Chapter 4: That Night

The moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting pale silver lines across the wooden floor. Ruri lay awake, her body still and her eyes wide open as she stared at the ceiling. Her homework lay untouched on her desk, forgotten in the wake of the day's events.

Thoughts swirled in her mind, the meeting, the forest, the strange records… and Ryo. The way he moved with an effortless grace, the enigmatic words he chose, and the silence that lingered between them.

Yet, above all, it was the dream that consumed her.

That tree. That world.

Unlike fleeting dreams that dissipate upon awakening, this one was growing sharper, more vivid. She could almost hear the sound of rain, feel the weight of light, and sense an unseen presence watching her. 

Now, the charm that the old woman had given her rested quietly on her desk beside the lamp, its faint glimmer catching the moonlight. It pulsed or shimmered gently when she gazed at it, as if it were alive, like it held secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Ruri sat up, throwing her blanket off as a wave of determination washed over her. She padded across the wooden floor, the coolness of the night air brushing against her skin. She picked up the charm, running her fingers along its surface. It felt cold but somehow comforting, familiar, as if it belonged to her.

Frowning, she examined the underside of the charm. Her fingers traced the faintest markings etched into the metal symbols that seemed to escape definition. They resembled something ancient, a forgotten language trying to communicate its meaning.

"What are you?" she whispered aloud to no one in particular, her voice hanging in the stillness of the room.

In that moment, a low creak echoed from the hallway outside her bedroom door.

Ruri froze.

Instinctively, her hand clenched around the charm as she tiptoed to the door, pressing her ear against it. The silence was suffocating, every creak of the house amplified in the dark. 

She hesitated, then slowly cracked the door open. The hallway was engulfed in darkness, illuminated only by a sliver of light seeping in from the living room window. Shadows danced along the walls, a strange play of light and dark that sent a shiver down her spine. 

Then, from the far end near the stairs, a shadow moved.

She saw it.

It wasn't her imagination. It moved like a person, fluid and graceful but too smooth, like a reflection that had forgotten how to mimic human form. It slipped through the darkness, barely perceptible, before it vanished entirely.

Ruri slammed the door shut, her heart pounding in her chest. She stepped back, breathless, her eyes wide. 

But there was no sound, no knock, no rush of footsteps just an ominous silence enveloping her.

With shaky hands, she glanced down at the charm in her grasp. It radiated warmth now, a stark contrast to the cold it had felt moments before. The sensation was both comforting and unsettling, igniting a sense of urgency within her.

"What was happening?"

The events of the day collided in her mind: the meeting, the dream, and the shadow that now haunted her thoughts. Ruri took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. She needed to understand what was occurring in the charm, the vision of the tree, the figure in the darkness. 

As she turned to face her desk, the charm glinted in the moonlight, a beacon of mystery. It felt like a key, pulsating with energy, urging her to uncover the deeper truth hidden within the strange phenomena that had thrust itself into her life.

She needed answers. The night was far from over, and there was still much to explore. Gripping the charm tightly, Ruri made up her mind that she would not let fear keep her from the secrets waiting to be unveiled. The world beyond her bedroom door felt alive, beckoning her toward an unknown adventure. 

Friday, June 6

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EXTRA INFO:

The Charm given by the old woman is made of the soul of the girl from his Dream. Even not having it, she still had a connection to the girl, but how?

In various cultures and spiritual philosophies, the number 7 is often viewed as profoundly significant. It symbolizes deep contemplation, inner wisdom, and a journey towards spiritual awakening. Additionally, it is often seen as a powerful day for unveiling truths and mysteries that lie beneath the surface.