❀˖° Chapter 1 °˖❀
⊹ ₊⋆ ☁︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆₊⋆☁︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎ ⋆₊ ⊹
Miles Hawthorne shifted the heavy box higher against his chest for what felt like the hundredth time that morning.
The cardboard dug into his arms.
His shoulders ached.
His legs were beginning to question every decision that had led him here.
Miles - “So much for packing light,” he muttered to himself.
A backpack hung awkwardly from one shoulder while two bags knocked against his legs with every step up the apartment stairs. Behind him, several more boxes waited at the entrance.
One trip down.
Far too many left.
He reached the second floor, stopped outside Apartment 2B, and took a long breath before fishing the keys from his pocket.
A new apartment.
A new town.
A new start.
Exactly what he needed.
No family watching every move he made.
No impossible expectations.
No one telling him what his future should look like.
Just peace.
Hopefully.
Miles unlocked the door with his elbow and pushed it open.
The apartment looked tidy. A sofa sat against one wall, a television opposite it, and bookshelves lined part of the living room. Someone clearly already lived here.
His roommate.
He hadn’t met them yet.
Hopefully they were quiet.
Hopefully they minded their own business.
Hopefully—
A door further inside opened.
Footsteps approached.
Miles looked up.
The other person looked up.
Both froze.
Miles - “...You’ve got to be kidding me.”
The other man’s eyes widened before narrowing almost instantly.
“Oh, absolutely not.”
Miles - “Kieran?”
Kieran - “Miles?”
Silence.
Then, somehow, they spoke at exactly the same time.
Both - “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
For a long second, neither of them moved.
Miles hadn’t seen Kieran since they finished secondary school.
He hadn’t planned to see him ever again.
Out of every possible roommate in the country...
It had to be him.
Kieran folded his arms.
Kieran - “You followed me.”
Miles blinked.
Miles - “I did what?”
Kieran - “You somehow found out where I lived and decided to continue being annoying.”
Miles let out a tired laugh.
Miles - “I carried six boxes up two flights of stairs just to annoy you?”
Kieran - “...Maybe.”
Miles - “I don’t think you’re worth that much effort.”
Kieran clicked his tongue.
Kieran - “Still insulting me within thirty seconds. Nice to know some things never change.”
Miles shifted the box again before sighing.
Miles - “Can we save the argument until after I’ve finished moving?”
Kieran looked at the mountain of luggage waiting outside.
Kieran - “...That’s all yours?”
Miles - “Unfortunately.”
A grin slowly spread across Kieran’s face.
Kieran - “Oh, this is going to be entertaining.”
Miles already regretted signing the tenancy agreement.
Kieran leaned against the doorway, arms folded across his chest, watching Miles disappear down the stairs for another load of boxes.
Kieran - “...You’re carrying all of that by yourself?”
Miles’ voice echoed from below.
Miles - “Do you see anyone else?”
Kieran - “I was hoping there’d be a moving company.”
Miles - “There was.”
Kieran - “What happened?”
Miles - “I couldn’t afford one.”
Kieran frowned for the briefest moment before shrugging it off.
Kieran - “Skill issue.”
A muffled sigh floated up the stairwell.
A minute later, Miles returned, balancing two more boxes and another bag over his shoulder.
Kieran stepped aside just enough to let him through.
Kieran - “Careful.”
Miles glanced at him.
Miles - “Didn’t expect concern from you.”
Kieran - “I’m concerned about my floor.”
Miles rolled his eyes.
Miles - “I should’ve known.”
He placed the boxes down with a quietthudbefore stretching his aching shoulders.
His back immediately complained.
Kieran noticed.
Kieran - “You look terrible.”
Miles - “I’ve been moving since seven this morning.”
Kieran - “So... you always look terrible?”
Miles stared at him.
Miles - “You really haven’t changed.”
Kieran - “I was going to say the same thing.”
Kieran watched as Miles looked around the apartment.
There were still unopened boxes everywhere.
The spare bedroom door stood open.
For a strange moment, it felt... awkward.
They’d spent years seeing each other in classrooms, corridors and school halls.
Now they were sharing a home.
Kieran decided that was someone else’s problem.
Kieran - “Right,” he said, clapping his hands once. “Rules.”
Miles was already carrying another box toward his room.
Miles - “You have rules?”
Kieran - “I have many rules.”
Miles - “I was afraid you’d say that.”
Kieran ignored him.
Kieran - “Rule one. Don’t touch my bookshelf.”
Miles nodded absentmindedly.
Kieran - “Rule two. Don’t move my gaming setup.”
Another nod.
Kieran - “Rule three. Don’t use my headphones.”
Miles - “Mhm.”
Kieran - “Rule four. Don’t eat my food.”
Miles - “Mhm.”
Kieran - “Rule five. Don’t rearrange anything in the living room.”
Miles - “Mhm.”
Kieran narrowed his eyes.
Kieran - “...Are you even listening?”
Miles - “Yes.”
Kieran - “What was rule three?”
Miles stopped halfway into his room.
He thought for a second.
Miles - “...Something about your precious shelf.”
Kieran - “My headphones.”
Miles - “They’re probably next to your precious shelf.”
Kieran - “It is not a precious shelf.”
Miles looked at the large bookshelf taking up nearly an entire wall.
Miles - “...You alphabetised your novels.”
Kieran - “So?”
Miles - “You labelled the shelves.”
Kieran - “So?”
Miles - “You colour-coded them.”
Kieran blinked.
Kieran - “...I like organisation.”
Miles looked him dead in the eye.
Miles - “You need help.”
Kieran scoffed.
Kieran - “Says the person who used to carry three different coloured highlighters for one subject.”
Miles - “There was a system.”
Kieran - “You named your folders.”
Miles - “They were labelled.”
Kieran - “You labelled the labels.”
Miles - “They were efficient.”
For a moment, they simply stared at one another.
Then, despite himself, Kieran smirked.
Somehow...
Somehow Miles was still exactly the same.
Quiet.
Sarcastic.
Always ready with an answer.
Always impossible to win an argument against.
It was almost... familiar.
Almost.
Kieran - “So,” Kieran said, breaking the silence, “when does university start?”
Miles had just finished placing another box on the floor.
He paused.
Only for a second.
Then he answered without looking up.
Miles - “...I’m taking a gap year.”
Kieran blinked.
Kieran - “...You’re what?”
Miles - “A gap year.”
He waited for Miles to laugh.
To say he was joking.
He didn’t.
Kieran couldn’t stop himself.
Kieran - “The famous doctor family’s perfect son... taking a gap year?”
Miles shrugged.
Miles - “Apparently.”
Kieran - “I thought your parents would have you buried under textbooks by now.”
A small smile appeared on Miles’ face.
It didn’t reach his eyes.
Miles - “I’m sure they’re managing.”
Something about that answer felt... strange.
But Kieran brushed it aside.
He laughed.
Kieran - “Honestly, that’s the biggest shock I’ve had all year.”
Miles finally looked at him.
Miles - “I’m glad I could entertain you.”
Kieran - “At least I get one peaceful year without your nerdy university books taking over the flat.”
Miles glanced at the unopened boxes.
Miles - “I think you’ll survive.”
Kieran - “I hope so.”
Miles - “You’ve survived me for fourteen years.”
Kieran sighed dramatically.
Kieran - “And every single one has been exhausting.”
Miles couldn’t help the tiny laugh that escaped him.
Miles - “...You’re still annoying.”
Kieran - “And you’re still impossible.”
For the first time since opening the apartment door, the room felt strangely normal.
Like they weren’t two former rivals forced to live together.
Like they were simply picking up an argument they’d paused a few years ago.
Miles spent the next hour unpacking what he actually needed.
Clothes.
A kettle.
A few kitchen supplies.
Books.
Far fewer books than he used to own.
The rest of the boxes stayed stacked against the wall.
Kieran - “I can’t believe this.”
Miles looked over his shoulder.
Kieran stood in the doorway of the spare bedroom, staring at the shelves Miles had just started filling.
Miles - “...What?”
Kieran - “You only brought one shelf’s worth of books.”
Miles raised an eyebrow.
Miles - “Is that a problem?”
Kieran - “It feels wrong.”
Miles - “You’ve complained about my books since we were six.”
Kieran - “I know.”
Miles - “So why do you care?”
Kieran - “I’m just saying... I expected more.”
Miles laughed quietly.
Miles - “You’ve got enough books for both of us.”
Kieran - “Damn right.”
Kieran proudly gestured toward the living room.
Kieran - “I’ve got fantasy, horror, mystery, manga—”
Miles - “I noticed.”
Kieran - “You judged me.”
Miles - “I absolutely judged you.”
Kieran - “I judged your tiny collection.”
Miles - “It’s called travelling light.”
Kieran - “It’s called disappointing.”
Miles shook his head, smiling despite himself.
Some things really hadn’t changed.
By midday, both of them had drifted into the kitchen.
Kieran opened the fridge.
Kieran - “...Right.”
Miles - “What?”
Kieran - “We should probably decide which shelves are yours.”
Miles walked over.
Miles - “The empty one?”
Kieran - “The bottom one.”
Miles - “The empty bottom one.”
Kieran - “Exactly.”
Miles nodded.
Miles - “Fine.”
Kieran - “And don’t touch my leftovers.”
Miles - “I wasn’t planning to.”
Kieran - “My snacks.”
Miles - “I don’t want them.”
Kieran - “My drinks.”
Miles - “I drink water.”
Kieran - “My cereal.”
Miles - “...Do you own the kitchen?”
Kieran - “I live here.”
Miles - “We both live here.”
Kieran pointed a wooden spoon at him.
Kieran - “Starting today.”
Miles opened a cupboard.
Miles - “You labelled the cupboards.”
Kieran - “They’re organised.”
Miles - “They’re labelled.”
Kieran - “Exactly.”
Miles - “You labelled the tea.”
Kieran - “So?”
Miles - “It’s tea.”
Kieran - “What if someone can’t find it?”
Miles - “It’s in the cupboard.”
Kieran - “Now it’s easier.”
Miles stared at the neat little labels.
Tea.
Coffee.
Pasta.
Rice.
Spices.
Plates.
Bowls.
He slowly looked back at Kieran.
Miles - “...You had too much free time.”
Kieran - “I call it efficiency.”
Miles - “I call it worrying.”
Kieran - “You sound jealous.”
Miles - “I’m concerned.”
Kieran smirked.
Kieran - “There he is.”
Miles - “Who?”
Kieran - “The same Miles.”
Miles frowned.
Miles - “What does that mean?”
Kieran - “The one who always argues over the dumbest things.”
Miles - “You labelled flour.”
Kieran - “It deserved a label.”
Miles - “It literally says ‘Flour’ on the packet.”
Kieran - “Now it says it twice.”
Miles pinched the bridge of his nose.
Miles - “I’ve been here four hours.”
Kieran - “And?”
Miles - “I’m already questioning every life decision I’ve made.”
Kieran - “You’ve got another eleven months.”
Miles sighed.
Miles - “I knew I should’ve picked the apartment with the noisy neighbours.”
Lunch should have been simple.
Instead...
Kieran - “That’s my pan.”
Miles didn’t even look up.
Miles - “I’m washing it.”
Kieran - “You didn’t ask.”
Miles - “...Do I need written permission?”
Kieran - “It would be polite.”
Miles - “I’m cleaning your pan.”
Kieran - “You touched my pan.”
Miles - “I touched it with soap.”
Kieran - “You still touched it.”
Miles slowly placed the pan in the drying rack before turning around.
Miles - “You know...”
Kieran - “What?”
Miles - “You were less annoying when we were twelve.”
Kieran gasped dramatically.
Kieran - “I’ll have you know I’ve spent years improving.”
Miles - “It shows.”
Kieran - “Thank you.”
Miles - “That wasn’t a compliment.”
Kieran - “I chose to hear it as one.”
Miles couldn’t help laughing.
Miles - “You really are impossible.”
Kieran - “And yet you keep talking to me.”
Miles - “Because ignoring you doesn’t work.”
Kieran - “Correct.”
Kieran grinned.
Kieran - “I simply become louder.”
Miles - “...I remember.”
Kieran - “You always lost those battles.”
Miles - “I walked away.”
Kieran - “I counted that as winning.”
Miles - “You would.”
Kieran - “I still do.”
Miles picked up his plate.
Miles - “I’m eating in my room.”
Kieran - “What? You can’t admit defeat?”
Miles - “I’m admitting I enjoy eating in peace.”
Kieran - “So... defeat.”
Miles walked toward the hallway without another word.
Kieran called after him.
Kieran - “Don’t forget to wash your plate!”
Miles - “I know how dishes work!”
Kieran - “I’m just checking!”
Miles disappeared into his room before muttering just loudly enough—
Miles - “I already regret living here...”
The bedroom door clicked shut.
Silence settled over the apartment.
Kieran chuckled to himself as he continued making lunch.
Kieran - “...Still as dramatic as ever.”
He expected the door to open again in a few minutes.
Miles always came back with another sarcastic comment.
Another argument.
Another attempt to get the last word.
It never happened.
The apartment stayed quiet.
An hour passed.
Then another.
By evening, Kieran noticed something strange.
Miles never came back out.
No television.
No music.
No footsteps.
No complaints.
No asking where anything was.
Nothing.
Kieran glanced toward the closed bedroom door.
Kieran - “...He’s probably asleep.”
He shrugged it off.
Moving all day was exhausting.
Besides...
If Miles wanted to sulk after losing another argument, that was his business.
Kieran returned to his game.
Outside, daylight slowly faded into evening.
The apartment grew quiet.
Neither of them realised the night was only just beginning.
Darkness settled over the apartment.
The sounds of traffic outside faded until only the occasional passing car disturbed the silence.
Miles opened his eyes.
For a moment, he simply stared at the ceiling.
He hadn’t been sleeping.
He’d just been lying there.
Listening.
Waiting.
Eventually, he sat up and checked the time on his phone.
11:48 p.m.
Miles - “...Quiet enough.”
He pulled on a hoodie, slipped his phone and keys into his pocket and quietly opened his bedroom door.
The apartment was dark.
Only the soft glow from a streetlamp filtered through the living room window.
Miles stepped into the hallway as quietly as possible.
No movement.
No television.
No sound from Kieran’s room.
Good.
He reached the front door before something caught his attention.
A pair of trainers.
His own.
Next to them...
An empty space.
Miles frowned.
Miles - “...Out?”
He looked around the apartment.
Kieran’s jacket was gone too.
Miles - “Hm.”
He wasn’t exactly surprised.
Kieran had always been the type to disappear whenever he felt like it.
Probably out with friends.
Or buying snacks.
Or annoying someone else for a change.
Miles unlocked the front door.
Miles - “Works for me.”
The cool night air greeted him as he stepped outside.
The streets were almost empty.
A few streetlights flickered above the pavement.
Shops were closed.
Most apartment windows were dark.
Miles walked without any real destination.
Past a small convenience store.
Past a bus stop.
Past a quiet park where the swings gently creaked in the wind.
Everything felt...
Peaceful.
No shouting.
No expectations.
No one asking where he was going.
No one asking what he was doing.
No one telling him what he should be doing instead.
Just silence.
He breathed in slowly.
Miles - “...This is nice.”
For the first time all day...
His shoulders relaxed.
He continued walking until the houses became fewer.
Streetlights stood farther apart.
The road narrowed.
Ahead...
A weathered wooden sign appeared beside a wide dirt path.
Ravenwood Forest
Below it, another sign.
WARNING
Do Not Enter After Dark
Wildlife Activity Reported
Someone had scribbled over the bottom of the sign in black marker.
Or maybe it’s the ghosts.
Miles let out a quiet laugh.
Miles - “Very reassuring.”
He stepped closer.
Beyond the entrance, towering trees swallowed the moonlight.
The forest looked almost endless.
Branches swayed gently overhead.
The deeper parts disappeared into complete darkness.
Most people would have turned around.
Miles didn’t.
Instead...
He stood there.
Looking.
Listening.
The wind carried the smell of damp earth and pine.
Somewhere deep inside the forest...
Something howled.
Not loudly.
Not threateningly.
Just...
There.
Miles tilted his head.
Miles - “So...”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Miles - “This is the place everyone keeps talking about.”
His eyes wandered along the trail leading into the darkness.
Interesting.
Quiet.
Untouched.
It almost felt...
Inviting.
He stayed there for another minute.
Then slipped his hands into his hoodie pocket.
Miles - “...Another night.”
He turned away from the entrance and began walking back towards the town.
The forest became silent once more.
The breeze stopped.
Leaves rustled.
Then...
From somewhere between the trees...
Two glowing amber eyes slowly opened.
They watched the young man walk away without making a sound.
The creature remained hidden.
It did not chase him.
It did not growl.
It simply watched until Miles disappeared from sight.
Only then...
The eyes blinked once—
—and vanished back into the darkness.
⊹ ₊⋆ ☁︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆₊⋆☁︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎ ⋆₊ ⊹
