A young child sat cross-legged in a dark space that wasn't illuminated by even a faint light. Yet, her eyes were filled with joy, but also vigilance. Despite the lack of light, her face exuded happiness, though a subtle wariness lingered in her gaze. She was casting a watchful glance around her. The darkness surrounding her seemed agitated.

Besides the little girl, another girl lay down and peacefully slept. She was unaware of the presence that protected her. The slumbering girl's head was gently patted by the little girl's small hands with a sense of pure joy.

As the darkness crept closer, seeking to consume the sleeping girl, the little child's expression hardened. Her eyes locked onto the encroaching darkness with an unwavering intensity.

The darkness paused momentarily after sensing the fierce glare that emanated from the young girl. Yet, it inched closer with an insidious intent to devour the sleeping girl. But each time it drew near, the little girl's glare intensified, giving it a wordless warning of defiance.

Despite the warning, the darkness's initial hesitation seemed reduced, as if acknowledging that the little girl posed no threat. It inched closer to the sleeping girl. Yet, as it approached, the vigilant child created an unseen barrier that the darkness could not breach.

She continued her gentle pat on the sleeping girl's head. She seemed to infuse a sense of peace and safety in the sleeping girl.

However, it didn't last long. The darkness was relentless in its advance and began to break the barrier. With each creak, the sleeping girl also stirred, her brow furrowing in response to the disturbance. It seemed that she was on the verge of waking. The little girl panicked.

She increased her soothing gestures so that the sleeping girl wouldn't wake up and tried to drive away the encroaching darkness.

Yet, despite her efforts, nothing seems to be working in her favor. Just as it seemed the barrier was on the brink of collapse, it resurrected like brand new.

A serene smile graced the little girl's face. She seemed to understand what had happened. In a surprising turn of events, the darkness recoiled in horror, retreating slowly, inch by inch. As the young girl turned around, she saw another figure, a girl older than her, standing behind her. When she glanced at the darkness, it had vanished entirely.

Though the place didn't become brighter, at least it became a lot calmer now, ensuring that the sleeping girl would no longer be disturbed.

The other girl knelt down and patted the sleeping girl's head several times. With each pat, the furrow in the girl's brow smoothed away and she was finally sleeping soundly. She looked at the sleeping girl for a few more moments, then turned her gaze back towards the little girl.

Even without saying a word, the little girl understood it was time for them to go. Her face clouded with sadness, but she still grasped the other girl's hand, and together they began to walk away.

After a few steps, the older girl paused and gazed in a particular direction. Her lips moved as if whispering unheard words. Then she resumed her stride. 

When there was no one around the sleeping girl, a figure came in front of her. It sat beside her and lifted a few strands of the girl's hair, but only to return them to their place.

The figure looked at the sleeping girl for a long time without saying anything. Its eyes were brimming with sorrow. Eventually, reaching out with a gentle touch, the figure placed a single finger upon the girl's forehead and uttered softly,

“Bia, wake up.”

Today I'm feeling unusually fatigued, my body weighed down by an unexpected weariness. Even though nothing happened in my dream last night. I feel quite sluggish and heavy. 

“Did I catch a cold?” I murmured to myself. But only to have a thermometer unexpectedly thrust in front of my face. I look up and see Mom standing with a confused expression. I asked her, 

“Why do you look confused?” I took the thermometer from her hand and checked for any signs of fever. However, Mom still just looked at me without saying a word. After a few more seconds, Mom said, “You — you have a fever, that's why.”

Baffled by her statement, I tilted my head in confusion. What is she talking about? I signaled Mom to wait a bit and saw the thermometer. Mom's observation was right. I have a slight fever. I just need to take some medicine. I had thought about it but Mom had already prepared it for me.

…..Her hands are trembling. I took the medicine from her without meeting her gaze. I know she had already turned her face away. Her hands always quiver when she gives me medication. I looked at the pills. I don't have any problem swallowing them anymore, but I..… 

As I finished taking the pills, Mom said the bus had arrived. Just as I prepared to leave, her voice called out once more, “Bian……. call me if your fever worsens. I'll take you to the hospital.” I looked at her for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.

I could tell she wanted to say something else but stopped in the middle. 

“Haaa….”

Mom always behaves like this whenever I feel unwell. She has changed a lot, yet she couldn't change this. As I got on the bus, I noticed five other students nodding off from sleepiness. I closed my eyes after settling into a seat. I'm feeling really quite exhausted today, even though the day has just started.

I'm thinking about whether to stay home or go to school. However, I remember that my dad will return today from his business trip. I don't want to hear his cold voice or see his indifferent gaze when I'm not feeling well. Despite these troubling thoughts, I remained seated and decided to go to school.

Even though I'm tired, I don't feel sleepy at all. The bus gradually filled with the rising chatter of students. They will talk more today because a new student will join. After some more time, the murmur increased. I can hear the excitement in their voices.

“See, I told you he is so tall.” 

“He's handsome too. He is our senior, right?” 

“Yes, He's in the same year as Bian sis.” 

And so, their chatter went on. I smiled when I heard them talking so enthusiastically. Indeed, the new student stood tall among his peers. Yet, I recalled someone even taller. Speaking of this, I haven't seen them in quite some time. I wonder how they are doing.

I looked outside. My body feels much better now. I don't think I need to call Mom later — that's what I was going to think about, but I felt a gaze on me, and a sudden chill crept down my spine. Because of Jia's continuous staring, my senses become heightened. But at least I didn't feel any malice from her.

I looked around and thought I could be wrong about it. But my eyes locked with the new student. He is a little far away and surrounded by students, yet, he is still looking at me while talking to others. He smiles when our gaze meets. Unnerved by his gaze, I quickly averted my eyes.

…….The first thing that came to my mind was that he looked familiar, and his gaze was quite unpleasant. But why?

“Ugh, I'll get a headache at this rate, and my fever will come back.” I lowered my head to rest my eyes. All of a sudden, the whole bus went silent. I couldn't hear anything other than my breathing, as if I was all alone. I looked up to see what was happening.

However, I was quite taken aback when the collective gaze of all the students suddenly turned towards me. Then, one student asked me, “Is that true?”

Perplexed by the question, I tilted my head in confusion. The new student chuckled before speaking, “You haven't changed at all, Biha?”

I was shocked when I heard that name. My body started to tremble. Just one single name was repeated in my mind.

“Biha, Haha, sorry, I mean Bian moved away five years ago. And we lost touch. But I'm Bian's childhood friend, Paxon Hart.”

Paxon Hart….. My mind completely froze when I heard his name outside of my thoughts.