Mom grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the exit. Luckily, we were already near the doors.
When it finally stopped, we stood outside. Shaken but unharmed.
I looked back at the building. Cracks split across the walls. Pieces had fallen. But it hadn't collapsed.
Are you okay, Gehan? Are you hurt? Mom asked, checking my arms and shoulders.
I'm fine, I said, though my voice shook. What happened? That light… did you see it too?
Yes, she whispered, still staring up at the sky.
We walked slowly, trying to process what had just happened.
Then I saw it.
Something was crawling out of a crack in the ground.
It looked like it was made of mud thick, shifting, As it dragged itself toward the crowd, it didn't sound like splashing water.
It sounded like wet meat hitting the pavement. And the smell. it wasn't just earth; it was the smell of something that had been buried and forgotten for a thousand years.
Before it could reach anyone, a group of people in maroon robes appeared out of nowhere.
They moved too fast.
They attacked the creature, and it didn't stand a chance.
Mom, did you see that? I asked, stunned.
She didn't answer. She just tightened her grip on my hand.
We need to go, she said quietly. Something's not right.
As she pulled me away, I glanced back.
The robed figures were approaching other people now.
One by one, they touched people's foreheads.
And each person collapsed.
My heart began pounding.
Why are they doing that?
Then one of the robed figures turned and looked straight at me.
He raised his hand.
And pointed.
Suddenly, all of them turned toward us.
Then they started running.
Mom, we need to move! Faster! I shouted.
I know, she said, gripping my hand tightly. But you can't run for long, remember your asthma.
We ran anyway.
But before we could get far, they appeared in front of us.
Out of nowhere.
Oh my God… how are they already here? I gasped.
Before Mom could react
She collapsed.
Mom!! I dropped to my knees, catching her before she hit the ground. Wake up! Please
we need to go!
My voice shook. Fear swallowed me whole.
The robed figures stepped closer.
They reached toward me.
And everything went black.
I woke up tied to a chair.
I woke up tied to a chair, the rough cord biting into my wrists.
The room was a tomb
dead silent, cold, and smelling of damp concrete. My lungs felt small, like they were collapsing under the weight of the darkness.
Hey! I yelled. My voice sounded thin, rattling in the back of my throat. I fought the ropes, but the chair just creaked mockingly beneath me.
Panic is a poison for an asthmatic.
I felt that familiar, sharp tightening in my chest. Calm down, I told myself, staring up at the single, flickering lightbulb above my head. In. Out. Don't let them hear you wheeze.
Was Mom here too?
I looked around quickly.
Relief rushed through me when I saw no sign of her.
Just shadows.
The room was small and suffocating. A single bulb hung above my head, casting harsh light on me while everything else stayed swallowed in darkness.
My heart pounded in my ears.
I couldn't breathe.
Calm down, I told myself. Slow breaths. You've done this before.
I forced air in.
Out.
Slowly.
Then I heard footsteps.
A figure in a maroon robe stepped into the light. I couldn't see their face. A mask hid it beneath the hood.
Are you afraid now? the figure asked coldly. You were full of yourself the last time we saw you.
What are you talking about? I don't even know any of you! I snapped.
Shut your mouth, you worthless brat.
The figure raised a gun and aimed it at me.
A gun?
I thought they used magic.
Go on, shoot me then!I shot back. What happened to all your mysterious powers? Now you're pointing a gun like some coward? Magicless bastard!
You little!!!
Slap
He struck me across the face.
Pain exploded in my jaw.
My head snapped to the side, the room spinning.
You really are full of yourself, he growled.
Do you even remember what you did to us? To your family?
Family??I spat. I don't remember having a bunch of lunatics for family.
He lifted his hand again
But the door burst open.
Enough! another robed figure barked, stepping in. Their voice was calm, but commanding. Stop hitting her.
They turned to the first one.
Her aura has changed. There are still traces of darkness faint particles but nothing we can fully track.
You know we can't kill her. No matter what she's done… she's part of our family.
And we need her.
My head spun.
What family are you even talking about? I snapped. I fainted. I went missing.
Now I've been kidnapped by a cult in Halloween costumes. Can we stop this madness for one second?
Before anyone could respond
Boom.
The room shook.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
An explosion.
Close.
Very close.
The robed figures froze.
Then another blast.
This time the door.
They shouted in panic.
How did someone get in? This place is heavily guarded!
Chaos erupted.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Shouting.
Crashing.
Then
Silence.
Slowly, I opened my eyes.
Everyone in the room was lying on the floor.
Unconscious.
What the…? I whispered.
There was no sign of anyone else.
Then
Hey.
The voice came from behind me.
I whipped around.
What the heck?!
A young man stood there, calm like none of this mattered.
His eyes were golden. Almost glowing. Dark blue hair brushed his neck. A tattoo curled along his forearm beneath his sleeve.
You appear to have been kidnapped by a cult, he said casually.
Yeah. Clearly, I muttered.
Do you need my help? he asked, smiling slightly.
I stared at him for a second, still stunned.
Yes… if you don't mind.
Who are you? I asked. Why are you here?
I'm a treasure hunter, he replied smoothly. I'm here to reclaim an artifact said to increase one's power. Or mana.
He glanced at me.
Name's Nikolai. And you are?
I'm Gehan.
He walked over and untied me without another word.
Once I was free, he turned toward the door.
Wait
Well, I'm leaving, Gehan. Let's meet again soon.
And then he jumped out the window.
I rushed over, my heart racing.
There was nothing outside.
No body. No shadow.
Just an empty street.
Night had already fallen.
We were on the second floor.
How the hell did he just vanish like that?
Then I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my breathing. Not too loud, Gehan.
Come on. I told myself to stay calm. I just got back after going missing, and I don't even remember where I went... and now I've been kidnapped.
I checked my pockets, my fingers brushing against plastic.
I pulled out my lip tint and my Bluetooth earphones. And my inhaler No phone. No money.
How was I even supposed to get out of here?!
With trembling hands, I applied the light pink
reddish tint. I need a little color, I thought bitterly. I don't want to look too pale if I'm about to be killed.
I had just tucked the tint away when
I heard hurried footsteps in the hallway.