Moonbound before we met

Nyra was running as fast as she could. Her heart was beating so fast that she could hear it in her ears. Something dark was chasing her, pushing her forward. She didn't know what it was, but she knew it was getting closer. The darkness was almost behind her. She tried to run faster, but she suddenly lost her balance and fell to the ground. Her hands hit the cold earth, and she tried to push herself up, but her body refused to move. The darkness was about to catch her. It surrounded her like thick smoke, making it hard to breathe. Just before it reached her, Nyra woke up with a gasp. She sat up quickly and touched her neck to make sure she was fine. Her breathing was uneven, and her hands were shaking. She looked around the room. Everything was quiet. The only sound was the ticking of the clock on the wall. After a few moments, she got out of bed, walked to the kitchen, and drank a glass of water. The cold water helped calm her, but the dream stayed in her mind. It was the same dream she had been having for years. Every time it ended before she could see what was chasing her. She stood by the window, looking at the morning outside. The sun was just beginning to rise, and the street was quiet. A few birds flew across the sky, and a cool breeze moved the trees. Everything looked peaceful, but she still couldn't shake the strange feeling the dream had left behind. Today was the day she was leaving. She had been preparing for weeks, but it still didn't feel real. Her clothes, books, and other belongings were packed into boxes and bags. There wasn't much left in the house except a few pieces of furniture. She packed the last of her belongings while a man helped her put the bags into the car. He carried the heavier boxes while Nyra made sure nothing was left behind. When everything was packed, she walked through each room one last time. The house felt empty. It had been her home for years. Every room held memories, both good and bad. She remembered laughing with her aunt during visits, studying late at night, and spending quiet evenings reading by the window. When everything was ready, Nyra locked the front door and stood quietly, looking at the house. A memory from the accident years ago flashed through her mind. Broken glass. A loud crash. Someone calling her name. Bright lights. The sound of people shouting. The memories faded before she could understand them.It always happened that way. She would remember small pieces, but never enough to know the whole truth. No matter how hard she tried, the missing parts stayed hidden. She looked away, got into the car, and they began the journey to the town of Bled. For a while, neither of them spoke. Nyra looked out the window as the city slowly disappeared behind them. Tall buildings became smaller roads, then open fields, forests, and quiet villages. The air looked fresher, and the scenery became more beautiful the farther they traveled. She watched the trees pass by and wondered what her new life would be like. Starting over in a new place made her nervous, but it also excited her. She hoped this move would give her a fresh beginning. Nyra had come to Bled to begin her master's degree. Her aunt had arranged for her to stay in a house near the university. She had heard many good things about the town. People said it was peaceful, beautiful and full of history. It sounded like the perfect place to study. Still she couldn't explain why she felt uneasy. After several hours, they arrived. As soon as Nyra stepped out of the car, a strange feeling came over her, making her shiver. The air suddenly felt colder than before. She looked around the quiet street before turning to the house her aunt had told her about. It was an old but beautiful house with white walls, large windows, and a small garden filled with colorful flowers. Behind the house stood a thick forest. The trees were tall, and their branches blocked most of the sunlight. The forest looked darker than it should have, even in the middle of the day. As she was about to take her bag from the car, she noticed someone standing in the forest, looking at her The person stood perfectly still between the trees. Nyra couldn't clearly see the face because the sunlight barely reached that part of the forest. For a moment neither of them moved. A chill ran down her back. Nyra was about to walk closer to the forest to see who it was when someone tapped her shoulder. She turned around. It was the owner of the house. The woman smiled warmly, greeted her, and handed her the key. I hope you'll be comfortable here the woman said kindly. Nyra thanked her. Before she could ask any questions about the town or the forest, the woman smiled again, returned to her car, and drove away.Nyra looked back at the forest.The person was no longer there. She stood there for a moment, searching between the trees, but there was no sign of anyone. She wondered if she had imagined it, but it had felt too real. After taking a slow breath, she picked up her bag. Something about the town didn't feel right. She unlocked the door, went inside the house, and settled in The inside of the house was clean and cozy. Sunlight came through the windows, making the living room feel warm. There was a comfortable sofa, a bookshelf filled with old novels, and a small wooden table near the fireplace. The kitchen was simple but neat, and upstairs she found a bedroom with a window facing the forest. She unpacked her clothes, placed her books on the shelf and arranged her notebook and pens on the desk. By evening, she was tired from the long journey. Before going to bed, she stood at the bedroom window.The forest was dark now. The trees moved gently in the wind. For a second, she thought she saw someone standing there again.She blinked.There was nothing.Trying not to think about it, she closed the curtains and went to sleep. The next morning, Nyra woke up early and got dressed. Sunlight filled the room, making everything seem normal again. She made herself a simple breakfast and looked over the map of the town that her aunt had given her. She wanted to learn more about the town before her master's classes began. Ever since she was young, Nyra had always been curious. She liked asking questions and finding answers. Even when people told her to leave something alone, she usually became even more interested.After completing her master's degree, she wanted to become a reporter. She believed every place had a story, and she wanted to be the one to tell it. She hoped to uncover stories that others ignored and give people a chance to be heard She picked up her notebook, slipped a pen into her pocket, locked the door, and walked into town As she walked down the quiet street she couldn't help but feel that Bled was hiding something And somehow, she felt that before long, she would discover what it was.