Time seems to warp in this realm. The space around me sways and bends, as if the ground itself can’t decide what shape to take. Everything feels unreliable here—stretching, shrinking, slipping out of reach. 

I don’t know how long I’ve been here.The longer I remain, the more the realm turns against me. What seems close suddenly pulls away, leaving me stumbling forward. 

A shiver crawls down my spine, and my skin prickles as I glance over my shoulder. Something follows me, even though I don't hear or see anything behind me. 

I keep running through the darkness, wondering when it will end. My lungs burn, legs scream with each step, yet, I can't stop. The shadows press in from all sides, thick and suffocating. Suddenly something seizes my ankle and drags me down.

“Urgh!”

A searing pain shoots through my leg as I slam into the ground, as if the force tears at my ankle. 

I struggle to break free and kick wildly, but there is nothing—only empty air again. A black void stretches in every direction. I push myself up and start running once more.

Emotionally exhausted, I scream, “Please stop!”

My voice echoes through the realm for a few seconds, then fades into silence. A force yanks me down again. 

THUD...

The impact rattles through my spine.

Blinking through the pain, I lift my gaze. I think I won’t see anything—but shadows gather before my eyes. They pull together, twisting and contorting, becoming grotesque parodies of human hands.

They tremble with an insatiable hunger, hovering as if they can see straight into my soul.

I’ve seen these hands before. Every time I try to touch them, my own hand slips through them. A few seconds later, they let me go.

I can't hear them, yet their silent command drives me to run.

I run relentlessly again, desperate for even a sliver of light—anything in this darkness that could save me. But there is nothing. Only endless emptiness, swallowing my every sound and steps.

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

Huff...

When I no longer sense anything behind me, I pause to breathe, even though I never dare to look back. 

In that moment, I realize it is a fatal mistake.

Cold, heavy fingers wrap around my throat without warning. Hands darker and heavier than anything I’ve ever imagined tighten, squeezing the breath from my lungs.

My breath collapses in my chest, tears welling in my eyes and spilling over.

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

My thoughts seem to anger them as they tighten their grip. I think this might be the end—but they release me again.

Still, the idea of running once more fills me with dread.

“Please… let me rest. Please…” I whisper.

**********

“Sis, wake up. Sis.”

A voice pulls me out of the darkness. I open my eyes and look up.

“Hmm?”

“We’re at school.”

“Already?”

“Yes.”

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

I joke, trying to lighten the mood, as I mask the unease.

Stepping off the bus, I notice other buses arriving, students spilling out into the bright morning air. As I approach the school gate, the girl behind me breaks the silence.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

I turn my head 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 seems to sense my reluctance to talk about it. Without pressing further, she smiles awkwardly and walks ahead.

It’s not that I can’t explain my dream—it’s the hassle that follows. More than that, her eyes gleam with curiosity, the kind that feeds on gossip. I can already see the rumors forming, ready to make me their center. Just thinking about it is annoying.

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

I stop at the school gate, watching a sea of students flow past me. Before I can take another step, a familiar voice pierces the noise.

“Biaaaan!”

Startled, I turn and see Jia wave as she approaches.

“Hey, Jia. Don’t shout.”

“Haha… did I scare you?”

I shoot her a playful glare and shift the topic. “Just got here? Where’s your bag?”

“Nah, I got here like fifteen minutes ago. I just ran out to grab some snacks.”

“Wait… our cafeteria is inside the school. You didn’t just sneak out again, did you?”

“Oops, busted.”

“Consider yourself lucky it was 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?'

Sigh...

“Why the sigh?” Jia asks.

“Huh? Oh, nothing.”

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

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, she just got here, and everyone won’t stop talking about her.”

Another addition to the beauty brigade. Our class already has plenty of stunners. So one more won’t tip the scales much.

Jia smirks and cuts off my thoughts before I can take them any further.

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

…She reads me too well.

“Yeah.”

“But you’re wrong about that.”

“Why?”

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

Her words sour my mood. While I try not to dwell on others’ situations, it’s still unpleasant to hear. 

I silently hope she finds the strength to endure the attention.

Lost in thought, I reach the classroom. Jia has already gone ahead, that’s why I hear the class president’s sharp voice. She’s scolding Jia loudly, and I can’t help but smile at how much trouble she’s in.

The classroom falls silent when I enter. The class president pauses to give me a brief smile before turning back to Jia. Jia looks at me pleadingly.

“You reap what you sow,” I murmur before taking my seat.

My gaze drifts to the new girl. She stands out. Not exactly fat, but heavier than most. A strange discomfort coils in my chest as her gaze meets mine. 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 she carries unsettles me. Regardless, it’s not my concern.

I nod to her in greeting and sit down.

Little did I know that my misfortune was about to begin with her.