Chapter 4 A Warning in the Dark

Mia tossed and turned that night, the unsettling encounter with the stranger replaying in her mind. His gaze, sharp and knowing, seemed to follow her even now, like a phantom haunting her thoughts. When she finally drifted into a restless sleep, her dreams were filled with shadows, cold laughter, and the faint echo of his words: I'm sure we'll see each other again.

The next morning, the household was bustling with activity. Ji-yeon's mother was preparing breakfast in the kitchen, the smell of seaweed soup and freshly steamed rice wafting through the air. Ji-yeon herself sat at the dining table, scrolling through her phone, while Min-ho lingered near the door, already dressed in his uniform.

Mia joined them, trying to shake off her unease. "Good morning," she said, forcing a smile.

"Morning," Ji-yeon chirped. "You look tired. Didn't sleep well?"

Mia hesitated, glancing at Min-ho, who was watching her intently. "Not really," she admitted.

Min-ho's expression hardened. "Did something happen again?"

Ji-yeon frowned. "What's going on? You two have been acting strange since yesterday."

Mia sighed, debating whether to share her concerns. Finally, she relented. "Last night, I thought I saw someone outside. Just for a moment. It could've been nothing, but..."

Min-ho's voice was sharp. "You should've told me immediately."

"I didn't want to bother you," Mia said quietly.

Ji-yeon looked between them, her brow furrowing. "This is getting weird. Are you sure it's not just your imagination, Mia?"

"I don't think so," Mia said. "There was also the man I met at the hilltop yesterday. He felt... strange."

Min-ho straightened, his tone clipped. "Describe him again."

Mia did, recounting his appearance and the brief exchange they'd had.

Min-ho's jaw tightened. "You're staying here today. Don't go out unless Ji-yeon or I am with you."

Ji-yeon stared at her brother. "Oppa, you're scaring her. What's going on?"

Min-ho didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned to Mia. "If you see him again, tell me. Immediately."

---

After breakfast, Ji-yeon tried to lighten the mood, suggesting a movie marathon in the living room. Mia agreed, but her mind kept wandering, her eyes flickering toward the windows as if expecting the stranger to appear at any moment.

Ji-yeon paused the movie halfway through, noticing Mia's distraction. "Okay, spill. What's really going on? You're freaking me out."

Mia hesitated. "I don't know. It's just a feeling I have, like something isn't right. And your brother... he seems to think so too."

Ji-yeon frowned. "Oppa has always been overprotective, but he wouldn't act like this unless he thought there was a real threat." She paused, her expression softening. "Do you want me to ask him about it?"

Mia shook her head. "No, it's okay. I trust him. I just... I don't want to cause trouble for your family."

"You're not causing trouble," Ji-yeon said firmly. "You're family to me, Mia. Whatever's going on, we'll handle it together."

Mia smiled, grateful for her friend's support.

---

That evening, Min-ho returned home earlier than usual, his face set in a grim expression.

"Oppa, is everything okay?" Ji-yeon asked.

Min-ho glanced at Mia before answering. "I need to talk to you. Alone."

Ji-yeon's eyes widened. "What? Why can't I be there?"

"Because it concerns Mia," Min-ho said simply.

Reluctantly, Ji-yeon left the room, shooting Mia a worried look as she went.

Mia turned to Min-ho, her nerves on edge. "What's going on?"

Min-ho hesitated, as if debating how much to tell her. "I've seen someone matching the description of the man you met. He's been spotted near the base before. He doesn't belong there, and no one knows who he is."

Mia's stomach dropped. "Do you think he's following me?"

"I don't know," Min-ho admitted. "But I don't trust him. Until I find out more, you need to stay vigilant. Don't go anywhere alone, and if you see him, call me immediately."

Mia nodded, her heart pounding. "Okay. Thank you."

Min-ho's gaze softened slightly. "You don't have to thank me. Just be careful."

---

That night, the air felt heavier, as if the world itself were holding its breath. Mia lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of the stranger. Who was he? What did he want?

She was on the verge of sleep when a faint noise jolted her awake. It was a soft tapping, barely audible, but it sent a shiver down her spine.

Mia sat up, her heart racing. The sound came again, this time louder. It was coming from the window.

Summoning her courage, Mia approached the window and pulled back the curtain. Her breath caught in her throat.

The man from the hilltop stood outside, his dark eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

"Hello, Mia," he said, his voice smooth and chilling. "I told you we'd see each other again."

Mia stumbled back, her mind screaming for her to run. Before she could move, Min-ho burst into the room, his expression fierce.

"Get away from the window!" he barked.

Mia obeyed, rushing to his side. Min-ho stepped forward, his body blocking hers as he glared at the man outside.

"You have no business here," Min-ho said coldly.

The stranger smirked. "I'm not here for you, Min-ho. I'm here for her."

Min-ho didn't flinch. "Leave. Now."

The man's smile widened. "This isn't over."

With that, he turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving Mia trembling in Min-ho's protective grasp.