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ONE

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ONE.

Echos of the Past

—     The room was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the bright lights of the academy

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—     The room was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the bright lights of the academy. The children were gathered in a line, each waiting their turn with a mix of anticipation and dread. A rough-looking biker, covered in tattoos himself, sat in the corner, preparing his equipment with an air of casual disinterest. The whole scene felt out of place, as if the gravity of the moment was lost on the man wielding the needle.

Despite the knot of anxiety in her stomach, Rowan smiled warmly at her siblings, trying to be the light in this otherwise grim moment.

"It's going to be okay," Rowan whispered, her voice soft and gentle. "It's just a little prick, and then we'll all have matching tattoos. It'll be like we're in a secret club."

Ben gave her a small, appreciative smile, though his eyes remained fixed on the needle. Rowan squeezed his hands, offering silent support as the needle hummed to life.

Klaus was the first to step forward, his usual nonchalance masking any nerves he might have had. He sauntered over to the chair and sat down with a smirk, giving the tattoo artist a playful wink. "Let's get this over with, yeah?"

As Klaus sat, Rowan offered him a small, encouraging smile. "You've got this, Klaus," she said softly, knowing how much he relied on humor to get through difficult situations.

The biker shrugged, not bothering with any pleasantries. The needle buzzed to life, and he let out a dramatic gasp, earning a round of chuckles from the others—except for Five, who remained silent and distant. Klaus glanced over at his siblings, offering them a reassuring smile, but his eyes were drawn to Allison, who was next in line.

As soon as Klaus was done, Allison took his place, her face pale with anxiety. Rowan could see the fear in her eyes and sent her a gentle smile before she sat down. "Just close your eyes and don't think about it, okay?"

Allison nodded, but as the tattoo began, the sting was too much. Tears welled up in her eyes, and by the time the tattoo was finished, she was quietly sobbing. Klaus didn't hesitate. He pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as she cried against his shoulder. "It's okay, Allie," he murmured, rubbing her back. "It's over now."

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