Chapter 1 0001

< INTRODUCTION >

In a world where witches secretly live among humans, sharing the earth with other powerful beings, danger and mystery are everywhere.

There lives a young man who stands out from the rest. He is dangerously charming just one look into his light blue eyes, as deep and calm as the ocean, and you could feel your heart melting. His smile is enough to send chills running down your skin, both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

People whisper his name with fear. Some say he is the devil himself... others claim he is far worse. No one dares to cross his path, because those who do rarely live to tell the tale.

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I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. I don't know how long I had been there, but I was completely lost in my own thoughts. A sad, broken smile tugged at my lips as I tried to fight back the tears threatening to fall. But no matter how hard I tried, they slipped down my cheeks, warm and silent.

Today is my birthday. I'm turning 20 years old. I should be happy... I should be smiling, celebrating, laughing like everyone else does on their special day. But I'm not. Because deep down, I know the truth... I only have a few months left to live.

Yes, you heard me right. My life is counting down.

This cruel disease has been eating me alive since I was eight. I remember that day so clearly, it's burned into my memory forever. I was playing in the backyard with my friends, laughing freely like a normal child... until I collapsed. The next time I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital bed, surrounded by machines, my parents sitting beside me with the saddest expressions I'd ever seen.

Weeks passed before I went home, but nothing was ever the same again. My parents never let me go outside, never let me play with my friends, never let me return to school. Dad started teaching me at home, and life became a cage of four walls and endless lessons. I forgot what the outside world even looked like.

Then, when I turned sixteen, I overheard a conversation that shattered what little hope I had left. My father's voice was heavy, broken, as he said the words that felt like a death sentence: "She only has four years and seven months left to live."

That day, my world crumbled.

They had taken me to countless hospitals, prayed, begged, cried for a miracle... but none ever came. Eventually, even they stopped hoping. And now, all that's left for me is to wait for the day I take my last breath.

I only have one true friend, Helen. She's been my childhood friend for as long as I can remember. Since I was never allowed to visit anyone, she would come to me. Every time she visited, she'd tell me stories about what was happening in the city the fun, the festivals, the life outside my small world. And sometimes, I felt this strange feeling deep in my chest. Should I call it jealousy? Maybe. Because I wished, more than anything, that I could be just a normal kid like her.

But my grandma always told me something I could never forget: "Death is something no one can escape. Everyone will die one day, it's just a matter of time." Her words hurt... but they were true. After hearing them over and over, I stopped being afraid. Maybe this was just my destiny.

Helen doesn't know about my sickness. It's a secret my family has kept from everyone outside these walls. And I'm glad they did... because the last thing I want is for Helen to look at me with pity. I just want to feel normal, at least in her eyes.

"Alina! What the hell is taking you so long to come out?" a voice yelled as the door to my room swung open.

I quickly wiped my tears and looked up to see Helen standing in the doorway.

"I thought you were dead or something, you're taking forever to get your ass out," she said, rolling her eyes playfully.

I forced a small smile and moved away from the mirror to grab my handbag. I was already feeling sad earlier, but hearing that word dead made my heart sink even deeper. I hate that word. It feels too close... like death is already standing right beside me, waiting. I know it's near, but I just don't like being reminded of it.

Still, I can't be angry at Helen. She doesn't know about my sickness. If she did, she'd probably cry herself to death. Sometimes I wonder why she's still my friend. Please don't get me wrong.... I mean, shouldn't she have made new friends by now, hung out with people who aren't locked away like me? But no, she chose to stay, to stick by my side all these years... and I'll forever be grateful. Even if I die, I'll never forget her.

"Sorry," I said softly, walking toward her. "I was just checking to see if I'm beautiful enough to go outside."

"Aww, my poor little thing," Helen said with a teasing grin. "You are beautiful. If this was a werewolf story, I'd say you're the Moon Goddess herself."

Her words made me blush a little.

"You didn't even put on any makeup," she continued, pretending to frown. "And yet you still look stunning. Unlike me, hiding behind layers of makeup."

"You're not bad either," I said with a small laugh. "You're beautiful even without makeup."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Helen said, waving me off. "Now hurry up, girl! I can't wait to show you around the city. I'm so happy you finally get to come out!" She grabbed my hand, already pulling me out of the room.

Oh, I forgot to say... My dad told me to ask for anything I wanted for my birthday, and I asked for just one thing, to go outside. Just once, to see the world, to breathe fresh air and look at the beauty I've been missing before I take my last breath. I was shocked when he agreed. Maybe... maybe he's thinking the same thing as me. Maybe he wants me to have one last taste of freedom before my time runs out.

Either way, I'm happy.

And when I told Helen, she was so overjoyed, you'd think she was the one being let out of a cage.

We reached the living room, and my whole family was sitting on the couch, chatting and laughing softly. The moment Mom's eyes landed on me, she stood up quickly, her smile warm full of love. She wrapped her arms around me tightly and whispered, "Happy birthday, my baby." Even though she tried to hide the sadness in her eyes, I could feel it... like a heavy weight pressing on my heart.

Grandma suddenly leaned forward, squinting at me playfully. "Well, well, look at the beautiful birthday girl !" she said, grinning. "Alina... you're shining so bright today, I almost need sunglasses just to look at you!"

Everyone burst into laughter at her words, the sound filling the room. Grandma always had a way of making us laugh, even in the darkest times.

Dad stayed quiet, his gaze fixed on his hands. He rarely looked me in the eyes anymore. I remember asking him once why he avoided my gaze, and his answer broke me: "Because every time I look at you, I feel like a failure... like I couldn't protect my little girl." I had held his hand and told him gently, "It's not your fault, Dad. This isn't something you could save me from... it's destiny."

Before I left with Helen, Dad finally stood, walked over to me, and kissed my cheek softly. "Enjoy your day, my princess," he whispered. Grandma followed, pulling me into a big warm hug and pressing a kiss on my forehead.

With a last glance at my family, I stepped outside with Helen.

The moment my feet touched the ground outside, I froze. The world felt so big, so alive, and I was just standing there, afraid to blink in case it disappeared. The soft breeze brushed against my skin, carrying scents of fresh grass, flowers, and life itself. It felt strange yet beautiful... like a dream I'd been waiting to wake up from for years.

I tilted my head up, staring at the endless blue sky. It was brighter than I remembered, stretching wide like freedom itself. The sun warmed my face, and for a second, I just stood still, letting the warmth sink deep into my bones. My heart raced not from fear, not from sickness but from pure excitement, like a child seeing the world for the first time.

I felt tears prick my eyes, but this time, they weren't from sadness alone. They were from the overwhelming beauty of being outside, breathing the same free air as everyone else. I wanted to run, to laugh, to spin around and scream that I was alive... even if my time was running out.

For years, I had only seen this world through a window. But now, standing here, I realized how much I had missed, how much life I had been locked away from.

Helen looked at me with a soft smile as we walked down to where her driver was waiting. "So..." she said, nudging my arm gently, "how does it feel to finally be outside after all these years?"

I stopped walking for a moment, my eyes wandering over everything the bright sky, the swaying trees, even the small butterflies dancing above the flowers. I took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill my lungs before I whispered, my voice shaky, "It feels... unreal."

Helen tilted her head, listening closely as I continued, my words trembling with emotion. "It's like I've been trapped in a dark room for so long, and someone finally opened the door to let the light in. The air... the sun... even the smallest sound out here feels like magic." My lips curved into a small, sad smile. "I didn't realize how much I missed all this until now."

Helen's eyes softened, and she squeezed my hand gently. "Well," she said with a playful grin, trying to lighten the mood, "then we're going to make sure you see everything today-the city, the park... but guess where we're going first? The beach!"

Her words made my chest tighten, and before I could stop myself, a tear rolled down my cheek. But this time, it wasn't sadness-it was joy, freedom, and a little piece of happiness I thought I'd never feel again.

"Are you okay?" Helen asked, noticing the tears in my eyes.

"Yes," I said, smiling softly. "Just happy... Please, let's go. I can't wait anymore."

We continued walking until we reached the car. The driver stared at me for a long moment, almost forgetting himself.

"Yes, I know she's beautiful," Helen said, rolling her eyes. "But don't get lost staring. Open the damn door before I get you fired."

The driver quickly blinked and shook his head, snapping back to reality as he hurried to open the door for me. I smiled politely and got in, followed by Helen, who slid in beside me. Moments later, the driver got into the front seat and started the engine.

As we drove off, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the window. My heart was racing as I looked at the streets I hadn't seen in years. The people walking, the shops, the trees swaying gently-it was all so breathtakingly beautiful. For the first time in a long while, I found myself smiling without forcing it.

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The journey to the beach took three long hours, but the moment they arrived, As soon as they e stepped out of the car, Alina eyes went wide in wonder. It had been so many years since she last saw the ocean that she couldn't even remember the feeling of being near it. A wave of joy washed over her, making her heart race with excitement.

Without thinking, she kicked off her shoes and ran toward the water, her laughter carried by the wind. She stood at the edge of the sea, watching as the waves rolled in, kissed the shore, and pulled back again. The sound was calming, almost like the ocean was whispering to her. Slowly, she dipped my feet into the water, shivering at its cold touch but smiling anyway.

Helen stood a little distance away, watching her quietly, her heart softening as she took in the sight. She didn't know why Alina parents had kept her inside for so many years, but one thing was certain-there had to be a reason. And until Alina was ready to tell her, she wouldn't push. She just wanted her to enjoy this moment.

Hours passed as they played like children, laughing, running along the shore, and letting the waves chase them. Finally, as the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, they sat on the sand, side by side, watching the horizon.

"I'll get us some cotton candy," Helen said, standing up and brushing the sand from her dress. "After that, we'll hit the shops and grab a few things before heading home."

Alina smiled softly, nodding, eyes still fixed on the endless waves before her.

A few minutes later, Helen returned with two sticks of cotton candy in her hands, only to stop in her tracks. The spot where Alina had been sitting was empty. Panic flickered in her chest as she glanced around the beach, calling her name.

"Alina!" she shouted, but there was no answer.

Her hands trembled as she placed the cotton candy on the sand. That's when she noticed a delicate bracelet lying there, glinting under the fading sunlight. She picked it up, recognizing it immediately-the small diamond charm was unmistakable.

"This is Alina's..." she whispered, her voice shaky. Fear gripped her heart as a horrible thought crossed her mind. "Wait... has she been kidnapped?"