She couldn't move... She couldn't breathe...

They were near... but she couldn't see them...

Just the darkness... DARKNESS everywhere...!

She wasn't prepared... when one of them struck from behind...!

But her saviour came. Bringing down all those who dare hurt her.

He may be a part of the dark world she was forbidden to cross over... but to her... he was the light-


An ear-piercing scream was heard, interrupting a teenage girl from her reading. Looking away from the book, which she was enjoying, before she was rudely interrupted, she glares at her friend.

That is... until she realized why she was screaming, and joined in.

It was the author of her favourite novel, "The Lone Shadow".

She and her friend worships that story about the mysterious phantom of the night who protects the people of his town from the vicious demons of darkness. Just seeing the author right in front of them...!

They have to take a picture...!


Another day, another fan.

Well... fans.

Five years since she wrote her first novel and it was still popular up to this point.

After taking a couple of selfies with her fans, she resumes her way to the town library where she works. She always found comfort in books. Every page is a window to a new world... to a new adventure...!

Just like the adventure she had... fourteen years ago...

She shakes her head. She needs to forget about that past. Besides... she has a group of students she needs to assis-?

She blinks at the group in front of her. One teenage boy was dressed as a pirate. Another was a dog. Their two female companions were dressed as a parrot and a tree.

Oh right... it's that time of year again...

She loves Halloween.

But at the same time... it brings back memories...

Once again, she sets that memory aside. This year, one of her friends will be hosting a Halloween costume party, and to give the party-goers a memory that will be traumatizing yet exciting for them to remember, she and her friends will be making a short film which reenacts a scene from her novel.

And the setting for the film... was the... haunted castle...

The haunted castle... many who stepped foot always come out screaming, claiming to have been attacked by ghosts, monsters, etc.

It was the town's greatest mystery... So mysterious that any paranormal detective who even dare asks about the mystery found themselves paranoid, believing there was some unseen presence looming behind them, preparing to haunt them if they dare question further...

Which makes it the perfect setting for a short horror film.

As per vote, she was chosen to be the star of the film.

She agreed.

And maybe... just maybe...


The dark castle was still spooky even after all these years. She smooths down the skirt of the dress she was told to wear while the others set up, too busy to notice her staring at the castle.

She didn't see him, even though the sun has already set. He could be lurking in the shadows, ready to make his move on the group of trespassers.

Will he even recognize her? Years have passed, but the only difference was that she grew a few feet. And there was only one time (probably) that he had seen her with her glasses... which she took off for the shoot.

One of her friends was making sure the camera was good for filming. When he checked the screen, black and white lines began to appear and the picture was flashing on and off while rotating every time, creeping him out.

At the same time, the flashlights and every other sources of light the group brought began flickering on and off. One member who was editing sounds suddenly heard an ear-piercing ringing from her headphones making her throw her headphones on the ground while she clutches her aching head.

While her friends were panicking at the paranormal occurence that was happening around them, she just watches, not freaked out for one second.

Could it be... him...?

The haunting suddenly stops, and the group finds everything working perfectly fine. Still, everyone was still crept out of what had happened.

Except one. Her friend believes that something creepier, and worth recording on camera, was going to happen if they entered the castle.

So they did.

Unfortunately, they didn't know about the secret passageways hidden behind the walls and some places... until they accidentally stepped foot into one.

Pretty soon, she was left alone.


After all these years... she came back...

WHY did she come back?! And did she have to bring her friends along?

They better not touch his antique vases.

He finds himself unable to stop gazing at her. She has grown taller... older... and still as rav- Oh dang. Her friends just got lost in the secret passageways. Leaving her alone.

And she doesn't look like she was looking for them.


They'll be fine.

As long as they don't step on any traps.

She still remembers every inch of the castle. She went looking for her friends, but soon found herself, straying from where she should be searching.

The next thing she knew, she found herself in the library. She runs her hand against the many rows of books, feeling the dusts that have gathered over the years.

Her hand found its way to the table, where she had spent hours finding a way to-?

Maybe a few speck of dusts got into her eyes, but after a few rubs and blinks, the sight of her first novel, "The Lone Shadow", laying on top of the table was truly visible to her.

As she processed the situation, she noticed a shelf that was housing every book she has written. Up to her latest.

Her heart beats wildly. A slight blush spread across her cheeks.

Has he been... watching her? For 14 years?


Oh-DANGIT! He should've locked that door if he knew her friends were going to drag her inside.

Maybe she wouldn't notice-Oh who is he kidding?! She WILL!

For many years has he tried to forget about her. For many years he tried to stop himself from seeing her during the nights he was able to take a stroll, and/or flight, around town.

But he never could.

When she published her first book, it immediately became popular to the other mortals. One of his friends, who was immune in the daytime, and who owed him a favor, got him a copy of the book.

He had to admit; she was quite the interesting writer. The next thing he knew, once he read the first chapter, he couldn't put the book down until he reached the last chapter. The intensity and ingenuity of the plot was so mind-bogling that he didn't pay much attention to anything else, and almost walked into the sun, had his friends not pulled him away in time.

The next thing he knew, every time she published a new book, he knew he had to get his hands on it.

And he can't stop himself! And it's not the books!

No matter how much he tried, he couldn't get her out of his mind. She was unlike the other mortals; While many run in fear of him, she fought back against him. And when the Pack attacked, she came to his defense. (Despite the fact they tried to eliminate one another earlier.)

When she finally left his home... he felt... dismayed.

Now here she is again. Looking more mystifying as e- Oh crud! She can sense he's around!


She can sense he was near, but when she looks around, he was nowhere to be seen. Despite that, her heart kept telling her to keep searching.

Why wasn't she searching for her friends? Why was she roaming the dark halls, searching for someone that does not want to be found?

He doesn't want to be found. He doesn't want to see her. So why keep going? Why must her heart keep insisting?


Why couldn't he stop hiding? Why couldn't she stop looking for him?

All she has to do is to find her friends, leave, and then agree to never go back because the event traumatized all of them.

And yet... his heart was telling him to stop hiding...

No...

It was best... if she wasn't dragged into his world... again.

Time to find another hiding place. He just took one step forward and turned around, only to make eye contact with the mortal he has been evading.


Just as she finally gave up... she found him.

She couldn't take her eyes off him. Just as he with her.

After a few seconds of silence, she ran. As far away from him as possible.

He didn't hesitate to do the same.

She stopped, her back making contact with the walls as she breathes heavily.

She wasn't prepared for this. She wasn't prepared when her friend brought her here to make a stupid short film.

She wasn't prepared. She didn't plan to say anything when she would see him again.

Maybe... it was best if she leaves.

She turns to the nearest corridor. Only to meet him...


Once again they fled from each other.

Yet, no matter how many times they tried to keep away from one another, they always find a way to find each other.

Suddenly, they collided, their bodies crashing into one another.

Their eyes met, before they awkwardly parted, both looking down to avoid another eye contact.

They didn't understand why, but for some strange reason... when they touched... it felt... warm...

Taking deep breathes, they finally made eye contact once again. He smiles at her, and offered her his hand, which she happily takes.

They danced to the silent, mesmerizing music of their hearts of which only they could hear. It was like the dances they had 14 years ago, but this time, they were dancing in perfect harmony. No one leading, no one trying to kill each other.

She rested her head on his chest. For a vampire, he feels so... warm. And... comforting.

He didn't push her away. He didn't want to ruin that peaceful look on her face. The same look that pushed his mind to ease.

They stopped, right in front of an open balcony where the light of the moon illuminated their faces.

Once more, they stared into each other's eyes, before they slowly close, as the distance between their heads was slowly closing in...

...!

The moment was interrupted by a loud, window-shattering scream. Hesitantly, she turned to her left, where her friends suddenly appeared, having finally found a way out of the walls. (At the worst possible time!)

While the others have horrified looks on their faces, one was smiling with excitement as he filmed the entire scene.

The next thing the group of friends knew, a strong, invisible force pushed them out of the castle, and slammed the door shut. As they got up, the one who was holding the camera happily rants about how they got to see an actual vampire. He stops when he saw the way his main actress was looking sadly at the castle.

No matter how many times they tried calling her name, she just keeps staring.

She turns around, her eyes were on the clouds, yet she addressed them with a voice of indifference that they should leave.

She was traumatized. Vampires were known to hypnotized their victims before sucking their blood.

One thing's for certain; they can't show or even tell anyone about the vampire that hurt their friend.

As the group of friends left, they are unaware of a pair of eyes watching them from the shadows. Grinning mischievously.


It was for the best.

He was dragging her back into his world. To his dark, dangerous, world.

He had to cast her and her friends out.

Why was he happy to see her... when he tried so much to avoid her?

His inner voice kept begging him to go after her. He tried to think of something else: His next hang-out with his friends... Who's gonna be sent to the hospital after a date-gone-wrong set up by you-know-who's-granddaughter...? What movies are they going to (literally) fight about before finally watching one...? Who's turn is it to make you-know-who's prank backfire on them...? Who got discovered by a human and almost got killed by him/her only to- Waitwhat?!

Ugh! No matter how hard he tries, he just can't stop thinking of her!

She will forever haunt him in his dark, lonely life.

His only regret... was not telling her that he...

How much it meant to him... that she became the light of his life...


So many freaks in costume came.

This is gonna be one awesome Halloween party!

They didn't get to finish, or even make, their intended short film. So they had to improvise.

When the film ended, everyone clapped, delighted by the terrifying, yet exciting, show they had just watched.

While everyone danced, ate, drank, and/or tried to scare each other, there was one person who wasn't in the mood to party.

She was happy she got to see him again. But it hurt that he pushed her, or rather, kicked her out of his castle.

Guess she deserved that. After all, she did kicked him out of his castle years ago.

And besides... it's not like... it's ever gonna work between them.

Her friends and sister were worried about her. She hasn't cheered up, even a little bit, after they left the haunted castle.

Well... it's up to them to cheer her up. And what better way to cheer someone up in a Halloween party other than dance?

She was caught by surprise when one of her friends, a boy, dragged her to dance with him. She wasn't really in the mood to dance, on account that it was the biggest reminder of a certain person she will likely never see again.

No matter how many times she was forced to switch partners, or how many people she danced with, she just couldn't enjoy it. These dances... were just not as lively as... you know.

She finally had enough. She thanked her current partner for the dance and tried to leave, but found that she couldn't. Was it her, or did the other person have a tight grip on her hand?

Two times did she try to free her hand by pulling, but failed. On the third try, the other partygoer pulled her towards him, so close that their bodies collided and she was staring into his eyes.

The fancy cape-wearing cat grinned widely at her, creeping her out. His fake yellow cat-like looks more real, like his fake fangs.

The next thing she knew, he took to the skies with large, black wings, creating a hole on the roof of her friend's house, and taking her with him...?!

They just saw one of the guests, dressed as a winged, fancy-dressed cat, smashed a hole into a roof, and took their friend with him/her.

Whatever the other guests saw... it wasn't special effects.

Also... they really should go and rescue their friend.

It's a good thing they hired a DJ with a soundtrack so loud to keep the guests entertained.


If you're trying to forget someone... don't read any book that's associated with him/her.

He sighs once again, putting "The Lone Shadow" down and decided to take a walk.

The halls of his castle echoed with only the sound of his footsteps. When he stopped, the echoes stopped as well, leaving only dark silence.

He lets out a big, sigh of dismay, wondering what she was doing now.

He went to a balcony to get some fresh air. Surprisingly, it was the same balcony they almost-?

The wind blew a piece of paper right onto his face. He was about to crumple it and toss it away, when he noticed a piece of hair taped on its side. He gives it a sniff, eyes widened when he recognized the familiar smell.

There was a letter written on the paper. After quickly reading it, his eyes were filled with rage.

He takes flight and disappears into the night sky, ready to face what may be the greatest challenge in his life.


Song during Hide and Seek, up to dance scene: "Leaves in the Stream" by Aurelio Voltaire. Featuring Alissa White-Gluz.

And after that, in the longing scene: "Evermore" from Beauty and The Beast.

Featured song for next chapter: "I'd Give Anything" from Tangled.