The Black forest

Akena took a deep breath, attempting to shake off the remnants of dread that clung to her like a second skin. The echoes of whispered shadows still flickered in her mind, but as the summer breeze washed over her, she felt a fleeting sense of freedom. She had escaped the dark confines of the room—at least for now. A cold breath had accompanied her, an unseen presence that settled beside her in the car, a whisper of something ominous she couldn't quite grasp.

Her adoptive siblings, the pale twins, sat quietly beside Zark who was seated next to Akena , their milky skin and ethereal features giving them an unsettling, ghostly appearance. They seemed indifferent to her presence, their gazes fixed out the window, as if they were observing a world separate from hers. Akena stole glances at them, wondering what secrets lay hidden behind their wide, unblinking eyes.

As they approached the airport, Akena's heart raced. This was it—the moment she had anticipated yet dreaded. The threshold to a foreign land, a new life. She'd spent her entire existence in Italy, now on the cusp of leaving it all behind. The twins' silence weighed heavily on her, amplifying her feelings of isolation and uncertainty.

After navigating through the procedures—check-in, security, and the long wait—Akena found herself seated, staring out at the runway. The bustling crowd blended into a dull hum, the world outside a blur of movement. As the boarding announcement echoed through the terminal, she swallowed hard, clenching her fists in her lap. A premonition loomed over her like a storm cloud, but she tried to push it aside. "Maybe I just need to pray," she thought, but the words felt hollow in her mind.

Once onboard, she settled into her seat beside the twins, who remained unusually still, their fingers interlaced as if sharing a silent pact. Zark, her adoptive brother, sat across the aisle, his expression neutral as he absently gazed at the seat in front of him. Akena felt the tension of being in a strange place magnified by their indifference; it left her feeling unmoored.

As the plane roared to life, Akena's thoughts swirled. What awaited her in Greece? Would the strange feeling of being watched persist, or would the new environment offer a fresh start? She glanced out the window as they ascended, the familiar landscape shrinking beneath them, replaced by clouds that enveloped them in a shroud of uncertainty.

Hours later, the plane touched down in Greece, the heat wrapping around them like a heavy blanket. Akena stepped off the aircraft, her heart pounding as she took her first breath of this new air. The vibrant colors and sounds of the airport surrounded her, but the twins continued to drift ahead, their indifference making her feel even more isolated. Zark lagged slightly behind, his expression unreadable.

They made their way through the terminal, weaving through throngs of travelers, until they emerged into the sunlight. The taxi ride to their new home was brief but exhilarating; Akena watched the landscape shift from urban to rural, her anticipation mounting. They were headed to a family home nestled near the Black Forest—a place she had heard about often but never for a good reason.

As the car rounded a final bend, Akena's breath caught in her throat. The house loomed at the edge of the forest, an imposing structure crafted from dark timber, its windows glinting like watchful eyes. Vines crawled up the walls, and a faint mist clung to the ground, lending the scene an eerie charm. The twins leaned closer together, their gazes fixed on the house, and Akena couldn't shake the feeling that it was not merely an inanimate structure but a living entity with its own secrets.

"Here we are," Zark said, a hint of disinterest in his tone. Without waiting for Akena, he opened the door and stepped in, followed closely by the twins. Akena hesitated, her heart racing with unease.

The moment they arrived, the atmosphere shifted. Their mother stood waiting by the entrance, her elegant demeanor somehow imposing. She glanced at Akena with a cool, appraising gaze. "Remember, you do not step outside without me," she warned, her voice sharp, cutting through the tension.

With that, she turned and walked into the house, leaving Akena standing on the threshold, feeling the weight of her new reality. The twins followed silently, slipping into the shadows of the dimly lit hall without a word. Zark trailed behind, his indifference palpable as he shrugged off the encounter.

Akena stood alone at the entrance, the chill of the house enveloping her. The door creaked shut behind her, sealing her inside a space that felt both foreign and foreboding. Shadows danced along the walls, and an unsettling quiet filled the air.

As she took her first step into this eerie abode, a knot of dread settled deep in her stomach. This house, steeped in silence and shadow, was more than just a dwelling; it was a keeper of mysteries—some of which, she feared, were meant to remain buried.

And as she moved further inside, Akena couldn't shake the feeling that the true journey had only just begun.