CONVERSATION

Rose: So... what made you change your mind about coming, after all?

Klaus: I guess my curiosity couldn't let me sleep.

Rose: Well, that's fine with me since you're here. So... I guess this is kinda like our first date, huh?

Klaus: I thought you said you wouldn't flirt?

Rose: I thought you said you weren't concerned about it?

Klaus: *sighs*

Even though Klaus initially resisted the idea of meeting with Rose, sleep proved elusive due to his mounting curiosity, especially given that he had napped through the evening. His mind couldn't let go of the events from earlier in the day, and eventually, the overwhelming need to understand overcame him.

This level of curiosity was unusual for him. He had never before been so intensely drawn to something. Recognizing the significance of this, he concluded that there must be a reason behind it. With this realization, he decided to give in and follow his impulses. He quickly changed into appropriate attire and retrieved his skateboard, which was always ready for his outings. His destination was the restaurant where he had agreed to meet Rose.

However, before stepping out, he knew he had a responsibility to fulfill. He approached his mother's room and gently knocked on the door. She was engrossed in some work files at her desk, so he aimed to be brief and not disrupt her focus.

"Mom, I'm heading out," he informed her.

She looked up, smiled, and responded with gratitude. "Thank you."

"It's no problem. I'll be back soon," he assured her before closing the door behind him. With that, he embarked on his journey to the restaurant, guided by a need to unravel the mysteries that had taken hold of his thoughts.

CONVERSATION

Klaus: So what did you want to talk about?

Rose: Oh, come on. Don't be in such a rush. How about we start with a proper introduction since we never really had the chance to do so before?

Klaus let out a slight sigh. He realized her intentions and didn't want to get involved. So, he wondered why he was there in the first place.

Klaus: Really?

Rose: I'll go first. Hi, I'm Rose Valentine. It's REALLY nice to meet you. Now your turn.

Klaus: *sighs* Fine. My name is.....

Rose: Oh, come on. You need to say it the way I did.

Klaus: Really?

Rose: Really.

Klaus: *sighing deeper* Hi, I'm Klaus Walker. It's nice to meet you. I guess.

Rose: I'll take it.

Klaus and Rose engaged in conversation, although it felt more like Rose doing most of the talking while Klaus mostly sighed in response.

Despite his reservations, Klaus recognized that he needed to endure her monologue if he wanted to uncover what had occurred.

A part of him remained skeptical, suspecting that she might be manipulating him into giving her attention she hadn't received otherwise. Yet another part of him considered that if she truly possessed the ability he had witnessed, it might offer some explanation for his unexplained power.

Klaus' prevailing trait was his apathy. He held an indifferent attitude towards almost everything, even when it concerned him personally.

Given this characteristic, when he discovered his extraordinary ability, he hadn't felt compelled to dig deeper into the unanswered questions. So, why was he there now? This question lingered in his mind.

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Was it genuine curiosity, or was there something about Rose that compelled him to interact with her beyond his usual disinterest?

"Is there something about this girl that sets her apart from the rest?"

Klaus suddenly found himself fully focused on her words, snapped out of his drifting thoughts by the intriguing question she posed after nearly an hour since his arrival.

CONVERSATION

Rose: So, what do you think?

Klaus: About what?

Rose: Please tell me you were listening the entire time.

Klaus: Sorry, I spaced out. I guess.

Rose: You say that a lot, don't you?

Klaus: I guess.

Rose: Ha ha. Anyway, I was talking about the graffiti artist who became extremely popular in the last month. What's his name again? Night Spade?

Klaus: I think it's NightShade.

Rose: *smiling and leaning forward* So you do know him.

Klaus: I guess.

Rose: *sighs* Well... I was wondering why the police and higher-ups could never catch or even find them. Because it seems the only information anyone has is that he, or she, wears all black and a hoodie. What do you think?

Klaus: What do I think in what context?

Rose: You know, how he's able to create all that artwork without being detected. I mean, he's the only solo street artist who operates in the city.

Klaus: I dunno. Maybe he's trained or something.

Rose: I mean sure. But sometimes I wonder if it's more than that. I think he has some sort of UNNATURAL abilities that allow him to avoid getting caught.

Hearing that left Klaus curious about her intentions. Simply discussing the topic had already unsettled him, and the direction it was taking seemed even more concerning.

Klaus: Don't you think that's kind of ridiculous to suggest?

Rose: Originally. But if there's anyone that should know if it's possible or not, it should be me.

Upon hearing this, Klaus's suspicion grew. He was increasingly convinced that the girl was anything but ordinary. He had a strong sense that whatever was responsible for his own unique abilities was somehow connected to her as well.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he waited to see her reaction. As he questioned her, Rose seemed to realize she might have shared too much and backtracked a bit before continuing.

"Guess you'll have to figure it out eventually," she said with a grin aimed at Klaus. She was well aware that this curiosity would likely keep him from ghosting her after their encounter.

Klaus didn't take long to let the topic go, not wanting to reveal more than he intended. They quickly shifted the subject to something else, avoiding any further potential complications.

About two weeks had passed since their initial meeting, and not much had changed in their daily routines.

Rose understood that Klaus wouldn't be keen on engaging with her at school due to the attention it might attract. So, she maintained their initial arrangement of talking outside school hours, allowing them to stay in touch.

As time went on, Rose found herself growing increasingly attached to their conversations. She even sometimes prioritized chatting with Klaus over hanging out with her friends or attending social events.

Klaus, on his part, didn't mind her presence as long as she respected his boundaries. He didn't exactly despise these occasional interactions, but he wouldn't label them as the highlight of his week either.

However, there seemed to be an unexpected consequence of Klaus spending more time with Rose. His strange dreams started occurring more frequently.

Before their meetings, Klaus had his sporadic dreams involving giant men and mysterious scenarios about three times a month. But ever since their initial encounter, these dreams had escalated to happening three times a week.

The increase in frequency was starting to take a toll on him. The dreams were becoming so common that he often found himself with a headache whenever he tried to recall them.

"Maybe, but honestly it's better to tell him. No point stretching it," a voice suddenly echoed, stirring him from sleep.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, only to find himself immersed in the recurring dream of the colossal men that haunted his sleep most frequently.

Familiar surroundings dissolved, replaced by an otherworldly realm, an unsettling detachment from Earth surrounded by bright light and thick white fog. Rising from an unfamiliar state, three colossal figures glanced back at him—all about eight feet tall.

"What the..." he began, a strange feeling of control over his thoughts.

"He's remembering something," one of the strange beings, who appeared closest to him, muttered as they looked to see if he was alright. Their anticipation lingered, waiting for his response.

Then.... he woke up.

This time, the instance of the dream took an unexpected turn. Unlike the usual experience where he felt powerless and devoid of control, this time his movements felt more tangible and vivid. Despite this intensified sensation, the dream's purpose remained elusive to him, leaving him just as baffled as before.

The time displayed on the alarm clock read 1:00 am, a stark reminder of the sleepless hours he was spending grappling with these mysteries. A growing urgency pushed him to seek answers before these persistent dreams took a toll on his well-being.

However, he knew he couldn't just approach a therapist and say, "Hello, I'm unusually fast at night, and I have strange dreams involving giant men."

So, he reverted to his tried-and-true method of clearing his mind.

After dressing and packing his graffiti bag along with his skateboard, Klaus had already arrived at a location he deemed suitable for his creative outlet.

This particular building tucked away around a corner seemed devoid of any spectators, providing the seclusion he needed for his activities.

Street art wasn't about seeking attention for Klaus; it was his method of mental release. Whether the area was bustling with people or deserted, his priority was to find solace from his haunting dreams. This outlet had been effective at dispelling the troubling visions, at least for a while.

Arriving at his chosen spot, he paused to catch his breath after the run before immersing himself in his work. As he progressed through his creation, the rhythmic sound of spray paint was disrupted by an unexpected voice from behind.

"You're him, aren't you? You're NightShade."