Elian woke up to the sound of rain pattering against the windowpane. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
Another boring day in Ravenswood.
He yawned, feeling the familiar ache in his bones—the one that told him he was just… normal.
As he got dressed, Elian's gaze drifted to the old, leather-bound book on his nightstand. A gift from his parents—whoever they were. Uncle Marcus said they died when he was born, but he wasn't sure… kinda weird.
He'd never opened it.
Didn't know why he kept it.
It just felt… important.
---
Downstairs, the kitchen was warm with the scent of fresh coffee. Uncle Marcus was already up, making breakfast.
"Morning, kiddo! Sleep okay?" he asked, sliding a plate of eggs his way.
Elian shrugged. "Yeah, fine."
Marcus's expression turned serious. "You got a letter from the university today. They want you to confirm your scholarship details."
Elian's heart skipped a beat.
College.
A chance to get out of Ravenswood.
Be normal.
He took a bite of the eggs, and his phone buzzed on the table.
A text from Mike:
"Dude, weird stuff going down. Meet me at the old oak at 8 PM I'm having a party"
Elian's eyes widened as he read the text.
Weird stuff in Ravenswood?
He texted back: "What kinda weird?"
Mike replied almost instantly:
"Don't know, but heard rumors about some new people in town. And... I saw something last night. Can't explain. Just come, bruh."
Elian's mind was racing.
New people in Ravenswood?
That was unusual. The town was so small, everyone knew everyone.
He looked up to see Marcus watching him, a hint of a smile on his face.
"You gonna go to Mike's party?" he asked, sipping his coffee.
Elian nodded. "Yeah, think I'll swing by." Maybe he'd get some answers.
Marcus nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Be careful, kiddo."
---
Elian was working a part-time shift at a junkyard garage, sort of a favor to the old man who lived near his house.
He headed to work after breakfast, the smell of fresh coffee still lingering in his nostrils. He was about to go to college, just trying to keep things chill in Ravenswood.
The sun was shining, birds were singing, and life was good.
Elian wondered what was up with the thing Mike texted earlier.
He was one of the best baseball players in high school, and Mike—his dude since kindergarten—was right there with him. They played together, grew up together… he was like a brother to him.
As he walked into the garage, Elian felt cool with it. He was just a normal guy, living a normal life.
Mike was throwing a party tonight, and Elian couldn't miss it. The whole crew from high school would be there.
Just gonna be fun.
He texted Mike: "What's the vibe, bruh?"
But his mind stayed on what Mike told him.
Weird stuff.
New people.
Something he couldn't explain.
---
The day ended, and Elian headed home.
Uncle Marcus was in his study, as usual.
Elian told him about the party.
Marcus just nodded. "Be safe, kiddo."
---
Now it was 8 PM.
Elian was getting dressed—jeans, tee, sneakers—waiting for Mike to text him the details.
The leather-bound book on his nightstand caught his eye again.
He still hadn't opened it…
His phone buzzed.
Mike:
"Party's at 8 at the old oak field. Don't be late"
Elian grinned.
Game face on.
---
He slipped on his sneakers and headed out.
As he walked to the old oak field, the trees seemed to loom larger in the dark. He could hear music and laughter carrying on the wind.
Mike's party was already in full swing.
Elian pushed open the rusty gate and stepped into the clearing.
The bonfire crackled.
People were chatting, laughing, drinking.
Mike spotted him and grinned.
"Yo, Elian! 'Bout time!"
---
Elian pulled Mike to the side, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Dude, what's going on? You said you saw something weird," he asked, his voice raised over the music.
Mike's expression turned serious for a moment, but then the party energy took over.
"Ain't nothing, Elian! Forget about it, let's party!" he said, clapping him on the back and pushing him toward the crowd.
Elian let it go, getting swept up in the fun.
They laughed, recalled high school stories, and made fun of each other. The party was alive, with music pumping and people dancing.
Mike jumped onto a makeshift stage, a beer in hand.
"Yo, everyone! Let's hear it for Elian—college bound, baby!"
The crowd cheered, and Elian grinned.
They all celebrated his new life ahead, because he was going to leave Ravenswood soon. Mike handed him a beer, and they toasted to the future.
---
As they drank, Elian's gaze drifted to the edge of the party.
A figure stood there.
Watching.
Someone he didn't recognize.
His eyes narrowed.
He turned to Mike. "Who's that?"
Mike followed his gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment.
"Don't know, dude. Guess they're new around here," he said with a shrug, pulling Elian back into the party.
The music took over again.
And Elian forgot about the stranger.
For now.
Ravenswood was still his playground.
---
The party ended, and everyone went home.
Mike was drunk—really drunk—so Elian drove him to his house.
He dropped him off and headed back.
---
That's when his car stopped.
It just… died.
Elian got out to check, but there was nothing he could fix that night.
So he started walking.
---
The night was cold.
The streets were dimly lit.
Quiet.
Elian breathed in, letting the night air clear his head.
That's when he sensed it.
Someone was following him.
He quickened his pace, hands in his pockets.
The footsteps behind him matched his rhythm.
His heart picked up—but he didn't look back.
He wasn't scared.
Just… cautious.
He turned a corner.
The footsteps stopped.
Elian's skin prickled.
Who was it?
And why?
---
Suddenly, the shadows shifted.
A figure emerged.
Tall.
Dark.
Elian stepped back instantly, ready to defend himself.
The face was hidden in darkness.
He couldn't see who it was.
He was about to attack—
When the stranger raised a hand.
And suddenly—
Elian was thrown through the air like he'd been hit by something invisible.
He crashed hard.
Pain shot through his body.
That was when he knew—
Something wasn't right.
---
He scrambled to his feet, adrenaline pumping.
He had to run.
---
He took off, feet pounding the ground.
The stranger didn't chase him.
Just stood there.
Watching.
Elian didn't look back.
He just kept running.
---
His heart pounded in his chest.
He lost his shoes somewhere along the way.
Didn't care.
He kept running.
---
Through the woods.
Branches hitting him.
Vision blurring.
A dark shape behind him.
Fast.
Closing in.
---
He took a shortcut through the trees, lungs burning.
Then suddenly—
He stopped.
Silence.
The person was gone.
---
But he didn't have time to think.
A sharp blow hit the back of his head.
Everything went black.
---
When he opened his eyes, everything felt wrong.
He was inside an old farm barn.
The wood creaked in the wind.
And he couldn't move.
He was tied up.
---
Then he saw her.
A girl.
Pale.
Stunning.
Her eyes looked like empty pools.
Her voice was soft… almost like an angel's whisper.
"Elian," she breathed. "I've found you."
---
Elian struggled.
"Who are you?! What do you want?! Let me go! My uncle'll be worried!"
His voice was frantic, questions pouring out as his mind raced.
The girl stepped closer.
Her presence felt… unnatural.
Cold.
"You don't know what you are," she whispered.
Elian froze.
"What are you talking about?" he demanded.
Her hollow eyes seemed to gleam.
"You're more than who you think you are, Elian," she said, her voice low and intense.
She leaned closer.
"Your bloodline…"
A pause.
Then—
"It's awakening."
---