Whispers of the Unbitten. | Katseye FF Sophia x Manon

Chapter 1 : First Day

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི

Manon Bannerman stirred awake, the soft light of dawn filtering through her bedroom window, casting a warm glow on the walls. She blinked a few times, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep that clung to her like a shroud. A yawn escaped her lips, wide and unrestrained, as she stretched her arms above her head. The plush comforter beneath her felt like a cloud, but the comfort was fleeting as a wave of frustration washed over her.

She rubbed her temples, feeling the familiar throb of blood thirst creeping in. It was a sensation that had haunted her for weeks, a gnawing need that was as primal as it was unsettling. It was a reminder of her nature, a reminder that she was different. With a sudden urgency, she shot out of bed, her heart racing as she dashed toward her dresser.

"Where are those damn blood pills?" she muttered under her breath, rifling through the drawers in a frenzy. The cool wood felt oddly grounding against her skin, but the rising panic made it hard to focus. After a moment that felt like an eternity, her fingers finally brushed against the small bottle. She snatched it up, unscrewed the cap, and without a second thought, swallowed a couple of the crimson capsules dry, chasing them down with a gulp of water from her bedside.

As the cool liquid slid down her throat, she felt the tension in her body begin to ease. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, and she leaned against the dresser, closing her eyes for a moment. "Get it together, Manon," she chided herself. "It's just a first day of school, not a blood hunt."

With a renewed sense of calm, she made her way to the bathroom. The shower was a sanctuary, a place where the steam enveloped her like a warm embrace. For thirty minutes, she stood under the cascading water, letting it wash away her worries and the remnants of her restless night. The sound of the water was soothing, a gentle reminder that she was alive, even if her existence was a little... unconventional.

Once she was clean and her mind felt a bit clearer, she stepped out of the shower and dried off. The mirror reflected her image back at her: brown skin glistening with droplets of water, dark hair cascading in waves, framing her face. She took a moment to appreciate her appearance, adjusting the strands that had fallen out of place. After a few more minutes of grooming, she slipped into her favorite outfit: a pair of UNIF pants that hugged her curves perfectly and a white Mirabel corset that accentuated her figure. The outfit felt empowering, a reminder that she could embrace her identity, even if it was complicated.

With one last look in the mirror, she grabbed her bag and her phone, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension bubble within her. Today was the day she would navigate the halls of a new school, a place where she could either blend in or stand out. As she stepped out of her room, she heard her parents talking in the kitchen.

"Just avoid them," she whispered to herself, trying to muster the courage to slip past unnoticed. But as she reached the doorway, her father's voice rang out, cutting through her resolve.

"Manon."

Sighing, she turned around, plastering a fake smile on her face. "Yes, Dad?" she replied, trying to sound cheerful despite the knot in her stomach.

Her mother looked up from the counter, concern etched on her face. "Manon, sweetie... are you still taking your blood pills? You know you're going to give in to the thirst sooner or later."

The question hung in the air, heavy and loaded. Manon felt her cheeks flush with irritation. "Mom, I'm fine. Daniela is picking me up, so I'll be out of your hair soon," she said, grabbing her water bottle to take another sip, hoping to wash down the frustration that threatened to bubble over.