Heart of a vampire

"A New Chapter Begins"?

Under the soft glow of her bedroom lamp, Isolde was lost in a world of fangs and fantasy, her eyes dancing over the pages of her latest vampire novel. With each word, her imagination painted a vivid picture of night creatures and mystical beings that seemed almost real enough to touch.

"I just love this," she murmured to herself, her fingers brushing against the spine of a book adorned with intricate fairy wings. "How wonderful it would be to live in their world."

The creak of her door interrupted her daydreams, and Paxton's silhouette filled the doorway. His voice dripped with disdain. "Why do you fill your head with such nonsense?"

Isolde's gaze didn't waver from her books. "Because, Paxton, there's more to life than what we see."

He scoffed, tossing the word "pathetic" into the room like a grenade before disappearing down the hall. The sting of it lingered, but was soon overshadowed by her parents' summons.

Descending the stairs, Isolde found her parents, Denzel and Ana, seated with Paxton, who wore an expression of indifference. Her heart was aflutter with excitement as she greeted them, but Ana's stern voice cut her short, "Isolde, please. We need to talk."

An apology slipped from Isolde's lips, earning a soft chuckle from Paxton and a gentle admonition from Denzel. "You're always apologizing, just sit, Isolde."

The news they shared was unexpected—a new beginning at a private school. Isolde's heart sank. Why the upheaval when she was content with her current school?

Ana's sharp reprimand to her questions was softened by Paxton's cold stare, prompting her to smile instead. Denzel concluded the discussion, decreeing that they would start packing immediately.

Back in her room, Isolde sat on her bed, a wave of reluctance washing over her. The thought of new beginnings, new friends—it was all too much. She reached for her book, seeking solace in its pages, and soon, sleep claimed her, leaving her worries for another day.

Meanwhile, Denzel, Ana, and Paxton remained at the table. "What are you trying to do?" Paxton asked, his voice cutting through the tension.

"It's for the best," Ana replied, her eyes betraying a hint of uncertainty. "It will be better for her."