One

CHAPTER 1 – SILVERWOOD, MY NEW TOWN

My fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter as the sign "Welcome to Silverwood - Population 3,247" appeared ahead. Three thousand two hundred forty-seven souls. Small enough to hide in but not so small that I'd become the main topic of gossip. At least, that was my hope.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heartbeat, which had been pounding since this morning. The five-hour journey from San Francisco to this small town felt like traveling to another planet. Towering pine trees and winding, quiet roads now replaced the tall buildings and hustle and bustle of the big city.

You can do this, Aria; I tried to convince myself internally. This is a new beginning. A chance to forget...

I shook my head vigorously. No. I wouldn't think about that now. Not about Luna. Not about that night. It's not about how I failed to save her.

The blaring sound of a horn made me startle. The old blue pickup truck in front of me stopped suddenly, and I almost crashed into it. My heart pounded as I saw the reason—a golden retriever lay in the middle of the road, its body trembling and looking in pain.

Without thinking twice, I turned off the engine and got out of the car. The middle-aged man from the pickup also got out, his face pale.

"Damn, I didn't see it!" he exclaimed in panic. "The dog suddenly appeared from the bushes!"

I knelt beside the poor dog, my hand instinctively reaching out to touch its head. As my fingers touched its soft fur, an unfamiliar wave of emotions hit me—pain, fear, but also... trust? The dog looked at me with teary brown eyes as if it knew I would help.

"Shh, calm down," I whispered gently, my hand moving on its own along its body to check for injuries. "You're going to be okay."

Strangely, the dog immediately calmed down. Its panting breath began to regulate, and it even tried to lift its head to lick my hand. I could feel—truly feel—its pain beginning to subside.

"My God," the man muttered in amazement. "How did you do that? It's like... it immediately calmed down."

I ignored his question, too focused on the dog in front of me. Its hind leg was injured but not broken. Maybe just sprained. "It needs to be taken to a veterinarian. Is there a vet clinic in this town?"

"Yes, Silverwood Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Hayes is a good man. I'll take you there."

Carefully, we lifted the dog into my car. During the short trip to the clinic, I kept stroking its head, and somehow, I could feel that it would be okay. More than just hope—I truly knew.

I've had this strange ability since childhood, but lately, it's been getting stronger. Too strong. Sometimes, I could feel animals' emotions from a distance, even without touching them. Doctors said it was just honed professional intuition, but I knew it was more than that. Much more than that.

Silverwood Veterinary Clinic turned out to be a warm and inviting country-style wooden building. A weathered wooden sign hung in front, and flower pots decorated its small porch. This place felt like home, not a sterile clinic like those I usually saw in the big city.

Dr. Samuel Hayes came out to greet us—a man in his fifties with thinning gray hair and warm brown eyes behind glasses. His worn flannel shirt and genuine smile immediately made me feel comfortable.

"Aria Blackwood, right?" he greeted while helping to lift the dog from my car. "I've been waiting for you. But it looks like you started working before your official first day, huh?"

I smiled slightly. "Bad habit, I guess."

We brought the dog into the examination room. The clinic's interior was simple but complete—well-maintained medical equipment, neatly arranged medicine shelves, and photos of animals that had been treated decorated the walls. What surprised me was the collection of books about mythology and folklore arranged in the corner of the room.

"Interesting books," I commented while helping Dr. Hayes examine the dog.

He glanced at me briefly, something gleaming in his eyes. "Small towns like Silverwood have many stories, Aria. Sometimes reality and myth get mixed up. You'll understand soon enough."

There was something in his tone that made me curious, but I chose to focus on the patient in front of me. When I placed my hand on the dog's chest, I could feel its heartbeat stabilizing and its breathing becoming regular. No broken bones, just bruises and shock.

"It's going to be fine," I said with certainty.

Dr. Hayes looked at me with a strange expression—as if he could see something I didn't know about myself. "Yes, I'm sure it will be fine. You have a... special touch, Aria."

Before I could ask what he meant, the clinic door opened, and a middle-aged woman entered with a white Persian cat in her arms.

"Mrs. Henderson," Dr. Hayes greeted warmly. "How's Princess today?"

"She's stressed again, Doc," the woman complained. "She hasn't eaten for three days. I'm so worried."

Dr. Hayes glanced at me. "Aria, want to try handling your first case?"

I nodded and approached Mrs. Henderson. When I reached out toward Princess, the cat immediately backed away and hissed. But I didn't give up. Slowly, I let my aura—or whatever it was—flow out, trying to feel what Princess was feeling.

Fear. Confusion. And... loneliness?

"She misses something," I said softly. "Or someone. Has there been any change at home recently?"

Mrs. Henderson was startled. "How did you know? My husband just passed away last month. Princess was very close to him."

I reached out again, this time with very slow movements. "She knows you're sad, and that makes her sad too. Cats are very sensitive to their owner's emotions."

This time, Princess didn't back away. Instead, she sniffed my hand and then slowly approached. I gently stroked her head, and I could feel the tension in her body beginning to melt away.

"Amazing," Mrs. Henderson whispered. "She hasn't let anyone near her for weeks."

After Mrs. Henderson left with Princess, who was much calmer, Dr. Hayes looked at me with an expression I couldn't read.

"How long have you had that ability?" he asked directly.

I fell silent. "What ability?"

"Don't pretend, Aria. I've been in this field long enough to know that what you did earlier wasn't just ordinary veterinary technique."

I sighed. "Since childhood. But lately it's been getting more... intense. I can feel their emotions, sometimes even without touching. Doctors say it's just developed professional intuition."

Dr. Hayes smiled slightly. "Doctors in big cities like to give rational explanations for things they can't understand. But here, in Silverwood, we're more open to other possibilities."

Before I could ask further, the sound of a heavy car engine was heard from outside. Dr. Hayes glanced at the window, and his smile widened.

"Ah, it looks like you'll soon meet one of our most important clients."