Running out of the castle, I ran wherever my eyes could see and soon found myself in the garden. Misty, mysterious, and even a little frightening, but this garden was beautiful. It seemed frozen in time, as if torn from ancient legends. Thick fog spread gently over the ground, enveloping the graceful curves of the paths and neatly trimmed bushes, giving the place an air of mystery. In the center of the garden stood an arch, covered in old ivy, its leaves appearing as dark green shadows in the milky haze. Through the veil of mist, the silhouettes of trees were barely visible, like ghostly guards protecting the ancient secrets of this place.

Sitting by the fountain, I was choking on my sobs. "How could I have died?" I asked myself. It couldn't be, it was a dream, a bad joke, but definitely not reality.

Suddenly, I felt someone’s presence. Looking up, I saw a figure in a cloak, with a face hidden under the hood. He stepped closer, and I heard a soft, calming voice:

— You are not alone in this. I can help you understand what happened.

— Who are you? — I whispered, choking on my sobs.

— A friend. Your guide between the worlds, — the young man said and sat next to Elizabeth, ignoring the cold raindrops trickling down his face. His bright green eyes seemed to glow in the dim light.

— Darren, — he introduced himself, offering a small smile. — You probably didn’t expect to meet anyone here, especially in this downpour.

Elizabeth hugged her knees, warily watching him.

— Who are you? And how do you know my name?

He lowered his gaze to his hands, as if weighing every word.

— Your death was ordered, — he said quietly. — But I'm here to help you find out who did it and why.

Elizabeth's heart froze.

— My death? But... why do you even know about me?

Darren looked her straight in the eyes.

— The names of those who are meant to die and come to this forest appear in advance. They are posted... — he smirked, but there was no joy in the smile, — ...like a schedule.

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The rain intensified. The shadows of the trees around began to stir, as if coming to life.

— This forest is not just a place. It tests us. Some disappear, drowning in the lake, — his voice became softer, — While others fight and make it out.

Elizabeth gasped.

— Why do you want to help me?

Darren leaned a little closer, and there was a faint, almost imperceptible smile in his voice:

— Sometimes... you just want to take a step forward, even if you’ve known someone for only a moment.

She looked away, feeling a warm, unsettling feeling unfurling in her chest.

— Do you really think I should trust you?

His smile softened, but something sincere and insistent flickered in his gaze:

— Not right away. But maybe we should try? Together.

Talking to Darren was pleasant; he was very friendly and constantly reassured me. For the first time that day, I felt calm.

— By the way, how did you get out of the lake? — Darren asked.

I told him how a guy named Luis helped me out, how he appeared just in time when I was starting to lose strength.

— Luis, huh? — His voice immediately became a bit colder, and I noticed him tense up. — Interesting.

His reaction made me feel uneasy, but I didn't think much of it. Actually, I didn't think it mattered. But his reaction to Luis’s name was definitely not accidental.

— What’s wrong? — I couldn’t hide my curiosity. — He showed up just in time. I don’t know what would have happened if it weren’t for him.

Darren shook his head slightly, his eyes freezing in some kind of confusion, and it became clear to me that his reaction was far from accidental.

— He’s an old acquaintance. A shady guy, I wouldn’t advise you to hang out with him, — he said, after a brief pause, and I realized he was hiding something.

When Darren and I left the garden, the air had become noticeably colder, and we quickened our pace back toward the castle. I kept glancing around, as if something about this place wasn’t right, but Darren remained silent. Soon we reached the hallway, and we were met by a woman I remembered from when she had led me to Claudia. Her gaze was strict, but at the same time, it exuded a certain quietness.

She approached me immediately and said I needed to come with her. Before I could say anything, she had already started leading me up the stairs. We were silent all the way, the only sound being the echo of her steps in the empty corridors of the castle. When we reached my room, she flung open the door and motioned for me to sit on the bed.

— There will be an event at midnight, where the newcomers will be welcomed, — she said, and her voice sounded strangely distant, as if she were saying this not to me, but to herself.

I nodded, unsure of what else to say. She turned to leave but suddenly stopped and turned back:

— I’ll be back, don’t worry.

When the door closed, I looked around. The room was small and cozy. There was a window in the center of the wall, through which dim light filtered, reflecting off the light gray walls. The bed stood against the right wall, and beside it was a wardrobe with a mirror. A small table and chair occupied the corner, and the door to the bathroom was hidden somewhere to the left. The room was quiet, and the air was fresh and slightly cool, which only intensified the feeling of loneliness in this strange place.