The next morning, Aria stood at the window of her small apartment, staring out at the rolling waves of Azure Bay. The early light made the water sparkle, but a storm seemed to stir in her chest. The letter she’d found had set something in motion, and now she could hardly breathe.

Sebastian’s voice the night before echoed in her mind: The mystery just got a lot bigger.

Aria glanced down at the envelope and the coordinates scribbled in hurried handwriting. The location was in the nearby forest, a place shrouded in local myths and whispered tales. It was known as Blackthorn Hollow, a place where the sea met the woods, where stories told of ghostly figures and lost souls.

The knock at her door startled her. She opened it to find Sebastian standing there, a dark jacket over his shirt and a look of resolve on his face.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Are you serious?” she replied, her heart pounding. “Blackthorn Hollow is dangerous. The locals say strange things happen there.”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “I’ve heard stories. I’m not afraid of a few ghost tales. Besides, I think we’re looking for answers—not spirits.”

Aria swallowed hard. The combination of fear and excitement sent a shiver down her spine. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Blackthorn Hollow was a stark contrast to the bustling waterfront. The narrow path was flanked by ancient trees, their gnarled branches entwining above to form a canopy that filtered the sunlight into eerie patches. The air was damp, carrying the scent of moss and something metallic that Aria couldn’t place.

Sebastian led the way, his movements graceful and assured as if he had spent years navigating the forest. Aria followed close behind, trying to ignore the way the shadows seemed to shift with each step.

“What exactly are we looking for?” she asked, her voice breaking the silence.

“Anything that might have been left behind,” Sebastian said, glancing over his shoulder. “Evelyn must have known something if she left this here.”

They continued deeper into the forest until they reached an old stone bridge that arched over a narrow, rushing creek. At the edge of the bridge, nestled between the roots of an ancient oak, they found a weathered journal.

Sebastian crouched to pick it up, brushing away the moss and dirt. The leather cover was cracked, but the name Evelyn Moreau was inscribed on the front.

Aria gasped, reaching for it. “This is it.”

Sebastian opened the journal, the pages crinkling as he flipped through them. Entries that spoke of secret meetings, whispered warnings, and the haunting idea that Samuel had been running from more than just his past.

The last entry stopped Aria’s heart:

"They know. They are coming for us, and we will not be together again. Samuel, if you find this, you must know the truth: our love was never meant to be."

A sudden noise snapped her out of her shock. The sound of footsteps. Heavy, deliberate steps. Aria’s eyes met Sebastian’s, and the tension between them deepened.

“They’re here,” he whispered, pulling her behind the tree.

Aria’s breath quickened as figures appeared in the clearing, moving with a predatory grace. A group of men, their faces hidden under hoods, stepped forward. One of them held a lantern that cast flickering light over their faces.

“Who are they?” Aria whispered.

Sebastian clenched his jaw. “The men who forced Samuel to leave.”

The figure with the lantern stepped forward, a voice as cold as winter slipping from under his hood. “You shouldn’t be here, Aria Moreau.”

A shiver ran down her spine, but before she could respond, Sebastian stepped out from behind the tree, eyes blazing with defiance.

“Why? Because we’re getting too close to the truth?”

The men exchanged glances, then the lantern-bearer let out a low laugh. “The truth is dangerous, Sebastian.”

With a sudden motion, the man dropped the lantern, and flames roared to life as the light cast a sinister glow over the clearing.

“Run!” Sebastian shouted, grabbing Aria’s hand.

They sprinted, the forest blurring past them, the crackle of the fire and the shouts of their pursuers behind them. Heart pounding, Aria glanced at Sebastian, whose expression was a mix of worry and determination.

“Why did you come?” she shouted, breathless.

“To protect you,” he said, pulling her closer as they reached the edge of the forest. “And to make sure they don’t win.”

The fire behind them lit up the night sky, but ahead, a new path beckoned, one that promised answers but also danger. Aria knew one thing—there was no turning back now.