It had been seven days since Alice had disappeared.
Seven days without seeing her on campus, without a glimpse of that solitary figure on the garden bench. Classes no longer mattered. Kara spent her time trying to find her, she asked classmates, searched hallways, even waited at the library. Nothing.
When the sun began to set that night, she made a decision.
If Alice wouldn't come to her, she would go to Alice.
The path to the clearing was quieter than the last time. The air carried a cold, metallic scent that made Kara shiver. When she arrived, the moonlight illuminated the center of the open space, but Alice wasn't there.
She took a few hesitant steps, scanning the darkness between the trees.
"Alice!?" she called, her voice breaking the silence.
"I know you're here… or at least you were."
A soft laugh echoed behind her. Kara spun around quickly, her heart racing.
A woman emerged from the shadows, tall, with blond hair that reflected the silver glow of the moon, and a gentle smile... too gentle.
"You're not Alice," Kara said, trying to mask her tension.
"No." The stranger took a step forward.
"But I see you know her. My name is Rose, a pleasure to meet you. And you must be Kara."
"How do you know my name?" Kara took half a step back.
"Alice talks about you." Rose tilted her head slightly, as if studying every reaction she made.
"And I can see why. You have… a delicious scent."
The way she said it sent a strange chill down Kara's spine.
Rose moved closer, slowly, like a predator amused by its own game.
"No need to be afraid," she said, her smile unwavering.
"I don't bite, unless you want me to."
Kara realized too late the red gleam in her eyes, and when Rose let her fangs show, the world seemed to slow down.
Rose leaned so close that Kara felt a shiver run through her body, the woman's breath brushing her neck before she suddenly lunged forward.
But before she could touch her, a shadow crossed the space between them.
Alice.
The impact was so fast that Kara barely followed it. Rose stepped back a few paces, laughing, as if amused.
"Ah, little sister…" Rose said, fixing her hair as though nothing had happened.
"Always playing the heroine."
Kara blinked, confused.
"Sister?"
Alice stayed in front of Kara, her body tense.
"Leave, Rose."
"As you wish." Rose cast one last look at Kara, her lips curving into an almost knowing smile.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, dear. I'm sure we'll see each other again."
And then she vanished into the night, light and swift as a whisper.
Kara took a step forward, still trying to process everything.
"She… she's your sister?"
Alice closed her eyes for a moment, as if carrying an old burden.
"Yes. But not the kind of family you'd want to meet."
Silence hung heavy between them, filled with questions Kara wanted to ask but didn't know how.
Alice only said, "I warned you this world isn't safe."
Kara didn't care and stepped toward her, wrapping Alice in a tight hug, expressing her relief at seeing her again.
"I thought I'd never see you again," Kara said, sighing with a smile on her face.
Alice hesitated, but then returned the embrace, quietly glad for the girl's warmth.
"It's good to see you again, you stubborn girl," Alice replied, as if releasing a breath she'd been holding for too long.
For Kara, after that night, the desire to stay by Alice's side only grew, fueled by all the mystery that surrounded them both.