CHAPTER 5
823 Words
**Summer’s Midnight Escape**
Despite the danger, Summer couldn’t stop herself from sneaking out at midnight—alone. She was determined to leave this place. She refused to be counted among the creatures that lurked here.
She moved silently, descending from the third floor with cautious steps. Fear prickled at her skin, the thought of being seen or sensed by anyone in this towering building making her pulse race. But when she finally stepped outside, relief flooded her chest. The cool night air kissed her skin, and the soft glow of the moon and stars almost made her smile.
Beyond the building stretched an open field, vast and untouched. Towering trees surrounded it, their branches swaying gracefully with the wind’s gentle caress. It was here that they trained, where fallen leaves served as their resting place.
But Summer didn’t linger. She ran—faster and faster—her breaths coming in sharp, desperate gasps. She didn’t care about the exhaustion creeping into her limbs. She just needed to reach the shelter of the towering trees.
"Finally," she panted, dropping to the ground, her gaze fixed on the massive trunks before her.
A strange thought crossed her mind. There were no high walls protecting this school. No grand barriers. Just these trees. They stood like silent sentinels, their presence unnervingly vast. Curiosity got the best of her. She reached out, her fingers brushing against the rough bark—
And in an instant, she was thrown backward.
A sharp gasp tore from her lips as she hit the ground, pain flaring in her back and palms.
"W-what was that?" she whispered, staring at the trees, her breath unsteady. They moved naturally with the wind, yet an invisible force had repelled her. She swallowed hard. **A barrier.** But not just any barrier—one woven from something far more powerful.
Determined, she stepped forward again, reaching out once more. But before she could touch it—
A presence.
Her heart lurched.
She spun around, and there he was.
**The man from earlier.**
He stood there, watching her. Unmoving. Unreadable.
Her chest tightened. **Why does he keep appearing?**
"Who... who are you?" Her voice wavered, a lump forming in her throat.
No matter how hard she tried to be strong, her fear betrayed her.
Then—sharp pain.
A gasp escaped her lips as she clutched her right arm. Warmth trickled between her fingers—blood.
"W-what’s happening?" she whispered, eyes darting to the crimson streaks staining her skin. The wound burned, yet the man before her remained indifferent, his gaze locked onto hers.
"Why won’t you speak?" A tear slipped down her cheek.
"What is this place? Why did you take me outside earlier? Why do you keep showing up?" Questions tumbled from her lips, desperation thick in her voice.
He didn’t answer. Didn’t react.
He simply stood there, hands buried in his pockets, his face devoid of emotion.
And then—
"Can I kiss you?"
Summer’s eyes widened, shock stealing her breath.
**Was he joking?**
Before she could respond, he moved.
In a blink, he was right in front of her, so close she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. He remained still, head slightly tilted, hands still tucked away.
Panic surged in her chest. She tried to step back—
But she couldn’t move.
**He was controlling her.**
Her lips parted in a silent gasp as his mouth pressed against hers.
Heat.
A shiver crawled down her spine as unfamiliar sensations erupted through her body. His lips were scorching, claiming hers with a searing intensity.
And then—more.
His kiss deepened, more forceful, more demanding. His hand found her arm, pulling her closer until her arms instinctively wrapped around him.
She didn’t know how to kiss.
Yet somehow, her lips moved, matching his rhythm. She was drowning in him, in the intoxicating fire he poured into every movement. Her thoughts blurred. Logic slipped away.
His mouth trailed lower, his lips brushing against the curve of her neck. A gasp left her as a sharp jolt of pleasure shot through her spine.
The night air carried the sound of her moan as he tasted her skin.
Then—
Fabric tore.
Her breath hitched as she felt his fingers rip through her clothing.
The world around her shifted. The next thing she knew, she was lying on a bed, his weight pressing against her, his lips claiming hers once more.
She squeezed her eyes shut. **What’s happening?**
And then—golden eyes.
Like the sky before dawn. Like the depths of the ocean.
She could finally see him clearly.
He was devastatingly beautiful.
And as he smirked, lips curving in wicked satisfaction, he dipped his head lower—
His mouth finding the soft, sensitive skin of her chest.
His tongue flicked, his lips sucked, teasing, torturing.
A sharp gasp.
Summer’s fingers gripped the sheets.
She was trapped.
And she was beginning to like it.
- Writer
