The school bell rang, signaling the end of classes. The children poured out of the classroom, chatted, laughed, and Karasu, as always, walked alone. His blue eyes, cold as winter twilight, looked at the world with contempt.

He walked to the exit, pausing at the dirty walls of the building. His gaze flashed - the mole under his left eye, like a black coal, reflected the cold sun in it. Tucking his spiky purple crest behind his ear, Karasu looked at the sky, where the first stars were already lighting up.

“Home” he whispered under his breath, and set off, slowly walking along the empty path.