𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒

Ep 1. A Chance Encounter.

I couldn't sleep. Again. Staring at the ceiling, I felt the hours slip by. I had gone to bed at 11 PM, but it must have been past 1 AM by now. The boredom was suffocating, and my thoughts were starting to spiral. I needed an escape, something to break the endless loop in my head.

Maybe a walk will help... I thought, slipping out of bed. The cold floor greeted my feet as I pulled on a grey oversized hoodie and black leggings. Grabbing my phone, I quietly opened my bedroom door. Silence. No light, no sounds—everyone else was asleep. Perfect.

I crept downstairs, careful to keep my footsteps light. The front door clicked shut behind me, and I stepped into the night. It was darker than usual—pitch black, with no hint of the usual soft blue in the sky. The mountains surrounding our town always gave the night an eerie stillness, but tonight... it felt like something was watching. I took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp autumn air. The chill wasn't enough to need a jacket, but it clung to my skin, keeping me awake.

I walked to the right, toward the newly built houses. The street had been chaotic last week, with moving trucks coming and going. Now, everything was quiet, the night swallowing up any noise. I made a U-turn, thinking of heading back, but that's when I saw him.

A boy, riding a bike, heading straight for me.

"Watch out!" I called, my voice breaking the silence. He didn't stop in time, and the front wheel bumped into me, sending him tumbling off his bike.

"Ouch," he muttered, rubbing his arm as he stood up. I hurried over, my worry overriding the instinct to keep walking.

"Are you okay?" I asked, offering him a hand, though he got up on his own and dusted himself off. When he stood to his full height, I realized he towered over me—easily 6'1". His black hair was messy from the fall, but what caught my attention were his eyes. Stormy grey with an almost unnatural glint, like they were hiding something. He wore a black leather jacket that hugged his frame perfectly, giving him an air of quiet danger.

"I'm fine," he replied, his voice low and cool. "But are you hurt? I'm a bit lost... I was trying to find my way back home."

He looked to be around my age, but something about him felt... older. Mysterious. "I'm fine. You sure you're okay?" I asked, a little nervous now. His expression was unreadable, but his voice had a strange, nervous edge to it.

"Yeah," he sighed, glancing around like he was unsure of something. "I don't know where my house is. The signal here sucks, and my GPS isn't working."

I hesitated, my brain screaming that I shouldn't be helping a stranger at 1 AM. But damn, he was hot. His sharp jawline, those eyes, and the way he carried himself—it was all too intriguing to walk away from.

"Need help finding your street?" I offered, curiosity getting the better of me. What's the harm in just walking him home?

He looked surprised, then a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, but if you don't want to, that's fine. I get it." He turned to leave, gripping his bike.

"No, it's fine. What's the name of your street?" I asked, stepping closer.

"Snowcap's Trail," he said, a bit of warmth slipping into his voice. It was getting colder now, the crisp night air biting at my skin, but I ignored it. I chuckled softly, glancing at his leather jacket.

He raised an eyebrow. "What's funny?" he asked, his tone still cold.

"Nothing," I replied, turning down the street. "Follow me, I'll show you the way."

He fell into step beside me, and for a moment, I couldn't feel his presence. It was strange, like he wasn't really there—just a shadow. I glanced back at him, only to lock eyes. His gaze was intense, making heat rise to my cheeks, and I quickly looked away.