Moving out
It was a scorching summer day, the sun hung high in the sky, showering the everyday folks with relentless heat waves that left them exasperated.
Despite this oppressive temperature, a peculiar air of anticipation enveloped an unassuming building located in the southeast direction of Georgia. A crowd had gathered, their expressions masked with seriousness, hinting at the importance of the impending event.
Among the mass of people, a bit away, a solitary figure stood under the cool shade of a tree, gazing intently at the building's entrance. It was Orpheus, a man around his 40s, who also was waiting patiently outside the building with his gaze fixated on the clock
Orpheus watched patiently, just like everyone else, waiting for the moment they all sought. It was uncertain what they anticipated, but the gravity of the situation was palpable.
"It's almost 2:00 PM," Orpheus commented silently before...
*Ding... Ding... Ding...*
Three resonant bell chimes rang as the gates of the building opened, and the crowd collectively held their breath as a group of teenagers emerged.
The faces of the students reflected a myriad of emotions - joy, disappointment, or mere indifference.
Among them, Shroud, a young man with a poker face, also exited the building, his face was impassive as ever, not betraying the outcome of whatever had transpired inside.
As Shroud stepped out, he felt an unwavering gaze fixed on him. Turning to its source, he found Orpheus, his "uncle" in this strange world he inhabited. A relationship of complicated origins, the term "uncle" never quite fit comfortably between them.
"Good afternoon, director," Shroud greeted Orpheus with a respectful nod, acknowledging the concern that brought him there.
Orpheus noticed how Shroud didn't refer to him as "uncle," but in Orpheus's head, he just believed that it was probably due to puberty or something, so he didn't mind it.
"I thought that I had informed you beforehand that your presence won't be necessary," Shroud said, reminding Orpheus about something.
"I did receive your mail, but I still felt obligated to come," Orpheus replied with his signature calm demeanour, unruffled by Shroud's apprehensions.
Hearing Orpheus's response, Shroud couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Though he did acknowledge Orpheus's concerns and appreciated his genuine worry.
"*sigh. Well, in any case, I must thank you, I really appreciate your concerns, director," Shroud said.
Orpheus nodded, seeming satisfied with Shroud's attitude before asking, "So, how did it go?"
"I must say there was quite a difference in the way that the questions were asked, but overall it went well," Shroud replied.
"You need not worry about the entrance exams, my boy. You have proven your capabilities time and again. I am sure you will pass," Orpheus reassured Shroud, whilst praising him for his academic abilities.
Their conversation veered towards the high school Shroud had applied to, with Orpheus subtly suggesting that he could pull some strings to secure a coveted spot for his "nephew."
"That will not be necessary," Shroud replied almost instantly.
"I see," Orpheus said, a bit disappointed before asking Shroud which high school he had applied to.
However, Shroud's memory failed him, and he could not recall the name of the school, having impulsively chosen the nearest exam room on a whim.
"It's in New York," Shroud finally confessed, surprising Orpheus with the choice he had made in a moment of distraction.
"New York, huh? Isn't that quite a 'faraway' place?" Orpheus asked Shroud but Shroud was indifferent to whether the place was far or not.
Unknown to Orpheus, Shroud kept a secret from him. A few hours earlier, Shroud's skill {Mystic Insight} had guided him to room number 11 inside the examination centre. A hunch told him that something fascinating would soon unfold in the city of New York.
****
The following day, Shroud reached out to Luna through their messaging platform to inform her of his relocation.
{I will be moving out}
A text message appeared on the screen. Almost immediately, a reply came in.
{I see, so you will be moving out then, senior}, This reply was from Luna, she had finally begun to socialize and not show cold holds to others around her.
{Yeah, when I went to take the entrance examination today, I randomly walked into the room closest to me, so now I have to move out}, Shroud sent a reply back to Luna.
He explained how he had 'mistakenly' selected a room that was holding the entrance examination for a different state's institute.
{Sounds just like you. So, which place are you moving into?} Luna messaged back, asking Shroud which place he would be moving to.
{New York} Shroud replied. However, after Luna had read this, there was no reply. Shroud waited, waited, and waited until it started to feel suspicious. He was about to text, but at that moment, a reply came.
{I see} After sending this reply, Luna went offline.
'Strange,' Shroud commented in his head before eventually ignoring it.
****
The next day, Shroud texted Luna to check if she was okay, but there was no reply. He tried to message her at different intervals, but it was to no avail.
After about a week of trying, there was a response, but it was not a response that was well received.
[The user has deleted the account]
Luna had deleted her Homu-Mail account without warning, leaving Shroud perplexed and unsettled.
Desiring to learn more, Shroud approached Orpheus at Dalton Junior High, inquiring about Luna's well-being.
To his surprise, however, Orpheus revealed a piece of news which was a complete shock to Shroud, Orpheus revealed that Luna had chosen to drop out a few days prior to Shroud's visit.
This piece of news caused Shroud to show a little concern about Luna's well-being but, he knew how strong the lass was so he interpreted that she was not in any physical danger.
He recalled the last time he and Luna had a conversation while texting, and he couldn't help but think that her strange actions in the past few days were because of his announcement about moving to New York.
However, looking back, the long pause before the reply and the sudden act of dropping out made Shroud think that Luna was hiding something. He just couldn't completely put a finger on what it was.
After conversing with Orpheus a bit more, Shroud returned home with a mind filled with questions and curiosity. He couldn't shake off the feeling that Luna was hiding something significant.
But he had no way to unravel the truth that was hidden. Despite his best efforts to decipher her sudden actions, the mystery lingered, clouding his thoughts like an elusive mist.
Yet, as the days passed, Shroud found himself increasingly occupied with the preparations for his move to New York. Time flew by swiftly, and before he knew it, the day of departure had arrived.
When the moving day arrived, Shroud boarded Flight B28, embarking on this new chapter of his life. As the plane took off and soared into the vast blue skies, he couldn't help but wonder what awaited him in the bustling metropolis of New York.
The journey was relatively uneventful, and soon the announcement of their arrival echoed throughout the cabin. "Flight B28 has landed safely; all passengers are hereby informed to pick up their luggage. Homu flights welcome all passengers to New York."
Stepping out of the plane, Shroud found himself surrounded by the buzzing energy of the city that never slept. The sights, sounds, and smells of New York enveloped him, creating a vibrant cacophony that both impressed and overwhelmed him.
He made his way to the baggage claim area, where a sea of travellers awaited their belongings. Amidst the crowd, he noticed fellow passengers from his flight, exchanging glances of camaraderie, acknowledging the shared journey they had just experienced.
Once he retrieved his luggage, Shroud stepped out of the airport and into the bustling cityscape of New York. Towering skyscrapers reached towards the heavens, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch infinitely into the horizon.
The vibrant city streets were teeming with people from all walks of life, each with their own unique story to tell. Shroud hailed a taxi and provided the address of his new accommodation.
As the cab sped through the labyrinth of streets, he gazed out the window, taking in the diverse neighbourhoods that painted the vibrant mosaic of New York.
Arriving at his destination, Shroud thanked the taxi driver and stepped out onto the unfamiliar sidewalk.
His new home was a quaint apartment in the heart of the city, far from the comforts of Georgia but filled with the promise of new adventures.
Over the next few weeks, Shroud settled into his new routine. He attended classes at Forest Hills High School, focusing on his studies with the same diligence and dedication that had propelled him to success in Georgia (mostly by doing things on his own).
The academic challenges were mediocre at best to him, but the atmosphere of the bustling city provided a unique new sense that kept him motivated to at least try putting in some genuine effort.
However, amidst the hustle and bustle of New York, Shroud couldn't help but think of Luna every now and then.
Her sudden disappearance continued to perplex him, leaving him with a curiosity for answers.
However, the demands of his new life in the city left him with little time to dwell on the past.
As the days turned into weeks, Shroud gradually was able to settle into this new apartment of his.
The vibrant energy of New York began to seep into his veins, and he found himself enjoying the endless opportunities and diversity the city had to offer.
Since Shroud had already earned quite a hefty amount through Veritas Bureau, he could financially support himself independently and enjoy and experience new things in the city.
Yet, despite the new experiences, Luna's mysterious disappearance lingered in the back of his mind, a lingering mystery that refused to be forgotten due to Shroud's subconscious mind always reminding him of her.
****
Unbeknownst to Shroud, somewhere in a secluded and secretive location, a lone figure stood beneath the moonlit sky. From the silhouette, one could distinguish that the figure was female.
The lone figure stood like an ethereal figure beneath the moonlit sky, her long white hair catching the gentle night breeze as if it were the very essence of moonlight itself.
Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of golden, seemed to radiate an otherworldly aura, an enchanting glow reminiscent of the celestial orb that hung above.
Her skin, as pristine and luminous as the moon's surface, exuded an unfathomable vitality, as though she held a secret connection to the cosmos.
A captivating presence enveloped her, an allure that had the power to captivate the hearts of both men and women alike. One couldn't help but be drawn to her, as if under the spell of a lunar enchantment.
There was something mysterious and alluring about her, a hidden depth that beckoned curious souls to delve into the unknown. Her presence, like the moon's ethereal light, commanded attention and respect.
As she stood there, bathed in the moon's silvery glow, she seemed like a celestial being, an embodiment of the moon itself. One could easily lose themselves in her golden gaze as if falling into the vastness of the universe.
As the woman continued to gaze at the night sky, her eyes seemed to hold a mysterious power, connecting her to the vast expanse of the cosmos.
With an almost imperceptible shift of her focus, her attention turned to the space before her. As her gaze intensified, the very fabric of reality seemed to respond.
A ripple, barely discernible to the naked eye, spread through the air. The space trembled, acknowledging the presence of a force beyond comprehension.
Within moments, strange lines began to materialize, etching themselves onto the air like an ancient script unravelling its secrets.
The lines danced in an intricate pattern, forming a mesmerizing web that seemed to connect distant worlds.
They wove in and out of existence, shifting and transforming in response to Luna's unspoken will. It was as if she were sculpting the very essence of the universe with the power of her mind.
As the figure delved deeper into this cosmic dance, the lines began to take on a life of their own. They coiled and weaved, intertwining with one another, forming a map of the world as the girl stood up from her spot. The moon shone on her face, revealing her appearance; it was Luna.
Luna observed the map, her eyes focused on a peculiar mark that materialized at the leftmost edge. The mark resembled the Roman numeral 1 and was located precisely where New York resided.
"It's about time," Luna muttered. However, unlike her usual tone, the tone in which she muttered just now had a murderous and maniacal undertone to it.
To be continued...
****
A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter and feel free to comment. Your thoughts and criticism are valuable in helping me improve and stay motivated to write more.
The first chapter of the second volume, was it good? Comment your thoughts. Total word count: 2158. On another note, should I include the word count at the end of every chapter or not? (I usually go for around 1,200 to 1,800 words because I don't want the chapter to be too long or too short, so I think around 1,600 words is perfect.)
On another note, I have begun posting this work on Scribble Hub as well, because some of my friends who read this asked me to do so. You guys can also read it on Scribble Hub, but I won't be posting my thoughts at the end of each chapter there, probably cause I am lazy.