The walls were too white. The ceiling too bright. The hum of machines and whispers of latex gloves brushing across metal made Mia's stomach twist.
She sat still, small legs swinging above the floor as she watched them. Doctors, nurses, assistants—none of them could meet her gaze for long. The hospital belonged to the Rowland family, so the entire hospital was reserved for Mia's test. Ken wanted Mia to remain a secret to the public for the time being, so of course, the staff wondered who the girl was.
Ken stood nearby, watching silently. His eyes never left her.
Blood samples. Reflex tests. Brain scans. Conversations in whispered jargon behind glass.
Mia just observed.
Not a word escaped her lips. Not a flicker of reaction.
The results were hidden. Encrypted. Locked.
When it was over, Ken held out his hand.
"Let's get out of here."
They drove in silence, the city passing like a dream outside the tinted windows. They parked near a quiet riverside park—hidden in the crook of a hill and shadowed by tall trees. Wind rustled through the leaves, scattering little golden flecks of autumn across the path.
The air was crisp. Alive.
Mia's eyes lifted, drawn to the sound of distant chimes—a vendor's cart at the park's edge. Ken bought her ice cream, vanilla with crushed strawberries. He picked mint chocolate.
They sat on a bench overlooking the slow-moving water.
A couple of ducks swam lazily. Children laughed somewhere in the distance.
Ken took a spoonful of his own ice cream, made a face. "Too minty."
Mia blinked at him. Then offered hers.
He took a tiny bite. Grimaced.
"Too sweet."
Mia exploded into a giggle. A pure, bubbling sound like spring water breaking over smooth stones. Her face lit up, cheeks rosy, her eyes crinkling for the first time.
It startled even her.
"Is ice cream always this good?" she asked, licking another spoonful with exaggerated delight.
"Only when shared," Ken said, smirking.
She stuck her tongue out, only to have a dab of ice cream land on her nose. Ken blinked innocently. "Oops."
Mia launched a counterattack.
And for those few minutes, the world was soft.
Then, as they sat back watching the sunset paint the sky gold, Ken spoke.
"You know... I'm not good at this. Being a father and all. I never planned to be one. But when I saw you that day, I just... couldn't leave you there."
Mia looked up at him. Silent.
"You remind me of someone I knew. Someone strong. But lonely."
"Did they ever stop being lonely?"
Ken hesitated. "Only when someone stayed."
Another beat. Then Mia whispered—
"Will you stay?"
He looked down, warm and serious.
"I promise. Whether you like it or not, you are now stuck with me now."
She blushed.
She reached for his hand. And together, they walked back home as the sun dipped beneath the trees.
That night, Ken stirred to a soft knock. Then the creak of a door.
Mia stood in the doorway, hugging a pillow.
"is something the matter, Mia?"
She nodded.
He wasn't asleep. He scooted slightly to make space.
She climbed in, her small body curling next to his. Her eyes were open, staring at the ceiling.
Ken looked down. "Do you want to talk about it?"
She hesitated. Then quietly—
"I lost everything."
Ken's breath caught." In the dream, I mean."
She buried her face into the pillow. She trembled.
He gently pulled her closer.
"That wasn't a dream, was it?"
Mia didn't answer. Not with words.
But silent tears traced lines down her cheeks.
Ken held her until her breathing slowed. Until the memories stopped shaking her shoulders.
He didn't press. Didn't ask again.
She had snuck into his bed seeking warmth. A parent's warmth.
And finally, Mia slept. Ever since the test, Ken couldn`t believe it. There was a small tattoo on the back of Mia`s head. It was the tattoo of the sun`s image. Sabastian was the one who saw it and alerted Ken. As soon as the girl's breathing was fair and asleep, he emerged from the shadows. Ken quietly parted the hair at the back of her head.
"Sir, we have confirmed it's the same emblem as the one on her neck. I think she was one of them." Suddenly, the room became chill, as if the temperature had reduced by a few degrees. Sabastian felt goosebumps form on his flesh. That man, the very one harmlessly holding a little girl. was one of the only beings able to make him feel fear.
"Investigate, from when she was found, that Selene person and the symbol. I need answers."
"Yes, sir," he said, vanishing into the darkness. Mia opened her eyes. She had controlled her breathing to make it seem as if she was asleep.She already knew Sebastian was there; if she stayed at the door, he would have detected her. During the first training session, she was gathering intel on the man`s skills and abilities. he was Good, at least decent, in comparison to people in her clan. The only way she could've infiltrated here and gathered intel was using this trick.
"i know you heard all that my little Mia"
Her Name is Samantha
The private terminal buzzed softly with the sound of heels against polished marble.
She stepped off the jet like the wind belonged to her—long silver hair catching the breeze, brilliant red eyes that seemed to glow even in the soft light. Her figure was elegant: tailored jeans hugging her waist, a black turtleneck beneath a long beige coat.
Men and women alike turned to look. They always did.
Samantha Smith adjusted her sunglasses.
Beside her walked a boy with delicate features and shoulder-length dark hair. His movements were graceful, yet unreadable—like a page halfway turned. A mystery in motion.
"From now on," Samantha said softly, "you call me Samantha. Not Selene. That name's buried."
The boy said nothing, but his eyes flickered.
"Well Ari... let's begin anew. A fresh start. Ready?"