Chapter One

Where am I?

I woke up disoriented, my hair neatly combed back, and let out a tired yawn with closed eyes. Memories of a woman with a blurred face, except for her mouth, flashed in my mind. We had walked up a hill towards a well, where she urged me to investigate. However, to my horror, she pushed me down the well. As I plummeted, I caught a glimpse of her chuckling with her hand over her mouth.

In a panic, I screamed as I fell, looking up at the sky and praying for salvation. But it was too late, and I met my demise. I braced myself for the afterlife, fearing the torment of limbo. Yet, to my surprise, I awoke. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I found myself surrounded by buildings under a dark, thunderous sky.

Realizing the urgency of finding shelter, I scanned my surroundings. The threat of rain loomed, and I had no protection. Thoughts of the woman who betrayed me stirred anger within me, but I pushed them aside. Revenge could wait; survival was paramount. As I observed the bustling street, filled with people in plain attire browsing vendors, I knew I had to focus on finding refuge.

The sound of people's conversations reverberated in front of me, while the enticing aroma of cooked meat wafted through the air, soothing my senses. A gentle breeze brushed against my face, causing my hair to sway, and I quickly brushed it back to maintain a presentable appearance.

Although a sense of familiarity washed over me, I couldn't place where I was. When I turned around, all I saw was a dead end. Determined to find my way, I rose from the cold, stony ground and left the narrow alleyway, making my way towards the main street.

As I glanced in both directions, I noticed a pair of guards diligently observing the crowd, ensuring order and safety. Curiosity piqued, I pondered the nature of this place and contemplated finding shelter. However, with thunder rumbling in the distance, most people were rushing to close their shops and seek refuge from the impending rain, leaving me with no one to approach for information.

Weighing my options, I struggled to decide which direction to take. Eventually, I settled on turning left and proceeded forward. Despite my intention to inquire about the area and seek shelter, the busy individuals around me were too preoccupied to spare a moment for conversation, dismissing me outright.

Undeterred, I continued my search, scanning my surroundings until my gaze landed upon a large mirror reflecting my own image. Intrigued, I approached it and placed my hands upon the glass, observing myself dressed in a uniform. The attire consisted of a grayish red vest, a short skirt, and a small tie adorning my neck. A white shirt covered my arms, while black stockings and school shoes completed the ensemble.

As the wind tousled my long, brown hair, I once again combed it back into place. I studied my hazel eyes, thick eyebrows, and freckles that adorned my cheeks in the mirror's reflection. Placing a hand against my face, I took a step back, unable to tear my gaze away.

It struck me as peculiar, for this appearance was not how I looked before I passed away. My previous self possessed slender eyebrows, black, wavy hair, and sapphire eyes devoid of any freckles.

However, as I wore the same uniform as I did when I attended school, I averted my gaze from the mirror and scanned my surroundings once more. I was searching for any fellow student donning the same uniform, eagerly anticipating the return to the shelter of the school.

Struggling to locate these students, thunder boomed overhead once again. I glanced up at the sky, witnessing the dark clouds releasing their tears upon the world. Frustration welled up within me, causing me to sigh and furrow my brow, yet I persisted in my search for the students. Although I couldn't recall the name of the school or its location, I was resolute in reaching it before falling ill from the rain.

Come on, Elona. I need find a student who attends the same school as me. This person must be here somewhere. Anyone has to be.

I scoured every corner until my widened eyes finally caught sight of something that made me gasp in astonishment. There was my former self, engaged in conversation with another young woman who had short, orange hair. While they shielded their heads with their arms, they glanced in both directions before turning to face each other.

I couldn't believe it. I realized that I indeed traveled through time as soon as I was murdered. I had no idea when I was murdered, or what day it was at the moment. All I knew was it was time for me to find out for myself.

A smile crept across my face as the opportunity to make my way to the school had presented itself before me. Without hesitation, I observed them turning right and proceeded to run after them.

As I followed, I made certain not to draw their attention to my presence. However, I couldn't recall the details of our conversation, leaving me curious about the topic they were discussing. Unfortunately, the continuous thunder and rainfall drowned out their voices, especially since I was trailing behind them at a slight distance.

Nevertheless, my heart raced with anticipation as I finally had the chance to seek shelter. I pressed on with my journey until I abruptly halted and gazed up above me, allowing my former self and her friend to disappear from my sight.

A towering, gothic edifice loomed above me, casting a shadow over the entrance. A gateway stood adjacent to the doorway, while a scattering of bushes and trees dotted the path. I observed myself and her companion confidently passing through the gate. Inside the entrance, only a handful of students could be seen, making their way into the building.

As I turned my attention back to the open gateway, a determined expression crossed my face and I swallowed nervously to maintain my composure.

"Alright, Elona, here goes nothing," I muttered under my breath.

With that, I dashed into the building, taking in my surroundings. The room was filled with students, some standing and others seated on the sofas, engaged in lively conversations. The light orange wallpaper and the wooden reception desk seemed to curiously observe me.

A cool ambiance permeated the space, accompanied by a gentle floral scent that calmed my senses. Despite scanning the area, I couldn't spot myself or her friend anywhere. Panic began to rise within me as I realized I couldn't recall which dormitory I resided in. Determined to find myself as quickly as possible, I frantically searched every nook and cranny. My heart pounded in my chest, disbelief washing over me as I realized I had lost track of my own whereabouts. It was time to seek assistance and inquire around.