Luna stood frozen in front of him.
The boy had pulled his cloak tightly over his face, but his red eyes were still visible beneath the shadows.
Her gaze lingered on the red bracelet, as if there was something unusual about it.
"Who are you?" she shouted.
He stepped closer, gripping her wrist firmly.
"I will be your new nightmare," he said.
***
Luna jolted awake.
Sunlight burned into her eyes. She squinted and pressed a hand to her stomach.
Every time she had a nightmare, she woke up like this—her stomach twisted in pain.
She let out a short laugh.
"What a lovely way to start the day."
She got up and pulled the curtains aside, taking a deep breath.
Grabbing a peach, she took a big bite, her eyes drifting toward the tall trees of the small park—so tall they rose above the nearby shops.
"Maybe I should get some fresh air," she muttered.
She headed toward the park and picked a flower identical to the one from yesterday, tucking it into her hair.
"Damn it—I forgot my book."
She turned back toward her house.
That's when she saw him.
Someone was standing near her door. The same black cloak as yesterday.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
She walked toward him and shouted, "Hey! Who are you this time?"
He turned.
The moment he saw her, he ran.
"Wait!" Luna yelled, chasing after him.
She ran as fast as she could, her breath turning ragged. He was too fast.
She slowed, gasping for air, then forced herself to run again—but he was gone.
Where could he have disappeared?
Her pulse raced as her eyes scanned the street.
Then she noticed the library at the corner—its doors open.
Without thinking, she rushed inside.
The library looked small from the outside, but it stretched far deeper than she expected.
Rows and rows of bookshelves filled the space. At the very back, there was a single desk and chair, a wooden staircase beside them leading to an upper floor—almost like someone lived there.
Luna raised an eyebrow.
"I really wish I'd brought my book."
Footsteps echoed.
A boy suddenly stepped out from between the shelves, his arms stacked high with books, his face completely hidden.
Luna leaned forward slightly, studying him.
He wore an oversized cream-colored hoodie.
Luna reached out. "Um—excuse me—"
He turned toward her—and **shocked, stumbled back with a jolt**.
"Oh! I'm sorry," Luna said quickly. "I didn't mean to distract you."
"It's fine," he muttered. "I'm okay."
She noticed blood at his eyebrow.
Luna pulled a tissue from her pocket and gently pressed it to the cut.
He tensed immediately, **gripping her hand with nervous urgency**.
"I—I've got it," he said. "I can handle it."
Luna pulled her hand back, confused.
The boy finally looked up.
His green eyes reminded her of nature itself, and his chestnut hair was messy, falling into his face.
Luna felt her cheeks warm.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
Luna blinked. "Do I… know you?"
He paused, as if suddenly coming back to himself.
"Oh—right. Yeah."
He wiped the blood from his eyebrow and smiled.
Not a normal smile.
A crooked one.
"I'm Leo."
Luna lifted her hand toward his lips. "Why is your smile… crooked?"
Leo chuckled. "Oh. That's just my signature."
She laughed. "Looks like your signature got bloody."
He raised his hand to wipe his mouth—and something gleamed beneath his sleeve.
Luna stared.
"That—"
Leo stiffened, hurriedly pulling his sleeve down.