Nikole dabbed at her face with her sleeve, attempting to conceal the bloodstains from Kelvin and Michelle. "It's just a scratch," she assured them, her voice strained with effort.
Michelle's eyes widened with concern. "Mom, you're bleeding! We need to get help," she urged, her tone tinged with fear.Nikole nodded weakly in agreement. "Yes, let's find somewhere safe to rest," she acquiesced, each word a struggle against her labored breathing.They stumbled upon a secluded alley and sank to the ground, seeking refuge from the chaos. Nikole leaned heavily on Kelvin, her head swimming with dizziness."We need water," Kelvin rasped, his voice hoarse from exhaustion. "And we should tend to Mom's wound."Nikole nodded in acknowledgment, her voice barely audible above their ragged breaths. "We'll find water and take care of this," she promised, determination flickering in her eyes despite the overwhelming odds.Nikole was getting worse by the minute. The blood kept flowing from her head, and she was getting weaker. Kelvin knew they needed help, and they needed it fast."We have to get you to a hospital, Mom," Kelvin said, his voice filled with concern.Nikole nodded weakly. "Yes, Kelvin, I think you're right," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.Determined to find help, Kelvin decided to take Nikole to the nearest government hospital. He hoped they could get some urgent medical attention there, even if they couldn't pay for it.As they walked towards the hospital, Kelvin couldn't help but notice how rundown it looked. The walls were cracked, and the paint was peeling off. The flickering neon sign outside made the place look even more eerie.Entering the hospital, they were greeted by chaos. Patients filled the waiting area, some crying out in pain. The air was heavy with the smell of antiseptic.Approaching the reception desk, Kelvin explained Nikole's condition to the nurse. "Please, my mom needs help. She's bleeding, and we don't know what to do," he pleaded.But the nurse shook her head. "I'm sorry, sir, but we need proper documentation," she said firmly.Kelvin's heart sank. "But she's sick. Can't you see that?" he asked, desperation creeping into his voice."I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do," the nurse replied, gesturing for them to leave.Feeling defeated, Kelvin helped Nikole to her feet. "Come on, Mom, let's go," he said softly, his voice trembling with emotion.Nikole leaned heavily on Kelvin as they walked away from the hospital. The weight of her body pressed against him, and he could feel her pain with each step they took.As they made their way down the road, Kelvin noticed the blood still trickling down Nikole's face from the wound on her head. He quickly took off his shirt and tore a piece of cloth from it, using it to tie around her head to stop the bleeding as best as he could.The midday sun beat down on them mercilessly, intensifying the pain of Nikole's wound. She winced with each step, trying to keep moving despite the agony.Kelvin swallowed his pride and began to approach passersby, begging for help. "Please, can you spare some change? My mom needs medical help," he pleaded, his voice shaky with emotion.But one after another, people turned him away, ignoring his pleas. Kelvin felt the sting of rejection with each rejection, but he refused to give up.Finally, a kind-hearted woman stopped in front of them, her eyes filled with compassion. "Here, take this," she said, handing Kelvin a few coins. "I hope it helps."Tears welled up in Kelvin's eyes as he thanked the woman profusely. "Thank you so much," he said, his voice choked with gratitude. "God bless you."With the meager amount of money in hand, Kelvin hurried to the nearest food stall, determined to get something for Nikole to eat.Kelvin decided to search around if he could find any bush nearby where he could get some herbs to Help stop the blood flow from Nikole's wound, but he searched earnestly, and found nothing, as the bushes were dry, the land being a desert area.Disappointed, Kelvin searched harder for any signs of bushes nearby. As evening approached and the sun began to set, he was taken aback to find a thick forest in such a barren area. Curious, he decided to venture into the forest.Entering the forest, Kelvin was surprised to find that it was still bright inside, despite the setting sun outside, but it was still hot and humid, making him sweat profusely as he searched for the herb.Suddenly, he heard someone calling his name. Kelvin looked around, but there was no one in sight. He shook his head, thinking it was just his imagination, and continued his search.But then he heard his name again, this time the voice sounded urgent. Kelvin's suspicions grew, and he began to move cautiously, unsure of who or what was calling out to him.For the third time, he heard the voice, but this time it was harsh and impatient. "Right in front of you, you moron," it said bluntly.Startled, Kelvin looked up to see a beautiful white bird perched on a branch nearby. He had never seen anything like it before, except in fantasy books. The bird, had soft, pristine feathers that glowed in the light, and deep, soulful eyes filled with wisdom and kindness. Kelvin couldn't help but be amazed by the bird's appearance.Kelvin reached out to touch the bird, but Whisper fluttered away, squawking, "Don't touch! I don't want my feathers messed up."Surprised, Kelvin lowered his hand and listened as Whisper asked him what he wanted in the magical forest of Everwood. Kelvin explained how his mom was sick and needed urgent attention.Whisper appeared to ponder for a moment, his black eyes glinting with thought. Then, with a decisive nod, he said, "Follow me!"With each flap of his wings, Whisper chirped amusing words, trying to act like he was a seasoned flier. "Hold on tight, Kelvin! We're off to save the day!" he exclaimed, dashing through the forest with Kelvin trailing behind.Whisper led Kelvin to a secluded site in the forest, where bright green herbs covered the ground. Among them stood a special plant that caught Kelvin's eye. Its leaves were arranged in such a way that they resembled the shape of a man's face, with a crooked nose and a mischievous grin."Touch it," Whisper instructed, his voice barely audible over the rustling of leaves.Kelvin paused for a moment before reaching out to touch the herb. As his fingers made contact, the plant began to shake and swing, as if dancing to an invisible tune. Kelvin watched in awe as the herb responded to his touch."Wow!" Kelvin exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.But the heat of the sun bore down on them, intensifying with each passing moment. Kelvin felt beads of sweat trickling down his forehead as he listened to Whisper's next words."That's the herb you need for your mom," Whisper said solemnly, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "Give it to her, and she'll start feeling better in
Michelle looked up as Kelvin approached, her eyes searching for good news. "So, what happened? Did you get the job?" she asked, her voice a mix of hope and anxiety. Kelvin managed a small smile, nodding. "Yes, I start tomorrow. It's going to be okay, Michelle. We'll make it through this," he reassured her, though the memory of Mr. Johnson's warning kept ringing in his mind.****The morning came with the usual bustle of Aridolia, the city waking up to the sound of cars and the distant hum of machines working non-stop. Kelvin was jolted awake by these loud noises, reminding him that today was his first day on a new job, a chance to change things for him and Michelle.Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Kelvin Searched through his bag, looking for something decent to wear. He pulled out the shirt his mom had given him a few months back before everything turned upside down. It wasn't much to look at, faded and a bit too large for him, but to Kelvin, it was perfect. The shirt was a pale blue
The clang of metal on metal echoed through the narrow stone passage, a horrific sight bouncing off the damp walls. Prisoners face etched with agony, huddled in the meager light filtering through a barred window high above. Their ragged clothes offered little protection from the cold, and the flickering torches lining the hallway cast monster shadows that danced across the uneven floor. The air hung heavy, thick with the stench of mold, sweat, and something far more disturbing, a metallic tang that sent shivers down Thompson's spine. It was the smell of blood, fresh and old.A deep scream ripped through the oppressive silence, shattering the peace that had momentarily settled. It was a blood-curdling shriek, filled with terror that echoed deep within Thompson's body. Weak and tired, Thompson changed positions. The last thing he remembered was a struggle, a searing pain in his head, and then… nothing. Panic surged through him as he tried to sit up, only to find his wrists and ankles bou
Marcus stormed into the Sunrise Cafe, his appearance unkempt and untidy, his clothes rumpled and stained. His eyes blazed with fury as he confronted Kelvin, who was busy wiping down the tables in preparation for the day ahead.Kelvin glanced up, startled by Marcus's sudden outburst, but chose to ignore him and continued with his task."You!" Marcus's voice boomed, cutting through the din of the cafe. "I've had enough of you! It's either you leave or I leave. You choose!".Kelvin leaned against a nearby table, staring defiantly as Marcus came closer. "Did you brush your teeth this morning?" Kelvin's voice was full of disdain. "Your breath stinks, Marcus. You smell."Marcus, surprised, brought his hand to his mouth and blew on it, then sniffed. His face twisted in disgust, confirming Kelvin's words.Marcus's fists clenched at his sides, his face contorted with rage. He was itching to deliver a blow to Kelvin's smug face, but Kelvin's challenging stare held him back."Go ahead, Marcus. D
As Kelvin sat in the corner, he nervously played with the envelope Mr. Wilson had given him earlier. He hadn't checked what was inside yet, feeling a bit scared. "Why am I feeling like this?" he whispered to himself, puzzled.Suddenly, the phone rang loudly, startling Kelvin. "Kelvin, come to my office now," Mr. Johnson's voice came through the receiver. Kelvin felt a shiver down his spine."Yes sir, I'm coming," Kelvin replied quickly, his hands trembling. He slipped the unopened envelope back into his pocket and rushed to Mr. Johnson's office, his mind filled with worry about what Mr. Johnson wanted to talk about.Kelvin stood in Mr. Johnson's office, his heart pounding with panic. Mr. Johnson extended his hand, silently requesting the envelope. Kelvin hesitated for a moment, wondering what Mr. Johnson was requesting.Without wasting any time, Kelvin brought out the envelope from his pocket and handed it over to Mr. Johnson. As Mr. Johnson examined the envelope, Kelvin couldn't shak
At midnight, the windows of Kelvin's apartment began to tremble violently. Startled from his sleep, Kelvin jolted upright, casting a quick glance at Michelle who lay beside him, still enveloped in the warm embrace of a thick blanket and deep in slumber. Gently easing himself out of bed, trying not to disturb Michelle, Kelvin tiptoed across the cold floor to the window. His heart raced with a mix of fear and curiosity. As he pulled back the curtain, his eyes scanned the dark, quiet street outside. Just as he reached the window, the trembling ceased abruptly. Kelvin frowned, his brow furrowed in confusion. He muttered to himself, "What on earth was that all about?"After a moment of peering into the stillness, he sighed and whispered, "Must have been my imagination." Turning back to the bed, he noticed Michelle stirring under the blanket. "Kelvin? What's happening?" her voice was groggy with sleep.He smiled reassuringly, "Nothing to worry about. Just some strange noises. Go back to
"Party tonight, Kelvin! It'll be wild, and Sarah will be there!" George, Kelvin's high school buddy, announced with a grin, shoving aside the books scattered across George's desk at his home.Sarah was Kelvin's secret crush. Smart, beautiful, and popular with everyone, even some of the teachers. Her perfect grades made him admire her even more. But Sarah wasn't known for hanging out with guys who weren't well-off, and that worried Kelvin about the party."Ugh, parties aren't my thing," Kelvin mumbled, his voice laced with doubt.Despite George's enthusiasm, Kelvin remained unconvinced. He slumped back in his chair, the weight of upcoming exams pressing down on him. Parties meant loud music, flashing lights, and way too many people everything Kelvin disliked."Come on, Kelvin, you can't miss this!" George pressed, leaning closer. "Trust me, it'll be epic. You'll thank me later.""Fine, I'll consider it," Kelvin finally accepted, gathering his books. He followed George, a knot of nervous
As Sarah's eyes widened in surprise, Kelvin felt a rush of panic wash over him. She had always known him as the shy, timid boy who never stood up for himself. Without a word, Kelvin turned and walked without saying anything more, as Kelvin couldn't believe what he had just done.Unknown to Kelvin, a mysterious figure in a black hoodie, part of the clan of the mist-covered Evernight from the generation of Leopold, the rebellious brother, had been watching him closely.Back at the party, the music blared on. Kelvin found George, easy to spot because he was dancing wildly with a blonde girl. But before Kelvin could even speak, George had his arm around another girl, this one with red hair."Hey man, where'd you go?" George slurred, his voice thick. "Come on, let's party!"Kelvin grabbed George's arm, way harder than usual. "We gotta leave now"Kelvin finally stopped, catching his breath, his heart racing. He glanced around nervously before George's insistent gaze. The fury in George's e