HER KIND

Marcelo's First

'Chapter 9'

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

It had been two months since her uncle's visit, and everything seemed to be quiet. Dria hadn't heard anything from him except for the letter containing all of Kane's details, including his school schedule, which he had started a month ago.

Kane was adjusting remarkably well, considering the circumstances, especially for a young boy who had witnessed his family's downfall. He accompanied Dria and the twins on the bus to school, often waiting with them at the bus stop. Dria was pleased to see him and Marcelo getting along so well. Since Kane's arrival, the two of them had become inseparable.

No other Nulpine had been located, and according to her uncle's letter, there were suspicions that Katrina and her son might be in danger, but there was no concrete information beyond that. Dria was concerned that her uncle might send them to their home, potentially putting the twins at risk, and she felt conflicted about the situation.

While they were family, the safety and well-being of the twins had become her top priority. She let out a sigh as she folded the last piece of clothing and put it away.

Heading towards the kitchen, she waited for the stew to finish simmering so she could call the boys. Marcelo, Elliam, and Kane would complete their homework while the food cooled off, and she knew that she would have to face her own schoolwork soon enough.

The soft clinking of utensils filled the room, and Dria glanced up from her plate to see Marcelo staring at his meal with a distant look in his eyes.

"Eat your food, buddy," she encouraged him with a warm smile. "You'll need your energy if you want to watch that episode of Nalpheus Alley with Kane." Returning her attention to her own meal, she continued eating, but when she heard no movement from across the table, she looked at Marcelo again.

"Marc?" she inquired. Glancing at Elliam, who shrugged in response, she turned her focus back to Marcelo.

"Marcelo?" Dria whispered, her concern growing. Her hand reached out across the table toward his, but as soon as she touched it, she pulled her hand back. Marcelo's hand was as cold as ice.

"Marcelo?!" Dria called out urgently, rising from her chair and moving to his side. She gripped his shoulder, realizing that his entire body was unnaturally cold. She shook him repeatedly, calling his name with increasing worry.

"Marcelo!" Dria exclaimed, her voice filled with anxiety. She held his chubby face in her hands, turning it toward her, and was stunned to find that his eyes had transformed from brown to an icy blue, leaving her in shock.

"Marcelo?" Dria whispered once more, her voice trembling with concern as her lungs tightened at his continued silence. Gently, she picked him up, cradling him in her arms, and carried him all the way to his room, placing him on his bed and tucking him in. She turned to Kane, who now stood behind her, his expression filled with worry.

"Did this happen to you?" she asked, pointing to Marcelo. Kane shook his head and replied, "No, I didn't even know I had this; it just happened that night. I don't think I would have been able to get here without the strength."

Dria nodded, absorbing this information, and turned her attention back to the boy in bed. She considered calling her uncle, but she wasn't sure when he would arrive, and traditional methods like soup wouldn't work in this situation. After a moment of contemplation, she decided not to mention it to her uncle.

"Kane, fetch my phone from the countertop," she instructed. As she heard Kane's footsteps fading away, she focused on Marcelo, not noticing Elliam standing by his bedside.