“Hey! Get up it’s time for the festival-“ 

BANG! 

My eyes flew open at the sudden noise. Alek flew across the room from a gust of wind hitting the wall. Who cast an annoyed glance at him while sitting up in bed. Then grabbed his formal uniform and walked up to the bathroom. I sighed, rubbing my eyes as I sat up. I grabbed my glasses. Xiongyan exited his long hair now back into a ponytail. His hand was on the door when Alek called out to him:

“Why don’t you come with us! It’ll be much more fun than training all alone!”

Xiongyan looked at us with an indifferent expression, “Not interested.” And left.

“Why are you trying to befriend him? He’s clearly not interested besides the risks-“

Alek laced his hand behind his back stretching. “You worry too much, relax, I got this under control he won’t suspect a thing.”

“If you say so….” I said skeptically.

“Come on! Let’s go!” Alek grabbed my wrist dragging me along. 

“Alek please cease this behavior of yours!” I exclaimed. 

“If I didn’t do this you’d overthink yourself into a panic attack!” He giggled, throwing a smiling face at me. 

I opened my mouth to retort that isn’t true but would that happen? I don’t think so …do I? I do get anxious easily. Hmmmm… 

“You’re doing it again aren’t you?” Alek skidded to a stop nearly smacking into a street lamp. The soles of his shoes squeaking and grinding against the stone street.

Being early on the day it wasn’t too crowded yet. We still had a lot of time to kill. After several hours of wandering around Food stalls caught my attention. I should probably eat…I forgot breakfast, that's the first…I approached a food stall with grilled fish. 

“Oh hello young lad, it’s an honor to have a member of Hiraeth attending the festival.”

“Can I have a grilled fish skewer please?”

“Here you go.” The older man with graying hair handed me one with a smile. 

As me and Alek started walking I took a bite. It tasted like nothing just had the texture of meat. When it hit my stomach I felt nausea rise up. I ignored it and kept eating. Never has any flavor hit my tongue. The nausea is getting worse. 

“Jin are you alright? Your face is green.” Alek said with a concerned expression on his face.

Bile rose to my throat a minute later. I threw up the fish skewer. Food and drink no longer can sustain them. The only thing that does is blood. Captain Medea’s words ran through my head. This can’t be happening. I ran from the food stall buying food, all of them tasteless. I kept throwing up everyone. 

“No…no…no” I muttered over and over

“Jin, it’s gonna be okay-“ Alek placed a hand on my shoulder. Something inside me snapped.

“No, it’s not!” An arc of shadow burst from me sending Alek flying. He was still breathing but he didn’t get up. I hurt him. I injured my own friend. Shame washed over me. People looked at me in horror. Mothers pulling their children closer. 

The word Witch echoing through the crowd. I turned and ran. I stopped in an alleyway behind some stores sitting on crates. I leaned my head against the wall. That blast felt powerful, if he wasn’t a half-vampire he’d be dead. I couldn’t really be a witch, can I? I’m not capable of mass devastation. 

Right? I’m-not dangerous. My grip tightened on my trousers. But Alek could be dying right now dying because of me. My heart rate accelerated. Shadows covered my hand flicking out like tentacles. Breathing coming faster and faster. I heard someone approaching me I didn’t care.

“Jin what's wrong?” I looked up to see Medea looking at me concerned.

“I-I nearly killed… I nearly killed him!” Shadow flared up snapping, flicking, towards her.

“How did it happen?” Captained Medea asked. “Does it have to do with blood?” She reached out to touch my shoulder-

“D-don’t! That’s how I hurt him!” I leaned forward gripping my head with my hands. 

“Who? Are you talking about your mate the short pink-haired boy?”

I nodded.

She tried to touch me again. Laying a hand on my cheek pulling away my hands. I tensed shadow flickering around my hands stronger. “It’s okay, you’re not going to hurt me I promise.”

“I still can’t control it…I could still harm you.” She looked at me with a kind and calm face. I felt safety in her warmth. 

She remained silent for a minute“May I see the memory for myself?”

Memory? I remember her magic has something to do with memory…” I narrowed my eyes at her, “I don’t want you looking around my head.”

“I won’t, I will only see what happened with him.”

I nodded. She grabbed my hand and a crystal appeared blinding me in a wave of light. I saw the scene flashing ahead of me. Then it suddenly changed 

Shadows flicked and lashed out grabbing my arms and body like it was trying to devour me. My heart faces in fear but it only got worse. “Papa! Papa! The shadows are eating me!” 

Papa rushed into my room. “Jin, you’re manifesting magic it’s alright.”

“I’m-I’m scared! What if it swallows me up?!”

“Calm down,” he placed both his hands on my shoulders. “Freaking out will only worsen it. Close your eyes and take deep breaths.”

“Will that work?” I said anxiously

“Absolutely.” 

I closed my eyes and did as Papa said I took deep breaths. When I opened my eyes the shadows were gone.

“See I told you it would work.” Then he embraced me.

It abruptly ended bringing me back to reality. I slapped her hand away. “I told you don’t go looking around my head!” Shadows flared up around me like flames from oil.

Her ear tips went bright red. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry!” She quickly regained her composure. Clearing her throat, “Let me apologize.” She brought my gloved hand to her mouth and kissed it. Her eyes lingering on my hand. “You have such delicate hands like a woman…” she muttered.

“I beg your pardon Captain?” I asked confused.