Chapter 1: The First Encounter

Aiden’s Ordinary Life

The morning sun painted the sleepy town of Ravenshade in soft gold, its light barely cutting through the dense fog rolling in from the nearby forest. It was the kind of town where nothing ever happened, where everyone knew everyone, and where the most exciting event of the year was the autumn festival.

Aiden Carter had lived here his whole life. At eighteen, he was just another student at Ravenshade High, counting down the days until graduation. His routine was simple—school, work at his uncle’s bookstore, and late-night gaming. He had friends but never felt like he truly belonged. There was a restlessness inside him, a feeling that something bigger was out there, waiting for him.

That morning, as Aiden walked to school, he noticed a moving truck parked in front of an old, abandoned house at the end of Maple Street. The house had been empty for years, wrapped in town rumors of ghosts and misfortune.

A girl stood by the truck, watching the workers carry in furniture. She wasn’t like the others in Ravenshade—her long, jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her pale skin seemed untouched by the sun. Dressed in a dark hoodie and ripped jeans, she had an air of mystery that sent a ripple through Aiden’s curiosity.

Then, she turned, and their eyes met.

For a moment, time stilled. Her eyes, a shade of deep violet he had never seen before, held a strange sadness, as if she carried the weight of a thousand secrets. Aiden felt something stir in his chest—something unfamiliar and electric.

She quickly looked away and disappeared inside the house.

Later that day, at school, Aiden was surprised to see the same girl sitting alone in the back of his literature class. The teacher introduced her as Evelyn Moore, a transfer student from a distant city.

Most students whispered about her, but Evelyn ignored them, keeping her gaze fixed on the book in front of her. Something about her intrigued Aiden. It wasn’t just her beauty—it was the way she seemed… out of place.

When the teacher assigned a partner project on Gothic literature, Aiden’s name was called with hers. He glanced at her, unsure of what to expect.

As he approached her desk, Evelyn barely acknowledged him.

“Hey,” Aiden said, setting his books down. “Guess we’re partners.”

Evelyn’s violet eyes flickered to his before she nodded. “Looks like it.”

Her voice was soft yet carried an edge, like she was used to keeping people at a distance.

Aiden hesitated, then smiled. “So, do you actually like Gothic literature, or are we just suffering through this?”

For the first time, a ghost of a smile touched her lips. “Maybe a little of both.”

There was something in her voice—melancholy, intrigue. Aiden knew, in that moment, that Evelyn Moore was no ordinary girl.

And he was going to find out why this Happened.

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