ℒ𝒶 𝒩𝓊𝒾𝓉 (AMBW)

𝟏 || 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦

The train slowly made its way through the cool night, as the thunder rolled across the forested plains, and the lighting illuminated the night sky. Analisse listened to the heavy rain fall as it tapped against her window, like a beautifully vibrant song of passion and emotion. The incessant determination of the raging storm kept Analisse awake, when she would've rather had slept through the long-journey from France to Switzerland.

Arriving at the almost deserted train station, the station itself on-looked what appeared to be a deep forest, covered in the blanket of the night sky, though the stars could not be seen due to the dark clouds and rain. Descending the steep, metal stairs on the side of the train, Analisse hurried into the train station shelter as to not get soaked in the heavy rain. She looked around her noticing that no other passenger had gotten off, and as she took in her rather dreary surroundings, she noticed that there was no car waiting for her.

Maman had giving her instructions upon arriving, and she had clearly said that a car would be arriving from the academy to escort her to her residence. What should I do, she thought to herself, as she took a seat on a dry bench. A few old lamps illuminated the station, though they flickered in the storm. She felt and eerie feeling creep upon her as a chilled breeze blew past her. She looked into the distance and saw the main road, but did not see any buildings or homes. Don't panic, she told herself repeatedly in her head. Maman said that if the car is late I should stay at the station. Her train had arrived early, as it was only a quarter past eight. I will wait then, she said to herself.

•••

Jeong Minjun laid in his King sized bed, whilst the pale woman, named Soon-Hee, with long, black-hair lay undressed under the thin covers by his side. His arms-crossed resting under his head, he looked up at the celling, feeling the creeping loneliness looming over him. Shaking his head, he breathed deeply while stretching his arms outward. 

He gently turned himself to his side to take in the profile of the woman who lay almost soundlessly, in a peaceful slumber. He looked at her rather strangely. She acquired such a refined, feminine, beauty, in the simplicity of her complexion and dress. And though she brought him comfort, Minjun still lay awake on cool, quiet summer evenings like such, as the aching loneliness began to consume his mind yet again. He sometimes wondered if the old tale he had heard growing up was true: the obscure supposed curse that was once cast upon his family.

Before he could further ponder this, Soon-Hee began to furrow her eyebrows in her sleep, which caused her hair to fall in her face. He smiled to himself at her slightly disheveled appearance as he gently brushed the fray hairs away from her eyes. 

The once gentle patter of the rain against the large bay windows, became a beaming sound of hard, falling rain as a storm approached. In the distance he could hear the thunder. Straining to get out of the comfort of his bed, he put on his night robe and slippers, making his way to the window; looking out past the horizon of the forest, the lightning lit the sky aflame in the distant valley, just beyond the railway tracks, which led the arrival of the approaching eight-thirty passenger train.

 Moving across the room to his personal bar cabinet, he poured himself a glass of whiskey. Taking a cigarette and lighter from his coat pocket, he lit the cigarette as he walked back towards the window with his whiskey in hand. Taking a puff of his cigarette, he released a deep breath, as he held his glass up to the moonlight, taking in the deep, hazel tint of the well-aged drink. He took a generous sip as he listened to the train make its stop at the village station.

•••

Analisse looked down for the tenth time at watch. It was now half past nine. The moon shone bright in the midst of the heavy rain, as the full-moon now slightly revealed itself from the draping, grey, clouds. Analisse had not seen one person since being here, and now alone, in a foreign country, she began to feel restless with unease and nervousness, yet feeling all the while weak to her growing fatigue.

Having already arranged their daughter's one-month trip to Switzerland to attend a small, acclaimed music academy during the summer, her parents had sent her luggages to her rented room prior to her leaving Paris, but even with a single bag of bare necessities including her important documents and cash, Analisse would barely be able to walk through the rainy night carrying her mid-sized bag and umbrella.

But surely, Analisse thought to herself, I cannot stay here all night. Who knows who or what may be out here in the dark. Taking a deep breath, she made a decision: she would find a place to stay for the night and would make arrangements to go to her flat in the morning.

After listening intently to the time between each roll of thunder, it appeared that the storm was drawing back some. In the service booth, she found a kerosene lantern to use to illuminate the dark road. Grabbing her bag and opening her umbrella, she began to follow the path leading to the main road, not knowing what led ahead. Though Analisse was not always one to take chances, sometimes taking a risk was your only choice.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading the first chapter of La Nuit! Please comment and vote. Much love, Yara ♡