- DO KYUNGSOO -

Despite the fact that our village is not one of those rich and luxurious one, the school buildings here are well taken cared of. Our school, Yulje High School, is located on top of a hill and secluded by trees. The buildings stood far away from each other that's why owning a bike is really efficient. 

Our school has been home to gruesome fights and murders even before. As i had said before, it's in Yulje High that you will find just about any kind of students you could think of. Fraternities, sororities, gangs. Just anyone. And anything.

And now as i think about those things, Hanjeon, the troublemaker who did me wrong a while ago, is also involved in countless fist fights here in our school. The students just can't get him expelled because his father is the head of all departments here.

The first building one would see upon entering the gates is the English building and i have Literature here today. I walked by the side of the hallways, away from other people's notice. Everyone here sees me as the weird guy from the mountain and whose mother can't talk.

Yes. My mother is mute. And I think the fact that I never got the chance to hear her voice will forever be something heavy I carry in my heart. 

Just when i'm about to pass the Journalism room, i stopped and grabbed a folded bond paper between the pages of the book i am holding. The paper contains a poem i just wrote. Truthfully, I slip some of my works in a small mailbox outside the school's journal office whenever i feel like it. 

As i'm about to leave, the door of the office suddenly swung open and Victoria Song, the editor-in-chief of the school paper, walked out and grinned widely at me. "There you are." she giggled and i watched her grab my arm with shock all over my face. She's wearing a short denim dress and black leggings that goes down to her ankles. Her flat boots are pitch black and she has a thick hairband holding her hair.

"T-That was my first time." i stammered, desperately trying to cover up what i had done. But it's not like i did something wrong! I just feel like i did something wrong. 

Victoria waved me off with her manicured hand. Her nails are of different colors today. "Oh shush." she scoffed. "I knew you were sending those poems." then she pulled me aside for us not to block the hallway.

I gasped and stared incredulously at her. "Y-you... you knew?"

"Uh. No." then she laughed out loud. "I just caught you, okay? There's no hiding it." She reached down for my ID and tried to read my name with a frown. But then she gave up and she grabbed her pink-rimmed glasses from her pocket and wore it with a groan.

I watched her in utter shock. I can't believe the editor just caught me. Why am i so stupid? 

"Do Kyungsoo. And you're in 12th grade already?! Does that mean you were sending your poems since first year?! My god! Why did it take you so long to approach me?! I've been publishing your works ever since. I'm tired of writing 'Anonymous' every fucking time!" she demanded as he removed her glasses. 

I looked down. "I'm... I'm sorry." 

Victoria sighed but she's smiling again. "I'm Victoria Song, the editor-in-chief of Rendezvous, our school journal. It's really great to finally meet you." and instead of holding out her hand, she pulled me into a hug using one arm. 

"I'm sorry for sending my stupid works." I mumbled when she pulled back. 

Victoria raised her brows and she put both of her hands on either of my shoulders. "What are you saying, Kyungsoo?" she whispered. "Your writings are great! I love them!" then she smiled really wide as she squeezed my shoulders. 

"Are you for real?" i gasped, my eyes still wide.

Victoria grinned. "As real as fuck." she nodded. "If you're interested, you could join our team. You could write for the school journal and be a member of the whole staff."

To be perfectly honest, I've always dreamed about being a writer. I don't know, but writing and poetry bring me a certain joy i think only people like Victoria will understand. The poems i'm sending Rendezvous are those things i could think of whenever i close my eyes and breathe in the scent of the forest. The peace. Tranquility. Quiescence. 

"That would be great." I breathed as i grinned at her.

"Yay!" Victoria cheered. "Please drop by this evening after your class." she said as she stepped back, grabbing the handle of the office door. "I would love discussing your works."

I smiled wider. "Sure." Then i gave her a wave, turning to walk towards my first class. But just when i'm taking another step away, I heard Victoria call my name. I looked back.

"I'm just wondering..." she started, still holding the office door open. "...Why your theme changed." she said it with a frown and i noticed the real curiosity in her voice.

I stared at her in wonder. "What do you mean?"

Victoria thought for a while as she bit her lip. "The theme of your poems years ago is about nature and emotions." she muttered. "I love them, alright. But... why did it change?" 

I'm still frowning at her.

She then sighed and ran her finger under his chin, thinking. "Let me recite a line from the poem you submitted last month." then she cleared her throat and glanced at the ceiling as she tried to remember a part of my poem she's talking about. 

I watched her with a shrug. "Okay." 

"Like chills at night, cold runs

Along my spine and heart

Like fire against my burning palms

Your presence i feel it right. "

After reciting, Victoria looked at me questioningly. "Did i get it?" she asked.

I tried to smile at her. "Of course." i said. "I was surprised you memorized some of its parts."

Victoria grinned but her face slowly turned serious again. "So... why did you change, Kyungsoo?" she asked again in pure curiosity.

I cleared my throat. "W-why? You don't like it?" i asked her. 

But then she shook her head. "I love all your works, Kyungsoo." she said in a very friendly tone. "But your recent works send goosebumps along my skin. I feel like i'm being watched." she added in a joking manner. So when she laughed, i tried to join her. 

"Change of inspiration, i guess." I said.

Victoria nodded. "Okay... Great. I hope you'll write more soon." then she gestured for me to move along. "Have fun in class!" she called just when the first bell rang.

After Literature, i decided to go to the washroom before proceeding to my next class in the Science building. I need to ride my bike to go there so peeing now would be a really good idea.

But just when i'm about to enter the men's washroom, a guy went running out of the door, screaming in fear. His face is all white like he had seen a ghost and he's waving his hands in the air, screaming for help.

"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!" he kept on shouting and then he started banging on the doors of the classrooms. Soon enough, students are running out of the rooms followed by the professors.

I stood frozen by the entrance of the men's washroom. A guard and a professor walked to the door and slowly pushed it open. And from my position, i could clearly see the gruesome body of a guy on the tiled floor of the washroom. He's lying there, naked and all his internal organs are thrown all over the place. Blood is everywhere and i could almost smell it. I was not able to make out his face because it seems like the one who killed him hit his head too many times until it's misshapen.

I heard gasps everywhere and the guard immediately closed the door, his face pale. The professor told everyone to gather all their things and that we could go home now for the rest of the day. Many obeyed, but some just stood there outside the washroom, dreading the fact that murders just won't stop. And like them, I cannot seem to move an inch, my eyes still glued on the door.  

"A wolf?" I heard someone whisper beside me.

"No human could do that!" her friend whispered back. "I'm sure it's the wolves."

I tilted my head to one side so i could head them better.

"Wolves couldn't get in here, Heekyung!" the first one hissed under her breath. 

"Not just wolves, Yeji. But werewolves." The other girl, Heekyung, muttered. "I'm sure the legend about this village is real." And without another word, the two girls walked away and back to their rooms. 

Werewolves. 

I felt a chill run down my back as i repeated the word in my head. It is true that legends run along our small village, passed on from generations to generations. It's a belief that once, our place was ruled by werewolves. Half-man half-wolf creatures that could be as big as a giant bear. They said they are powerful and they prey on beautiful women for youth and energy.

I shivered and unconsciously ran my hand over my arm for warmth.

Sighing, I stepped back and turned on my heel, ready to leave. But i stopped when i noticed that one person standing there, just a few feet from the men's washroom. He has a very deep frown on his face and his eyes are full of fury as he stared at the door of the comfort room. His arms are crossed over his chest and if i just look closely, i could say that his hands are stained.

Is that blood? 

"Kim Jongin." I whispered.

And as if i called his name, he turned his head to my direction, meeting my eyes. 

Just the feel of his eyes on me send me those kind of chills.

Like chills at night, cold runs

Along my spine and heart...

I looked away. I started to walk fast but i could still feel his stares on my back, like his eyes are trying to see through me and under my skin. I feel cold again. And restless.

Suddenly, the wind blew, sending goosebumps along my skin.

"Go home. You're safe now."

I gasped and looked around, trying to find the source of the voice.

I swear i heard something. 

But then the hallway is empty. Again.