21 May 1959
Ballyhilin, Ireland
Susan woke with a sudden jolt, convinced she was late for university.
Half asleep, she threw the blanket aside and hurried toward the bathroom, her footsteps echoing across the wooden floor. But midway through the hallway, she abruptly stopped.
Sunday.
Today was Sunday.
Susan let out a long breath of relief, immediately followed by frustration.
"How could I forget something so simple…?" she muttered to herself.
Rubbing her eyes, she glanced at the clock hanging near the staircase.
10:35 AM.
For a brief moment, she considered returning to bed and sleeping for another few hours. The temptation felt overwhelming.
But eventually, she convinced herself otherwise and continued into the bathroom.
Cold water splashed against her face as she leaned over the sink. After a moment, she slowly raised her head and looked at herself in the mirror.
Susan was undeniably beautiful.
Her fair skin gave her a soft, delicate appearance, while her long black hair framed her face elegantly. But it was her green eyes that stood out the most—clear and vivid, carrying a quiet warmth within them.
Still, the feature she secretly liked most about herself was her lips.
Perfectly shaped.
Neither too small nor too full.
Naturally pink, almost as if they had been painted carefully by hand.
And yet—
despite all of it—
at twenty-four years old, Susan had never been in a relationship.
No boyfriend.
No first love.
Not even an ex she could awkwardly regret.
Something she had always wanted somehow continued escaping her.
Then suddenly—
her eyes widened.
Her heartbeat stopped for a second.
"Oh no."
Susan stared at her reflection in horror.
"You fool!"
She rushed into the shower immediately.
⸻
A few minutes later, Susan hurried back into her room with damp hair still clinging slightly to her neck. She threw open the closet doors and quickly searched through her dresses in panic.
She was already late.
Without wasting more time, she grabbed the newest dress she owned—the one she had bought only a few days earlier.
It was a silver-white dress woven from smooth, lightweight fabric that shimmered softly whenever light touched it. Thin pink stripes ran delicately along the sleeves and lower hem, giving the dress a gentle charm without overwhelming its elegance. The fitted waist subtly highlighted her figure before flowing loosely below the knees, allowing it to sway gracefully with movement. Small pearl buttons lined the front of the collar, and the sleeves ended just below her elbows with soft folded cuffs.
Simple.
Elegant.
Feminine.
Susan quickly changed clothes and rushed toward the mirror one last time.
10:54 AM.
Her eyes widened again.
"Oh God—"
She hurried downstairs almost immediately.
"Mom! I'm going outside!" she shouted while rushing toward the front door. "I'll be back by evening!"
Without waiting for a reply, she stepped outside and began running down the road.
⸻
Ballyhilin was a quiet rural town with a small population and slow-moving days. Cars were uncommon there; horse carts and wagons were still a far more familiar sight on the roads. Yet despite its countryside atmosphere, the town possessed a certain liveliness.
There were cafés.
Small shops.
A modest university.
And an old church standing at the center like a silent guardian watching over the town.
Susan hurried past all of it with growing panic.
Because today—
was important.
Today was her date.
With Arthur Doyle.
Arthur was two years younger than her and attended the same university. The first time Susan had seen him, she had fallen for him almost instantly.
Love at first sight.
At least, that was what it felt like to her.
She had wanted to speak to him for months but never gathered enough courage.
Until a few weeks ago.
They had met unexpectedly at a park while walking their dogs. One conversation had turned into another. Then another after that.
Soon, they became friends.
And now—
this was their first date.
Susan still had no idea whether Arthur truly liked her or not.
But she couldn't let this opportunity disappear.
Not after wanting it for so long.
Still, as she ran through the streets, frustration lingered inside her.
How could she forget today of all days?
The very day she had secretly imagined countless times.
But then again, Susan had always been clumsy.
Ever since childhood.
Sometimes she wondered if that was the reason she was still single—still inexperienced at an age when most women already had stories of love, heartbreak, and relationships behind them.
Eventually, she reached the agreed meeting spot near the church, directly across from the post office.
Breathing heavily, she looked ahead—
and immediately smiled.
Arthur was already there.
The moment she saw him, all her frustration vanished completely, replaced by nervous excitement.
Arthur Doyle was tall, broad-shouldered, and naturally handsome in a way that drew attention effortlessly. His black hair fell slightly over his forehead, moving gently with the wind, while his sharp features and calm posture gave him a strangely refined appearance.
Any girl could have fallen for him instantly.
Like Susan had.
His fair skin contrasted softly against his dark clothing, but one thing about him always stood out strangely—
the faint dark circles beneath his brown eyes.
They didn't make him look unattractive.
If anything, they made him seem more mysterious.
Though at times—
slightly frightening.
By the time Susan finally reached the meeting spot, she was completely out of breath.
Arthur noticed immediately.
"Hey—hey, are you alright?" he asked with visible concern.
Susan bent forward slightly, trying to steady her breathing. Despite her exhaustion, she smiled at him.
"Yeah," she said between breaths. "I'm alright."
Now that she was finally standing close to him, she allowed herself to properly look at Arthur for the first time that day.
He was dressed more formally than usual.
A dark red shirt hugged his frame neatly, the sleeves folded just below his elbows, while dark blue formal trousers completed the outfit with surprising elegance. The combination gave him a strangely foreign appearance—almost Mexican, Susan thought briefly.
But the thought vanished quickly.
Because she found herself staring at his face instead.
Completely losing track of time.
Arthur shifted awkwardly beneath her gaze.
"Uh…" he muttered softly. "Susan, you must be hungry. Should we go to a restaurant?"
Susan immediately snapped back to reality.
"Oh—yes! Yes, let's go," she said quickly. "You must be hungry too."
Arthur smiled faintly, and the two began walking together through the streets of Ballyhilin.
Along the way, they exchanged ordinary conversation—small gossip about university life, neighbors, professors, and random stories that carried no real importance. Yet somehow, the simplicity made Susan unexpectedly happy.
Eventually, they arrived at a restaurant.
And both stopped in surprise.
It was easily the most expensive restaurant in the entire town.
Neither of them had ever entered it before.
Warm golden light spilled through the large glass windows, while soft music drifted faintly from inside. The polished wooden doors, elegant chandeliers, and neatly dressed guests immediately made both of them feel slightly out of place.
Their reactions were almost identical.
Shock.
Then quiet admiration.
A waiter politely guided them toward a table near the window.
Once seated, they ordered their meals—French cuisine for Arthur and bacon with bread for Susan.
When the food finally arrived, both began eating almost immediately.
Susan tried to calm her nervousness by starting a conversation.
"So…" she began carefully, "Arthur, were you born here? I mean… I don't remember ever seeing you before."
Arthur looked at her quietly for a moment before answering in his usual calm tone.
"Well… I never knew my parents."
Susan's expression softened instantly.
"My grandfather raised me instead. When I was five, we moved to another town nearby."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But six months ago, my grandfather died too."
His voice remained calm.
"So I came back here. My grandfather owned some land near Ballyhilin, and now… I suppose it belongs to me."
Susan listened carefully before lowering her gaze slightly.
"Oh… I'm sorry, Arthur. I shouldn't have asked."
"No," Arthur replied gently. "It's alright."
An awkward silence briefly formed between them.
Then Susan quickly tried to lighten the mood.
"Okay, enough depressing topics," she said with a small laugh. "Tell me something important instead."
Arthur raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Like what?"
Susan leaned forward a little.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
Arthur almost looked embarrassed for the first time that day.
"Uh… no," he admitted quietly. "Never had one."
Susan's eyes widened in genuine surprise.
"Seriously? No girlfriend?" she said. "You're handsome, Arthur. How is that even possible?"
Arthur looked at her for a second before replying:
"What about you? You're pretty yourself. You must have had a boyfriend before."
Susan laughed awkwardly.
"No chance with boys, apparently."
Both of them laughed softly after that, and the tension between them began fading naturally.
The conversation slowly became easier.
Lighter.
Warmer.
About half an hour later, Susan asked another question.
"So what do you usually do in your free time?"
Arthur thought for a moment before answering.
"Nothing special, honestly. I like physical work."
He took another sip of water.
"I cook sometimes too. And I watch a lot of movies."
Susan's face brightened instantly.
"Movies? What kind? I like movies too."
Then she smiled curiously.
"What's your favorite?"
Arthur thought quietly for a second.
"Vertigo," he answered. "I like it a lot."
Then he looked at her.
"What about you?"
Susan answered almost immediately.
"Oh, me? I usually prefer books… but if I had to choose a movie… probably Julius Caesar."
Arthur smiled faintly.
"That's good taste."
Susan smiled back.
"Yeah."
But for some reason—
Arthur's smile made her slightly uneasy.
There was something strange hidden within it.
Something she couldn't properly explain.
A feeling so small that she decided to ignore it completely.
After finishing their meal, the two left the restaurant and continued walking through the town together.
Eventually, they arrived at the central park.
They sat there for nearly an hour, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. The conversation flowed naturally now, without nervous pauses or awkward silences.
Slowly, they became more comfortable around each other.
Comfortable enough to act childish.
At some point, they began trying the small rides and attractions scattered around the park, laughing like children for hours beneath the fading evening sunlight.
For the first time in a long while, Susan felt genuinely happy.
Eventually, she glanced toward the large clock near the park entrance and suddenly widened her eyes.
"Arthur, look at the time," she said. "It's already past six."
A soft smile formed on her lips.
"Today was wonderful."
She looked at him warmly.
"I really hope we get to spend time like this again… but I think we should go now."
Arthur listened quietly.
Then suddenly—
he reached forward and gently held her hand.
Susan froze.
Arthur's eyes looked directly into hers.
There was affection in them.
Real affection.
Susan's face instantly turned crimson.
Her heartbeat began racing wildly.
For a brief moment, she truly believed he was about to kiss her.
A dream she had imagined countless times.
Nervously, she even closed her eyes.
But instead, Arthur softly said:
"We still have time."
Susan slowly opened her eyes again.
"A little more time," he continued calmly. "Maybe we could go to a café."
A faint disappointment appeared inside her for a second—
but it quickly disappeared.
Because despite everything, she was still happy.
Happy that she could spend more time with him.
So Susan agreed.
———
A few minutes later, the two arrived at a small café near the quieter side of town.
By then, the sun had almost completely disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving the streets washed in soft amber light and growing shadows.
The moment they stepped inside, a pleasant warmth embraced them.
The rich aroma of roasted coffee beans, fresh bread, and faint vanilla filled the air, creating an atmosphere that felt strangely comforting after the cool evening outside.
The café itself was modest and quiet.
There were only a few people inside.
Another young couple sat near the window, speaking softly to each other, while a lone man occupied a table farther in the corner.
Susan noticed him only briefly.
He appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six, but something about his appearance felt unsettling. Still, she paid him little attention.
Arthur, however, seemed slightly more interested.
Though Susan never noticed that either.
The two approached the reception counter and ordered cold coffee.
After receiving their cups, they turned to walk toward an empty table.
Then—
BAM.
Susan accidentally collided with the strange man.
Both cups slipped from their hands instantly, crashing onto the floor as coffee splashed across the tiles.
"Oh my God—I'm so sorry!" Susan apologized immediately, panicking.
Thankfully, none of the coffee had spilled onto the man himself.
For a few moments, the man said nothing.
Up close, he looked even worse.
His face was unnaturally pale, with patches of purple discoloration beneath the skin, as though illness had consumed him slowly over time. His yellowed teeth showed faintly between dry lips, while the strong smell of cigarettes and alcohol lingered around him heavily.
His clothes looked filthy.
As though they hadn't been washed for days.
Maybe longer.
Arthur calmly stepped forward before the silence became uncomfortable.
"Excuse me," he said politely while turning toward the receptionist. "Could this be cleaned up please? And another coffee as well."
The receptionist nodded immediately.
"Yes, sir. Right away."
Arthur then looked toward the man.
At the same time, the man finally raised his eyes toward Arthur.
Their gazes met.
And for one brief second—
something unspoken passed between them.
Susan continued apologizing nervously.
Then suddenly, the man turned toward her and smiled.
It was an unpleasant smile.
Crooked.
Ugly.
His cracked voice sounded rough when he spoke.
"It's alright," he said. "Don't worry about it."
Without another word, he returned to his table in the corner.
Susan let out a relieved breath and looked toward Arthur gratefully.
In her eyes, he had completely saved the situation.
Soon, the replacement coffee arrived, and the two finally sat down together.
By then, Susan had almost forgotten the incident entirely.
For the next several minutes, they continued talking casually.
Laughing.
Sharing stories.
Enjoying each other's company.
Then suddenly, Susan remembered something.
"Hey Arthur," she asked while stirring her drink lightly, "have you heard about the ship incident?"
Arthur looked at her calmly.
"I'm afraid I haven't."
"The one with the bombing," Susan explained quickly. "The same day the hospital exploded too."
Arthur's expression changed slightly.
Only slightly.
But his gaze sharpened.
"The ship carrying wealthy elites and prisoners together?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah, that one," Susan replied. "I still wonder who could've done something like that."
She lowered her voice slightly.
"He must've been some kind of monster."
Arthur remained silent.
Susan continued speaking anyway.
"I heard they still haven't caught whoever did it. Some people say it was a terrorist organization… maybe even remaining Nazi supporters or something."
She shrugged lightly.
"But nothing happened afterward, so I don't know…"
She paused while thinking.
"How long has it been now…? Maybe five months?"
She continued talking absentmindedly.
But Arthur wasn't fully listening anymore.
His eyes had shifted past Susan.
Toward the strange man sitting behind her.
The man had been staring at Susan the entire time.
Without blinking.
Something about it immediately made Arthur uneasy.
By then, the other couple had already left the café.
Now only three people remained inside.
Arthur.
Susan.
And the strange man.
For the first time that evening, Arthur genuinely felt the atmosphere becoming dangerous.
Yet strangely—
a few minutes later, the man suddenly stood up and left the café without saying a word.
Arthur silently watched him disappear outside.
Only then did the tension inside him ease slightly.
Meanwhile, Susan remained completely unaware of any of it.
Eventually, they finished their coffee and stepped back outside together.
Night had fully settled over Ballyhilin.
The streets were dark now, illuminated only by scattered street lamps and the occasional light from distant windows.
As they continued walking, Arthur suddenly checked his wristwatch.
"Oh," he said softly. "Susan, I'm sorry… I wish I could walk you home, but I have something urgent I need to handle."
He looked at her with concern.
"Are you comfortable going alone? If not, I can cancel it."
Even this somehow impressed Susan further.
His thoughtfulness made her heart flutter.
"No, no," she said quickly. "It's alright. You don't have to worry."
Arthur looked at her quietly.
There was affection in his eyes.
But beneath the darkness, the shadows beneath them—the dark circles that always lingered there—seemed almost malicious now.
Susan never noticed.
Then Arthur asked softly:
"So… are you free next Sunday?"
Susan's heartbeat immediately quickened.
She lowered her gaze shyly before looking back at him.
Her cheeks had turned pink again.
Slowly—
she nodded.
Arthur smiled faintly.
"Good," he said. "Then I'll see you at university tomorrow."
Susan smiled brightly.
"See you tomorrow."
They exchanged their goodbyes, and Susan began walking home alone.
And for the first time in years—
she felt truly happy.
Another date with Arthur.
It almost felt unreal.
As she walked through the quiet streets, she replayed every moment of the day inside her head.
The restaurant.
The park.
The conversations.
His smile.
His hand holding hers.
Each memory filled her with warmth.
Soon, her imagination wandered even further.
Maybe they could become a couple.
Maybe genuine lovers.
And maybe—
just maybe—
someday they could even marry.
The thought alone made her heart race with excitement.
She smiled to herself while walking beneath the dim street lamps.
Then—
BAM!
Something struck the back of her head violently.
Her vision instantly went black.
Susan collapsed unconscious onto the road.
Standing behind her was the strange man from the café.
A crowbar rested in his hand.
Breathing nervously, he quickly looked around to make sure nobody had seen anything.
The street was completely empty.
Only a few weak street lamps illuminated the darkness.
The man hurriedly pulled out a black plastic bag and forced it over Susan's head before tightly binding her wrists and ankles with rope.
Then, using all his strength, he lifted her unconscious body and began dragging her away into the night.
But the strangest part was—
from a distance,
hidden behind a tree,
Arthur had witnessed everything.
And throughout it all—
his face remained perfectly calm.
Chapter Ends
To be continued