During lunch, Matthew casually remarked, "Seems like word about the recent attack near the Capital has finally reached the townsfolk."
Ann's expression changed immediately. Alarmed, she asked, "There was an attack? Where? Who was behind it?"
Matthew leaned back slightly, adjusting his glasses. "When I visited the Capital last week, I overheard merchants talking about it. Apparently, the Administrative Board is trying to keep the news quiet — they don't want to cause panic while they're still investigating who or what was responsible."
"Do you know where exactly it happened? Or what really happened?" Ann pressed further, her voice tense.
Matthew nodded. "The attack took place in a town called Windborn." He fixed his glasses again, his tone turning uneasy. "Now, I'm not sure how much of this is true, but the rumors were... unsettling. People are saying there were no signs of a struggle. Nothing broken, nothing burned — yet not a single resident was found. It's like the whole town just... vanished."
Ann stared at him, stunned.
Mr. Herondale frowned. "Well, that's weirder than weird. I've never heard anything like that in my entire life."
He turned to Ann and added, "Anneliese, I'd prefer if you head home by six today — before it gets dark — at least until the Board figures out who or what caused this unnatural event."
"Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Herondale," Ann replied sincerely.
After lunch, Ann stayed in the store with Mr. Herondale. Only five customers stopped by the entire afternoon.
"Maybe people are avoiding the streets because of the news," Ann thought, as she finished arranging the last shelf.
When the clock struck six, she thanked Mr. Herondale once again and stepped out into the quiet town.
About ten minutes into her walk home, she noticed dark clouds gathering above. Ann sighed. "Again with the unannounced rain," she muttered to herself.
To save time, she decided to take the forest route — a shortcut she knew well from childhood.
As she walked deeper into the trees, she noticed the clouds had darkened even further. Raindrops began to fall, and she quickly opened her umbrella, picking up her pace.
Ann wasn't scared. She had been visiting the forest since she was little — sometimes to gather wood, sometimes with her father or sister to graze animals. But today, the shadows beneath the trees felt different. Thicker. Heavier.
The dark clouds, combined with the dense canopy, made it difficult to see. Then the rain picked up, soaking the earth beneath her feet and slowing her down.
Even after twenty minutes of walking, she couldn't see the edge of the forest. Doubt crept in.
"Did I take the wrong turn?" she murmured, turning around to retrace her steps.
Without realizing it, Ann began walking deeper into the forest instead of toward the town. Her thoughts were interrupted when she suddenly tripped over a boulder, hidden in the mud.
She stumbled and fell onto the wet ground, her umbrella slipping from her grasp.
Groaning, she pushed herself up and reached for the umbrella — but just as her hand neared it, the wind snatched it away. Again. And again. Every time she reached for it, the umbrella drifted further.
Ann cursed under her breath. "Of all days…"
When she finally caught it, she stood still, glancing around — and felt a cold weight sink into her stomach.
She had no idea where she was.
Fear clawed at the edges of her mind, but she shook her head and forced herself to stay calm. She began walking again, choosing the direction that felt most familiar.
The rain eventually stopped, leaving behind an eerie stillness. The only sound was that of her own footsteps on the damp earth.
But still, no sign of the town.
After nearly an hour of wandering, exhaustion tugged at her limbs. She leaned against a tall tree to rest, her eyes briefly closing as she caught her breath.
Then — a sound.
A soft rustle. Not the wind. Something above her.
Her eyes snapped open and she looked up.
A dark shadow clung to the tree's upper branches.
Her breath caught in her throat. Eyes wide with horror, she stumbled backward, heart racing, and leapt away from the tree.