Ariana looked at her simple blue dress in the mirror. It was the nicest one she owned. The fabric felt rough compared to the elegant gowns the other girls wore, but it was all she had.

A knock at her door shifted her attention from her reflection in the mirror to the door.

"Are you ready for your first night out?" Valerie said from the doorway.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Ariana replied, opening the door.

Valerie looked beautiful in the red dress that complemented her glowing skin. "You look lovely," Valerie complimented.

"Not as beautiful as you," Ariana said.

"Oh come on. That’s nonsense! Those beautiful eyes of yours are going to catch some hearts tonight. Come on, don't think like that." Valerie replied.

Ariana acknowledged her with a smile.

“Now let’s go and have some fun.’’ Valerie said, taking her arm.

The girls walked through the darkening streets of Oaks Haven. Gas lamps illuminated the streets dimly, casting long shadows as they walked. Ariana couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched.

"Is it always this... scary at night?" she asked.

Valerie laughed. "You’ll soon get used to it. Oaks Haven has its secrets and mysteries. Some even say the town was built on ancient burial grounds."

"Now that’s strange," Ariana said.

"Don't worry. The only danger at the party tonight is my brother's terrible flirting."

When they arrived at the mannight, Ariana noticed that it was between two large buildings. A wooden sign bearing a wolf howling at a full moon was above the door.

"That sign is strange for a tavern," Ariana commented.

"Well it’s a local legend," Valerie explained. "It’s something about wolves in the surrounding forest. Nobody goes there after dark."

When they got into the tavern it was filled with students. The air was filled with smoke from the pipe students were smoking and loud laughter. Blake sighted them from across the room and waved to them to come to his table.

"Ladies! You made it!" he shouted over the loud noise.

Blake wasn't alone at the table. Three other young men sat with him, all were eyeing Ariana with interest.

Blake noticed and introduced Ariana to the trio watching her hungry hawk.

"Meet my friends from my mathematics course," Blake explained, introducing them.

"They were dying to meet the mysterious new girl." Blake whispered to Ariana.

Ariana blushed as they all greeted her warmly. She had never had this much attention from guys before.

"Drink?" Blake offered, pushing a mug toward her.

"I’ll take apple cider for me," Ariana said, avoiding drinking any strong drink.

As the party went on, Ariana found herself enjoying the company. The tavern was lively, with music playing and people dancing. For the first time since she arrived in Oaks Haven, she felt like she belonged.

"Will you do me the honour of dancing with me?" one of Blake's friends asked, extending his hand.

Before Ariana could answer, the tavern door opened, a wave of cold wind swept through the room. Loud conversations went silent hushed as a tall figure.

"That’s Professor Vulkar," Valerie whispered to Ariana.

Ariana’s heart skipped a beat. The man was tall with handsome facial features,deep blue eyes, and a demeanor that commanded attention. He wore a dark coat and his presence seemed to lower the temperature of the room.

"It is very rare to see him here," Blake said.

“Maybe he is here for a drink, you know, to relax. Same reason we are here.’’ Valerie replied.

Blake shrugged his shoulders in response to Valerie’s reply.

Professor Vulkar’s eyes scanned the room, his eyes fell temporarily on the table where Ariana was seated. However, he wasn’t looking at Ariana specifically.

Cold chills ran through Ariana’s spine. For a moment, she could have sworn she saw his eyes flash like lightning.

"Does he always stare at people like that?" Ariana whispered.

"Only at pretty new students, I guess," Blake teased her.

The professor walked to the bar, talked with the barkeeper for a brief moment, and then sat at a corner table alone.

"What did you say he teaches again?" Ariana asked, unable to stop staring at him.

"History," Valerie answered. " He teaches topics around ancient civilizations and folklore. They say he knows more about this town's history than even the elders."

"Hmmm, interesting," Ariana said.

Blake looked at Ariana and noticed her face showed she had a mischievous brewing in her head.

"Don't even think about it," Blake warned her jokingly. "He is never friendly with students."

"I wasn't….." Ariana protested. The loud noise from the crashing of one the tavern’s large canine sculptures into pieces frightened them.

Silence filled the room.

Professor Vulkar stood up from his seat, his face rigid. He looked at the broken sculpture, then at Ariana. This time, she was sure. He looked at her like he knew her from somewhere.

"That’s strange," the barkeeper said, as he examined the broken sculpture. "That decoration has been there for over twenty years."

Professor Vulkar didn’t utter a word. Instead, he placed some coins on his table and walked toward the exit. As he passed their table, he stopped briefly.

"Miss Rae," he said, his voice deep and hoarse "Welcome to Oaks Haven."

Ariana's as beyond shocked. "How do you know my name?"

But he was already gone, the noise of the tavern was the only proof of his presence.

"That was weird," Blake said, breaking the silence. "He doesn't even know my name, and I've been in his class for a whole semester."

"Maybe your aunt wrote to inform the faculty of your arrival?" Valerie said

"Maybe," Ariana agreed, but she doubted it.

The party continued, but Ariana's thoughts kept returning to Professor Vulkar and the strange connection she felt when their eyes met.

She tried to ignore it, but it persisted. She shifted her thoughts to her new friends and the new adventures Oaks Haven held.

Later that night, as she and Valerie walked back to the dormitory under a nearly full moon, Ariana noticed something like a tall shadow across the street. She tried to strain her eyes to see the shape, but it was too fast.

"Did you see that?" she asked Valerie.

"See what?" Valerie was clueless.

"Nothing, it’s probably just my imagination."

As they reached the dormitory, Ariana looked behind them one last time.

That was when she saw it. A tall figure, watching them.

"Is everything alright?" Valerie asked, noticing Ariana was distracted.

"Yes," Ariana lied, as they entered the dorm. "I guess I am just tired."