I slipped out of my room, making my way through the darkened corridors of the Ironheart estate. The night air was cool against my skin as I stepped outside, the scent of pine and earth filling my senses. I moved quickly through the forest, my feet carrying me on a path I knew by heart.
When I finally reached the hot spring, the sight of the steam rising from the water brought a small smile to my lips. It was just as I remembered—quiet, serene, untouched by the chaos of the world. This was exactly what I needed.
I undressed slowly, feeling the weight of the past few days lift from my shoulders as I let my clothes fall to the ground. The water was warm as I slipped in, enveloping me in its soothing embrace.
But the peace didn’t last long. A rustling noise broke through the quiet, pulling me from my reverie. My eyes snapped open, my senses suddenly on high alert. I scanned the surrounding trees, searching for the source of the noise, but saw nothing.
“Who’s there?” I called out, my voice firm despite the fear creeping up my spine. There was no response, only the sound of the forest around me.