Castle boy

Julia has lost everyone who mattered to her.

At sixteen, she lives alone, filling the silence with music, writing, and long walks through the frosty forest of her small town.

One of her favourite places to go is near the castle.

It sits just beyond the trees-quiet, out of place. No one talks about it. No one goes near it.

Julia can't stop thinking about it anyway.

She's spent weeks imagining what might be happening inside.

Until one day, she doesn't have to imagine anymore.

A boy stands at one of the windows.

Still. Silent. Alone.

Their eyes meet-

And he freezes.

Not cold. Not distant.

Surprised.

Like he's never seen anyone there before.

Julia can't look away.

After that, she can't stop thinking about him.

Or the castle.

About the way it sits there, unchanged, untouched...

Like it's not meant to be seen at all.