Caleb's warm hug still lingered on my body, a comforting memory that I never expected. Hugging myself, I closed my eyes, replaying his words in my mind: “I will always be with you.” Opening my eyes, a sudden wave of nervousness washed over me. Why was I feeling this way?Caleb's visitors were different. Although I enjoyed their company, there was something off, something they were hiding. Even the glasses I washed earlier had unusual scratches. It was strange.Shaking my head, I tried to dismiss my suspicions. I walked into the kitchen to check the glasses again. The scratches were not just superficial; they were peculiar. I ran my fingers over them, feeling the rough lines that marred the surface but didn’t break it. Something was wrong.I took a deep breath and decided to focus on Caleb. The memory of his embrace brought a smile to my face. His declaration, “I will always be with you,” had sent warmth through me. His touch and his words had begun to dissolve the pain in my heart. Cal
My body ached as I moved my hands before opening my eyes. The room smelled of lavender, and as I looked around, I realized it was not the room in the mansion. Where am I?"You are awake." I turned toward the door and saw Charles, one of Caleb’s friends. "You need to stay here.""Why?" I asked. He just smiled and left me. What was happening? I thought everything would be alright. I shifted sideways, trying to think of what to do next. I shook my head and got up. I needed to find Caleb. I opened the door and noticed flowers scattered on the floor.I followed the trail of petals, hoping it would lead me to answers. My mind was a whirlpool of confusion and fear. Why was I taken here? What was Charles hiding? The corridor was dimly lit, adding to the eerie atmosphere. I walked cautiously, my heart pounding in my chest.The trail of flowers led me to a large wooden door. I hesitated for a moment before pushing it open. Inside, the room was lavishly decorated, with a large bed covered in silk
I enveloped my hand around my body and silently closed my eyes. I don’t know what is happening; I just feel so much pain inside my chest. Am I afraid? What if it is just infatuation? What kind of enemies does Caleb have?Still, I don’t know who he is. I thought I knew him but realized I don’t know him completely. His change of mood before must have had a reason. He has deep pain. In the blink of an eye, the light turned on, and Caleb stood before me.“Are you afraid?” he asked. I gulped. I did not answer. He sighed and tapped my hand. “Just calm down. You’re shaking.” That was the only time I felt my body, and he was right.I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself. Caleb's presence, usually so calming, felt different now. There was an intensity in his eyes that I hadn't noticed before, a flicker of something dark and unresolved. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but the words seemed to be stuck in my throat.“Caleb,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper, “what’s going
"Run!" I looked back and saw a man shouting at me, his face contorted with fear. Without thinking, I started running as fast as I could, my heart pounding in my chest. "Don't look back!" The urgency in his voice sent shivers down my spine. Before I could respond, I stumbled over a root and tumbled off the cliff, my scream echoing through the canyon below."Eliana!" Someone tapped my shoulder, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Caleb staring at me with concern. His dark eyes were filled with worry, and the lines on his forehead deepened. "Was it a nightmare?"I nodded, my throat dry. He handed me a glass of water, the coolness of the glass soothing against my palm. We were silent for a minute, the only sound being my shallow breathing, until I noticed I was in my room in his mansion. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and ornate furnishings that exuded a sense of history and grandeur. Caleb smiled as he observed me, his expression softening."Yes, we're back here now," he said, ev
Charles stood in silence, his gaze fixed on Caleb. I waited, expecting him to say something important, but minutes passed with only the weight of silence between us.“I thought…” I began tentatively, but Charles cut me off with a chuckle before I could finish my thought.“No, nothing serious. I have to go, Al—”“Caleb,” Caleb said smoothly, his voice calm yet authoritative. “Let’s step outside,” he suggested, casting a glance in my direction. “Eliana, take some rest. Tomorrow, you can begin cleaning the mansion.” He chuckled softly at my disappointed expression before leading Charles towards the door.Left alone, I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of curiosity and exhaustion settling in. Deciding a refreshing shower would clear my mind, I walk to the spacious bathroom adjoining my room. The marble floors were cool beneath my bare feet as I turned on the water, adjusting it to the perfect temperature. Steam filled the room, carrying with it the soothing scent of lavender from the gard
I lay in bed for an hour, unable to sleep. Caleb still hadn’t finished talking to Charles. I got up and walked to the door, hesitant to go outside but uncomfortable. Something inside me needed to be checked. I went downstairs and saw Mrs. Higgins in the living room. She smiled at me.“Do you need anything?” she asked.I smiled back, walking toward her. “I can’t sleep,” I answered.Mrs. Higgins motioned for me to sit next to her on the couch. “Would you like some tea? It might help you relax.”I nodded, appreciating her kindness. She got up and headed to the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The house was quiet except for the faint murmur of voices from Caleb and Charles’ ongoing conversation. I wondered what they were discussing so intently at this hour.Mrs. Higgins returned with a steaming cup of chamomile tea and handed it to me. “Here you go, dear.”“Thank you,” I said, taking a sip. The warmth of the tea began to soothe my nerves. Mrs. Higgins sat back down, her presenc
I blinked my eyes multiple times and found myself in my room. The familiarity of my surroundings felt jarring after the chaos of my dream. I took a deep breath, trying to ground myself in reality. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm patches on the floor. I got up quickly, my heart still racing from the vivid images in my mind, and ran outside.In the living room, Caleb and Charles were engaged in a lighthearted conversation, their laughter filling the room. The normalcy of the scene was almost unsettling given what I had just experienced.“Where is the monster?” I blurted out, my voice trembling. They both turned to look at me, their expressions shifting from amusement to confusion, and then they laughed.“What are you talking about?” Caleb asked, a hint of concern in his voice.“The creatures... The wolf!” I exclaimed, my desperation clear. The vivid memory of the wolf’s eyes and the eerie silence of the forest lingered in my mind.They both stopped laughing, their
I did not say anything and just looked at Mrs. Higgins. Caleb and Charles walked into the dining room. I followed them quietly. The atmosphere was tense, charged with unspoken words and hidden emotions that seemed to press down on us all.Mrs. Higgins had prepared three meals: fish, chicken, and pork. Each dish was meticulously arranged on the table, a testament to her culinary skills. The aroma of the food filled the room, but none of us seemed to notice. We ate silently, the only sounds being the clinking of cutlery and the occasional scrape of a chair against the floor. It was a far cry from the lively meals we used to have, where laughter and conversation flowed freely.As I picked at my food, my mind wandered to the events of the past few days. There had been an air of secrecy around the house, with whispered conversations and doors closed quickly when I approached. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was being kept from me, and it gnawed at my insides like a persistent i