Chapter 1 : Normal life

The first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow into Rohan's room. With a groggy yawn, he stirred from his slumber, blinking away the remnants of sleep as he glanced at the clock. 6:00 am.

Today was like any other school day for Rohan. With practiced efficiency, he got dressed and grabbed his backpack, ready to head out the door. Living alone in the small apartment his parents had left him while they were abroad, Rohan had grown accustomed to the solitude of his mornings. The quietude of the empty apartment filled him with a sense of independence and responsibility, a far cry from the bustling family home he had known before.

Rohan ran a hand through his jet-black hair, taming the unruly strands that fell across his forehead, and glanced at his reflection in the mirror. His brown eyes gazed back at him, filled with determination and a hint of curiosity for the day ahead.

He donned his school uniform, consisting of a crisp white shirt and black pants, paired with a neatly tied red tie around his collar. As he stepped outside, the morning breeze caught the tie, causing it to flutter gently in the wind as he made his way to the driveway where his trusty bicycle awaited him.

His trusty bicycle, with its sleek black frame, gleamed in the morning light. Vibrant rims of red added a touch of flair to its appearance. With a determined stride, Rohan mounted his bicycle and pedaled down the silent streets, the gentle hum of the morning city gradually coming to life around him.

As he rode, the wind tugged at his red tie, causing it to sway gracefully behind him like a banner of determination and resolve. Rohan couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration as he navigated the familiar streets, the rhythm of his pedaling setting the pace for the day ahead.

As he approached the gates of Light End High School, Rohan spotted a figure up ahead. It was Akio, his friend since childhood, walking briskly with a backpack slung over his shoulder.

"Hey, Akio!" Rohan called out, steering his bike closer to his friend. "Heading to school?"

Akio turned, a small smile gracing his lips as he nodded. "Yeah, just like every other day."

Rohan slowed his bike to match Akio's pace, falling into step beside him. The two friends exchanged casual conversation as they made their way towards the school, the morning sunlight dappling the sidewalks with a warm, golden hue.

Despite the early hour, there was a sense of camaraderie and comfort in their shared journey, a reminder that even the simplest moments could hold the promise of friendship and adventure.

As they entered the school gates, the morning announcements echoed through the corridors. Rohan and Akio made their way to their first class, Mathematics, where their teacher, Mr. Lojis, was waiting at the front of the room.

"Good morning, class," Mr. Lojis greeted with a warm smile. "As we begin the new academic year, I have the pleasure of introducing a new student joining us today."

All eyes turned to the doorway as a figure stepped into the room. She was strikingly beautiful, with ethereal white hair cascading down her back and piercing purple eyes that seemed to shimmer in the light.

"This is Lara," Mr. Lojis continued, gesturing to the new arrival. "She's just transferred here from Takis, a foreign country. Let's give her a warm welcome."

Lara smiled graciously at the class, her voice gentle yet confident as she spoke. "Hello, everyone. My name is Lara. I've recently moved here, and I'm excited to meet all of you. I hope we can become good friends."

As Mr. Lojis instructed Lara to find a seat, there was an empty space beside Akio. Without hesitation, she made her way over and took the seat, her presence seeming to cast a spell over the entire classroom.

Behind Akio sat Rohan, who couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy and unease at the sight of Lara sitting beside his friend. Akio felt the intensity of Rohan's stare, a silent warning that sent a chill down his spine.

As the class continued, Akio couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, his mind racing with thoughts of what might happen when the bell rang. "I must run when the bell rings or I am good as dead," he thought to himself, his heart pounding with apprehension.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the class and the beginning of break time. With a sense of relief, Akio got up from his seat, eager to put some distance between himself and the unsettling atmosphere of the classroom.

But before he could make his escape, Rohan's hand landed firmly on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Akio turned to face his friend, a knot of apprehension forming in the pit of his stomach as he met Rohan's gaze.

With a strange smile playing on his lips, Rohan spoke in a hushed tone. "Akio, come with me to the boys' restroom."

Akio's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected request, his mind racing with questions and uncertainty. But there was something in Rohan's expression that made it clear this was not a suggestion to be taken lightly.

Swallowing hard, Akio nodded silently, following Rohan out of the classroom and down the empty hallway towards the restroom.

They entered the restroom, the faint sound of running water echoing off the tiled walls. Akio couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he followed Rohan into the dimly lit room, the air heavy with the scent of disinfectant.

"Is everything okay, Rohan?" Akio ventured, his voice tinged with concern.

Rohan turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "There's no problem," he replied cryptically, his gaze intense as he locked eyes with Akio. "But tell me, did you notice anything unusual about her?"

Akio furrowed his brow in confusion. "You mean Lara? Well, she's from a foreign country..."

"Not that, you idiot," Rohan interrupted, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "I'm talking about something mysterious or unusual that I felt when I looked into her eyes."

Akio's eyes widened in surprise at the intensity of Rohan's words. "Are you saying you fell for her? Love at first sight?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Rohan's grip tightened on the edge of the sink, his knuckles turning white with anger. "Maybe yes, but that isn't what I'm talking about. It's different," he muttered through clenched teeth, his voice barely above a whisper.

Before Akio could respond, the shrill sound of the bell pierced the air, signaling the end of the break and the start of their next class.

"Leave it," Akio said quickly, eager to change the subject and diffuse the tension. "I didn't notice anything unusual. Let's just go to class. You know how Mr. Hasan gets when we're late for History."

With a nod of agreement, Rohan followed Akio out of the restroom and back into the bustling hallway, their brief encounter leaving a lingering sense of curiosity and uncertainty in its wake.

As they entered the History classroom, Mr. Hasan shot them a disapproving glance, but said nothing as they took their seats. The lesson passed in a blur of dates and events, Rohan's mind drifting back to Lara and the inexplicable feeling that had stirred within him at their first meeting.

When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Rohan lingered behind in the classroom, lost in thought. Akio, noticing his friend's preoccupation, approached him with a concerned expression.

"Hey, Rohan, are you alright?" he asked, placing a hand on Rohan's shoulder.

Rohan shook his head, snapping out of his reverie. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about something."

Akio studied him for a moment, then nodded understandingly. "Well, whatever it is, you know you can talk to me about it, right?"

Rohan offered him a grateful smile. "Thanks, Akio. I appreciate it."

Together, they left the classroom and made their way out of the school, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the pavement. As they walked, Rohan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, a sense of unease settling over him like a shroud.

But try as he might, he couldn't shake the memory of Lara's piercing purple eyes, or the inexplicable sense of connection he felt when they had locked gazes. Something told him that their encounter was only the beginning of a much larger mystery, one that would unravel with each passing day.

And so, as the day unfolded, Rohan and Akio found themselves drawn into a world where nothing was as it seemed, and the lines between reality and imagination blurred with each passing moment. Little did they know, their journey was only just beginning.

Next 

Under the moon's watchful gaze, the city of Edge lay cloaked in darkness, its streets silent and deserted. Yet, beneath the veil of night, a sinister presence lurked, its tendrils weaving through the shadows like a malevolent specter.

In the heart of the city, a lone police officer sprinted through the dimly lit alleyways, his footsteps echoing against the cold pavement. Fear gnawed at his insides as he glanced over his shoulder, his eyes wide with terror.

Behind him, three figures cloaked in darkness pursued relentlessly, their forms obscured by the night. With each step, their presence seemed to cast a pall over the city, filling the air with a palpable sense of dread.

With a desperate gasp, the officer stumbled and fell to his knees, his breath ragged and labored. Blood seeped from deep gashes on his arms, staining the ground beneath him with crimson streaks.

The leader of the trio stepped forward, his eyes burning with malice as he surveyed the fallen officer with disdain. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a blade crackling with dark energy, its edges shimmering in the moonlight.

"Running is pointless," he declared, his voice cold and devoid of mercy. "The mistake you have made is quite serious, and you know that. You may have done your job as an officer, but so is ours to get rid of you. Interfering with Edge is your greatest mistake."

The officer's eyes widened in horror as the masked figure raised his sword, its blade gleaming with malevolent intent. With a swift motion, he severed the officer's arms, a spray of blood painting the alley in shades of crimson.

The officer cried out in agony, his pleas falling on deaf ears as the masked assailant advanced, his sword poised to strike the final blow. In one swift motion, he plunged the blade into the officer's chest, piercing his heart with deadly precision.

As the officer's lifeless body lay crumpled on the ground, a sense of foreboding settled over the city, its streets now haunted by the echoes of his final moments. Yet, amid the darkness, a glimmer of hope still flickered—a spark waiting to be ignited in the face of overwhelming adversity.

And so, as the night stretched on, the shadows of Edge grew deeper, their secrets hidden beneath a veil of darkness. But little did its inhabitants know, the dawn would soon bring with it the promise of redemption and the light of a new day.

To be continued..