Bound by darkness

The only thing he remembers

---

The room was thick with desire, shadows flickering along the walls as Karl's body moved with primal purpose. His lips found her neck, teeth grazing sharply before sinking into flesh with a hunger that seemed almost feral. His hands gripped her hips fiercely, guiding her with relentless intensity.

"Hold on tight," he muttered, voice rough yet smooth, as he drove into her with savage force. His gaze was locked onto hers, burning with raw power and a dark, intoxicating confidence. "You like it rough, don't you?"

She gasped, nails digging into his back, responding wildly to his relentless rhythm. His mouth pressed to hers in a fierce kiss, teeth biting gently at her lips. "Tell me what you want," he growled between kisses. "Because I won't hold back."

His eyes, those stunning, almost surreal eyes—deep pools of dark allure—held her captive. The world blurred around them, the only clear thing was him, the perfect, terrifyingly handsome demon in complete control.

Suddenly, the air shifted. A cold, whispering presence seeped into the room, subtle but undeniable. The blurry, luminous face appeared in Karl's mind's eye—soft, beautiful, with shimmering eyes that seemed to glow. The features were so vivid yet hazy, like a dream fading at the edges.

*Find me.*

Karl's body stiffened for a moment, his breath catching. He blinked, as if shaken from a trance. His gaze, still intense, softened just slightly, though his expression remained composed.

The girl paused, feeling the change in him. "Karl? Are you—"

He cut her off gently but firmly, voice low and commanding. "Get out," he said, almost absentmindedly, as if coming back from somewhere distant. His eyes darkened, and there was an edge of something dangerous beneath his calm exterior.

She hesitated, confusion flickering across her face. "What? Why?"

"Just go," he repeated, voice colder now, sharper. "Now."

She looked at him, unsure, but the commanding tone and the flicker of something unearthly in his eyes made her comply quickly. She grabbed her clothes and hurried out, closing the door softly behind her.

Karl exhaled slowly, his muscles tense but his face still composed. His gaze lingered on the door for a moment before turning away.

He sank onto the edge of the bed, muscles still trembling slightly—not from fear, but from the strange, haunting memory that refused to fade. The beautiful, blurry face replayed in his mind—the shimmering eyes, the whisper—silent yet insistent.

A whisper echoed softly in his thoughts: *"Find me."*

He closed his eyes briefly, the image vivid now despite its haziness. His lips pressed into a thin line, a mixture of power and uncertainty swirling within him. Whatever that face was, whatever it meant, he knew it would change everything.

---

Karl wore his evening robe, the fabric loose around his frame as he stood at the window, gazing into the night. Since he regained consciousness, his mind remained a blank slate—an unsettling void. The only remnants of memory were the haunting face and the whispering voice that called to him, urging him to find someone he didn't even remember who he was but the power surging inside him made him realize he wasn't just a human being but something else.

A man claiming to be his butler had led him into this opulent house, insisting it was his. But the memories refused to surface, leaving him with a persistent sense of loss and confusion.

He thought of a distraction and the only idea that came into his mind was an actress he had met at an event— He hasn't been giving her attention as she always tried finding a way to get close to him .He'd called for her, hoping to momentarily escape the gnawing emptiness inside. But even as he tried to focus on her, it happened again .

---

The door opened quietly, and Karl's butler stepped inside, his brow furrowed with curiosity and concern. He had seen the girl run away earlier and was worried about Karl's well-being.

"Is everything alright, sir?" the butler asked softly, stepping closer.

Karl looked at him briefly, then shook his head. "Is there any place I can go for a drink?" he inquired casually, dismissing the worry in the man's eyes.

The butler hesitated for a moment before suggesting, "There is a club nearby. It might help you relax."

Karl gave a faint nod, but then dismissed the butler.Without another word, he dressed up and stepped out.

**************************************

The campus was already bustling when Mira stepped outside her dorm, the air thick with the scent of coffee and the chatter of students rushing to their classes. The morning sky was overcast, clouds hanging heavy and gray, casting a muted light over everything. It was the kind of day that made everything feel a little quieter, a little more subdued—almost like the world was holding its breath.

Mira's thoughts kept drifting back to last night—the eerie shadows at the old mill, the fleeting figure in the hoodie, Ethan's quiet help. She pulled her hoodie tighter around her, feeling a strange mixture of curiosity and unease.

As she made her way across the campus lawn, she spotted Mia sitting at their usual spot outside the student center, flipping through her notes, her brow furrowed.

"Hey," Mira greeted softly, taking a seat beside her. "Did you sleep at all?"

Mia looked up, eyes tired but alert. "Not really. I keep thinking about that guy in the shadows. And the girl at the mill... it all felt so surreal."

Ivy arrived just then, her backpack bouncing as she hurried over. "Did you guys see Ethan last night? He looked pretty involved."

Mira nodded. "Yeah, he was helping that girl. I wonder what he was doing there."

Ivy hesitated before speaking, glancing around nervously. "There's something about that place... I don't think it's just a party. Did you notice the guy in the hoodie? He was watching us, like he knew we'd be there."

Mira shivered. "Yeah. I felt it too. Like we're being pulled into something we don't fully understand."

Throughout the day, the whispers about last night grew louder. Students shared rumors about strange sightings near the old mill—twisted shadows, whispers on the wind, and flickering shapes that seemed just out of reach.

As evening approached, Mira, Mia, and Ivy decided to meet again. They agreed to head to the new nightclub that had just opened near campus, hoping to shake off their unease and enjoy a night away from the shadows.

The club was alive with energy—neon lights painting the walls in shifting hues, the bass thumping steadily, vibrating through their bones. Inside, the crowd moved as one, lost in dance and laughter. Mira felt the music's pulse, trying to drown out the lingering doubts from earlier.

They settled near the bar, the drinks flowing, but Mira's eyes kept flickering around, expecting to see that ominous figure again. Her stomach twisted with a strange feeling—like the shadows from the mill were following her here.

Suddenly, her gaze caught a figure across the room—a person in a dark hoodie, just like last night. The figure was watching them from the shadows behind a cluster of dancers.

Before she could react further, the figure slipped away into the crowd, vanishing among the dancers' swirling movements. Mira's heartbeat quickened. Something about this night felt even more sinister than the last.

The music roared around them, but inside Mira's mind, the shadow from the mill seemed to creep closer. Her friends noticing something off about her dragged her to the dance floor to take her mind of whatever that was bothering her .The pulsating lights and thumping bass of the club's dance floor created an infectious energy that filled the air. Mira, feeling the music surge through her veins after a few too many drinks, was lost in the rhythm, her body moving effortlessly among the crowd. Her friends cheered her on from nearby, their laughter blending with the DJ's latest hit.

After a while, Mira felt a sudden wave of dizziness and realized she needed to find the bathroom. She pushed her way through the throng, her steps unsteady but determined. The club's vibrant atmosphere shifted as she navigated toward a quieter corner, expecting to find a restroom nearby. Instead, she found herself in a dimly lit, secluded part of the club—an exclusive lounge area she hadn't noticed before, with plush velvet seating and low, warm lighting.

As she hesitated, trying to orient herself, she heard the faint sound of water dripping—slow and rhythmic. Curious and a bit disoriented, she moved toward what she thought was a bathroom doorway and entered Mira found herself stepping into a private suite rather than the usual washroom, and her eyes widened in awe at the interior before her. The room exuded opulence—walls adorned with shimmering gold accents and plush velvet drapes that added an air of sophistication. A sleek, marble-topped bar gleamed softly under hidden lighting, beckoning with bottles of rare spirits. Elegant leather armchairs and a luxurious sofa were arranged invitingly, their deep hues contrasting beautifully with the ambient glow of crystal chandeliers overhead. The space felt both intimate and grand, a perfect sanctuary away from the bustling club.

. Mira, her mind still struggling to grasp her surroundings, felt a prickle of unease. Just as she was about to push open the door to escape this unexpected confinement, a figure emerged from the opulent bathroom. He moved with a quiet grace, a symphony of sculpted muscles and effortless movement. A plush, silk robe, soaked and clinging to his form, framed his broad shoulders and revealed the faint sheen of water clinging to his dark hair. The light from the chandelier above caught the droplets, transforming them into tiny prisms, reflecting an almost ethereal glow around him. He was undeniably handsome, a breathtaking vision, his face a mask of quiet intensity, his eyes a captivating shade of deep brown. The air around him seemed to vibrate with an undeniable charisma. For a moment, Mira was frozen—entranced by the sight of this breathtaking, almost unreal man who seemed to have stepped right out of a dream.

---

The air grew thick with tension as he closed the gap between them, his dark eyes locking onto hers with an almost predatory intensity. His presence was commanding, magnetic — a silent force drawing her in despite her nerves. Mira's breath hitched as she found herself pressed against the cool, textured wall, unable to move away.

He paused just a breath away, so close she could see the faint flicker of mischief dancing in his gaze. His hair, damp and tousled, framed his face perfectly, tendrils clinging to his forehead and cheeks, accentuating the rugged allure of his appearance.

His voice was low and velvety, yet carried an unmistakable undertone of amusement and curiosity. As he finally broke the silence, he leaned in slightly, his lips curling into a teasing smile.

"What's a little bunny doing so deep in the devil's lair?" he whispered, his breath warm against her skin, his words dripping with playful menace. His eyes flickered with a mixture of intrigue and challenge, daring her to respond.

Mira's mind raced — her heart pounding in her chest, a confusing mix of fear, fascination, and an inexplicable thrill. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the subtle strength of his presence, and the way his gaze held her captive. The faint scent of his shampoo, mingled with the hint of rain from his damp hair, intoxicated her.

---

Mira's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she hurriedly looked around, voice trembling. "B-bathroom," she managed to say, glancing nervously at him. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, clearly seeking an escape, her eyes pleading for a quick way out.

But he simply smirked, leaning casually against the wall, eyes twinkling with mischief. He didn't move or indicate any intention of stepping aside. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if enjoying her predicament.

"Bathroom, huh?" he drawled softly, voice laced with amusement. "Well, I don't see anyone heading that way just yet."

He stepped closer, just enough to block her path, but not enough to touch her. His gaze lingered on her face, teasing and amused. "You're quite determined, aren't you? Or maybe you're just lost. Does the bathroom even exist down this corridor?"

Mira's eyes darted around desperately, trying to hide her confusion and frustration. "Yes, I just... I needed to find it," she said hurriedly, voice strained.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Well, I hate to be the one to tell you, but I think you're going to have to ask someone else. I can't just let you go that easily."

His teasing smile widened as he watched her, clearly enjoying her discomfort. Mira took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, knowing she'd have to find a way to escape.