Eira's POV
I stood before the mirror, studying my reflection.
The black witch gown fit me perfectly. Its long sleeves flowed gracefully, while the pointed hat resting beside me completed the costume.
Everyone was excited about tonight.
The Halloween party.
A night of celebration.
Yet...
An uneasy feeling refused to leave my heart.
"Do you really think I should go?"
Tessy let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Eira, you've asked me that at least three times already."
She walked over, gently adjusted my hat, and smiled.
"You look beautiful."
I glanced back at my reflection.
"I don't know..."
"You're just nervous," she said reassuringly. "Tonight is supposed to be fun. So no overthinking... and no worrying."
"You make it sound easy."
She laughed.
"It is—for everyone except you."
A quiet laugh escaped my lips.
Just then, my phone vibrated.
Jake.
Tessy's smile widened immediately.
"Jake?"
Ignoring her teasing look, I answered the call.
"Hello?"
"I'm outside," Jake said.
"I'll be there."
After hanging up, Tessy pulled me into a quick hug.
"Go enjoy yourself."
Then she looked at me with unusual seriousness.
"And promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Smile tonight."
I smiled.
"I promise."
After she left, I turned toward the mirror one last time.
Tonight...
I would try to forget everything.
Adrian's POV
I fastened the last button of my black coat.
Drake leaned against the doorway, watching me in silence.
"You're really going?"
"Yes."
His expression turned serious.
"We still know nothing about the birthmark."
His gaze drifted toward the dark sky beyond the window.
"And tonight is the Red Moon."
"I know."
"That's exactly why I have to go."
Drake narrowed his eyes before a knowing smirk appeared.
"Or..."
"Are you going because she's there?"
I met his gaze without hesitation.
"I'm going because Jake will be there."
Drake placed a dramatic hand over his heart.
"Our terrifying Vampire King..."
"...lying."
"I never thought I'd live to see this day."
Ignoring his teasing, I walked toward the door.
The smile slowly faded from my face as my hand closed around the handle.
Tonight...
The truth would reveal itself.
Jake's POV
I waited outside the girls' hostel as students passed by in colorful Halloween costumes, their laughter filling the cool evening air.
Then...
I saw her.
For a heartbeat, everything else faded away.
Eira walked toward me in a black witch gown that swayed gently with every step.
The evening breeze played with her hair, and beneath the golden campus lights, she looked breathtaking.
She stopped in front of me, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.
"I look ridiculous, don't I?"
I couldn't help but smile.
"No."
"You look beautiful."
A soft blush warmed her cheeks.
"I'm supposed to be a scary witch."
I grinned.
"Then I guess that makes me a male witch."
She laughed.
The sound was light, genuine...
...and somehow, it made the whole world feel brighter.
I opened the passenger door for her.
"Come on."
"The party is waiting."
She smiled and slipped inside the car.
Eira's POV
I stood among the crowd, trying to ignore the strange uneasiness that had followed me since morning.
No matter how hard I tried, my heart refused to settle.
It felt as though...
Something was about to happen.
Before I could lose myself in those thoughts again, Jake appeared beside me.
"Are you alright?"
I looked up and forced a small smile.
"Yeah."
His eyes lingered on my face for a moment, as if searching for the truth. Then, instead of questioning me further, he smiled.
"Good."
I frowned.
"Good?"
He nodded with complete seriousness.
"I was beginning to think you came here just to stand in a corner and analyze every possible problem in the universe."
I blinked.
"Do I really look like that?"
He pretended to consider it.
"Sometimes."
"Jake."
"What?"
A grin spread across his face.
"Your brain works harder than anyone else's."
I shook my head, unable to hide my smile.
"You're impossible."
"And yet..."
He folded his arms with a satisfied smile.
"You're still talking to me."
A quiet laugh escaped my lips.
Jake's eyes lit up immediately.
"There."
I looked at him in confusion.
"What?"
"I finally made you smile."
"Don't look so proud."
"Too late."
Despite myself, I smiled again.
For a brief moment...
The uneasiness faded.
I almost forgot the strange feeling that had haunted me all day.
Then—
The music suddenly grew quieter.
The large doors of the hall slowly swung open.
Almost instantly...
The conversations faded.
One by one, heads turned toward the entrance.
Adrian stepped inside.
For a heartbeat, the entire atmosphere shifted.
Dressed entirely in black, he carried himself with effortless confidence. The high collar of his coat hinted at a vampire costume, yet somehow it felt unnecessary.
Adrian didn't need a costume.
His presence alone commanded the room.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
Girls watched him with open admiration, but he spared no one a glance.
His deep black eyes swept across the hall...
Searching.
Then...
They found me.
Standing beside Jake.
Jake noticed.
Their gazes locked across the crowded hall.
Neither smiled.
Neither looked away.
No words were spoken.
None were needed.
A silent challenge passed between them, sharp enough to make the air feel heavier.
Before the silence could stretch any further, a cheerful voice echoed through the speakers.
"Attention, everyone!"
"The Halloween Costume Competition will begin at midnight!"
"Only two hours remain until the final celebration!"
Cheers erupted throughout the hall.
Music swelled once more as students rushed toward the dance floor.
Laughter filled the room again.
But across the crowd...
Jake and Adrian never took their eyes off each other.
Jake's POV
The moment Adrian walked into the hall, I noticed his eyes.
They weren't taking in the decorations.
They weren't watching the crowd.
They were searching for one person.
Eira.
The way he looked at her unsettled me.
I didn't like it.
Not even a little.
I crossed the room and stopped in front of him.
"Well..."
"I didn't think you'd actually come."
He didn't answer.
His gaze slipped past me, settling on Eira once again.
The dismissal stung more than I cared to admit.
"No date?" I asked with a faint smile. "Couldn't find anyone willing to spend the night with you?"
A subtle smile touched his lips.
"I can see."
I frowned.
"What does that mean?"
For the first time, his balck eyes met mine.
"It explains why you're trying so hard."
My jaw tightened.
"I'm just enjoying the party."
His gaze drifted toward Eira.
"So is she."
I folded my arms.
"Jealous?"
For the first time that night...
Adrian smiled.
Slowly.
Coldly.
Dangerously.
"Of you?"
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"I've lived long enough to know the difference..."
"...between confidence..."
"...and desperation."
My hands curled into fists.
"You talk like you've already won."
His expression never changed.
"I never said we were playing the same game."
Silence settled between us.
The music continued around us, but it felt impossibly distant.
I took a step closer.
"You really think she'd ever choose you?"
His eyes rested on Eira for a brief moment before returning to mine.
"Ask her..."
"...when she knows who you really are."
A chill ran through me.
"What did you say?"
He leaned in just enough for only me to hear.
"Keep smiling."
"It suits you."
A brief pause.
"But don't get comfortable."
"You won't be wearing it for long."
Without waiting for a response, he walked past me.
I stood frozen, my fists clenched at my sides.
His words echoed relentlessly in my mind.
When she knows who you really are...
Eira's POV
Jake wandered back to my side with an unusually serious expression.
"I've just made an important discovery."
I looked at him curiously.
"Oh?"
He nodded.
"I've been observing everyone at this party."
"And?"
He pointed toward a student dressed as a zombie.
"I've reached a conclusion."
"What conclusion?"
He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Out of everyone here..."
"...you're definitely the scariest one."
I stared at him.
"What?"
He struggled to keep a straight face.
"Think about it."
"You're dressed as a witch."
"You've been staring into space all evening."
"And every few minutes you sigh like you're about to cast a spell on someone."
I couldn't stop myself.
A laugh slipped from my lips.
Jake's grin instantly grew wider.
"There it is."
"What?"
"That laugh."
"I was beginning to think your witch costume had stolen your smile."
I shook my head, still smiling.
"You're unbelievable."
"I've been told."
He gave a dramatic little bow.
"My greatest talent..."
"...is making my favorite witch smile."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Favorite witch?"
He shrugged innocently.
"You're the only witch I know."
I laughed again and lightly nudged his arm.
"That doesn't make me your favorite."
"It does by default."
I rolled my eyes.
"You really make your own rules, don't you?"
"Only the important ones."
His smile softened before he glanced toward the refreshment table.
"I'll get us something to drink."
He pointed at me with mock seriousness.
"Stay right here."
"I don't trust this party not to steal my favorite witch."
I smiled, shaking my head.
"I'll try."
With one last grin, he disappeared into the crowd.
I watched him go before letting my eyes wander across the beautifully decorated hall.
Music pulsed through the room as students laughed, danced, and admired one another's costumes. Orange lights flickered against black drapes, while glowing pumpkins cast dancing shadows across the polished floor.
For a brief moment...
Everything felt peaceful.
The strange uneasiness that had followed me all day slowly began to fade.
Then—
Someone brushed roughly past me.
My heel slipped across the polished floor.
Before I could catch myself...
A strong arm caught me before I could hit the floor.
For a single heartbeat...
Everything else disappeared.
I looked up.
Adrian.
His arm was firmly wrapped around my waist, holding me steady as though letting go wasn't even an option.
Our eyes met.
There was something in his eyes...
Something I couldn't name.
Something that made my heart skip a beat.
Only after he was certain I could stand on my own did his grip slowly loosen.
His hand slipped away from my waist.
The warmth of his touch disappeared.
"You should watch where you're going," he said quietly.
His voice was calm.
Almost indifferent.
Before I could answer—
A mocking laugh echoed through the hall.
Victoria.
She strolled toward us with her arms folded, a smug smile playing on her lips.
"How touching."
The nearby conversations began to fade as students turned to watch.
"I guess some girls really do know how to get everyone's attention."
I frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Victoria's gaze swept over me with open contempt.
"Oh, don't act innocent."
"First, you spent weeks chasing Adrian."
She tilted her head, her smile growing wider.
"And now you've moved on to Jake."
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"I wonder who's next."
"Maybe she just enjoys making boys fight over her."
Heat rushed to my face.
"Victoria..."
"That's enough."
She ignored me as though I hadn't spoken.
Instead, she turned to Adrian.
"What do you think?"
"You've known her longer than Jake."
"Isn't that exactly what she's doing?"
Silence settled over the room.
My eyes found Adrian.
For reasons I couldn't explain...
I wanted him to deny it.
I wanted him to tell everyone she was wrong.
His black eyes met mine.
His expression revealed nothing.
Then...
A faint smile touched his lips.
"She's right about one thing."
My heart sank.
"What...?"
"So many people are willing to lose themselves for you..."
He paused, his eyes returning to mine.
""...and you don't even realize you're giving them a reason to."
His voice remained calm.
You let people into your world too easily."
"Before they realize it..."
"They begin believing they matter to you."
The words struck harder than I expected.
"I never—"
He cut me off.
"Perhaps you should stop making people believe they matter."
The hall fell silent.
"False hope has a way of destroying people."
His eyes remained on mine for one last moment.
"And sometimes..."
"...it destroys the person who creates it, too."
Something inside me quietly shattered.
For the first time...
Adrian looked away.
At that moment—
Jake returned, carrying two drinks.
"Eira..."
"I'm sorry."
"I have to go."
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
Before I could say a word, he hurried toward the exit and disappeared into the crowd.
I stood frozen.
The laughter around me felt distant. The music. The lights. The celebration. None of it mattered anymore.
Adrian's words echoed relentlessly inside my mind.
"Perhaps you should stop making people believe they matter."
Was that... Really how he saw me?
Unable to bear another second inside the hall... I turned away.
The laughter behind me faded with every step.
Tears blurred my vision as I wandered farther from the college grounds.
The familiar path disappeared beneath the shadows of towering trees.
Only then did I realize...
I had walked into the old forest.
The wind whispered through the branches.
Everything was strangely quiet.
Too quiet.
I should have turned back.
But my feet refused to move.
Then—
A sharp pain shot through my chest.
I froze.
"...Ah..."
My hand instinctively pressed against my heart.
Another wave struck.
Stronger.
I gasped for breath.
"W-What's happening...?"
The pain didn't fade.
It grew.
With every heartbeat...
It burned deeper.
As if something inside me had awakened.
The air suddenly felt heavier.
The wind stopped.
Even the forest seemed to hold its breath.
A strange crimson light spread across the ground.
Slowly...
I lifted my eyes toward the sky.
The moon...
It was changing.
Its pale silver glow was disappearing.
Little by little...
It turned crimson.
A blood-red moon watched silently over the forest.
My heart pounded harder.
The pain became unbearable.
I stumbled forward, unable to stop.
Something was calling me.
Not with words...
But with a force I couldn't resist.
Branches scraped against my arms as I pushed deeper into the darkness.
Then...
The trees suddenly parted.
Before me, a towering waterfall cascaded from the cliffs, its silver waters glowing beneath the crimson light of the Red Moon.
Beside it stood a rocky cliff overlooking the entire forest.
From there...
Everything lay beneath the blood-red sky.
I couldn't stop.
Every step drew me closer.
As though the moon...
The forest...
Had been waiting for me all along.
Then—
The forest fell completely silent
As if the world itself was waiting for what would happen next.