The moon hung high in the night sky, its silver glow casting a serene light over the academy grounds. Alex walked back to his room after his battle with Sarah, his mind replaying the events of the match. His victory had been decisive, but he knew the attention it had drawn was only beginning.
As he passed the training field, he noticed a lone figure sitting under the massive oak tree near the edge of the grounds. The faint outline of pale skin and long hair made it clear who it was Crystal.
Curiosity tugged at him. Crystal was an enigma, her mysterious nature intriguing him more with every interaction. Instead of continuing to his dorm, Alex changed course and approached her.
"Crystal," he said softly as he neared.
Crystal's red eyes shifted to him, faintly glowing under the moonlight. She remained silent, her expression unreadable as always.
Alex stopped a few feet away, hands in his pockets. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Still no response. Crystal simply gazed at him, her eyes sharp and cold.
"I know what happened," Alex said, breaking the silence.
At his words, Crystal's expression stiffened. Her body tensed, and her red eyes narrowed dangerously.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice low and icy.
Alex raised his hands slightly, a gesture of peace. "I know about the mission. The one you were sent on with your Beta classmates. I know it failed, and you were the only one who made it back."
Crystal's fists clenched at her sides, her face hardening with anger. "How do you know that?"
"Jasper," Alex admitted. "He hacked into the academy's files. I needed to know more about you, especially after…" He trailed off, gesturing vaguely. "I just wanted to understand."
Crystal stood abruptly, her crimson eyes burning with fury. "You invaded my privacy?" she hissed. "You had no right....."
"I didn't mean any harm," Alex interrupted, his voice calm. "I know it wasn't your fault. Whatever happened out there, I'm sure it wasn't because of you."
Crystal's anger faltered, her gaze wavering. For a moment, it seemed like she might lash out again, but instead, she sank back down onto the grass, her shoulders slumping.
"You don't understand," she said softly, her voice laced with bitterness.
"Then help me understand," Alex said, sitting down beside her.
Crystal was silent for a long time, her fingers absently tracing patterns in the grass. Finally, she spoke.
"My Tay," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not like others. The Vampire Tay is rare, yes, but it's also cursed. It thrives on the blood of others. It gives me strength, power, but… at a cost. When I lose control, it takes over. On that mission…" She paused, her voice trembling slightly. "Something went wrong. My teammates they turned on me. They thought I was a threat, and in their panic, they attacked me."
Alex listened intently, his expression unreadable.
"I defended myself," Crystal continued. "I didn't mean to… but when it was over, they were all gone. The academy blamed me, of course. They demoted me to Epsilon, made me an outcast."
Her voice grew harsher, her hatred evident. "They think I'm a monster."
Alex leaned forward, his tone steady. "You're not a monster, Crystal. You're just different. They're afraid of what they don't understand."
Crystal turned to him, her eyes softening slightly. For the first time, her icy demeanor cracked, revealing the vulnerability beneath.
"There's more," she said after a moment. "Something I've never told anyone."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
Crystal hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I'm from an original family. One of the few left in this world."
"Original family?" Alex echoed, frowning.
She nodded. "We're a bloodline that doesn't mix with others. Every member of my family possesses the same Tay the Vampire Tay. It's part of who we are, part of our identity. The military and the academy have no control over us because they fear what we represent. We're too strong, too… unpredictable."
Alex absorbed her words, his mind racing. An original family he'd heard whispers of such families before, but they were always spoken of in hushed tones, like myths or legends.
"And you're the last of your family?" he asked.
Crystal nodded. "As far as I know. My parents died when I was young, and the rest of my family… well, they're gone too. I've been alone for a long time."
Alex leaned back against the tree, staring up at the night sky. "That's a heavy burden to carry."
Crystal glanced at him, her expression softening further. "Why do you care, Alex? You barely know me."
Alex smirked faintly. "Maybe I see a little of myself in you. We're both outsiders, in our own way."
Crystal considered his words, her gaze lingering on him. For the first time, she felt a flicker of something unfamiliar—a sense of connection.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
Alex turned to her, surprised. "For what?"
"For not judging me," she replied.
He shrugged. "Judgment is for fools. I'd rather understand."
They sat in silence for a while, the moonlight bathing them in its glow. For the first time, Crystal felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that maybe just maybe she wasn't as alone as she thought.
As the night deepened, Alex finally stood. "I should head back. Big day tomorrow."
Crystal nodded, watching him go. As he disappeared into the shadows, she found herself smiling faintly.