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1. MOVING SHADOW

Caelan stood by the large bay window of his mansion, his gaze drifting over the snowy landscape that blanketed the town of Brookhaven. The snow fell softly, like a cascade of tiny diamonds, transforming the streets into a shimmering winter wonderland. The mansion, with its old-world charm and intricate stonework, seemed to glow with a warm, golden light against the cold backdrop.

Despite the warmth of his surroundings, he shivered slightly. The chill from the window reminded him of the biting cold outside, and he turned to adjust the thermostat. With a few clicks, he turned on the heater, watching as the temperature gauge slowly climbed. A soft hum filled the room as the heater began its work, sending a gentle wave of warmth through the mansion's grand, yet somewhat drafty, halls.

As Caelan sipped his hot coffee, its rich aroma mingling with the faint scent of cedar from the logs crackling in the fireplace, his eyes wandered back to the view outside. The condo across the street, a modern building that contrasted sharply with his own antiquated home, drew his attention. Snow had begun to cling to its sleek glass windows, and he noticed something peculiar—a shifting of shadows within one of the units.

He squinted, trying to discern what was causing the movement. The shadows seemed to dance and flicker erratically, as if something or someone was moving about with unusual haste. Caelan frowned, a sense of unease prickling at the back of his mind. His instincts told him that something was amiss, but he couldn’t quite place the feeling. He sighed, setting his coffee cup down on the mahogany table and draping his overcoat over his shoulders.

His curiosity, and perhaps a sense of duty, propelled him into action. He had seen this condo many times but had never had reason to investigate its occupants. Today, however, something compelled him to take a closer look. With the snow falling gently, Caelan wrapped his coat tightly around himself, bracing against the cold as he exited his mansion and stepped into the snowy street.

The brisk air hit him immediately, a sharp contrast to the warmth he had just left. The snow crunched under his boots with each step as he made his way toward the bookstore across from the condo. The store, a cozy haven filled with the scent of old paper and fresh ink, had always been a source of solace for him. Today, he had another reason for his visit—he needed to get his hands on the latest fantasy novel that had just hit the market.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door of the bookstore, Caelan was greeted by the familiar, comforting sight of rows upon rows of books. The warm light from the overhead lamps cast a soft glow over the polished wooden shelves, and the air was filled with the gentle rustle of pages being turned and the quiet hum of the shop's heater.

He made his way to the fantasy section, his eyes scanning the new arrivals. His heart quickened as he spotted the latest release, its cover adorned with intricate artwork of mythical creatures and enchanted landscapes. He reached out and picked up the book, its glossy cover catching the light. The title, “The Chronicles of Aeloria,” seemed to call to him, promising an escape into a world of magic and adventure.

As he turned to head to the checkout counter, his thoughts drifted back to the condo. The shadows he had seen earlier still intrigued him. There was something about the movement that seemed almost… deliberate. He resolved to find out more, but for now, he allowed himself a small distraction. He purchased the book and tucked it under his arm, heading back out into the cold.

As he retraced his steps to his mansion, Caelan couldn't shake the feeling that the day held more than just snowfall and new books. There was an undercurrent of mystery in the air, and he intended to uncover it. With a last glance at the condo, he entered his mansion, the warmth and comfort of his home wrapping around him once again.

He settled into his favorite armchair by the fireplace, the newly purchased book in hand. As he began to read, the artificial fire crackling softly beside him, he couldn't help but wonder if the story within the pages might offer some clue to the shifting shadows he had observed.

~☆~

Caelan's POV

It was another day, but a new month, a new day with the same feelings of yesterday lingering behind. My fingers softly caressed the edges of the book I chose to read. Fantasy, I still love her. Even after everything was destroyed. Loving her is like loving a fire; close yet far. Leaving me desperate for her touch. I wish I could save her, but back then I was just a helpless spirit, put under a spell and confined within a book for years. Now, I have finally transformed into a new human.

My eyes fell on my reflection on the glass table, always young. I was always young. I never aged, perhaps because I was safely kept in my own house.

The grief reflected in my grey eyes, just like the falling snow outside. I could only wish.

The shrill ringtone of my phone startled me, pulling me from my reverie. I regretted picking up the phone as I was showered with grumbling voices and complaints.

"Sir, please kick out your assistant A. He always makes me do work as if I am his servant!" The static grew more pronounced as I could hear them fighting over the mobile to talk.

"This, your assistant B, rarely picks up a pen and is complaining about this little work. This is all your fault; why did you have to hire such a lazy person?"

Author's POV

"Yah, who are you calling a lazy person? You are a lazy person, your whole clan is lazy." Will yelled at Hope, who just huffed out a heavy breath.

"You are calling us lazy, wait, let me call mom and tell her!" Hope threatened him, making him run at her and throw the file as she held the phone in her hand like a weapon.

All the papers flew out of the file, showering on them like snow.

"Did you call to witness your other nonsense drama?" Caelan grumbled under his breath as he sighed aloud, making Will and Hope freeze in their spots.

"No, not for that. The head of the HR department wants to discuss something with you." Hope cleared her throat and passed on the information, her fingers curling around the telephone wire as she signaled Will to gather the papers they had scattered during their banter.

"I will be there in the evening." Caelan hung up, making Hope open her mouth to protest, but she just stared at Will with her mouth agape.

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