CHAPTER 0

Where the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind. In my entire life, I used to believe that we were bound forever to those with whom we shared blood. Just like how this bond can become our greatest strength, it's the same how this would turn to betrayal.

"Ellie, come here."

"Mommy..."

"Look here, darling."

When I was a child, I grew up not knowing how dangerous the world was. Since I'm still a child at that time and have parents who're always there to protect me, I didn't bother to learn it. My life is so perfect that I even used to think that I was living in a fairytale, but one accident changed my life forever.

"Mommy, are you okay?" She approaches her mother, who is crying on the floor.

"YOU, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!" The woman shouted at her daughter.

The people inside began to chatter.

"Did you hear that?" The lady in gray said.

"Yeah. It's her, Grendel's cursed lady," the old man said.

"That's not true!" Ellie ran outside.

(Stop. Stop. I hate hearing those words. It's not my fault.)

...

Just like that, my life crumbled into pieces. I thought there's no way I can recover, but I saw a color once again when I met them. They're my only light in this dark world.

"Ellie, let's play."

"Coming."

We grew up together, and we hide no secret from each other.

"I like you. Please don't leave."

"I already have someone in my heart."

(So this is how it feels to get rejected by someone you love. I don't understand. In the end, you still choose her over me.)

"I'm sorry."

*DRIP*

The tears won't stop pouring.

(Huh? Tears. Why am I crying?)

*SOB*

(No, you shouldn't see me in this situation.) Ellie ran away.

[LIBRARY]

I knew this would happen; I shouldn't tell him. Then, and now, he only loves her. I wish I had never met him. Ellie looked up when she saw a book with a unique design.

"That book." She grabbed the book and sat down to read it.

"Ophelia's Paradise." It must be a new novel put out by the new librarian. I should give it a try.

What the hell is this? This story...

Ellie was shocked by the book's contents; she borrowed the book and went to Lilia's house.

...

*HUFF* *HUFF* 

She ran to Lilia's home.

"LILIA, CESSAIR, you must see this!"

*KNOCK* *KNOCK*

She knocked on the door, but no one was answering.

(Huh?)

*CREAK* 

The door opened.

(Did they forget to lock the door?)

"The furniture's gone!" They left me...

(Ellie entered the house and saw no sign of life, as if no one had lived there for years.) Is it impossible that it's empty?

...

*SNIFF* *SOB*

"Mother..."

My mother died just like she died in the novel. Lilia and Cessair are nowhere to be found. That book... If it's true, then will I die too?

...

"LILIA! CESSAIR!" I can't find them.

She's trembling as she calls her friend's name.

(That!)

She sees a familiar figure.

"Lilia, please wake up."

As soon as she saw Lilia's body, she couldn't help but to cry.

"Don't cry. I'm sorry for abandoning you." In her final breath, Lilia apologizes to Ellie for being such a bad friend.

"It's okay." She held her friend's lifeless body and cried.

(Why? It's all the author's fault.)

"Just why?"

( Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?)

Ellie lost her sanity and destroyed everything.

"Stop!" The man came in to stop Ellie from rampaging.

"I'm tired," she said.

"You, if it's true that this is inside the novel, maybe we can change it and find the main source of this tragedy. Let's find the author together!" He suggested.

"This is crazy, but I'll torture that bastard, whoever she or he is," she swears.

(Try your best to hide, but I'll find you and destroy you. Even if I have to cross dimensions just to find you.)