The sharp clang of the school bell tore through the early dawn silence, jolting me out of sleep.
It wasn't even fully bright outside — barely 6 a.m. — yet the bell rang as though the building itself was shaking awake.
My eyes flew open, and the first thing I noticed was the open window.
The curtains were fluttering violently, the cold wind pushing into my room as though something had been standing there only moments before.
A strange shiver ran down my spine. I didn't remember leaving the window open… or even touching it after last night.
I slowly rose from bed and walked toward it, the floor freezing under my bare feet. When I shut the window, the sudden silence felt heavier than the wind. Almost like the room was holding its breath with me.
From the hallway, voices and footsteps echoed — students getting ready.
The headmistress, Madam Min-Yu, had already said the routine was strict: prepare at 6 a.m., breakfast at 6:30 sharp.
No excuses. No delays.
I grabbed my towel and entered the bathroom. The shower water hit my hair in warm, soft streams, yet every time I blinked, I felt like something was watching me through the cracked mirror hanging crookedly on the wall.
The mirror wasn't just cracked — something about it looked wrong… as though the reflection inside wasn't perfectly matching my movements.
I brushed the thought off. It was too early for my imagination to start misbehaving.
After bathing, I put on the uniform laid neatly in the wardrobe:
A long black gown, black socks, polished black shoes.
Even my hair ribbon was white — the only color allowed to break the darkness.
I tied my hair tightly, took my books, and opened the door.
The hallway was filled with girls wearing the same uniform — black from neck to toe — like a procession of shadows. They walked silently, almost too silently, as if used to the routine… or forced into it.
Before I could figure out where to go, someone suddenly appeared in front of me.
"Hi! I'm Jan-Dee," she said brightly, offering her hand. "But you can just call me Jan. You must be the transfer student."
She was tall, stunning, her hair perfectly braided, her smile welcoming — almost too welcoming for a school atmosphere that already felt suffocating.
I shook her hand.
"Yes… I'm Jina. First day."
"Oh good," she said cheerfully. "You're heading to the ref? Cafeteria? Perfect. I'll walk with you. You'll need a companion today."
"I… don't have anyone yet," I admitted.
"You do now," she said with a playful wink as we started walking.
But then, casually — almost too casually — Jan added with a soft laugh:
"Welcome to the least pleasant school you'll ever attend. I hope you survive it long enough to enjoy something."
I froze mid-step.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, staring at her.
Several students passed, greeting her politely. Some bowed. Some whispered. She returned their greetings but didn't look at me.
"Ah… nothing," she said lightly and waved it off.
"We should hurry. If we're late, they'll make us stand with trays balanced on our heads while eating. And trust me… you don't want that."
She rushed ahead and stole a seat at a table, leaving one beside her.
I followed, still confused and uneasy.
Students were settling in.
Whispers about me floated around, but none loud enough to hear clearly.
That was when a tall boy walked past — Raven.
His presence was cold… heavy… like a shadow that absorbed everything around it. Jan called his name, but he only turned briefly, bowed to her, then looked away without acknowledging me.
"That guy," Jan whispered, biting into her bread, "is the strangest person here. He doesn't talk to anyone unless he has to."
Just as I was about to respond, I began telling her:
"Jan, yesterday when I entered my room I saw—"
"The black bird?" Jan interrupted, smirking.
I stared at her, startled.
"It… it flew out of my window—"
"Don't worry," she said strangely. "That's just one of our roommates."
Her sarcasm confused me even more.
Was she joking? Or serious?
I didn't enjoy the meal — my stomach twisted with unease. Before I could ask more, she stood abruptly.
"Come on. We need to leave. Now."
The warning in her voice was sharp.
Other students were leaving too — fast.
I followed her outside until she stopped in a quiet corner where no one else stood.
"Jina," she whispered, leaning closer, "this school… isn't as normal as you think. Whatever happens, be careful. Watch. Listen. Know when to stop. Know when to move."
"Stop what? Move from what? Jan, please tell me—"
She only looked at me with a strange expression, half pity… half fear.
"Your roommate… Yen, right?"
"I don't know who that is," I said quietly. "They told me she's sick."
"Sick?" Jan snorted softly.
"Yeah. Sure. Let's go. Class is starting."
She walked off, leaving me standing there with more questions than answers.
Inside the classroom, everyone stared at me the moment I entered.
I waited awkwardly at the side until the class mistress arrived.
"Jina?" she said.
"Yes, good morning miss."
"You may take the seat in the center."
Whispers immediately erupted, soft like rustling paper.
I ignored them and sat.
The lesson began.
Thirty minutes passed.
At some point, my eyelids began to droop.
The teacher's voice blurred.
My vision trembled.
Then — tap.
I jerked upright.
A tall boy stood beside me. His smile was charming, warm — completely opposite of Raven's cold aura.
"I'm the class president," he said. "Min-Ho. But call me Min."
I nodded politely.
"You're Yen's roommate, right?"
"I… don't know who Yen is," I whispered.
"How are you finding the school?" he asked casually. "Think you'll make good memories before graduation?"
I forced a smile but kept my eyes on my book.
Min left with another warm smile.
As I watched him walk away, I lifted my gaze—
Raven was staring at me.
His eyes were dark, unreadable… too intense.
But the moment he saw me looking, he turned away sharply.
I bent over my desk, gripping my pen.
Then suddenly—
A sharp, piercing headache stabbed the inside of my skull.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
When I opened them—
The classroom was empty.
Completely empty.
The lights were dim.
The windows were shut tight.
No voices.
No footsteps.
No sound.
I checked the clock.
6:00 p.m.
My heart dropped.
"What… how?"
Just minutes ago, it was mid-morning.
I grabbed my bag, panic rising—
Tap.
A cold tap on my shoulder.
I spun around.
Smoke.
Thick, swirling smoke.
Dark figures in it.
Shifting… reaching…
I screamed.
And suddenly —
Laughter.
The smoke vanished.
Students sat exactly where they had been.
The noise returned.
The sunlight returned.
The clock read 10:00 a.m.
I sat down slowly, trembling.
What… what was that?
I raised my head in shock.
Raven stood, staring at me again — as if he had seen everything.
As if he knew.
Then he turned and walked out of the room without a word.
I lowered my gaze to my locker, my hands shaking uncontrollably, pretending to continue reading — but I couldn't shake off the truth:
Something in this school was wrong.
Very wrong.
And whatever it was…
It wasn't done with me yet.