Bloodline Chronicles : Awakening

CHAPTER1: Eva's Ordinary Life

Eva Carter had always felt out of place in her own skin, but it wasn't until her twenty-first birthday that she began to understand why. The headaches, the insomnia, the sudden aversion to sunlight—none of it made sense. She had hoped that working late at the New Avalon Museum, surrounded by ancient manuscripts and dusty artifacts, would help her escape the growing unease gnawing at her.

The museum, located in the heart of the historical district, was a sanctuary for Eva. She loved the echoing silence of the grand halls and the musty smell of old books. Tonight, she was working on cataloging a new collection of medieval manuscripts that had recently arrived. She carefully turned the pages of a leather-bound tome, her fingers tracing the intricate calligraphy.

"Still here, Eva?" a voice broke the silence. It was Mr. Thompson, the museum's elderly curator. His white hair and kind eyes reminded her of a wise old owl.

"Just finishing up, Mr. Thompson," she replied with a smile. "I wanted to make some progress on these new manuscripts."

"You work too hard, my dear. Go home and get some rest," he said, patting her shoulder gently. "These old books will still be here tomorrow."

Eva nodded, knowing he was right but reluctant to leave the safety of the museum. She packed up her things and bid Mr. Thompson goodnight. As she stepped out into the cool night air, the fog rolled in from the bay, shrouding the cobblestone streets in a ghostly veil.

The walk to her apartment was usually a peaceful one, but tonight, something felt off. Eva quickened her pace, her footsteps echoing in the deserted streets. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw nothing but swirling fog and darkened windows.

She turned a corner, and a sudden noise made her heart leap. A shadowy figure stepped out of the alley ahead of her, blocking her path. Panic surged through her veins as she backed away, but the figure moved with unnatural speed, grabbing her arm.

"Who—what do you want?" she stammered, struggling to break free.

The figure's grip tightened, and she could see his face now—pale, with eyes that glowed unnaturally in the dim light. "You," he hissed, his voice a chilling whisper. "I've been waiting for you."

Eva's mind raced. She had no idea who this man was or why he was after her. She fought against his hold, but he was too strong. Just when she thought all hope was lost, a blur of motion came from the shadows, and the man was ripped away from her.

Another figure stood between her and the attacker, moving with fluid grace and deadly precision. The two men clashed, their movements too fast for Eva to follow. She stumbled back, pressing herself against the wall, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Within moments, it was over. Her rescuer stood over the fallen attacker, who lay motionless on the ground. The victor turned to face her, his eyes glowing the same eerie blue.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.

Eva nodded, still too shocked to speak. The man stepped closer, and she could see him more clearly now. He was tall, with dark hair and an air of old-world elegance.

"My name is Alexander," he said gently. "You're safe now, Eva."

"How do you know my name?" she managed to whisper.

"There is much you don't know about yourself," Alexander replied, his eyes softening. "But I promise, I'll help you understand. Come with me."

Confused and scared, but feeling a strange sense of trust towards her savior, Eva allowed Alexander to guide her away from the scene. As they walked, a thought occurred to her, something she needed to ask.

"Who was that man? Why was he after me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Alexander paused, turning to face her fully. His eyes met hers, and she felt a strange pull, as if she could lose herself in their depths.

"You don't need to worry about him," he said softly. "In fact, you won't remember any of this."

Before Eva could react, Alexander's eyes seemed to glow brighter, and his voice took on a hypnotic quality. "When you wake up tomorrow, you'll remember that you stayed late at the museum, walked home safely, and went straight to bed. Everything else will be a blur."

Eva felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, and her vision blurred. She tried to protest, but the words wouldn't come. Her last coherent thought was of Alexander's glowing eyes, and then everything went dark.