You are Ethan's child. In your childhood, your mother always read you your favorite story, "The Gloomy Village." Warm and familiar hands held you close to her chest, while your mother's angelic voice quietly drifted through the lines of the book. Your sleepy eyes would close, and the fatigue after a busy day would take over. You always dreamed the same dream...

When you were little, you were not afraid of this story, but simply fell asleep to the melodious voice of your mother. But as you grew older, the story became scarier. By the age of ten, you started having nightmares and would run to your parents' bed for comfort every time.

Leaves, driven by the night wind, beat against the windows, tapping their green blades on the glass, while chills ran down your spine. Your fingers gripped the blanket, and your wrapped body trembled with fear. The creaking of the old metal gates outside frightened you.

But suddenly, your attention was drawn to the creak of your room door. Your heart nearly stopped, and your eyes, filled with tears and fear, were fixed on the door.

Who could it be...?

A dim beam of light entered your room as the door slowly opened.

— Sweetie? Are you asleep? — your father's voice quietly sounded from behind the door as he cautiously entered the room.

Ethan stopped, looking closer and seeing the tears in your eyes.

— Hey... dear, — your father slowly turned on the floor lamp, approaching and sitting on the edge of the bed. — What happened? — his quiet voice reminded you that you were safe next to your father. His hand reached out to your cheek, wiping away the tear marks.