The Forgotten lovers

Episode 4: Whispers in the Dark

Sora’s pulse pounded in her ears as she stood frozen in the abandoned library. The whisper still echoed in her mind—“You shouldn’t have come, Sora.”

Her breath came in shallow gasps. She turned in every direction, searching the shadows for any sign of movement. But the library remained eerily still, the candle flickering as if it, too, had heard the whisper.

She clenched the papers in her hand. The drawing of the sorrowful woman stared back at her. Why had Raven left this behind? Who was she? And why… did Sora feel like she had seen her before?

A loud thump broke the silence.

Sora jerked her head up. The sound had come from the second floor.

Was it Raven? Or someone else?

Her feet moved before her mind could stop them. She hurried toward the spiral staircase, every step sending up a small cloud of dust. The wooden railing was cool under her fingers, and the air grew heavier as she ascended.

At the top, rows of old bookshelves loomed like silent guardians, their spines covered in a thick layer of dust. Some shelves were broken, their books scattered across the floor. A single window allowed moonlight to spill in, casting long, eerie shadows.

And then—she saw it.

A fresh, black rose lay on the floor near the end of the aisle.

Her heart clenched.

She stepped closer, the wooden floor creaking beneath her weight. As she bent down to pick up the rose, a sudden gust of wind swept through the library, making the old chandelier above rattle ominously.

Sora gripped the flower tightly, her gaze scanning the darkness ahead.

Then—another whisper.

This time, right behind her.

"Sora..."

A chill ran down her spine.

She whirled around, but the corridor was empty.

Was she imagining it? Or was someone playing with her?

She forced herself to breathe. Stay calm. Don’t let fear control you.

Gathering her courage, she took another step forward—

And a book fell off a shelf.

Not just any book.

It landed perfectly at her feet, as if someone had placed it there.

Sora’s throat went dry.

She crouched and hesitantly picked it up. The cover was old, its edges frayed, but the title was still visible:

"The Forgotten Lovers."

She had never seen this book before. Flipping it open, she found a page marked with an inked rose symbol. The passage beneath it sent a shiver through her veins:

"Some souls are never meant to part. Even death cannot sever their bond."

Her fingers trembled. She flipped the page—and a handwritten note slipped out.

Her breath caught.

Raven’s handwriting.

"If you found this, it means you’re closer to the truth. But be careful, Sora. Not all memories should be remembered."

Sora’s mind raced. What did he mean? Was she forgetting something?

Then—

A soft creak.

Someone was behind her.

Slowly, cautiously, she turned.

A shadow stood at the end of the aisle, half-hidden behind a shelf.

Tall. Silent. Watching.