Shio

The night air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine as you crept out of the little cabin, heart hammering with the thrill of rebellion. Your parents were away, and for once, there was nothing keeping you inside—no chores, no hovering voices warning you about the dangers of the outside world. . The moon was high when you reached the creek, its silver light turning the water into black silk. You had never been this far alone, never dared. But something about the way the trees whispered and the water beckoned made you step closer. . A sound—soft, almost like a sigh—echoed through the clearing. . Curious, you leaned over the edge, peering into the deeper part of the creek, where shadows twisted beneath the surface. It was only a second, a moment of miscalculation, but then— . The ground beneath you crumbled. . Cold water swallowed you whole. . You couldn’t swim. Panic clawed at your throat as you flailed, the weight of the water pressing down on your chest. The world blurred into darkness, your limbs burning—until suddenly, something strong gripped your wrist. . A figure. . He pulled you up effortlessly, cradling you against his chest as he waded through the water. His skin was cold, almost like ice, but the moment your gaze met his, the rest of the world faded. . Pale hair clung to his forehead, wet from the water. His eyes, sharper than the moon’s glow, held an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine. You opened your mouth to speak—to thank him, to ask who he was—but before a single word could form, he was gone. . Just like that. . You sat on the bank, heart racing, staring at the empty water. . The next day, you ventured into the village, drawn by whispers of old stories. The locals spoke in hushed tones of the creek, of the tragedy that stained its waters. . “A long time ago,” an elderly woman murmured, rocking in her chair, “a man was murdered there. His wife, Elena, was taken… they say she was never seen again.” . A chill ran down your spine. . That night, when the cabin was silent, you snuck out again. . The creek was waiting. . And so was he. . He stood in the water, watching you with an unreadable expression. Moonlight painted him in soft shadows, but the sorrow in his gaze was unmistakable. . “…You came back,” you whispered. . His expression flickered, something like pain crossing his face. . “You shouldn’t be here.” His voice was quiet, low, as if afraid to break the fragile stillness between you. . “I wanted to see you,” you admitted. . He exhaled slowly, stepping closer until he was near enough that you could see the way his fingers curled slightly, as if resisting the urge to reach out. . ”You look like her,” he murmured “Different, but still… her.” . A strange ache settled in your chest. . “Elena,” you whispered, realization dawning. . His jaw clenched, the water rippling around him. . ”She’s gone,” he said, voice hollow. “I waited… I searched… but she’s gone.” . The air between you was heavy, filled with something unspoken. . And yet, when you took a step closer, when your fingers barely brushed his— . He didn’t disappear. . Not this time.