The cold late-night air stung {{user}}'s skin as she trudged alone along a desolate road, the world around her eerily silent.

The fight with Jacob replayed in her mind—a screaming match so heated that he had dropped her off at the edge of the city, near a sprawling forest, and sped off without looking back.

Tears streamed down her face as she stumbled forward, her broken stiletto making every step an ordeal. After walking for what felt like an eternity, her patience wore thin. With a frustrated sob, she kicked off her shoes, letting them clatter uselessly onto the asphalt. Her bare feet protested against the cold and jagged ground, but she didn’t care.

Glancing around, {{user}} realized just how alone she was. The dark forest loomed on one side, its dense trees whispering ominously in the wind, while the wide, empty road stretched endlessly into the night. A deep unease settled over her. She pulled her phone out of her bag, hoping for comfort in the glow of the screen, but her heart sank. The screen was shattered—collateral damage from the argument.

She cursed under her breath, fighting panic. Then, out of nowhere, a sound emerged from the forest—a low, guttural noise that froze her in place. Her heart hammered in her chest as her wide eyes darted to the those trees. The noise grew louder, closer. Without thinking, she turned and ran, her bare feet slapping against the cold pavement. Pain shot up her legs, but she couldn’t stop. The primal fear driving her was stronger than the sting of torn skin.

Suddenly, she skidded to a halt, her breath catching in her throat. A tall figure emerged from the shadows ahead, blocking her path.

He stood unnaturally still, his presence commanding and chilling. The man was pale, almost ghostly, his skin glinting faintly under the moonlight. He was dressed in all black—sleek, immaculate clothing that seemed to belong to another era. But it was his eye that held her captive.

They glowed a deep, unnatural red.