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...
Dria had never been one to focus on the trivialities of school life—the latest fashion trends or the intricate details of who was dating who held little interest for her. She had always maintained a distant indifference toward people she knew would soon fade into the background of her life.
As the daughter of a gang member, Hendriatta had no intention of following in her father's footsteps, nor would she allow her younger brothers to become entangled in that world. However, as she matured, she recognized the importance of comprehending the struggles and experiences of those around her.
She believed it was essential to shape her perspective and cultivate empathy for others. So, she made a deliberate choice to delve into her father's past and the complexities of gang culture, seeking a deeper understanding of the community she had grown up in.
Her father's incarceration had provided her family with an escape, secured through his silence, granting her and her two younger brothers a shot at a more conventional life—those were his words, not hers. Yet, she couldn't help but fret about his cryptic promise of securing them a way out.
Hendriatta refused to gloss over the fact that her father had been deeply involved in criminal activities, and he was serving his sentence for his wrongdoings. Thanks to his connections, her family had a form of protection, but it left her pondering the fate of her mother.
Dria had no clue about her mother's current whereabouts. She had a knack for appearing out of thin air, either seeking money or unleashing her fury, always laying blame on Dria's father for her alleged misery. Dria had little patience left for this woman. The constant influx of negativity and drama was more than she could bear. She had made the deliberate choice to distance herself from her mother's toxic behavior, prioritizing her own peace of mind.
Being associated with a gang member, whether directly involved or not, came with its own set of challenges. Dria had long noticed that people steered clear of her as if she were contagious. The fear of potential violence or retribution merely because of her father's gang affiliation cast a shadow over her social life. Dria knew it was unfair to judge someone solely based on their family's actions. She believed in offering people a chance to prove themselves and forge connections based on shared interests and common ground.
Inevitably, the community gossiped about her and her family, often condemning her father and expressing their belief that he deserved his current circumstances. Dria's response? She didn't care. Yet, the constant judgment and condemnation did hurt, deep down.
Dria hadn't chosen isolation; it had been thrust upon her because of her origins. She was a biracial girl, her father a member of one of the city's deadliest gangs. She resided in an area where gang members were a common presence, and she shouldered the responsibility of caring for two kids, often mistaken as her own.
Dria's classes passed swiftly, leaving her with mixed emotions. She couldn't decide whether to feel relieved about escaping the confines of her school for the day or anxious because her ever-growing to-do list was inching closer to overwhelming her. Caught in the middle of two worlds, she constantly grappled with the contrasting realms: the perilous, unpredictable realm of her father's gang and the world of education and opportunity she ardently pursued. Striking the right balance between her responsibilities and the choices she needed to make for herself and the children in her care was a perpetual struggle.
After collecting the children from school, Dria headed to the train station. Elliam, as usual, succumbed to sleep in her arms during the journey, a familiar occurrence that didn't bother her in the slightest.
With Elliam cradled in her arms, they reached their stop. Marcelo walked alongside her, clutching the sleeve of her jacket, just as she had requested.
The sun had dipped below the horizon, and Dria knew she needed to hurry to get them home before she was late for work.
As they strolled along the street, she exchanged greetings with a few acquaintances who called her name. However, as she was about to make the turn onto her block, she heard shuffling and groaning.
Her rational mind urged her to keep walking and ignore the sounds, but her curiosity eventually overpowered her resolve.
Dria veered onto the side street, which startled Marcelo. She quickly whispered to him to stay behind her. Moving forward cautiously, she discerned a group gathered in the darkness, surrounding someone lying on the ground, clutching their stomach or hand.
Though obscured by the group of individuals, Dria could make out the mop of black hair and pale skin shimmering faintly in the moonlight.
Approaching the group, she noticed them preparing to launch another assault on the person in question. However, a glimpse of a tattoo bearing the infamous name "Javier" made her roll her eyes in exasperation.
"Javier," Dria spoke, causing him to turn around, surprise evident in his expression at her presence.
"What are you doing here?" he inquired, his gaze shifting to the boy lying on the ground, clearly in pain.
Dria didn't miss the blue jacket, a telltale sign that confirmed her suspicions. She glanced past Javier and towards the boy, then shrugged in response. "I was searching for my lab partner, thought he might be running late, but there he is." She nodded toward the boy on the ground, carefully adjusting Elliam, who remained fast asleep in her arms.
Javier started to explain, "Well, your partner here was getting himself into a bit of a situation, but it was all in good fun," he remarked, reaching down to help the boy to his feet. "A little playfulness, that's all." His words were directed at the boy, who appeared frightened and uncertain. Dria, however, remained focused on Elliam, still sleeping soundly.
The boy nodded as his eyes locked with Dria's. "We should be on our way now," Javier stated, urging the boy forward. "Take care of your partner here, sweetheart; you never know what kind of trouble he might stumble into." Laughter erupted from Javier and his friends as they guided the boy away.
Dria hurriedly attempted to catch him, but he tumbled to the ground. It struck her that, even without the sleepy child in her arms, she wouldn't have managed to catch him in time.
"Come," she urged him, taking a few steps away from the scene, but she couldn't hear any footsteps following her. Glancing back, she found him frozen in place, his eyes filled with questions. "You wouldn't want to be around if they came back."
Turning away once more, she sensed a gentle tug at her jacket, a reassuring sign that Marcelo was still by her side. The journey back home was brief, affording her a moment to contemplate why Alucard Price found himself in such a disheartened state.
