Even though the weather in Marco city was always bad, the boy who walked through the avenues with wide buildings made of stone, of ancient appearance and totally empty seemed calm and even in a way enjoying the cold winds. His black and messy hair almost assaulted his blue eyes but he still kept a small smile of satisfaction on his face.

Because of the black clouds that permeated the city, the place seemed devoid of lighting even though it was morning, Jay felt a strange sensation, as if the shadows increased and his field of vision decreased, there was something that seemed to be watching him. He unconsciously quickened his steps, at the same time his heart seemed to beat louder to the point that he could hear it.

When he passed by an alley he almost naturally stopped to observe, even though he passed every day through this avenue to go to school and had seen this alley countless times, it seemed different, as if the darkness deepened and there was something that made the hairs on his body stand up.

There was someone, no, something there, something that wanted him, in the wildest sense, this feeling seemed to come from something deep within him, as if he had been asleep and woke up now that he finally found again what made him react.

The shadows of the alley seemed to distort unnaturally, they seemed to try to reach him, the closer they got to him, the heavier his breathing became. Suddenly he felt a weight on his back making him stumble a few steps forward, making him get away from what seemed to be his end.

—Hey idiot! What are you doing in a trance there? Is it because of that reason that Vanessa called you weird that time, do you know how much my popularity dropped because of that? Just because I hang out with you doesn't mean I'm like you, right? Are you paying attention Jay? Hey!

Looking towards the alley and seeing that it seemed totally normal, he wondered if he was hallucinating.

Turning his attention to who pushed him, he sees that hairstyle that he always found ridiculous, a cut that looked more like a bowl upside down on his blond hair, it didn't match his square face and more mature appearance, he had a strange feeling of inconsistency.

Messing with his messy and long hair, Jay realized that he didn't have much right to judge his friend.

—What century are you in to talk about popularity Martins? Besides, who cares what that girl thinks?

—A lot of people care, everyone at school knows her, in fact all the boys like her and the girls are jealous, Vanessa is like a queen there and you my friend were like the court jester.

He remained silent, although he didn't want to admit it was true, even he, before the accident, had fantasies about her, even though different from the others who admired her thin waist and doll face, he preferred her melodious voice and her smile.

Feeling the image of her coming to his head he started to get angry, he couldn't think of that annoying girl like that, not after what happened.

—Let's not talk about that, that idiot Marcielo had nothing better to invent than a school trip? On top of that in the middle of a forest? I don't know what that has to do with the class.

—What are you talking about? This is the best opportunity for us to put our plan into practice! — Martins shouted as he raised his hands to the air.

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—And what plan is that?

Lowering his hands and pointing his finger at Jay, he gave a big goofy smile. — We'll get revenge on that bastard Adriano, catch him and that idiot of... what's the name of the lackey who always walks with him anyway?

—Yran, and he's not an idiot Martins, he's a nice guy, different from Adriano and there's also no reason for revenge, he didn't do anything.

—How not Jay, he always tries to compete with you in everything, wanting to show himself better, that jerk just because he is from a prestigious family, rich, handsome, athletic, intelli....

BAK

—Ow! What the fuck Jay. — Holding his head in an exaggerated way he looks at Jay with anger after taking a light slap on the head.

—You're trying to piss me off on purpose, right? And stop with that revenge thing, we're not in an American movie.

Moving away from the empty streets and listening to some rhetoric from his friend he can't help but look back, that feeling had disappeared but he couldn't stop thinking that it wasn't just his imagination, out of the corner of his eye he could see something strange, a bat was on top of one of the buildings looking directly at him, the reason for the strangeness nothing more than that bat was not upside down.

'Wasn't that how it was supposed to be? At least in the movies it always is.' Realizing his own thoughts, Jay couldn't help but make an ironic smile. 'Why do I base myself on movies? Real life is different.'

Looking again, he realized that there was nothing else on the building, shaking his head he continued walking trying not to hit his friend every second with the nonsense he spoke.

---------

In a room, there were several surreal paintings that seemed to come to life among the shadows and lights that flickered from the candles that surrounded him and that the flames never seemed to stand still.

—Was it him? — A woman with crossed legs and in a red dress sat in a vintage armchair, the only piece of furniture in the room, her face was not visible, it seemed that the shadows formed a mask where only her lips that seemed to be stained with blood and her small chin could be seen.

—It matches the descriptions that the Beriat family sent madam — Two men stood in front of the woman, the one who spoke was one of the shortest who had a colorful tattoo of carps on his neck, the other was very large and looked like a statue.

—The boy felt me, it seems that he has sensitivity to power even being a mortal — The woman let out a small laugh as she uncrossed and crossed her legs again, her movements seemed methodical but natural, like something she had done for a long time.

—Amazing madam! No wonder they hired us with this kind of ability, this will give you a greater chance of success, but I'm a little confused if you allow me to ask — The man seemed to speak with excitement and respect although his face showed no emotion at all — For what reason do they simply not bring the boy to us?

—From what I heard from the family, they are composed of many traditions, and one of them is that whenever someone with potential in their family appears, they try to 'spice up' — She laughed again with obvious contempt in her voice — They think that this way they will stimulate more his power and have more chances, that withered tree they call patriarch also went through this, maybe he's in menopause?

—Madam, it seems that he is going on some kind of school trip.

—Well, it makes our job easier, let's make it an unforgettable memory for our little neophyte, if he survives, prepare the things in a place near Rufus.

—Yes madam! — The big man who had been silent until now answered and taking a step forward his body suddenly became blurred, like a black shadow and he disappeared.

—You know what to do Han.

—Yes madam!

Feeling her other creation leaving she got up, her body with curves made the tight dress look like part of her body, walking gracefully she approached one of the walls, touching it lightly, her pale hand began to integrate with the wall, soon after her whole body, emerging from the other side of the wall she saw herself in front of a staircase that went straight down.

Going down the stairs the woman enters another room, smaller than the previous one with only an altar in the middle, on it there was a heart, the strangest thing was that it still beat even outside a body, and with each beat it expelled a little blood that created a red mist around the room.