The bus slowed as it entered the town.
Misun sat by the window, her forehead resting lightly against the glass. Outside, the world looked too calm—too normal. Small houses lined quiet streets, children walked in groups, and the air carried the smell of wet earth after rain.
But something about it felt… wrong.
Like the silence was hiding something.
"You're finally here," the driver said, breaking the quiet. "Last stop."
Misun blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts. "Right… thank you."
She stepped down with a small bag slung over her shoulder. The moment her feet touched the ground, a strange chill ran through her body. She paused.
A flicker in her mind—trees… darkness… a howl—
Gone.
She frowned. "What was that…"
A horn blared behind her. A car passed, snapping her back to reality.
"Get it together," she whispered to herself.
---
The school wasn't far.
Ironwood High School.
The gates were tall and old, like they had been standing there longer than the town itself. Students moved around in groups, laughing, talking, living normal lives.
Misun walked in slowly.
And immediately, she felt it.
Eyes.
Watching her.
Whispers followed her as she passed.
"Who's she?"
"New student?"
"She looks… weird."
Misun tightened her grip on her bag. She didn't look up.
She hated being noticed.
---
Inside the classroom, the noise softened when she entered.
The teacher smiled politely. "Class, we have a new student today. Please welcome her."
All eyes turned again.
"Introduce yourself," the teacher said.
Misun hesitated.
"…Misun," she said quietly. "I just moved here."
That was it.
No extra words. No smile.
Just silence after.
A few students exchanged glances.
Then—
"Sit over there," the teacher pointed.
Near the window.
Of course.
---
During the lesson, Misun wasn't listening.
Her thoughts kept slipping—like something was trying to pull her attention somewhere else.
Outside the window… the forest.
Dark. Dense. Still.
She stared too long.
And then it happened.
A sound.
Not in the room.
Not outside.
Inside her head.
A low… distant growl.
Misun jerked slightly, eyes widening.
"What…?"
"Miss Misun?" the teacher's voice snapped her back.
She blinked fast. "Sorry."
The class went back to normal.
But her heartbeat didn't.
---
Lunch break came.
She sat alone under a tree behind the school, avoiding the crowd.
That's when she noticed him.
A boy leaning against the wall nearby.
Watching her.
Not like the others.
Not curious.
Focused.
Like he already knew something.
He pushed off the wall and walked toward her.
"New girl," he said casually.
Misun looked up slowly. "Do I know you?"
"No," he replied, a faint smile forming. "But you don't belong here."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"…What does that mean?"
The boy tilted his head, studying her like a puzzle.
"Let's just say…" he paused. "People like you don't stay normal for long in this town."
A strange silence passed between them.
Then he turned away.
"But don't worry," he added without looking back. "You'll find out soon enough."
Misun watched him leave.
And for the first time since arriving…
she felt afraid.
Not of him.
But of what he might already know.