Prologue

"DO YOU believe that extraordinary people are living among us? They can't be seen in roadways, streets, malls, or any places you can think of. They are hiding. But for them ... we are the ones who are hidden. "

"Is she really teaching or telling stories?"

I chuckled at my friend Ashley’s complaint, looking as though she can't contain her grimace while staring at the woman in front of us. She's about to open her mouth and speak again but I signaled her to be quiet. She stared at me for a second before leaning back to her chair. 

I tilted my head and shrugged. 

"In this vast universe is another universe full of humans with supernatural abilities," the teacher continued. 

A yawn escaped my lips as I rubbed my eyes. One of my classmates raised her hand which made my eyebrows narrow. 

I glared at my star-studded sister who was wearing a red above-the-knee halter neck dress. Her straight, black hair was loose with a green tint at the ends. She was almost standing with her hand in the air and so was her upright eyebrow which was obviously drawn.

"Do you even hear yourself? We're not kids. We're not up for bedtime stories," she said using her usual shrill voice.

Various rumors prevailed in the classroom. Whispering things, mostly about how they agree with my sister's assertion, including Ashley. 

"For the first time, your sister said sensical things," she whispered. I clasped my hand over my mouth to refrain my laugh. 

Silly, Ash. 

But yeah, I agree. She has a point. We're not some sort of kiddos to be taken in by an unrealistic story. And what's the point of telling us stories if we can just discuss the real subject? 

"Some of you may find it ridiculous," the teacher stated as if Astrid's complaint had not been heard. 

She roamed her eyes to the entirety of the class and stopped as her gaze shifted in my direction. 

"But believe me when I say it's true."

THREE days have passed since the weird discussion with our substitute biology teacher. I’ve been getting too preoccupied these past few days because of what she said. I know there's no reason to worry because after all, it's just a children's tale but I don't quite understand why it's affecting me too much. 

As usual, Ashley and I walked ourselves to the bus stop. I shook my head as she began to talk nonsense things again. 

Come on. Not now, Ashley. 

"Did you know that I saw a weird guy earlier?"

"What's up?" I asked, trying to sound as though I am interested.

"Well, I passed by the forest earlier and I saw him on the ground clenching his fist. His clothes were torn and full of dirt so I thought he's not on his right mind, you know what I mean. I was about to approach him but he looked up, and you know what's so shocking?" she asked, beaming at me.

My eyebrows furrowed. "He's handsome?" 

Ashley is fond of handsome men, so it's no wonder she pays more attention to a man's appearance.

"You really know me well, girl!" she exclaimed in excitement and hit my shoulders. 

I glared at her. "You can be thrilled without hitting."

She flashed an apologetic smile and made a peace sign. She's really something.

"So, yeah. He looked up and seriously, girl! He's drop dead handsome!" She stopped walking and looked up as if daydreaming. "His eyes were sapphire..."

"What the--!" 

I let out a horrified scream as I felt a sturdy arm grabbed both of my shoulders. A cold sharp-pointed thing touches my neck and it sent shivers to my spine. My breathing went heavy and panic is all I can think of. 

What's happening?! Who is this man!? 

"Despaire!" Ashley's loud cry filled her face with fear.

I closed my eyes and tried to free myself from the grip of the person behind me but only does he tightened it even more. This isn't helping!

"Let me go!" I kicked his knee even with my back turned against him. He cried out in pain but the attack wasn’t enough for me to free myself from his grip.

"One wrong move and you'll die ..." My breathing got heavier when the man moved his mouth closer to my temple. His breath almost meets mine and it tickles my ears — adding up to the fear that I am feeling. Oh, please! Somebody help!

"Choose your fate, Hope."

Horror and confusion enveloped my whole system. I tried to ball my fist but failed. I am too weak for it! All my body could react was to tremble!

Why is he calling me Hope? I am Despaire!

"Help! Help us, please!" Ashley's loud and panicked cry filled the place. A tear fell through my cheek. 

Please save yourself, Ashley. Please.

I gathered all my remaining courage and opened my trembling lips to speak.

"I am ..." I started, with my throat almost drying up. "I am not Hope ..." I shut my eyes when my head suddenly ached as if someone was trying to enter it. It's excruciating! 

The man violently released me and pushed me to the ground. Ashley immediately ran to cover me up.

"You stay away from her!"

I grasped my head as it hurt even more, like someone's squeezing it again and again. Something was poking my mind and I couldn't figure out what it was! I curled on the ground with my head down and my eyes closed. Fuck this! What is happening to me?!

"Oh my gosh, Despaire! Are you okay?"

Do you really have to ask, Ashley?

"You! What did you do to her!? The police are on their way, you punk!"

I tried to open my eyes and a pair of the golden iris of the man holding a knife met mine. His eyes were drowning me. Clenching my chest, I groaned as the pain pierced my head once more. 

My vision went blurry and laughs and puns whispered to my ears. I can't see anything! But my body ... nothing has changed. My groans and Ashley's cry are filling my ears as if it's competing with the waves of laughter. 

In front of me — no. Beside me is a fine man with disheveled dark blue hair. The ray of sunset was peaking over his head, making his face look fuzzy to me.

"You don't have to push everyone away, you know. Have some friends, too!" I poked his broad shoulder, attempting to tease him.

He glanced at me with his deep blue eyes. "Who said that I need friends?"

Everything went into a haze again and in a snap, towering trees and flowers glowing in radiance welcomed me. Everything is in vibrant color but it's not blinding. All is alive. I can't even see a single tree without leaves!

I felt a warm and tight embrace from behind. Recognizing the scent of him, a wholehearted smile escaped my lips.

"I miss you ... I thought you'll never come back," he muttered.

"It must've been so lonesome for you, then." I freed myself from his hug and faced him. "How are you?" 

I drew back the smile from my visage and for a moment, I saw his eyes glistened with tears. 

"I miss you, Hope ..."

In a blink of an eye, my vision went blurry again. The laughs weren't evident anymore. Instead, a woman's cry and a victorious laugh crept to my ears.

"Despaire, please wake up! Please!" I went wide-eyed as I recognized the voice. Ashley ... It was Ashley! 

What just happened?!

My eyes darted at the face of the man who tried to hurt me. His eyes ... What was it that I saw? The man who hugged me ... Who is he? 

Was that an illusion? Or is it part of my memory?

"Now you remember," he said in a cold manner.

Ashley's grip on my arm tightened. I don't understand — not even a single thing!

"Ah!" I groaned louder as my head hurt again. My breathing went shallow. I can feel the rapid beating in my chest, joining the aggravation of the pain wrapping around my head. Flashes and visions of faces kept lingering in my mind. Faces that I can't certainly recognize, but they look ... They all look so familiar.

A carefree smile of a woman with medium-length hair. A man with pair of beautiful eyes gleaming in deep blue ... And blood. Visions of blood.

I looked up and was greeted by the delicate and blue emptiness. I closed my eyes and bit my lip. It tastes like blood.

"Despaire ..." I felt Ashley's grip tightened even more, I could imagine my arms turning violet.

"Choose your fate, Hope."

I am not Hope ... Or am I?

I pressed the bite harder on my lip when I felt the cold and sharp thing on my neck again. My lips were trembling and I was scarcely breathing. The visions are still there. It's still haunting me. And as seconds go by, it's getting worse.

"You never learn. You're still weak, still naive," the man taunted as he violently pulled my hair.

Instead of squealing in pain, my mouth couldn't find words to utter. Even though I don’t understand much, even when I can't recognize the visions and faces I saw, I know what my destiny will be.

I was left incapable of fighting for myself ... I am weak. He's right. I never learn.

I screamed a silent cry of pain and horror as blood gushed from my neck down to my chest.  A triumphant grin flashed on the man's lips before speaking again — using the voice I am most familiar with, among all others.

His eyes ... his voice ... he is a memory. My memory. 

"Have fun greeting death, traitor."