Serena frowned, confused by the complete darkness around her. It was pitch black—so dense that she couldn't even see her own hands.
"Where am I?"
she murmured softly, her voice barely audible. It trembled, wrapped in a mix of curiosity and a quiet unease.
Suddenly, without warning, a sharp pain struck her chest. Not just any pain—this was crushing, suffocating, as if all the air had been forced out of her lungs. Along with the pain came fear. Not ordinary fear. This was the kind that freezes you, paralyzing your mind and body with overwhelming panic.
Serena stepped back, then forward, then back again. She was lost. Everything felt unfamiliar, dark, and cold. Her legs moved on their own, guided by rising dread.
Panic.
Deep, suffocating panic.
Wait…
No.
This wasn't the first time Serena had felt this.
Far from it.
She had felt this very same panic when Elena—her mother—was hit by a car in a past life. The feeling was so vivid, so real, it was like an old wound ripped open again.
The fear, tangled with unbearable panic, sent her wandering aimlessly. She felt trapped in a maze without an exit.
"Where is this? Where?"
Her voice rose, desperate and anxious.
"Serena… Darian…"
Serena froze. Her eyes widened. That voice…
"MOM!! MOM!! Where are you?!"
she cried out in panic, her voice echoing in every direction.
No answer. Only terrifying silence. Serena began to run, though she had no idea where she was going. She just knew she had to find her mother.
"MOM!!"
She screamed again and again. But Elena's voice didn't return. Only the void answered.
The pain in her chest worsened. She stopped running, her body trembling. Her eyes widened as a memory surged into her awareness.
"What day is it?"
she whispered, as if hoping the universe would answer. But there was no reply. Only darkness and fear surrounding her.
Tears streamed down her face. Serena was truly terrified.
"MOM!! MOM!!"
Her sobs broke through the darkness—cries of a child unprepared for loss. Cries that tore through the empty space.
"Serena!! Serena!! Wake up!!"
Suddenly, a man's voice rang out. Urgent. Panicked.
"SERENA!!"
Serena gasped and opened her eyes. Her breath hitched like someone resurfacing after nearly drowning.
Ren, who had been trying to wake her, finally sighed in relief.
He had knocked on her bedroom door repeatedly, but got no response. Worried, he asked Rendy to fetch the spare key. And he was right—he found Serena tossing in her sleep, tears on her cheeks, gripping the bedsheet as if clinging to something that was slipping away.
Ren had panicked. Serena wouldn't wake, no matter how he called or gently shook her.
"What day is it?"
Serena asked weakly, her voice still trembling, eyes filled with panic.
Ren was taken aback but didn't show it. Calmly, he told her today's date.
Serena frowned.
"Not the date… Not the date…"
she murmured, half-talking to herself.
Ren heard her. Strange, yes—but he remained silent.
Serena reached for her phone on the bedside table. She grabbed it quickly, intending to call her mother. But before she could press anything, an incoming call appeared—from an unknown number.
Without hesitation, Serena answered.
"H-hello…"
her voice was shaking, full of anxiety.
Seconds later, tears began streaming down her face again.
"No… No way…"
she whispered, her voice filled with grief, disbelief, and shock.
Ren gently took the phone from Serena's trembling hands and stepped a few feet away, trying to understand what was happening.
"Hello,"
Ren said calmly. "Could you please explain what happened?"
He listened intently. His face tensed, but he stayed composed.
"Thank you,"
he said before ending the call.
Ren returned to Serena's side. He sat beside her, looking at her with gentle eyes.
"Serena…" he said softly.
She barely mumbled, her eyes empty, voice hoarse.
"No… It shouldn't have happened today… No…"
Ren could see she was consumed by fear. Without a second thought, he pulled her into his arms. Tightly.
"Your mom is okay,"
he whispered into her ear. "Even though her car was hit, she's not in any danger."
Serena fell silent. Her murmurs stopped.
"Really?"
she asked faintly, as if afraid it was just a false hope.
"Really. She only has a minor head injury. But she's being treated. She's safe, Serena."
Serena clung to Ren even tighter. Her sobs erupted again, louder this time, releasing all the tension and fear she had bottled up.
"Thank God… Thank God…" she cried.
Ren exhaled deeply, hugging her back.
He had never seen Serena this broken. Her fear, her tears—they tore at his heart. And that's when he realized—this wasn't just 'like.' His feelings ran far deeper than that. He truly didn't want to see her cry again. Not because of weakness, but because his love came from a place of wanting to protect her, to be the one she leaned on when her world fell apart.
And now, at this very moment… Ren wanted to be her pillar. Forever.