Moving to Ravenson Cove wasn't a decision; it was an escape. Elena’s parents had grown tired of the city, seeking tranquility and simplicity. She didn’t argue, even though something inside her churned with unease at the thought of leaving everything she knew behind. She understood that her opinion wouldn’t change anything; her parents had decided. But Ravenson Cove? The name alone sent shivers down her spine. It felt distant, otherworldly as if it belonged to a story far removed from the bustling life she'd grown up with.

As they drove into town, the scenery shifted dramatically. Rolling hills gave way to jagged cliffs, and the dark and tumultuous sea loomed in the distance. The house they moved into sat on the outskirts, overlooking the waves. The moment Elena saw it, her stomach tightened. There was something almost repelling about the house, with its peeling paint and ivy-covered walls. It seemed neglected as if it had been abandoned for years before their arrival.

"Home sweet home," her mother said brightly, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes. 

Her father was already unloading boxes from the car, whistling to himself, too focused on the tasks at hand to notice Elena’s growing discomfort. The wind howled as she stepped out of the vehicle, and the scent of salt and damp earth filled her lungs. There was an unsettling stillness to the place as if time had stopped and everything around them had been frozen in place.

The house groaned under the weight of the wind as if voicing its displeasure at their arrival. Inside, the smell of mildew and decay was strong. Dust covered the wooden floors, and the windows were so clouded that the light outside barely seeped through. As her parents busied themselves unpacking, Elena wandered through the house, her fingers brushing against the faded wallpaper. It felt like a tomb, long forgotten by anyone who once lived there.

That night, Elena lay in bed listening to the wind howling against the walls. But it wasn't just the wind. Something else was there, a low, rhythmic sound that seemed to echo in the distance—the waves crashing against the cliffs. The sea felt closer than it was as if its presence was pressing against the house, trying to seep in through the cracks. 

The days passed slowly, each one a blur of unpacking and adjusting. The neighbors, when they came by to introduce themselves, were overly friendly, their smiles too wide, their eyes too watchful. Elena couldn’t help but feel that they were sizing her up, testing her reactions. Everywhere she went, she noticed their stares, the quiet whispers behind her back.

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At school, it was no better. Her classmates kept their distance, watching her with a curiosity that bordered on suspicion. When she entered a room, conversations would pause, and when she left, they would resume with hushed tones. It was as if she had walked into a story that was already halfway finished, and everyone knew the ending except her.

One evening, after another long and lonely day, Elena found herself drawn to the window. The sea was just visible in the distance, its waves dark and relentless. The wind carried the faint scent of saltwater, and as she watched the waves roll and crash against the shore, she felt that familiar pull. There was something about the sea that called to her, something that whispered in the back of her mind, telling her to come closer.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see Noah standing at the edge of the yard, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his worn jacket. He was a boy from her class—quiet, distant, and always on the outskirts of every conversation.

“You're the new girl,” he said, his voice low.

Elena nodded, unsure of what else to say. 

Noah stepped closer, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “You need to be careful,” he said, glancing towards the sea. “There are rules here. You shouldn't get too close to the water.”

Elena frowned. “Why not?”

Noah’s gaze didn’t waver. “The sea... it takes people. Always has. It’ll take you too if you're not careful.”

His words sent a chill down her spine. She wanted to laugh it off, to dismiss it as some strange local superstition, but there was something in his voice, something serious and heavy that made her pause. She wanted to ask more, but before she could, Noah turned and walked away, disappearing into the fading light.

That night, Elena couldn’t sleep. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore seemed louder than usual, almost like a heartbeat pulsing in the distance. Noah’s words echoed in her mind. *The sea takes people.* What did he mean by that? Was it just a warning? Or was there something more, something darker hidden beneath the surface of this strange town?

As the days turned into weeks, Elena couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong in Ravenson Cove. The sea continued to call to her, its presence looming over her every thought. And the more she tried to ignore it, the stronger the pull became. She was certain of one thing—whatever secrets this town held, they were buried deep in the cold, dark waters of the sea. And sooner or later, she would have to face them.