Chapter 6

Tanya’s POV

As I stepped into Moonlight Haven that night, a mix of anticipation and uncertainty hung in the air. The decision to leave my previous hostel, haunted by the cruel whispers and the weight of constant bullying, led me to this seemingly ordinary yet oddly inviting place.

Moonlight spilled through the windows, casting a soft glow on the worn-out carpets that crunched beneath my shoes. Little did I know that within these walls, a world untouched by ordinary rules awaited. The air buzzed with an inexplicable energy, whispering secrets that eluded my understanding.

The creaking of the old staircase echoed my apprehension as I made my way through the dimly lit corridors. The hostel seemed to hold stories in its timeworn bricks, stories I had yet to uncover. It was a moonlit beginning, a fresh start, unbeknownst to me that the ordinary facade concealed extraordinary secrets that would shape the course of my life in ways I could never have imagined.

The door groaned softly as I entered Moonlight Haven, greeted by the moon's silvery touch. The lobby, frozen in time, seemed to hold secrets in its aged embrace. Dust danced in the moonbeams, creating an ethereal spectacle.

"Welcome to Moonlight Haven," the tired yet friendly attendant at the reception desk greeted me with a warm smile, breaking the silence that clung to the air. "You must be Tanya, our newest guest."

I offered a hesitant smile, "Yes, that's me. Just looking for a quiet place to settle in."

The attendant's eyes, kind and understanding, met mine. "You've found the right haven, then. Room 203 is all yours. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you," I replied, the gratitude genuine. As I received the room key, the creaking floorboards beneath me seemed to echo the transitions of those who had come before.

As I ascended the staircase, the timeworn wood groaned beneath each step, creating a symphony of echoes that resonated with the hostel's hidden history. Moonlight spilled through stained-glass windows, casting kaleidoscopic patterns on the walls, further shrouding the space in a mystic ambiance.

Opening the door to Room 203 revealed a haven frozen in time. Vintage furniture adorned with a patina of age, faded wallpaper that seemed to hold the echoes of bygone conversations, and a creaking floor that seemed to breathe with the building itself. The moon's glow filtered through heavy curtains, casting shadows that danced across the room like silent specters.

"Home, sweet home," I murmured to myself, taking in my surroundings.

The next day being a Saturday meant I had no classes, so I decided to get familiar with my new home. In the quiet corners of Moonlight Haven, I hesitantly stepped into the common room, where the soft hum of laughter beckoned me towards a trio engrossed in conversation. Shadows danced on the walls, and the air held a palpable sense of camaraderie.

A handsome guy with brown eyes, sitting quietly with confidence, looked up as I entered, his eyes curious but welcoming. Beside him, another guy’s laughter echoed through the room, punctuating the shared stories that filled the space. A petite-looking girl, exuding warmth and kindness, completed the trio.

"Hey," the handsome guy greeted, a friendly smile softening the sunlit lines on his face. "Newcomer, right? Moonlight Haven's got a way of drawing interesting souls."

I offered a timid smile, the atmosphere shifting from unfamiliarity to a subtle connection. "Yeah, I guess I'm the newcomer. Tanya."

"Nice to meet you, Tanya," the second guy added, his laughter easing the tension. "I'm Ryan, and this is Ethan and Denise."

Denise's smile widened, her eyes reflecting genuine warmth. "Welcome to our little haven, Tanya. Moonlight has a way of making strangers into friends."

Ethan was flipping through an old book, but paused to address me, "I'm Ethan, resident book enthusiast."

I chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Nice to meet you, Ethan. I'm Tanya. So, what's the most interesting thing you've found in those old books?"

Ethan's eyes gleamed. "Oh, tales of forgotten worlds and hidden realms. It's like each page holds a secret waiting to be discovered."

Ryan, with a mischievous grin, interjected, "And this is the guy who turns reading into an adventure. By the way, I’m the mischief-maker of Moonlight Haven."

Denise, sitting with a cup of tea, laughed. "He's not wrong. Ryan has a talent for turning the most mundane moments into something fun."

Ryan leaned in, his eyes twinkling. "Life's too short for dull moments, don't you think?"

I nodded, appreciating the lively dynamic. "Absolutely. And who might you be in the trio?" I turned to Denise.

Denise grinned, "I'm the tea enthusiast and mediator of the group. If there's a dispute, I'm your go-to peacemaker."

Ethan chuckled, "She keeps us all in check. Moonlight Haven wouldn't be the same without her”.

Seated in the sunlit common room, our conversation meandered through the tapestry of our lives, weaving together the threads of our individual stories.

Ethan, his book now closed, leaned forward. "So, Tanya, what led you to Moonlight Haven? There's usually a story behind everyone's arrival."

I sighed, a mixture of relief and vulnerability. "Bullying at my old hostel became too much. Moonlight Haven seemed like a refuge, a fresh start."

Ryan nodded understandingly. "We all have our reasons for seeking solace here. It's a haven for those looking to escape something or find something new."

Denise chimed in, "It's a place where the moonlight washes away the troubles of the day, and you find kindred spirits in the night."

Ethan, with a thoughtful expression, added, "Moonlight has a way of revealing hidden truths and forging connections. It's where our stories converge."

Curiosity sparked in me. "And what about you guys? What brought you to this mystical haven?"

Ryan laughed, "Well, I came for the adventure. Moonlight Haven seemed like a place where anything could happen."

Denise sipped her tea. "I was drawn by the peaceful energy. Needed a break from the chaos outside."

Ethan's gaze drifted to the window. "For me, it was the mystery. Moonlight reveals things that sunlight often conceals."

……………

I had been staying at the hostel for a few days now, and although it seemed like an ordinary place at first glance, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. It was as if an invisible veil covered the hostel, hiding its true nature from the unassuming guests.

At first, it was merely a feeling—a lingering sense of unease that would prick at the back of my mind whenever I entered the hostel's dimly lit hallway. The flickering lights seemed to cast elongated shadows on the walls, dancing in a disconcerting rhythm. My rational mind shrugged it off as faulty wiring, but my intuition whispered otherwise.

As the days passed, tension built up, and peculiar behaviors started to manifest. I noticed that my new friends would disappear for days at a time, without a trace or any explanation. Inquiries about their whereabouts were met with vague answers upon their return. Even the front desk lady would seem unusually evasive when I questioned her. It became apparent to me that there was something more than meets the eye, and I couldn't resist uncovering the truth.

One evening, as I sat alone in the common area, the hostel's atmosphere grew noticeably colder. I shivered, wrapping my cardigan tighter around my body. But it wasn't just the temperature that sent shivers down my spine – the sounds I heard were wholly unnerving. Faint howls seemed to emanate from the walls, almost sounding exactly like the ones I heard back on campus. It had an ancient and ominous energy to it.

Curiosity mingled with caution, I decided to explore further. With each step into the labyrinthine corridors, my outer facade of confidence masked the racing of my heart. The dimly lit hallways seemed to stretch and twist, leading me deeper into the hostel's enigma. Faded paintings on the walls appeared to follow my gaze, their eyes piercing through my soul.

I reached an unmarked door, different from the others I had seen before. It beckoned to me, almost irresistibly. A foreboding silence enveloped me as I turned the knob, pushing the door open with trepidation. It led to the backyard of the haven, somewhere I had never seen before. It looked like a forest, the howls got louder as I moved further into the forest.

Shadows danced around the woods, taking shapes of familiar animals yet unfamiliar at the same time. My breath hitched as I noticed an unusually huge wolf. “This cannot be real, right? I'm probably seeing things. How big is that thing?”

As I took a step closer, the wolf seemed to radiate a strange energy, pulling me in. Before I knew it, my hand was reaching out, almost of its own accord. But just as my fingertips grazed its Auburn-colored fur, a sudden voice pierced the stillness.

"Tanya, don't," a voice whispered urgently from behind me. I jerked, spinning around to find a figure standing in the doorway. It was the hostel's owner, Ms. Grant, her face etched with concern.

"What is wrong?" I managed to stammer when she didn't give me an answer, I turned back to look at the wolf but it was gone.

With confusion edged on my features, I turned back around walking towards the back door of the haven. When I was back in I asked Ms Grant… “Why was that wolf so huge? Is that normal here? Where did it disappear to? I've never seen one that big”!! “One at a time dear,” she said. “ I don't have answers to your questions at the moment but I'm sure you'll soon find out”.

After saying this, she walked me back to my room. “Goodnight Tanya,” Ms Grant muttered. “Night” I replied to her retreating figure.

That night I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. I asked for sleep but it never came, all I could do was toss and turn all night my mind drifting to the Auburn-colored Wolf with alluring Hazel eyes.