The mysterious letter

Prologue

The scent of roses lingered in the cold midnight air. A single black petal fluttered down onto the cobblestone path, glistening under the dim streetlights. Sora tightened her coat around her trembling frame, her heart pounding as she stared at the bouquet placed on her doorstep.

Midnight roses. Again.

A shadow moved in the distance. Someone was watching.

"Who are you?" she whispered, but the night swallowed her voice.

Little did she know, this was only the beginning of a mystery that would change her life forever.

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Episode 1: The Mysterious Letter

The clock struck midnight. The streets of Seoul were unusually quiet, bathed in the eerie glow of streetlights. The air smelled of rain, and a soft breeze carried the faint scent of roses—roses that did not belong in the city.

Sora leaned against the window of her small apartment, staring at the dark sky. Her life had always been ordinary—college, work, and a routine that never changed. But tonight, something felt different. The silence outside wasn't comforting; it was unsettling.

Her phone buzzed. A message. Unknown number.

"Check your doorstep."

A chill ran down her spine. Who would text her at this hour? She hesitated before walking toward the door. Taking a deep breath, she unlocked it and peeked outside. The hallway was empty.

Then, her eyes fell on it.

A single black envelope, sealed with wax in the shape of a rose.

Sora picked it up cautiously and stepped back inside, locking the door. She sat at her desk, her fingers tracing the seal before breaking it. The letter inside was written in elegant, old-fashioned handwriting.

"Welcome to the game, sora. Midnight is only the beginning."

Her heart pounded. What game? Who sent this? Her hands trembled as she checked the envelope again, but there was no sender, no clue.

Suddenly, a knock echoed through her apartment.

She froze. The letter slipped from her fingers.

Knock. Knock.

Slowly, she turned toward the door, her mind racing. Should she open it? Call someone? But before she could decide, a deep voice spoke from the other side.

"Sora, don't be afraid."

She knew that voice.

Raven.

Her childhood friend, the boy who had vanished three years ago without a trace.

She rushed to open the door, but the hallway was empty. Only a single black rose lay on the ground, its petals glistening under the dim light.

Sora's breath hitched.

Raven was back. But why now? And what did this letter mean?

As she picked up the rose, a whisper seemed to echo through the empty hallway.

"Midnight Roses never fade…"

A shiver ran down her spine.

She quickly stepped back inside and locked the door, her mind in turmoil. Her hands shook as she reread the letter. Was this a joke? Or was someone watching her?

She checked her phone, trying to call Raven’s old number, but it was still disconnected—just like it had been for the past three years.

Sitting on her bed, she clutched the black rose in her hand. Its petals felt oddly cold. Her instincts screamed at her that this wasn’t a coincidence. The scent of roses still lingered in the air, stronger than before.

Somewhere in the distance, church bells rang. Midnight had passed, but the night was far from over.

This was just the beginning.

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