Luna couldn't sleep.
Again.
But this time—
It wasn't just because of memories.
It was fear.
Real fear.
She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, every small sound making her heart jump.
The silence of the mansion felt heavier tonight.
Like it was hiding something.
Someone.
She turned to her side.
Closed her eyes.
Tried to breathe slowly.
Then—
A sound.
Tap.
Her eyes snapped open.
"…No," she whispered.
Another sound.
Tap… tap…
It was coming from the balcony.
Her body went still.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
She sat up.
"It's just the wind…" she told herself.
But deep down—
She didn't believe it.
She stood up.
Step by step.
Carefully walking toward the balcony door.
Her heartbeat grew louder with every step.
The curtains moved slightly.
And then—
She saw it.
A shadow.
Right outside the glass.
Her breath stopped.
Someone was there.
Watching her.
Luna stumbled back.
"Ethan—!"
Before she could move—
The shadow shifted.
And disappeared.
Gone.
Just like before.
The door burst open.
Ethan rushed in.
"What happened?!"
Luna pointed toward the balcony, her hand shaking slightly.
"Someone was there…"
Ethan didn't hesitate.
He moved straight to the balcony.
Opened the door.
Stepped outside.
Cold air rushed in.
Luna stayed inside.
Frozen.
A few seconds passed.
Too long.
"Ethan?" she called.
No answer.
Her heart started racing again.
"Ethan!"
Then—
Footsteps.
He came back inside.
Empty-handed.
"There's no one," he said.
But his expression—
Said something else.
"You saw something," Luna insisted.
"I'm not imagining this!"
"I know."
That answer surprised her.
"Then why do you look like that?" she asked.
Ethan looked at the balcony again.
His jaw tight.
Eyes sharp.
"Because whoever it is…"
A pause.
"They're getting closer."
Silence.
Luna felt it again.
That cold fear.
"This isn't normal…" she whispered.
"No," Ethan said quietly.
"It's not."
He turned to her again.
This time—
More serious than ever.
"Pack your things."
"What?"
"You're not staying alone anymore."
Her heart skipped.
"What do you mean?"
Ethan stepped closer.
"You'll stay in my room."
Silence.
Luna blinked.
"…What?"
"It's safer," he said.
"That's not the point—"
"It is the point."
His tone didn't leave space for argument.
Luna crossed her arms.
Frustrated.
Confused.
"You said no emotional involvement. Separate spaces."
"And I also said safety comes first."
That shut her up.
A few minutes later—
Luna stood in Ethan's room.
Same space she had walked into before.
But now—
It felt different.
Closer.
More personal.
More dangerous.
"Sleep on the bed," Ethan said.
"I'll take the couch."
She looked at him.
"You don't trust me?"
"I don't trust the situation," he replied.
That answer felt… honest.
They settled in.
Lights off.
Silence again.
But this time—
Not empty.
Heavy.
Luna lay on the bed, staring into the darkness.
"Ethan…"
"Yes?"
A pause.
"…Thank you."
Silence.
Then—
"Go to sleep, Luna."
But his voice—
Was softer.
Minutes passed.
Maybe hours.
Luna's eyes slowly closed.
For the first time—
She felt a little safe.
But across the room—
Ethan wasn't sleeping.
His eyes were open.
Focused.
On the window.
Because he knew something Luna didn't.
This wasn't just someone watching.
This was someone—
Sending a message.
And that message was clear.
I found her.
Outside—
In the darkness beyond the gates—
A figure stood.
Still.
Silent.
Watching the mansion.
Watching her.
And slowly—
Very slowly—
A faint smile appear
Because the game—
Had finally begun.