A young girl sat cross-legged in a dark space, devoid of light.

Her eyes were filled with joy but also vigilance.

Despite the lack of light, her face exuded happiness while also casting a watchful glance around her.

The shadows surrounding her seemed agitated.

Beside the little girl, another girl lay down and peacefully slept.

She was unaware of the presence that protected her.

The little girl's small hands gently patted the sleeping girl's head with a sense of pure joy.

As the shadows crept closer, seeking to consume the sleeping girl, the little girl's expression hardened.

“Stay away from her.”

Her eyes locked onto the encroaching shadows with unwavering intensity.

The shadows paused momentarily after sensing the fierce glare from the little girl.

Yet, they inched closer with insidious intent to devour the sleeping girl.

Each time they drew near, the little girl's glare intensified, giving them a wordless warning of defiance.

Hissing…

Despite the warning, the shadow's initial hesitation seemed reduced, as if it realized that the little girl posed no threat.

Swoosh…

It inched closer to the sleeping girl. As it approached, the little girl waved her hand and created an unseen barrier.

The shadows could not come any closer.

The little girl continued her gentle pat on the sleeping girl's head.

She seemed to infuse a sense of peace and safety in the sleeping girl.

However, it didn't last long.

Crack…

The shadows were relentless in their advance and began to break the barrier.

With each crack, the sleeping girl also stirred, her brow furrowing in response to the disturbance.

The little girl panicked. She increased her soothing gestures so that the sleeping girl wouldn't wake up and tried to drive away the encroaching shadows.

Despite her efforts, nothing seemed to be working in her favor.

Crack – Swoosh…

Just as it seemed the barrier was on the brink of collapse, it resurrected like brand new.

A smile graced the little girl's face as she understood what had happened.

In a surprising turn of events, the shadows recoiled in horror, retreating slowly, inch by inch.

As the little girl turned around, she saw another figure, a woman, standing behind her.

“I knew you would come.”

“I didn't come for you or that girl. I came for those things.”

The little girl glanced back at the shadows; they had vanished entirely.

Though the place didn't become brighter, at least it became a lot calmer now.

"I warned you not to come here, kid."

"But if I hadn't shown up, Bian would've been in deep trouble."

"No, she wouldn't."

"STOP DENYING IT. You know what's coming. If I hadn't stepped in to help her, she would've..."

"Kid.”

Sigh…

The woman knelt down and patted Bian's head several times. 

With each pat, the furrow in Bian's brow smoothed away, and she was finally sleeping soundly. 

The woman looked at Bian for a few more moments, then turned her gaze back toward the little girl.

"Let's head back."

"This soon? We should—

We need to leave now.”

Without saying a word, the little girl understood what the woman meant.

Her face clouded with sadness, but she still grasped the woman's hand and began to walk away.

Step…

After a few steps, the woman paused and gazed in a particular direction.

The little girl looked in the same direction.

"They were here."

"That's why I said Bian won't be in any trouble.”

The little girl didn't say anything. Seeing her like that, the woman redirected her gaze towards that direction.

She moved her lips as if whispering unheard words, then resumed her stride.

Step…

When there was no one around Bian, a figure came in front of her.

They sat beside her, lifted a few strands of her hair, but only to return them to their place.

“Hi, Bia.”

The figure looked at Bian for a long time without saying anything more. Their eyes were brimming with sorrow.

Reaching out with a gentle touch, the figure placed a single finger upon the girl's forehead and uttered softly,

"Bia, wake up. I hope this time you don't have to endure too much pain.”

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

I'm feeling unusually fatigued today. My body is weighed down by weariness.

When nothing happens in my dreams, my body feels refreshed. But today, I am feeling quite sluggish and heavy.

Did I catch a cold?

A thermometer was unexpectedly thrust in front of my face. I look up and see Mom standing there with a confused expression.

“Why do you look confused?”

I took the thermometer from her hand and checked for any signs of fever.

Mom still just looked at me without saying a word. After a few more seconds, she said,

“You — you have a fever, that's why.”

Baffled by her statement, I tilted my head in confusion.

What is she talking about?

I signaled for Mom to wait a bit and looked at the thermometer.

Mom was right.

I have a fever, but it's nothing big. After some medicine, I'll be fine.

I had thought about it, but Mom had already prepared it for me.

Her hands are trembling.

I took the medicine without meeting her gaze.

Mom's hands always quiver when she hands me medication.

I looked at the pills. I don't have any problem swallowing them anymore, but...

As I finished taking the pills, Mom said the bus had arrived.

Just as I prepared to leave, her voice called out once more.

"Bian... Call me if your fever gets worse. I'll take you to the hospital.”

I looked at her for a few seconds before nodding.

I could tell she wanted to say something else but stopped in the middle.

Sigh…

Mom always behaves like this whenever I feel unwell. 

She has changed a lot, yet she couldn't change this. 

As I got on the bus, I noticed a few students nodding off from sleepiness. I closed my eyes after settling into a seat. 

I'm really exhausted today, even though the day has just started.

Should I stay home?

But Dad will return today from his business trip. 

I don't want to hear his cold voice or see his indifferent gaze when I'm not feeling well.

Despite these troubling thoughts, I remained seated and decided to go to school.

Although I'm tired, I don't feel sleepy at all. The bus gradually filled with the chatter of students. 

They are going to talk more after the new student joins.

Some time passed, and the murmur increased. I could hear the excitement in their voices.

"See, I told you he's so tall."

"He's handsome too. He's our senior, right?"

"Yes, he's in the same year as Bian sis.”

And so, the chatter went on. I smiled when I heard them talking so enthusiastically. 

Indeed, the new student stood tall among his peers. Yet, I recalled someone even taller.

Speaking of this, I haven't seen him in quite some time. I wonder how he is doing.

My body feels much better now. I don't think I need to call Mom later —

Creep…

I felt a gaze on me, and a sudden chill crept down my spine. Because of Jia's continuous staring, my senses became heightened.

But at least I didn't feel any malice from her.

I looked around and thought I could be wrong about it. However, my eyes locked with the new student.

He was a little far away and surrounded by students; yet, he was still looking at me while talking to others.

He smiled when our gaze met. Discomforted by his gaze, I quickly averted my eyes.

He looks familiar.

Throb…

“Ugh, at this rate, my fever will worsen.” 

All of a sudden, the whole bus went silent. I couldn't hear anything other than my breathing, as if I were all alone. 

I looked up to see what was happening.

However, I was quite taken aback when the collective gaze of all the students turned towards me. 

Then, one student asked me, 

“Is that true?”

Perplexed by the question, I tilted my head in confusion. 

The new student chuckled before speaking,

“You haven't changed at all, Biha?”

I became paralyzed when I heard that name. My heart started to beat crazily. Just one single name repeated in my mind.

“Biha? Haha, sorry, I mean Bian moved away five years ago, and we lost touch. But I'm Bian's childhood friend, Paxon Hart.”

Paxon Hart!

My mind completely froze when I heard his name outside of my thoughts.