hands are getting cold, even though my jacket is thick enough.
"Okay… maybe not. I'm gonna get kidnapped or something," I mutter to myself with a nervous laugh. "Different story if I actually do get kidnapped…"
But curiosity burns hotter than fear.
Then—a sound.
"Meeoowrkkh!"
I jump. A cat. I let out a huge breath of relief.
"Oh my gosh, it's just a cat…" I whisper, pressing a hand to my chest. "I thought it was—a ghost or something."
A black cat jumps out, its stance aggressive, as if warning me not to come closer. Its eyes are sharp, back arched, fur bristling.
"Wow, you're intense…" I try to laugh, though it comes out stiff.
I crouch down, reaching out carefully.
But before I can touch it, claws swipe at my hand.
"Ouch! That hurt!"
I jerk back.
"Okay, sorry. We're not even acquainted yet and I already tried to pet you."
The cat stays still, eyes fixed on me—no, not on me. Its gaze shifts past me, toward the dark alley.
I freeze.
What is that?
A whimper. Faint. Muffled. The sound of someone—or something—in pain.
I turn slowly. My heartbeat pounds in my ears.
The sound comes again, clearer this time. And with it, the cold sinks deeper into my bones.
I walk toward it, step by cautious step, my heart thudding so loudly it almost drowns out everything else. Behind an old, discarded wardrobe—I see someone.