HOWLBOUND

First impressions

Rowena looks down at her dress, it is torn and ragged. Her feet get sucked into the mud with each step she takes. She scans her environment, her eyes are welcomed by tall trees, moonlight barely touching the forest floor. The forest was thick and cloaked with shadows.

Not knowing where to go, she pushed forward, twigs snapped beneath her feet, legs exhausted from constantly pulling free from the mud.

Then her eyes locked on something that made sense: a white rabbit darting between roots and moss.

It moved with eerie purpose pausing long enough for her to catch sight then hopping into the darkness ahead

Rowena hesitated for a while then followed.

Breathless, she chased, branches whipping against her arm, those she couldn't go through she went under and over. Tripping on a root she fell and tumbled down a slope.

Picking herself up from the muddy ground, Rowena tried to find her balance

The rabbit.

Gone.

Silence masked the forest, she turned in a slow circle, heart pounding loudly; her ears could hear. Then she saw her,

A bright figure

Ahead, half covered in mist stood a woman with long white silky hair flowing down her back. The hem of her long white gown rested on the soil, not a bit tampered by its filth.

Rowena blinked, staring hard at her. She looked unreal. The forest suddenly felt colder.

“Hello?” she called out in a whisper.

With no response, the mist thickened. Trees blurred into one another. Sharp ringing filled Rowena’s ears, and she felt herself being drawn away.

Suddenly, everything stopped.

Rowena shot up in bed, heart pounding, blanket on the floor. Her skin was damp with sweat, and her breath came in shallow gasps.

Her alarm.

She reached out for it and turned it off.

Sitting still on her bed, she tried to catch her breath, scanning her environment,

No forest.

No bunny.

No lady.

It was a dream.

“Rowena” The banging from her dorm door startled her. She picks up her phone.

“f**k it” I overslept she splints to the door and unlocks it

Sophia barges in.

“I've been knocking”.

Wait you're just getting up, you'll miss Breakfast, didn't u set your alarm. Sophia continued

Rowena runs around the room gathering her bath materials

“I did, but I still overslept.

“Just have breakfast without me, bye,” Rowena said, leaving the room.

Rowena was done dressing up; she settled for a white cropped top and blue wide-legged jeans and her white sneakers.

It was the easiest slip-on that didn't need ironing.

She had her hair in a messy bun, and swung her backpack around her shoulder.

She picked up the blue file since it was the only thing she could use to find her way around.

Stepped out of her dorm and made her way down to the courtyard, where the morning light stretched across the stone paths in warm, wavy streaks.

She paused frowning at the file again, the map didn't look translatable. flipping it upside down as if that might make the lines and labels rearrange themselves into something useful

“Business department… somewhere past the library? Or was that the east wing? ”she taught.

Her eyes darted around for any familiar signs, but the buildings all looked frustratingly similar,

Turning around in a slow circle her shoulder nudged someone.

“woaw woaw woaw.” he chuckled, catching her mid turn.

“You know, most people just say 'hello, but I respect your dedication to the whole physical introduction method.”

It was the boy from the cafeteria

I…I didn't mean to. Sorry. She stepped back clutching onto the file in her hands

You're not going for classes?.

Isn't it too early to rebel? Damian said, taking a step forward to cover the space she made.

“No no, quite the contrary, my map's not performing its purpose” Rowena replied with a small smile.

His unsettling eyes studied her,

“What’s your major?” he asked, voice smooth but heavy as though there was no escape from answering.

Her throat tightened.

“Business Administration” The words tumbled out more defensive than she intended. She tried to straighten her shoulders but it only made her feel smaller under his gaze.

He looked down at her with a faint smirk brushing his lips, the height difference pressing against her pride.

“Good Makes sense His voice was final, like a stamp of approval she hadn’t asked for”

“I'll be your escort,” Damian said.

Rowena didn’t want to noticed,She almost refused, the word NO danced on her tongue.

But he wasn't offering he was just letting her know

He didn’t need directions.

His presence wasn't left unnoticed by the crowd.

The last thing Rowena wanted was more people noticing her and this guy looked very popular. He weaved her through the crowd, his presence cutting a path. She followed each step reluctant as though resisting would only draw more eyes to her.

At the main entrance, she hesitated. The building loomed, tall and intimidating.

She turned back to him, almost unconsciously, His outfit caught the light an olive-green knitted sweatshirt draped casually over a crisp white shirt, black wide-legged trousers, and platform shoes that added to his already overwhelming height. His outfit was effortlessly intimidating.

“cool”. A whisper escaped her lips.

She caught herself staring longer than she should have, she quickly tore her gaze away and slipped inside.

Of course, she was late. The lecturer’s voice had already settled into rhythm, chalk screeching across the board.

Every head turned when she stepped. Heat rushed to her face as she slipped inside.

The lecturer’s voice carried, “Our new student finally decides to grace us with her presence”.

A ripple of muffled laughter buzzed across the room.

Her stomach dropped. He motioned her forward. Reluctantly she walked to the front trying not to stumble under the stares.

Introduce yourself, he said simply.

She drew in a steadying breath. Fearless. Don’t shake, she reassured herself

“I'm Rowena Evans” she said clearly,

“Future CEO of Mysthaven Realty…” Interrupted by the echoing laughter of the class.

The lecturer’s brow arched, he let out a light chuckle. He dismissed her with a flick of his hand. “Find a seat before you lose us more time”.

The class continued, but her focus was shredded. When the bell finally rang, relief poured through her veins like oxygen. She packed quickly, avoiding curious glances, and slipped out into the open air.