Morning came quietly, as if the forest had never whispered my name. I woke up in my small room, sunlight slipping through the curtains. For a moment, I wondered if Ronin was only a dream. But the uneasy feeling in my chest told me he wasn't.
I had two older brothers. They were quite protective, and always watching where I went. To them, I was still the little sister who needed guarding. If I stayed out too long or walked alone, they would notice. They always did.
They meant well, but sometimes it felt like I was living inside invisible walls. I loved them, yet I wanted freedom-just once-to make my own choices.
As I stepped outside, the wind brushed past me again. Soft. Familiar. And for the first time, I realized something was following my life now… even in daylight.
I went downstairs where my brothers were waiting for me. I sat down to eat my breakfast, and as always, the questions started.
Tristan was the first to speak. "Where were you last night?"
"I was just outside," I replied, keeping my eyes on my plate.
Tobias narrowed his eyes. "Outside where?"
"By the river," I said quietly.
The room fell silent. Tristan exchanged a look with Tobias, the kind they always shared when they didn't believe me.
Tristan's chair scraped against the floor as he stood up. "You promised you wouldn't go there alone."
"I didn't do anything wrong," I said, my voice shaking despite myself.
Tobias crossed his arms. "You don't understand how dangerous it is."
"I understand more than you think," I snapped.
Silence filled the room. Tristan sighed, rubbing his face. "We're only trying to protect you."
I pushed my plate away. "I don't need protection all the time."
The air felt heavy. As I stood up to leave, the wind slammed against the window, making us all flinch. None of us spoke, but I knew they felt it too-something was changing .
I left the table before either of them could stop me. Outside, the air felt colder than it should have. I wrapped my arms around myself and walked toward the edge of the yard, trying to steady my thoughts.
The wind shifted.
"Running away already?" a familiar voice murmured.
I froze. Slowly, I turned. Ronin stood beneath the old tree, half-hidden by shadow, his blue eyes just as striking in the daylight.
"You shouldn't be here," I whispered.
"And yet," he said softly, "you are."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The house behind me felt distant, like another life. Ronin took a step back, giving me space.
"Be careful, Rivena," he said. "Your brothers aren't the only ones watching now."
Before I could ask what he meant, the wind rose - and he was gone. How did he know my name? I didn't tell him, did I ? I whispered to myself.
I stood there long after, knowing one thing for certain: whatever had begun in the forest was far from over. After that I went home again, got ready and went to school. There was still a chilling feeling that I had from that day .
School usually felt safe, loud, and predictable. That day, it didn't. From the moment I sat down, I felt it - a heavy feeling pressing against my chest. It was the same feeling I'd had in the forest. Like eyes on my back.
I tried to focus on the lesson, but my skin prickled. Goosebumps rose along my arms, even though the room was warm. I glanced over my shoulder. Nothing. Still, the feeling wouldn't leave. My heart started beating too fast, and every sound felt too loud.
I couldn't take it anymore.
I stood up and walked out of the classroom without thinking. The hallway echoed with my footsteps as I climbed the stairs to the rooftop. The moment I stepped outside, cold air rushed into my lungs. I leaned against the wall, breathing hard, trying to calm myself.
"You feel it too," a voice said.
I turned. Ronin stood near the railing, the city spread out behind him. Seeing him there felt unreal, like he didn't belong to the day.
"Why does it feel like I'm being followed?" I asked quietly.
"Because you are," he replied. "But not by anyone you can see."
Fear crept into my chest. "Then why don't you stay? Why do you always leave?"
Ronin stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "Because if I stay too long, they'll notice you."
The wind suddenly grew stronger. I blinked-and he was gone. No footsteps. No sound.
I stood there alone, my heart pounding. There was no normal explanation for what I had seen.
As I headed back inside, one thought stayed with me.
Whatever Ronin was… he wasn't human.
And whatever was watching me hadn't stopped.