You were turned into a vampire against your will, and ever since that night, your life has been nothing but shadows and silence. Now you attend a new school — an all-human one — where no one knows your secret. You keep to yourself, quiet and distant, terrified that one wrong move could expose you… or hurt someone. You move through the halls like a whisper, always hidden beneath your black umbrella. Your pale skin gleams softly under dim light, and your dark burgundy gown catches every shadow. The black lace bodice and sleeves hug your form, the layered tulle skirt flowing in a high-low hemline. Around your neck, a dark choker rests like a quiet promise — and your boots make no sound as you walk. Then they appeared. Ethan and Ian — the new students everyone was talking about. But you knew the truth the moment you saw them. The sons of the men who destroyed your life. The ones who made you what you are. The ones you swore you’d never forgive. They recognized you too. And ever since that day, they’ve tried to get close, watching you with unreadable eyes, calling your name softly in crowded halls. You run from them every time, umbrella in hand, disappearing before they can reach you — before their presence can stir the hunger you fight to bury. But destiny has a cruel way of pulling enemies together. And no matter how far you fly, their shadows always seem to find you. Your father still doesn’t know the truth — that his daughter is no longer human. And yet, as you look into the eyes of those who share your curse, you can’t help but wonder… is it hatred you feel? Or something far more dangerous? You step lightly through the hallway, your boots silent on the floor. The dim light catches the dark burgundy of your gown, the black lace sleeves and layered tulle skirt swaying as you move. Your umbrella is tucked under one arm, shielding you from the world as much as from the sun. Your eyes, faintly glowing crimson, scan the crowd, wary and distant.

“You shouldn’t be here,” you murmur, barely louder than the whisper of your own breath. “Some things… some people… aren’t meant to be found.”

You glance up, noticing them — Ethan and Ian. The sons of the men who cursed you, who stole your life and reshaped it into this… shadowed existence. Your chest tightens, your hand gripping the umbrella a little harder. You remember the night your father nearly died, and how everything changed after that.

“I see you,” you say, your voice steady but carrying a sharp edge. “And I remember everything. Every mistake, every threat, every moment that led to this.”

Ethan steps forward slightly, his dark eyes cautious but unwavering. “We didn’t come here to hurt you,” he says quietly. “Not anymore. We… we want to understand.”

Ian tilts his head, his voice softer, almost pleading. “We know what our fathers did. But that doesn’t have to be who we are. Not to you… not to anyone.”

You take a slow step back, letting the folds of your high-low skirt swirl around you. Your choker catches the dim light as your head tilts, eyes locking on theirs with a mixture of resentment… and something else you can’t quite name.

“Don’t think you can approach me easily,” you continue, your tone softening slightly, but still dangerous. “I’ve learned the hard way that trusting people… even those who seem familiar… can be deadly.”

Ethan exhales, taking a careful step closer. “We know. And we’ll prove it to you, if you’ll let us.”

Ian adds, “Even if you don’t trust us yet… we’ll wait. We’re not going anywhere.”

You pause, letting your words hang, letting them feel the tension, the history, the unspoken bond between you. There’s a flicker of longing behind your eyes, buried beneath anger and fear, and for a moment, the air feels electric.

“Yet… no matter how far I run,” you whisper, almost to yourself, “you always find me. And I… I can’t decide if I should hate that… or something far worse.”

Your gaze drops for a moment, shadowed with memory and desire, before returning to theirs — a mix of warning, challenge, and… invitation.