Embark on a thrilling journey with Dria as she grapples with newfound magical abilities, family secrets, and a destiny she never asked for. In "Her Kind," the line between myth and reality blurs as Dria navigates a world filled with danger, teenage...
The room filled with the echoing sound of a door opening as she passed by the twin beds and drew back the curtains, allowing the sunlight to stream in. Faint groans emanated from the room's occupants, prompting a light shake of her head.
"Wake up, you're running late; I already let you sleep in for ten extra minutes. I told you watching Nymphus Alley would not help you in the morning," she chided before quietly closing the bedroom door behind her.
Her footsteps carried her towards the kitchen, where her gaze fell upon the couch, buried under a pile of laundry in need of ironing and folding. She sighed, recognizing the inevitable chore she couldn't avoid any longer. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she glanced at the clock, realizing that she had only thirty minutes before she needed to leave for her classes. As she took a sip of her coffee, she mentally braced herself for the busy day ahead.
A sudden noise from a nearby door interrupted her thoughts, prompting her to start preparing lunch with the leftover pasta from the previous night. She retrieved three lunch boxes and packed them neatly into bags, lining them up on the counter before turning her attention to breakfast. She scrambled some eggs and toasted slices of bread while her mind wandered to the impending presentation at her upcoming class. As she sat down to eat, a sense of dread settled over her.
The running shower ceased as she finished her breakfast, leading her back to the room to find two boys already dressed in the outfits she had chosen for them the night before. All that remained was tying their shoes.
The boys scampered off to the kitchen, their laughter filling the air as they playfully jostled each other. As always, she was left to tidy up the mess they had made in the room, but glancing at the clock on the table, she knew she didn't have the luxury of time.
Five minutes later, after the boys had their breakfast, they left the house in a rush, nearly forgetting to lock the door behind them.
"Morning, Dria," She turned at the energetic sound and smiled at the elderly women who waved from her front yard. "Morning, Cherry."
"Still having trouble with the TV?" Hendrietta inquired as they passed by.
"Yes, that lousy nephew of mine was supposed to be here yesterday to fix it, but he never showed up."
She smiled, and the boys chuckled at the woman's expression.
"You give that boy a real beating, Cherry," she playfully remarked, waving as they continued on to the bus stop.
"You know I will," Cherry called out in response.
She looked down at the two boys holding hands, observing as they skipped steps and appeared uninterested in the world around them. They swung her hands as they approached the bus stop and continued to engage in their own private play while they waited for the bus.
Elliam and Marcelo were 9-year-old twins who bore no physical resemblance, save for the identical birthmarks on their left cheeks—birthmarks that seemed reminiscent of a cloud, though they vehemently disagreed. Despite their differences, the twins shared an unbreakable bond, evident in their unique communication style and their ability to finish each other's sentences. They had a world of their own, into which she was never allowed.
Their dark brown hair, prone to curling at the ends, distinguished them. Elliam had light brown eyes, while Marcelo possessed black ones, inherited from their father. Physically polar opposites, their bond was a mystery she could never fully fathom.
The sky gradually brightened, and the town bus approached right on schedule. Dria held their hands as they climbed aboard and settled into their seats. Elliam excitedly recounted something he had seen on TV to Marcelo, who listened attentively, occasionally nodding in agreement. She couldn't help but wonder how things might have turned out differently if her mother had been more like Marcelo.
When their stop arrived, Elliam waved energetically at the bus driver, and she escorted the boys off the bus. The moment the school gates came into view, Elliam released her hand and dashed toward them, shouting, "Bye, Dria, see you after school."
She shook her head and turned to Marcelo. "You know the routine: if you sense anything unusual or if Elliam—"
"We both ask for you, and if they refuse, we ask for the bathroom, where we can try to control the shift before going to class," Marcelo finished her sentence.
"Do you remember the exercises we practiced?"
He nodded and replied, "Yes, see you at 4, Dria."
Marcelo let go of her hand, gave her a hug, and walked off toward the blue school building. She watched him go, a sense of unease settling in her stomach. Being their kind was challenging, especially in a human-dominated school. They had to remain vigilant, constantly on guard against potential dangers.
But she was determined to keep Marcelo and Elliam safe, no matter the cost. As she headed towards her own school, she couldn't help but wonder what the day had in store and if they would emerge from it unscathed.
