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The air was heavy with malevolence as a deep, sinister voice echoed through the gloomy room, its dark tones reverberating off the cold, stone walls. "Our target has arrived, has she?" The voice was like a rusty gate creaking in the wind, sending shivers down my spine.
The walls seemed to bellow with supernatural energy, adorned with ancient markings of dragons and carvings of people fleeing in terror, their faces contorted in perpetual fear. Above, a swirling portal pulsed with an otherworldly blue and red glow, radiating an aura of evil that seemed to seep into my very bones. A figure emerged from the shadows, its presence commanding attention like a dark magnet.
The man's long white hair cascaded down his back like a river of moonlight, framing a face that was both aged and ageless, its features etched with a deep, sinister wisdom. His skin had a vibrant, scaly quality, reminiscent of a dragon's hide, and seemed to glow with an eerie, ethereal light.
A wicked smirk twisted his lips, revealing fangs that seemed to gleam with hunger, their sharp points glinting like razor-sharp knives. His dark orange eyes burned with an inner fire, their intensity making them seem like two burning embers that threatened to consume everything in their path. "Kendra... Callus," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice as he gazed into a crystal mirror, watching my every move with an unblinking gaze.
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The soft hum of the car's engine was soothing as I sat in the backseat with Vyn's dog, Cho. The dog's cream and white fur was fluffy and immaculate, a comforting presence in the silence that filled the car like a warm, golden blanket. Mom broke the stillness, her voice calm and measured, like a gentle stream flowing through a peaceful landscape.
"Vyn, we'll be staying here for a while. I'd like to enrol Kendra in your school. I don't want to exhaust myself searching for a new school." Vyn nodded, his response reassuring, like a steady rock in a turbulent sea. "I'll speak with the principal about it."
As I gazed out the window, I realized that returning to Seoul wouldn't be the same as before. This time, I'd be living with my mom, attending the same school as my crush – and my best friend, Vyn.
The next morning, I stood outside the principal's office, my heart racing with anticipation, like a wild animal pacing in a cage. "Enter!" a sharp, feminine voice commanded, slicing through my nerves like a hot knife through butter.
I took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and stepped inside. The room was thick with tension, like a heavy fog that clung to my skin, making me feel claustrophobic. But I summoned my confidence, striding across the floor to the principal's desk, my footsteps echoing off the walls like a challenge.
A girl about my age sat in a chair, her long black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of night, its silky strands seeming to ripple and shine in the light. Her curves were enviable, like a perfectly sculpted work of art, and her smile was radiant, illuminating her entire face like a ray of sunshine.
We exchanged a silent greeting, our hands waving in unison, like two dancers performing a choreographed routine. But before we could introduce ourselves, the principal's voice cut through the air, sharp as a blade.
"Kendra Callus?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she scanned my outfit, her gaze lingering on the fire-breathing dragon brooch that adorned my jean jacket. I wore a simple blue shirt under the jacket, paired with blue jeans that seemed to fade into the background like a chameleon. The principal's expression shifted from scrutiny to amusement, her eyebrow rising in interest, like a curious cat exploring a new territory.
"Date of birth?" she asked, her tone crisp, like a freshly laundered sheet. I replied quickly, "April 23rd, 2009." A wave of relief washed over me, and for a moment, I felt like I'd been holding my breath, like a diver emerging from the depths of the ocean, gasping for air.
The principal's questions continued, each one a tiny pinprick of anxiety, like a delicate flower poking its way through the soil. Finally, she dismissed me, and I stepped out of the office, accompanied by the girl from earlier.
"Hey, Kendra! I'm Tracy," she said, her arm wrapping around mine as she led me to class. Her touch was warm and friendly, like a gentle summer breeze. "What's up?" I replied awkwardly, feeling a little overwhelmed by her friendliness as we talked for a while before getting to class.
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It had been three weeks since I returned to Seoul, and everything seemed to be falling into place. Well, almost everything. I had recently discovered that Tracy was Vyn's girlfriend, which felt like a punch to the gut. Why did it have to be her? I couldn't help but regret leaving Seoul in the first place, abandoning Vyn to navigate life on his own.
As I sat on the couch, scrolling mindlessly through my phone, I heard the click of heels on the stairs. Mom descended into the living room, resplendent in a shiny silver dress that caught the light. She looked stunning, but before I could compliment her, she executed a dramatic spin on her heel – and landed flat on her bottom.
I stifled a laugh, not wanting to embarrass her further, and rushed to help her up instead. "Mom, are you okay?" I asked, trying to hide my amusement. She smiled wryly, brushing herself off. "I'm fine but I don't want you predicting something worse in your head, understand?" Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and I nodded in agreement, intrigued by her enigmatic warning.
There was something more to her words, something I couldn't quite grasp. But I let it slide, attributing it to her quirky sense of humour. Little did I know, her words would come back to haunt me soon enough.