The Red Mark

Nicole Jane's POV I have been half-walking, half-running for quite a while now. I've been searching for Mikan since earlier, but I still haven't found her. She told me a while ago that she'll just go to the library since she doesn't have an appetite to eat. I told her that I'll follow once I'm done with my food. But the moment I arrived at the library, I just found out that she's not there anymore. To be honest, I don't know why I'm looking for her now. In reality, I shouldn't really care whether she attends the next class or not. I just shrugged. But where did that girl end up? This academy is so vast. One month has already passed since I first came here. I never imagined that I would stay here for long. It feels like there are only a few of us normal people here. I'm not saying that most of the people here were not normal or something. Don't get me wrong. But most of the people here are just really weird. Even the teachers are like that. And they are extremely pale. They don't even pray here, for reasons unknown to me. They don't have subjects in other levels related to religion, unlike other schools. Another concern of mine is a strange drink they have here. I've seen some other students drinking a red liquid before. I don't know if it's wine or what, but it's kind of different. Besides, I don't think they would allow the students here to drink something like that. Even if I wanted to taste it just to find out what kind of drink it is, I can't. Only selected students are allowed to drink it. Which is also weird. Everything would be fine here in the academy. It feels like you're just on vacation if you put aside the fact that you have to attend classes every day. I have no complaints when it comes to facilities, security, and the quality of education. The only problem I've noticed here is about equality. I also learned that the ones they consider as royalties are members of the student council. Well, I can't deny that they are indeed intelligent and talented. As I was walking, I accidentally ended up in the back part of our dormitory building. There were scattered tall trees here, and the breeze was refreshing. We sometimes liked hanging out here, so maybe she's here now. I stopped walking. I was not mistaken. I stood still as I finally spotted the person I was looking for. It's almost the end of our break time. She was walking with her head down, and busy with her phone. It seems like she's also heading back. Then she suddenly stopped while still looking down on her phone. I was about to shout her name because we were still quite far from each other when I noticed something from above. My eyes widened as I saw a vase that's about to fall. It would land exactly where Mikan was standing if it happened! 'Mikan!" I shouted. I didn't see her reaction because I quickly ran towards her. Things happened too fast. Before I knew it, I was on top of Mikan. We both fell because of the force of my push towards her. Along with it came the loud sound of something breaking. I quickly stood up and immediately supported her. 'Are you alright?" She nodded. I found myself looking up again. 'How did that vase fall? I didn't see anyone there who could have moved it," I wondered aloud. I couldn't be mistaken. I clearly saw the vase move on its own and fall! But how? Is it a ghost? But it's too early for that. I sighed and then turned to look at Mikan. I furrowed my brow when I noticed that she was just staring at me. 'Are you really okay?" I brushed off the dust stuck to my uniform. 'H-how did y-you do that?" she asked, stuttering. I raised an eyebrow. 'Do what?" I had no idea what she was talking about. He glanced behind me before turning back to me. 'You came from so far away. How did you get here so quickly? I was startled when you suddenly appeared in front of me and pushed me." I was taken aback by her question. Oh yeah, how did I do that? All I remember is I am suddenly running. Then I felt a strong and fast force carrying my whole body towards her. What the hell? Do I have superpowers? Nah, it's probably just an adrenaline rush. 'I don't know either. Maybe I just ran really fast," I replied uncertainly because I really didn't know what had happened. I wouldn't have even noticed if she hadn't mentioned it. She was about to say something when I suddenly looked to my left. I felt like someone was watching us. I wasn't mistaken because there they are. The royalties of this academy. Standing in front of me with their shocked faces. What could their problem be now? 'Interesting," I heard Vince mutter. He was at the far end of the group, and his words were barely audible. I didn't know how I managed to hear what he said. 'I don't think that what just happened is somehow interesting," I said sarcastically. How could what happened be interesting? Mikan was almost in danger! He seemed visibly surprised by what I said. But he quickly recovered, and his expression turned blank. 'Wait, Nicole! What's that on your neck? Why is it turning red?" I almost jumped in surprise when Mikan shouted. 'Huh?" I quickly took out my compact mirror from my pocket to see what she was talking about. My eyes widened at what I saw. 'What's this?" There was a round, red mark on the right side of my neck. It wasn't painful or itchy. In fact, it was quite small. But still! 'What is this? Why won't it come off? It wasn't there earlier!" I tried rubbing it off, but nothing happened. 'No way." I looked at Kyle as he suddenly spoke. He seemed equally shocked by what he was seeing. Then he exchanged glances with Kira and suddenly walked out. What happened to him? Kira immediately followed him. Meanwhile, Hiro and Vince were just looking at me, seeming doubtful and confused. They're both looking at me intently as well. That's how Vince looked at me when we first met. 'Sis! Let's take you to the clinic. You also have some bruises, and let's have the nurse check what's on your neck." Even before I could agree, Miley and Reiri pulled us away. I just let myself be dragged along because so many things were bothering me now. At first, it was all the strange sensations I was feeling. Now, it's just various things suddenly appearing on my body. Does this school have a curse? Could that be the secret of this academy? I strongly close my eyes. I badly need answers! *** Kyle Ethan's POV We are currently behind the dorm building of the humans. Their dorm is separate from ours— the vampires. Only we vampires know about it. I'm just not sure if anyone notices that ours is bigger, and we have a greater number. We were about to go back to the classroom when we suddenly saw Nicole's friend walking alone. We didn't have any intention to approach or talk to her. But it seems like she's the new target for Hiro and Vince's teasing. We just let them do whatever they want. They'll be the ones to liable for it, anyway. 'Oh, just make sure you don't hurt Mikan, okay? Otherwise, you'll have to deal with us." Rei and Miley gave them a stern look. Hiro chuckled while Vince just shrugged. 'Don't worry. Just watch and be amazed." Vince looked up and glanced at the vase that was there. Mikan happened to stop walking at the right moment. They planned to show off. But that's not the truth. It's actually Hiro who just wants to get attention. That's his player style. Besides, as far as I know, he's been curious about Mikan for a long time. The scene was supposed to be Vince dropping the pot using his telekinesis ability. Then Hiro would pretend to save Mikan using his super speed ability. I just shook my head. I don't understand why Vince supports this kind of nonsense from his close friend. Everything would have been fine. But suddenly, we heard Nicole scream loudly. Hiro quickly went to Mikan. I just hope no one notices him. These two will really be in trouble if anyone suspects us. But he stopped abruptly when someone else came first. We were all stunned by what happened. She was so fast that he even came before Hiro! Seriously? No one has ever surpassed Hiro in a race! She probably didn't realize what she did because she quickly stood up as if nothing happened. We were far away from them, so they didn't notice us immediately. We started moving closer to them when Nicole suddenly looked in our direction. I was taken aback. She must have sensed something. Why does she seem to have abilities like ours? She's not a vampire! There's not even a trace of our blood running through her. But why? We're all shocked. Who wouldn't be, anyway? I heard Vince whisper something from behind me. But what I didn't expect was for Nicole to hear him! At first, it was her sharp eyes and the ability to see things that only we should be able to see. And now, it's her quick movements, strong intuition, and keen hearing. What's next? I paused in my thoughts when her friend suddenly screamed. I turned to see what she was referring to. 'No way," I muttered in disbelief. That was also my reaction when I suddenly had a red mark before. Kira and I exchanged glances. It seems like he knows what I'm thinking. He's the only one who saw and knew about that thing. I'm confused, so I decided to leave. I could sense Kira following me. 'Kyle, what do you think that mark means? Why—" 'I don't know either. I think we can only find the answers when we read the contents of the prophecy. I didn't really care about the contents of the prophecy before. I just heard that it was written in a book that my parents guarded carefully. That's the same book I wanted to find last month. I don't know why. But I feel like Nicole has something to do with it. My suspicions only intensified because of what I witnessed today. 'Then we need to know more about it as soon as possible," He said seriously. 'Yeah." Upon our arrival at the mansion, I went straight into my room and faced the mirror. I let out a deep sigh. Then slowly, I unbuttoned my uniform. And there it was on my chest— the same red mark that Nicole had on her neck. I noticed that I had it a few weeks after my 18th birthday. In truth, Kira was the first to notice it. During those times, the others had already returned from Romania after visiting me there. I still remember when we agreed to go for a swim in the sea, and suddenly he stopped. 'Kyle, why do you have a red mark on your chest? Is it a wound?" he asked with a furrowed brow. I looked down to where he was pointing. 'Fuck! What's this? It wasn't there earlier!" No matter how much I rubbed it, it wouldn't go away. I also mentioned it to Dad. But they didn't know why I suddenly had it, and they didn't even seem worried or anything. But I will never forget the strange looks Mom and Dad exchanged back then. So I know they were lying to me during those times. After a month, I just let it be because I didn't feel anything strange. Except that I became stronger. So earlier, as I approached her, something suddenly made me anxious. Because I could feel the same unusual strength in her, similar to mine. I can't help but wonder how it's even possible for a human to match a pureblood. *** Kira's POV I was leaning my back against the wall while looking at Kyle's serious face. If there was anyone more confused about what's happening, it's definitely Kyle. We won't gain anything if we don't take action now. Furthermore, I believe that whatever is happening right now is in accordance with what is destined. We just need to find out where and how everything started and what the connections are. 'Kyle, I'll just step out for a moment. I need to find out something," I informed him. He suddenly turned to me. 'What is it?" I walked towards him and tapped his shoulder. 'Honestly, I don't know either. We'll figure it out. But I have a strong feeling that the strange occurrences are connected to both of you." He nodded. 'Let me know if you find anything. I'll just follow their lead." He quickly averted his gaze, but I could clearly see the concern on his face. 'Alright. Talk to Nicole as well, maybe you can gather some information from her too." He just ignored me and left ahead of me. After a few minutes, I was already in front of the records section. I glanced around before entering. Luckily, there were no people around, at least for now. I immediately headed to the file cabinets and started searching. The files were arranged alphabetically, so I didn't have a hard time finding what I needed. Good thing there were indicating letters posted on each cabinet. A smile formed on my lips the moment I saw her name on one of the envelopes there. I took it out along with the paper inside. The first thing I needed to do was to get to know who Nicole Jane Parker really was. I started reading all the information written on it. Where she lived, the names of her parents, and more. Then something caught my attention. Birthdate: May 19, 1997 So, it means that it's been over a month already since her 18th birthday. But that's not the only thing I'm thinking about. Because she and Kyle have the exact birthdate. Same month, day, and year! Is it some kind of coincidence or what? Now, I think it does make sense. But I still can't figure out what their connection really is. I think this is a good start. But there's still a lot of missing pieces here, and that's what we need to find out soon. About that red mark? I know it's not just an ordinary mark. It's more like a symbol that connects the two of them. Just from that, I can say that they really have a connection.