Chapter 1 The Strange App

The rain tapped gently against Bianca's window, the kind of rhythm that reminded her of all the lonely nights she'd endured lately. Her tiny apartment smelled faintly of lavender candles, but even the soothing scent couldn't drown the heaviness in her chest.

She had spent the past few hours scrolling aimlessly through social media, pretending to be interested in everyone else's happiness. Couple photos, laughing faces, expensive vacations-everything she didn't have. Her own reflection in the black screen of her phone looked tired, eyes swollen from nights she'd rather forget.

It had been two months since her breakup with Adrian. Two months of silence, of unanswered questions, of pretending she was fine when she wasn't. Her friends told her to "move on," but no one told her how.

That was when she noticed it.

An unfamiliar app on her home screen.

The icon was simple yet strange-an obsidian square with a faint silver crescent moon that seemed to glow softly against the darkness. No name, no alerts, no sign of when or how it had appeared on her phone. Bianca frowned.

Weird. Did I download this?

Her thumb hovered over it. For a moment, she considered deleting it-God knew she didn't need another distraction. But something about the glow of that moon pulled at her, as if daring her to step into the unknown.

She tapped it.

The screen flickered once, then displayed bold words across a black background:

> Welcome to Midnight Whispers.

No names. No faces. Only truths.

Her brows knitted together. It looked like some kind of anonymous chat app. A box appeared, asking her to create a username.

With a sigh, she typed: Bia_23.

The app opened to what seemed like a deserted chatroom. Just a blank screen. No online users. No voices. The silence almost convinced her to close it-until a message appeared.

Ares: I was waiting for you.

Bianca's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't even typed anything.

Bia_23: Do I know you?

The reply came almost instantly, as though the person on the other end had been anticipating her words.

Ares: Not yet. But you will.

Her throat tightened. Something about the certainty in his message unsettled her.

Bia_23: Why me?

The typing bubble lingered, teasing her nerves. Then it appeared.

Ares: Because you're the one I've been searching for.

Bianca's lips parted in disbelief. What kind of creepy line is that? This had to be some stranger messing with her. Still, curiosity burned hotter than fear, and her fingers itched to reply.

But before she could, another message appeared-one that froze the blood in her veins.

Ares: Nice blue pajamas. You look even prettier tonight.

Bianca's phone slipped from her trembling hand, clattering onto the bed.

Her breathing grew shallow. She looked down at herself. She was, in fact, wearing her sky-blue pajamas, the ones she only wore at home, alone.

Her gaze darted around the room, her heart hammering against her ribs. How does he know? Is someone outside? Watching me?

The curtains fluttered slightly with the wind from the half-open window, and panic shot through her. She rushed to close it, her fingers shaking as she drew the blinds tightly shut. Her chest heaved with fear, and her phone buzzed again, lighting up the darkened room.

Another message.

Ares: Don't be afraid, Bianca. I'll never hurt you. I only want to protect you.

Her knees nearly buckled.

He knows my name.