As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the suburban neighborhood, a peculiar sight caught the attention of anyone passing by the bus stop. Standing there was a young girl, her vibrant red hair spiked in an unconventional fashion, giving her an edgy and unique appearance. Despite the short length of her hair, it possessed an untamed quality, seemingly defying gravity.
Her fair, peach-colored skin radiated in the fading light, while her piercing red eyes seemed to hold a depth that hinted at hidden mysteries within. This girl, named Kloud Basetree, stood at the bus stop with a mix of impatience and anticipation.
Kloud's thoughts wandered to her best friend, Chole, who had been fortunate enough to secure a ride home. Chole, with her striking blue hair, had been by Kloud's side since their early days in elementary school. Together, they had been known to push boundaries and challenge authority, giving their teachers a run for their money. Kloud, in particular, carried a rebellious streak that occasionally manifested in a thuggish attitude. Chole, on the other hand, possessed a cunning mind capable of devising plans that could make even the notorious Capone tremble.
Lost in her thoughts, Kloud's attention shifted to the setting sun. As its warm glow painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, she couldn't help but contemplate the peculiarity of her own name. The last name, Basetree, held little significance, but it was her first name, Kloud, that had always puzzled her. The misspelling had left many teachers flabbergasted, but little did they know that Kloud carried an ancient name, one that had struck fear into the hearts of spirits throughout history.
Suddenly, Kloud's musings were interrupted by her growing impatience. "Man, what's taking that bus so long? It's already night," she muttered to herself, a tinge of frustration in her voice. Little did she know that her family's connection to the spiritual world had diminished during World War II. In a bid to protect their secrecy and with the younger generation on the front lines, magic had been locked away, leaving the supernatural realms out of reach.
Just as her impatience peaked, an eerie creak filled the air, unsettling Kloud's senses. Her attention snapped towards the sound, only to witness the fabric of reality itself fragmenting before her eyes. Fear seized her heart as black hands emerged from the fragmented space, reaching out like ethereal tendrils. Kloud instinctively recoiled, attempting to escape the encroaching darkness.
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But her efforts were futile. The abstract beast that had breached reality effortlessly paralyzed her, freezing her in her tracks. Panic surged through her as the tear in the fabric widened, revealing a figure that did not belong to her world. "Where do you think you're going? Your family hasn't honored their part of the deal in 77 years," the figure spoke, its voice carrying a chilling undertone.
In the grip of fear, Kloud managed to stammer, "W-what do you want?" The figure, mostly humanoid but emanating pure blackness, took a step forward, causing her to instinctively retreat. "Don't run, little Basetree. You can't escape me," it taunted, halting her movements with an otherworldly power. Time seemed to stand still as Kloud struggled against the paralysis, her mind racing to comprehend the situation.
"Oh, how you have fallen from grace. If it were your ancestors, this would have been a mere inconvenience," the figure mused, its single yellow eye glowing in the darkness. Before Kloud could fully process what was happening, the figure extended its index finger, pressing it against her left eye. Agony erupted within her as the finger pierced her eye socket, tearing it away from her.
Silent screams echoed in her mind as blood streamed down her face, mingling with her tears. In the midst of the pain, the figure swiftly replaced her red eye with its own yellow one, the exchange leaving her stunned and disoriented. As the searing pain subsided, Kloud collapsed to the ground, her consciousness fading.
When she regained her senses, time had passed, and she found herself alone in her house. Checking her phone, she realized her parents must be worried sick. Sending them a reassuring text, Kloud felt an overwhelming need to process the bewildering events that had unfolded. With a mix of disbelief and determination, she resolved to uncover the secrets hidden within her family's history.
As she pondered her first encounter with the supernatural, Kloud couldn't help but hope that it would be her last. The trauma of having her eye taken and replaced with an otherworldly gaze had left an indelible mark on her. Yet, with a newfound resilience, she steeled herself for the challenges ahead.
Entering her house, Kloud found solace in the quietude, her thoughts swirling like a tempest within. Feeling the weight of the ordeal upon her young shoulders, she made an unusual decision. "Well, I guess it's time for a drink," she muttered, acknowledging that even at her tender age, she had already experienced enough to warrant such a departure from her usual routine.