(Just outside Coldspring Village)

  The light brought Zoe down. Slowly, she stood up, holding her head in confusion.

  She wasn’t in her bedroom.

  She wasn’t in her apartment.

  She wasn’t even in her neighborhood.

  “What the—?!” Zoe shot up, heart racing.

  Cold air bit at her skin, sending a violent shiver through her body. The wind howled, rustling the tall trees surrounding her.

  Her breath came out in shaky, misty puffs.

  She hugged herself. Why is it so damn cold? And why am I outside? Have I passed out somewhere?

  No. That didn’t make sense.

  She glanced down. Blue denim pants and a black t-shirt. The same clothes she had been wearing before—before what?

  Think.

  She had been doing her math homework when notification popped up. Did I fall asleep after?

  And then—

  There was that strange light. It had swallowed her whole to—

  Nothing.

  A blank space.

  Like her brain just skipped forward in time.

  Her stomach twisted. This wasn’t right.

  The ground beneath her was damp, covered in patches of grass and frost. The air smelled sharp and earthy, different from the humid, city air of home.

  It was quiet, unnervingly so, aside from the wind and the distant creaking of tree branches.

  Her legs felt unsteady as she took a step forward, glancing around. The darkness stretched in every direction. No streetlights, no buildings, no sign of any roads. Just some very big trees around.

  This isn’t a dream. Is it? Where am I?

  She rubbed her arms, trying to warm herself. She needed to figure this out. Maybe she had been kidnapped and dumped here.

  But if that were true, where were her kidnappers? Wouldn’t there be… something? A car, a bag over her head, restraints?

  The silence gnawed at her.

  Then, a shape in the grass caught her eye.

  A body.

  Her breath skipped. A few steps away, someone lay motionless on the ground.

  Zoe’s first instinct was to run. But her feet wouldn’t move.

  The person wasn’t dressed normally—his clothes looked old-fashioned, like something out of a historical drama. A long coat, dark layers, thick boots. A sword hung at his waist.

  Zoe swallowed hard. Who the hell carries a sword around?! Is he an actor? is this a set?

  She took a hesitant step closer, pulse hammering in her ears. “Hey… are you alive?”

  No response.

  A sharp gust of wind blew past, making her hug herself tighter. The cold was unbearable. But that wasn’t the worst part—

  The ground was uneven. Torn apart. Only now did she notice the deep cracks in the earth, the uprooted trees, the way the soil had shifted as if something huge had shaken this place not long ago.

  But that still didn’t explain why she was here. She looked back at the unconscious man.

  If he woke up, would he attack her?

  Or did he have the answers she needed?

  Zoe hesitated, then took a deep breath. She had to know.

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  She knelt down and reached out, shaking his shoulder. “Hey! Wake up!”

  The man stirred. His fingers twitched. Then, with a sharp inhale, his eyes fluttered open.

  Zoe yanked her hand back.

  The man groaned, his gaze unfocused as he slowly pushed himself upright. His breathing was uneven. He reached for his head, rubbing his temple, before blinking up at her.

  For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, at last, he spoke.

  “(*%$%^$%$#O (^&^%& %#%$%^ )()*09?”

  Zoe's mind went blank. What?!

  “What—what did you just say?” she stammered, her voice higher than intended.

  The man frowned, trying again. “(( 7% … &^* * … ^&&… ^&%^&?”

  Still gibberish.

  Well this was disappointing. She had been hoping, praying, for some kind of explanation. But whatever he was saying, she didn’t understand a single word.

  “This can’t be happening,” she muttered, running a hand through her hair. A fantasy-looking guy speaking an unknown language in the middle of an otherworldly forest?

  He stepped closer. No. No, no, no.

  Zoe immediately took a step back. “Don’t—just stay right there,” she warned, raising her hands.

  He hesitated but didn’t stop. His brows furrowed as if he was trying to help her, his hands gesturing for her to follow.

  But Zoe was done trusting this situation. “No—stay back!”

  He reached out, intent on guiding her away from the clearing—

  A surge of energy erupted from her palms.

  Bright, blue light.

  Before she could even process it, the young man was launched backward, crashing into the dirt several meters away.

  Zoe's breath caught in her throat.

  Her hands… They were glowing.

  "What—what the hell was that?!" she gasped, staring at her fingers.

  Her heart raced.

  Her hands shook.

  A shiver ran down her spine—not from the cold, but from the realization sinking into her bones.

  This wasn’t a prank.

  This wasn’t a dream.

  Maybe, I’ve been summoned… to another world? Just like those Animes my classmates have been raving about?

  Interesting.

  The boy groaned as he sat up, his face twisting in pain.

  Zoe panicked, remembering that she had just knocked out a person. “S-sorry! I’m really, really sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

  She waved her hands in apology, repeating “sorry” over and over.

  The boy glanced at her, then gave a small wave—a gesture that said it was fine.

  He exhaled and started picking up his scattered belongings—some tools, a bag, a small lantern.

  After rummaging through his things, he pulled out the lantern and lit it. A warm, light blue glow flickered to life, pushing back the darkness.

  Zoe let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

  The boy pressed his hand against his head, still looking dazed. Then, without warning—he turned and started walking away.

  Zoe tensed. Is there danger?

  She didn’t know why, but she didn’t want to be left alone.

  Panic flared in her chest, and before she could stop herself—she ran after him.

  The boy walked with purpose, scanning the ground.

  Is he looking for something?

  Zoe slowed her steps, watching as he crouched down. From beneath a pile of fallen branches, he pulled out a hat.

  He dusted it off and placed it back on his head.

  Then, finally, he turned to look at her.

  Zoe had been hugging herself tightly, shivering from head to toe.

  Well, of course she was freezing—she was wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt and jeans in what felt like subzero temperatures.

  The boy stared for a moment, then let out a small sigh.

  Without a word, he took off his coat and tossed it at her.

  Zoe flinched, catching it awkwardly.

  He motioned for her to put it on.

  She hesitated, then muttered, “Thanks… Thanks,” before slipping it over her shoulders.

  Warm.

  The coat was thick and heavy, still carrying some of his body heat. She sighed in relief, feeling her body slowly regain warmth.

  KRUUUUUKKK.

  A deep, embarrassing growl from her stomach, loud enough to trigger a reaction from him.

  Zoe went stiff.

  The boy glanced at her. His expression didn’t change, but after a second, he crouched down, rummaged through his bag, and pulled out a small loaf of bread.

  He broke it in half and handed one piece to her.

  Zoe stared at it. This bread is… hard as a rock.

  She was used to the soft, fresh bread from convenience stores back home. Sari Roti, bread that didn’t break your teeth. But this? This was ancient. How long has he been carrying this around?

  Still, food was food. Zoe took a hesitant bite.

  She chewed.

  Tried to, at least.

  The bread wouldn’t break down. She struggled for a moment before finally turning to the boy and tapping his shoulder.

  When he looked at her, she held the bread out and shook her head.

  The boy narrowed his eyes—clearly annoyed—but took the bread back and ate it himself without hesitation.

  Guess it was fine for him.

  Zoe wiped her mouth, trying to act natural. She wasn’t picky, okay? But that was just impossible.

  Then, the boy stood up again.

  This time, he gestured at her. A simple motion—"Follow me." That was Zoe's rough translation of his wave.

  Zoe hesitated.

  But what choice did she have?

  After a few seconds, she exhaled and nodded.

  She followed.

  The walk wasn’t long, but her legs felt heavy. The cold, the exhaustion, the confusion—it was all starting to wear her down.

  Then, finally—they arrived.

  It wasn’t a town.

  It wasn’t even a proper village.

  It was more like a temporary camp.

  Scattered tents and wooden structures stood on uneven, broken land. Some had collapsed, others had torn fabric flapping in the wind. Campfires burned low, and in the dim light, Zoe could see people working to fix the damage.

  It was clear—an earthquake had hit this place hard.

  And now, standing at the edge of it all, Zoe finally realized—

  As unbelievable as it was, maybe this was indeed another world.

  -