---
Eric smiled and accepted the chair she offered.
"Thank you," he said, sitting down casually. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Tiara finally found her voice.
"You definitely did. Most people knock before entering someone else's room."
He rubbed the back of his neck and laughed.
"You're right. I deserve that."
For a moment, silence filled the room. The cool night breeze drifted in through the open window, carrying the sweet scent of flowers from the garden outside.
"So..." Eric broke the silence. "How do you like Ravenwood so far?"
Tiara glanced out the window.
"It's peaceful. Very different from the city. I think I'm going to like it."
"You'll need more than that to survive here."
She frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Eric's smile faded for a brief second before returning.
"Nothing. I was just joking."
But something in his eyes told her he wasn't.
Before she could ask another question, a loud howl echoed through the forest beyond the mansion.
A chill ran down Tiara's spine.
"Was that... a wolf?"
Eric immediately stood up and walked toward the window. His expression became serious as he stared into the darkness.
"It came earlier than expected," he whispered, almost to himself.
"What?"
He quickly turned around and smiled again.
"Nothing. It's probably just wild animals."
Tiara wasn't convinced.
"You don't sound like someone talking about ordinary animals."
Eric looked at her for a long moment before speaking.
"If anyone ever tells you not to go into the forest after sunset..."
He paused.
"...listen to them."
Before she could ask why, someone called from downstairs.
"Eric! Where are you?"
"My father," Eric sighed. "I should go."
He walked to the door but stopped.
"Oh, and Tiara..."
"Yes?"
"Whatever happens tomorrow at school, don't let anyone know what you heard tonight."
Without waiting for her response, he disappeared down the hallway.
Tiara stood frozen.
"What an odd guy," she muttered.
She closed the door and locked it before returning to her diary.
Dear Diary,
Today I met someone named Eric. He accidentally entered my room, but somehow I feel that wasn't the strangest thing about him. He warned me about the forest and acted as if something dangerous lives there. Maybe he's just trying to scare the new girl... or maybe he's hiding a secret.
Either way, tomorrow is my first day at Ravenwood Academy, and I have a feeling my life is about to change forever.
She closed the diary and placed it on her bedside table.
As she switched off the lamp, she failed to notice a pair of glowing crimson eyes watching her from the forest outside her window.
Far away, in the same dark, hollow chamber where the mysterious voice had spoken earlier, the silence was broken once again.
"It has begun," the deep voice rumbled.
Another voice, softer yet far more sinister, answered from the shadows.
"The chosen one has finally returned."