Time seems warped in this realm. I don’t know how long I’ve been here. Something follows me—though I hear no footsteps behind me.

I keep running through the dark, wondering when it will end. Suddenly, something seizes my ankle and drags me down.

“Urgh!”

I know this is all my imagination.

Even so, a searing pain shoots through my leg as I hit the ground, as if the force has torn at my ankle.

I kick wildly, but there’s only empty air again. Gritting my teeth, I force myself up and run once more.

Emotionally exhausted, I scream, “Please stop!”

A force yanks me down again, and the cold ground slams against my back.

THUD…

The impact rattles through my spine.

Blinking through the pain, I lift my gaze—only to see the darkness itself moving, shifting with violent intent.

The shadows pull together, their forms twisting and contorting, becoming grotesque parodies of human hands.

They tremble with an insatiable hunger, hovering as if studying me.

A chilling sensation crawls down my spine, as if—

they can see straight into my very soul.

I’ve encountered these shadows before, yet each time feels just as unsettling.

Every time I try to reach out, my hand slips straight through them. After hanging in front of my eyes for a few seconds longer, they release me.

I can’t hear them, but their silent command drives me to run once more.

Huff…

My heart pounds, thick with fear and desperation.

I run relentlessly, desperate for even a sliver of light—anything in this darkness that might save me. But there’s nothing. Only endless emptiness.

How did this place become so dark? No matter how fast I run, they always find me, tormenting me to the brink before letting me escape again.

When I no longer sense the shadows, I pause to catch my breath, even though I never have the courage to look back.

That’s when I realize—

The pause is a mistake.

A fatal one.

The shadows haven’t relented. They’ve only been waiting.

Something cold and unseen clamps around my throat—hands heavier and darker than anything I’ve ever imagined.

My breath catches in my chest. Tears blur my vision as fear and despair overwhelm me.

Please… let me escape this nightmare. I don’t want to be here anymore.

My thoughts seem to anger them. Their grip tightens.

I brace myself, certain this is the end. Yet they release me again. The relief doesn’t comfort me.

The idea of running again fills me with dread. I whisper, “Please… just let me rest.”

************

“Sis, wake up. Sis.”

A voice pulls me out of the dark. I open my eyes and look up. “Hmm?”

“We’re at school already.”

“Already?”

“Yes.”

“But I wish I could sleep a bit more. Haha.”

I joke, trying to lighten the mood, hiding the unease still clinging to me.

Stepping off the bus, I watch students spill out of other buses into the bright morning air.

As we approach the school gate, the girl behind me asks, “Did you have a nightmare?”

I turn slightly. “Not really.”

“Sorry if it made you uncomfortable, but you were groaning in your sleep.”

“It’s okay,” I reply, keeping my voice calm, even though my mind is still clouded by remnants of the dream.

She smiles awkwardly and walks ahead, probably thinking I don’t want to talk about it.

I could tell her something harmless—say it was just a nightmare.

But even that would turn into gossip. Her curious eyes had already been shining, the kind that thrives on rumors.

I can almost see them forming, swirling in the air before anyone even speaks.

The thought irritates me.

The last thing I want is to become someone’s topic of interest.

So I let the conversation die and keep walking.

I pause at the gate, watching the sea of students flow past. Before I can move again, a familiar voice pierces the noise.

“Biaaaan!”

Startled, I turn. Jia waves as she approaches, bursting with her usual energy.

“Hey, Jia. Don’t shout.”

“Haha… Did I scare you?”

I shoot her a playful glare and quickly change the subject.

“Just got here? Where’s your bag?”

“Nah, I came at least fifteen minutes ago. Went out to buy a few things.”

“If I remember correctly, our school canteen is inside the school. You sneaked off again?”

“Oops, busted.”

“Consider yourself lucky it’s me who saw you, not the class president or a teacher.”

“I know, I know. Don’t worry.”

I’m not worried about her—it’s the trouble her antics could bring to the class.

But who’s going to teach her that?

I sigh.

“What’s with the sigh?” Jia asks.

“Huh? Oh, nothing.”

“Alright, then. By the way, did you hear about the new transfer student?”

“Yeah.”

“She arrived today, and everyone’s already buzzing about her.”

Another addition to the beauty brigade. Our class already has enough stunners, so one more won’t tip the scales much.

Jia smirks, cutting off my thoughts before they go any further.

“You’re probably thinking she’s another beauty, right?”

…She reads me too well.

“Yeah.”

“But you’re wrong.”

“Why?”

“Everyone’s talking because she’s overweight.”

Her words sour my mood. I try not to dwell on other people’s situations, but it still feels unpleasant to hear.

I hope she finds the strength to endure the attention.

Lost in thought, I reach the classroom. Jia’s already inside—and already in trouble.

The class president’s sharp voice fills the room. I can’t help but smile at the thought of how badly Jia’s about to be scolded.

When I enter, she pauses to greet me before turning back to Jia. Jia looks at me pleadingly.

“You reap what you sow,” I whisper as I take my seat.

My gaze drifts to the new girl.

She stands out—not exactly fat, but heavier than most. When our eyes meet, a strange discomfort coils in my chest. I feel a tug deep inside me.

Why do I feel like that?

Her wide, unsettling stare holds me longer than I expect.

Maybe it’s not her body at all, but something deeper—an aura that makes me uneasy.

Either way, it’s not my concern.

I nod in greeting and sit down.

I didn’t know then that my misfortune was about to begin with her.