Chapter 1 - A Moonlit Night

" Every soul that wanders in search of true love eventually finds itself standing alone in the silent abyss of darkness.

But what if, within that very darkness, love rises to meet us,

the same love we chased endlessly in the brightness of day? "

Winter had arrived.

The kind of winter that did not merely lower the temperature, but seemed to seep into bones, into thoughts, into the quiet spaces between breaths.

It was close to one thirty in the Night.

A half moon hung weakly in the sky, its pale glow struggling against heavy clouds that drifted lazily across the darkness. Far from the city, far from noise, light, and comfort the forest stood restless. The air was sharp, carrying the scent of damp soil and decaying leaves.

From deep within the forest came the sounds of life that thrived without mercy.

Wolves howled in the distance.

Not close enough to be seen.

Not far enough to be ignored.

Their cries echoed through the trees, slipping through branches and shadows, warning any wandering soul that the forest was awake.

Along a narrow dirt path leading deeper into the forest, a tall, powerfully built man walked forward with long, deliberate steps. His boots crushed dry leaves beneath them, the sound sharp in the stillness.

His name was Rasad.

He wore a long black coat that moved heavily with every step, blending into the darkness as if it belonged there. His broad shoulders and rigid posture made him look less like a man and more like a weapon, designed for violence, forged for cruelty.

Ahead of him stumbled a captive boy.

The young man’s hands were tied tightly behind his back with coarse rope, the fibers biting into his skin. A thick black cloth covered his head completely, robbing him of sight and direction. He tripped often, barely managing to keep his balance as Rasad shoved him forward without mercy.

The boy had no idea where he was being taken.

No idea why.

Fear had drained him of strength long ago.

They walked for a long time.

Long enough for hope to fade.

Long enough for the boy’s legs to tremble uncontrollably.

Eventually, the sound of flowing water reached their ears.

They had arrived at a river.

On its bank stood a massive ancient tree, towering above everything around it. Its trunk was thick and scarred, its bark rough and cracked like old, wounded skin. Enormous roots burst out of the earth, twisted and clawing, spreading in all directions like the fingers of some buried giant trying to pull itself free.

Waiting near the tree stood another man, dressed entirely in black.

His name was Vidresh.

His eyes were sharp, cold, impatient. Beside him stood an old woman her body bent with age, her back slightly hunched, yet her presence unsettling. Deep wrinkles lined her face, but her eyes were disturbingly alive, glinting with something ancient and knowing.

Vidresh broke the silence, his voice harsh.

“You’re late.”

Rasad stopped and replied calmly, as though nothing about this night disturbed him.

“There was light rain here yesterday. My van got stuck in the mud.”

Vidresh didn’t respond. Instead, he gestured toward the tree.

“Bring him here.”

Rasad dragged the captive forward and shoved him violently to the ground near the exposed roots. The boy cried out weakly as his body hit the cold earth. Rasad then reached down and tore the black cloth from the boy’s head.

Moonlight fell on his face.

He was young.

Too young.

Fresh cuts and dark bruises covered his face. One of his eyes was swollen, nearly shut. Dried blood stained his lips. It was clear he had been beaten repeatedly. His expression was clouded with confusion and terror, his mind unable to comprehend what was happening or what was about to happen.

Vidresh grabbed the boy by the hair and dragged him toward one of the massive roots. He forced him down onto his knees.

The boy tried to speak.

No sound came out.

Vidresh slammed his head against the rough bark.

The boy collapsed forward, trembling.

He was helpless now.

Too weak to resist.

Too broken to beg.

The old woman stepped forward.

In her hand was a large knife, its blade dull with age yet sharp enough to end a life. She gripped it tightly and began chanting in a language no one recognized. Her voice was low and rhythmic, unnatural in its cadence, as if the words were not meant for human ears.

The air grew heavy.

The forest seemed to listen.

When the chant ended, she handed the knife to Vidresh. He took it slowly. Carefully.

There was no hesitation.

With a single, practiced motion, he slit the young man’s throat.

Blood spilled freely, pouring over the ancient roots, soaking into the earth. The ground darkened as if absorbing the sacrifice willingly as if the forest itself had been waiting.

Across the river, on the opposite bank, stood a girl. Her head was covered with a red cloth.

From a distance, her face could not be seen. She appeared no more than a silent shadow against the darkness, unmoving and alone.

She had watched everything.

Tears filled her eyes, glistening beneath the veil. Pain radiated from her stillness. She looked broken yet she did not scream.

She did not run.

She only watched.

Who was she?

And why did she remain there, witnessing such horror from afar?

Three Years Later

Time passed.

Secrets buried themselves deeper.

On the outskirts of the city lay a place rich with natural beauty. A large zoo stood there, surrounded by thick greenery. Nearby, along the seashore, stretched a vast garden built during the British era.

It was known as Elphinstone Park.

The far end of the park opened directly toward the sea. From that point, the ocean appeared endless dark waves reflecting moonlight, whispering secrets only the night could understand.

It was nearly nine o’clock in the evening.

Food stalls glowed near the entrance, their lights bright and inviting. People moved around in large numbers, families, couples, groups of friends, laughing, eating, talking. Life felt loud here, full, normal.

A car pulls up and comes to a stop in front of the garden. Inside sits Alex, twenty seven years old.

He carefully parks the car, steps out, he adjusted his formal clothes and looks toward the garden gate. There, he spots his friend Rohan twenty five years old, standing and waiting, though Rohan’s attention seems focused somewhere else.

Alex notices it. He closes the car door and walks toward him.

Alex walks up to him and says with a grin,

“Hey, my friend. How are you? Waiting for someone?”

Rohan smiles when he sees Alex and replies,

“I was waiting for you. Who else would I be waiting for?”

Alex looks at Rohan curiously and smirks.

“ it looks like you’re desperately waiting for some beautiful girl.

Just remember, this day is never going to come in your life… ha ha ha.”

Rohan laughs and shakes his head.

“One day, I’ll do things you wouldn’t even imagine me capable of.”

Alex chuckles dismissively.

“I’d really like to see what you actually manage to pull off.”

They talked as they entered the park. Lights illuminated flowers and trees, casting soft shadows. Since the park was scheduled to close at ten, many visitors were already leaving, though couples still sat quietly together.

They sat on a bench near a fountain.

Conversation drifted, work, money, ambition, relationships.

Soon, they decided to walk deeper into the park to see the sea.

With every step inward, the crowd thinned. The noise faded. Silence grew heavier.

That’s when Alex noticed her.

A girl sat alone on a bench near the far end of the park, staring toward the ocean.

Alex said quietly. “ Look... A girl sitting alone. At this hour?”

Rohan frowned.

“We won’t know unless we ask,”

Alex replied.

“Maybe she’s troubled.”

Rohan says,

“What if she’s a ghost? "

Alex Replied,

"Stop talking nonsense, nothing like that ever happens."

Rohan’s phone rang. It was his father. After a brief but serious conversation, Rohan turned to Alex.

“I have to leave. Something urgent.”

Alex said.

" You go... I’ll talk to her.”

Rohan shook his head.

“Just don’t call me if she accuses you of harassment.”

Alex says calmly,

" Ok fine, see you again."

After that, Rohan left.

It was almost nine.thirty.

Alex slowly walked toward the girl. With every step, a strange uneasiness crept into his heart.

Who was she?

Why was she alone?

Why did she feel… different?

Alex reaches her.

She is still facing the sea, unmoving, as if the world behind her does not exist.

He steps closer and sees her face. beautiful, untouched by the night, almost unreal in its innocence. Moonlight slips through her golden, flowing hair. The white-and-red dress she wears feels carefully chosen, as though it belongs only to her.

In that single moment, Alex forgets everything else.

Under the silver glow of the moon, she watches the ocean with eyes full of quiet longing, hope trembling beneath her calm. It feels as if she is waiting, not for the night to pass, but for someone who has yet to arrive. And somehow, standing there beside her, Alex senses that whoever she is waiting for…

Next Chapter…