When I entered my room, the sight made me stop.
My books were scattered across the floor—pages open, covers bent, some lying face-down as if someone had stepped on them. My first instinct was the window, wide open, curtains drifting like ghostly fingers in the wind.
I swallowed hard.
Maybe… maybe the breeze knocked them down.
I forced the thought into my mind, even though a strange chill climbed my spine.
I gathered the books one by one and placed them neatly on the shelf.
Then I sat on my bed, replaying every disturbing event of the day.
Raven's warning.
Jan's cryptic hints.
The whispers.
The blackout in the classroom.
Nothing made sense.
I was lost in my thoughts when the evening bell rang—sharp and cold.
6 p.m.
Dinner time.
I jumped up, hurried to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and slipped into my pajamas. The water hadn't even dried completely from my hair when a gentle knock came at my door.
Followed by a voice.
"Jina? Are you done yet, or should I leave without you?"
Jan.
"Yes, I'm done! Hold on," I answered quickly.
I grabbed my small torchlight, opened the door, and stepped out. We locked the door and headed down the hallway alongside other students who were also rushing to dinner.
The cafeteria was partly filled when we arrived. Jan led me to a table and told me she was going to the restroom.
I waited.
The food was served.
I was about to eat when a hand brushed my shoulder.
I turned.
Minho.
"Jina," he greeted warmly, sitting beside me. "You look better now."
"Yes, Minho," I replied with a small smile.
"Who are you here with?"
"Oh—Jan. She went to the toilet, but she'll be back soon."
He nodded, then leaned slightly closer.
"How are you finding the environment? Better than your old school?"
I hesitated, then sighed.
"Honestly… I was hoping so, but I'm disappointed."
He chuckled softly and rose from his seat.
"Well… try to enjoy the night anyway. I'll go meet my friends now. Sleep well."
He waved and left.
I turned back to my food just as Jan returned.
"Hope I didn't take too long?" she asked.
"No, I'm fine," I said, eating quickly.
After a moment of silence, I asked, "Jan… do you have a roommate?"
"Yes. Two," she replied without looking up from her plate.
"Then why don't I have one? Why am I alone?"
Jan paused—just briefly—before continuing to eat.
"Yen never liked roommates," she said flatly. "She prefers staying alone."
My heart dropped.
"…Yen again."
I clenched my fingers around my spoon.
"And if she never wanted roommates, why am I staying in her room? Why put me there?"
Jan finally looked at me.
"If I were you," she said quietly, "I'd skip that conversation for tonight."
She stood abruptly.
"I'll be right back."
And she left me again.
I stared after her, a heavy uneasiness tightening in my chest.
Why is everyone scared of this girl?
Why won't anyone talk about her?
Was she really sick—or is something else going on?
I MUST find out.
It was almost 7 p.m.
Students were already leaving in pairs and small groups.
I didn't have many friends yet—just Jan, Minho… and Raven, if I could even call him that.
He always seemed to keep his distance, like there was something he wanted to tell me but was afraid to speak.
I was lost in thought when a voice spoke from behind me.
"Are you done eating?"
I turned.
Raven.
As dark and unreadable as ever.
"Yes, I'm done."
"Okay. I'll escort you to the hostel. If you don't mind."
"Oh—yes. That would be great."
We walked silently up the long stairs that led to the hostel. When we reached my door, he stopped.
"See you tomorrow," he said, turning away.
But then—almost as an afterthought—he spoke again.
"Always keep your windows closed."
With that, he left.
"Wait—Raven!" I called, but he was already gone, swallowed by the shadows of the hallway.
I sighed and entered my room.
Locked the door behind me.
Everything looked normal.
The window—thankfully—was closed.
I set my books aside, lay on the bed, and closed my eyes. I hadn't read more than a single paragraph of my textbook before sleep pulled me under.
Then—
BANG.
BANG.
BANG.
I jolted awake.
The room was pitch black.
Heart hammering, I grabbed my phone and switched on the flashlight.
"Yes?" I whispered shakily, though I didn't even know who—or what—I was answering.
No reply.
Then—
A sharp, crackling sound.
The window.
Something was opening it.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Fear drowned every inch of my body. I hid under the blanket, trembling. But then… something in me snapped.
I forced myself up.
Step by shaking step, I approached the window.
My breath froze.
Someone was standing on the ground outside.
Right under the tree.
Staring up at me.
Unmoving.
Silent.
In the dim light of my phone, I could see only a silhouette—tall, dark… wrong.
I didn't wait another second.
I slammed the window shut with all my strength and dragged two chairs against it, creating a barrier. My fingers were trembling so badly I almost dropped the second chair.
I rushed to my bed, threw the blanket over my head, curled into myself, and squeezed my eyes shut.
The ticking of the clock was the only sound left in the silent, suffocating darkness.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Eventually, exhaustion swallowed my fear—and I fell asleep.