Dark Moon: The Awakening Vol.1

Chapter 11: Shadows of the Unknown

Sooha woke the next morning with a dull ache in her arm, the events of the previous night fading into a haze. She remembered the attack, the boys fighting off the mysterious figures, and the searing pain of the blade, but the details were blurred. She couldn't quite recall what she had seen in the journal, nor the words "Blood Altar" that had struck her so deeply before. It was as though her mind had pushed those memories away, too overwhelming to process.

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts as she got ready for the day. The boys were unusually quiet when she met them at breakfast, their usual lively banter replaced by a tense silence. Still, they seemed to be watching her closely, as if waiting for her to bring up something she couldn't remember.

Heli slid into the seat beside her, his usual bright demeanor somewhat subdued. "Sooha, how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, just... a little confused, I guess," she admitted, trying to piece together what had happened. "Everything from last night feels like a bad dream."

Heli nodded sympathetically. "It was a rough night, but you're safe now. That's what matters."

The others murmured in agreement, though there was an undercurrent of concern in their voices. Sooha couldn't shake the feeling that they were holding something back, but she didn't press them. Instead, she focused on getting through the day, hoping that everything would return to normal.

As the afternoon sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the school grounds, the boys approached Sooha as she was heading back to her dorm. They seemed more at ease than they had been earlier, and there was a hint of excitement in their expressions.

"We've been talking," Jino began, glancing at the others. "And we wanted to invite you to a little get-together we're having."

"A party," Shion clarified with a grin. "Our birthday party, actually."

"Your birthday?" Sooha blinked in surprise. "All of you?"

Jakah chuckled. "Yeah, it's kind of a tradition we share. We celebrate together."

Sooha smiled, feeling a warm sense of inclusion. "I'd love to come. When is it?"

"Tonight," Jaan replied, handing her a small, elegantly crafted invitation. "We'll be starting around eight. It's at our place, off-campus."

As she took the invitation, Sooha noticed a brief, almost imperceptible exchange of glances between the boys. It was as if they were nervous about something, but they quickly masked it with smiles.

"Great," she said, tucking the invitation into her bag. "I'll be there."

As the boys left, Sooha suddenly felt a strange sensation-like a pair of eyes were watching her from somewhere in the distance. She glanced around, but the courtyard was empty except for a few students heading to their evening activities. Shaking off the eerie feeling, she headed back to her dorm to get ready for the party.

The moon was high in the sky by the time Sooha arrived at the address on the invitation. The boys' house was a grand, old-fashioned mansion tucked away in a quiet part of town, surrounded by tall, ancient trees that swayed gently in the night breeze. The place had an air of mystery about it, with its dark stone walls and ivy-covered façade, yet it also felt strangely welcoming.

Sooha hesitated for a moment before walking up the steps to the front door. She could hear the faint sound of music and laughter coming from inside, and her nerves began to ease. She was looking forward to spending time with the boys in a more relaxed setting, away from the pressures of school and the strange events that had been unfolding around her.

When she stepped inside, she was greeted by the warm glow of candles and soft lighting. The interior of the mansion was just as grand as the exterior, with high ceilings, intricate woodwork, and elegant furnishings. The boys were scattered throughout the room, mingling and chatting, but as soon as they saw her, they all turned to welcome her with smiles and waves.

Heli approached first, offering her a drink. "Glad you could make it, Sooha."

"Thanks for inviting me," Sooha replied, taking the glass. "This place is amazing."

"We've had it for a long time," Jino said, appearing at her side. "It's our home away from home."

The night went on with light-hearted conversations, laughter, and good music. The boys seemed more relaxed than they had been in days, and Sooha found herself enjoying their company even more. There was a sense of camaraderie between them that she appreciated, a feeling of being part of something special.

As the evening progressed, Sooha couldn't help but notice that the boys were leading the conversation toward a particular topic. They seemed to be waiting for the right moment to bring something up, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it had to do with what had happened last night.

Finally, as the clock struck midnight, Heli stood up and called for everyone's attention. "Sooha, there's something we need to talk to you about. It's important."

The room fell silent as the boys gathered around her, their expressions serious yet caring. Sooha's heart began to race, sensing that whatever they were about to tell her would change everything.

But before they could say a word, that strange sensation of being watched returned-stronger this time, more intense. Sooha glanced around the room, but no one else seemed to notice. She could feel two distinct presences, their gazes heavy on her, but she couldn't see where they were coming from.

Heli took a deep breath, his eyes flickering with an intensity Sooha had never seen before. The other boys stood close by, their expressions equally serious. Sooha could feel the tension in the room, the weight of the moment pressing down on her.

"There's something you need to know about us, Sooha..." Heli began, his voice steady but filled with emotion.

Sooha held her breath, sensing that whatever he was about to say would change everything.

"We're vampires."

The words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Sooha's mind raced, struggling to process what she had just heard. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the boys, her friends, who now seemed so different, so otherworldly.

Her mouth opened to speak, but no words came out. She was too shocked, too overwhelmed by the revelation. The truth she had been unknowingly seeking was finally in front of her, and it was more than she could have ever imagined.

And with that, the room fell into a tense, expectant silence as Sooha's world was forever altered by this shocking discovery.