Dreambound Shadows

Chapter 10: The Longing Silence

Aera blinked, her vision swimming into focus as the world around her slowly sharpened. The surroundings were unfamiliar, surrounded by trees and decoration lights are hanging to each of them. She began to feel a strange sense of detachment as if someone were pulling her forward, compelling her to move as if she were a puppet on invisible strings.

Her gaze fell to her hands, noticing they were clasped tightly in someone else's—strong, warm hands that felt oddly familiar. She followed the line of those hands to the man standing ahead of her. He was dressed in a sharp blue tuxedo, his back rigid and his posture perfect, guiding her forward with a silent determination. Though she couldn’t see his face, Aera’s heart knew him instantly.

“Jimin,” she called his name softly, her voice laced with hope. The name echoed in the vast stillness, but it was met with an unyielding silence. He halted briefly as if her voice had reached him, but instead of turning to face her, he resumed walking, his pace quickening, his grip on her hand unyielding.

A pang of sadness twisted through Aera, sharp and sudden, but she swallowed it down, forcing herself to follow him obediently. His cold demeanor cut through her like a blade, but she couldn’t bear the thought of letting go. Together, they moved through a grand, ornate hall, its high ceilings and gilded decor resonating with the murmur of conversations and the clinking of crystal glasses. The air was thick with an opulence that felt suffocating.

Yet, throughout the entire time, Jimin remained silent, not uttering a single word to Aera. His presence as distant as the moon. His silence was oppressive, a heavy barrier that seemed to grow with each passing second, pushing her further away. He led her to a corner of the hall, his hand slipping from hers as he left her standing alone, a solitary figure among the sea of well-dressed strangers as he mingled with the other guests, his demeanor shifting effortlessly to one of ease and charm, a smile on his lips that did not reach his eyes.

Aera stood awkwardly, feeling out of place, like an intruder in this lavish world. Every so often, she cast a glance at Jimin, hoping he would look her way, hoping he would come to her and break this agonizing silence. But he kept his distance, his attention seemingly elsewhere. Little did she know, Jimin’s eyes were always on her, even when they weren’t looking directly at her. He watched her through the periphery, his gaze flicking toward her whenever she wasn’t looking, a silent sentinel guarding his heart.

As the minutes dragged on, a crushing sense of isolation settled over Aera. The crowd around her blurred into a meaningless haze as boredom and loneliness began to gnaw at her. Needing to escape, she wandered away from the throng, her steps aimless yet deliberate as she sought some semblance of peace in this overwhelming place. Her wandering eventually brought her to a large, ornate mirror standing against the wall, its surface gleaming with an almost otherworldly shine. She approached it, curiosity about her appearance piqued.

The reflection staring back at her was almost unrecognizable. Her hair, once a rich shade of brown, was now a pale white blonde, styled with an elegance that made her look like a snow queen. Her makeup was flawless, enhancing her features to a level of beauty that seemed surreal, almost ethereal. The dress she wore was a perfect match for Jimin’s tuxedo, its flowing fabric shimmering like liquid silk. Aera stared at herself, captivated and bewildered by the image before her. Who was this woman in the mirror?

Lost in her thoughts, Aera suddenly became aware of a presence behind her, visible only through the reflection. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the man standing a few feet away. He was familiar, too familiar—someone from the world she knew, the real world. Her heart pounded as she fought the urge to turn and confirm what she saw, but before she could make a move, a firm hand grasped her shoulder, spinning her around with startling swiftness.