Every early morning, around 5 or 6 o'clock
Dahlia regularly sneaks out from her estate without anyone noticing
And come back before it hit 8 or 9
She has been following those people that are "Targeted by the Ghoul"
It's been 2 weeks since she started following those targets under her guardian's guidance
While following them, Dahlia could make out patterns on how these children just "disappears"
Some either get snatched by Ghouls who personally come to retrieve them
Or just stand in the alleyway for a while before they just suddenly disappear, without the Ghoul personally come to take them away
She guessed that the children's were teleported away to somewhere
Which she doesn't knows where
Currently Dahlia's at her estate as she trying to make a plan while laying on her bed
"I have been following them for weeks now... but I still am at the same pace... what can I do now to take this matter to the root-" Dahlia paused in her own thoughts
Silence
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"ROOT!!! WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS SOONER!!!" Dahlia exclaimed as she sat up on her bed. "I have to first see how the children get's hypnotized and become victims to the Ghouls" she mumbled to herself
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Again it's 6 o'clock in the morning
Dahlia got ready as she wore her usual dark cloak around her
She sneaked out of her estate
She is in downtown now after walking for a bout 40 mins
"Say... can you sense... which children that are yet to become hypnotized?" she asked by using telepathy with her guardian as usual
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"I can..." He replied simply
"Can you track them down?" Dahlia asked
"Well... I precisely can... but you must have to be careful... cause Ghouls are watching over them" her guardian warned her
"I will!" Dahlia replied, her voice filled with determination as she tightened her grip on her cloak she is wearing around her
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"Go straight and turn left, there is a child with brown hair... releasing lot of negative energy... and a Ghoul is lingering around that child closely..." He paused for a while before continuing. "It seems the child is not yet been hypnotized... judging by his negative energy... he is not been confronted by that Ghoul, yet"
Dahlia immediately follows his direction
but while following, she bumps into a boy
The boy falls down and so did Dahlia
"Owch... I am so sorry..." The boy said, in a apologetic tone
Dahlia rubbed her forehead as she gave the boy a small smile, "No... it was my fault in the beginning... I was in a hurry so-" she was about to look at the boy
"Don't look at the boy's eyes" her guardian's voice suddenly snaps her from ever making eye contact with the boy
Dahlia tensed up as she keeps her head lowered, she tried acting natural. "Wait... what does he mean I can't look at him in the eye...?" Dahlia thought as she was confused, but quickly did what her guardian warned her about
Dahlia tried acting natural. She keeps her eyes on the ground as if dirt had gotten in her eyes
"It's alright... it was my fault anyway..." Dahlia said to the boy as she stood up
"No! It's mine! I was in a hurry so... uhh..." The boy looked at Dahlia curiously as he stood up. He dusted off his clothes. "Miss... did a dust get into your eyes...?" he asked
Dahlia only nods as she acts that she is rubbing her eyes to get the dust away
"Do you... want me to help you get rid of it-" "I should get going now! I apologize again for bumping into you" Dahlia cuts off the boy in mid sentence, as she walks passed him
Dahlia's walking pace was fast, going to the direction her guardian instructed her to, "I will ask him later about what that warning was about earlier... now... I have other things at hand here!" she thought internally
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Finally she arrives and looks around for a brunette head
"The one, that has amber eyes. His skin is dark chocolate" her guardian remarked
Dahlia froze as she finally spots it
It that boy her guardian told her about
Short brown hair
Chocolate colored skin and amber colored eyes
He was taller then Dahlia, and she guessed he is around the same age as her brother
His eyes wasn't completely black... meaning he is not hypnotized yet
But
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He looked rather gloomy
He was from the slums just by judging by his appearance. Ruffled hair that got few branches stuck on it, torn and dirty attire
Dahlia began following him
She made sure to stay as much hidden as possible
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It's now been 5 hours since Dahlia's been following him
The boy seemed to be a hard worker
He goes from one place to another in order to earn the slightest bit money by doing labors, so that his little baby brother can have something to eat
He was surrounded by a unhealthy environment, like there were drunkards, smokers and most of all... the places he works at
The owner, was abusive and always gave him half the quantity of money he deserved... but... with all that, he was somehow able to pull through
She also found out through the boy who was usually getting picked on by commoners who were living well off than him
Always calling the boy "Parentless"
The boy always feels his heart hurting when hearing those words but... knew that if he ever fights back
Things will get worse
And what he fears most, about his brother's safety being at stake by them
So he stays quiet and endures it... till the bullies gets bored with him and leaves him be...
Meanwhile Dahlia watched everything from the sidelines
She wanted nothing more than to help that boy, who was being bullied
But... she can't... in order to not be noticed by that Ghoul
But Dahlia was able to make a guess
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That he and his brother were orphans
The boy's name is Jeon and his little brother's name is Jini
Seeing him Dahlia can't help but feel a pang in her chest
It wasn't pity, rather a deep sense of respect towards Jeon for being so earnest and hardworking even at a young age. And living on with life in whatever way he can...
"He is a hardworker... isn't he..." Dahlia mumbled to herself
Jeon's life completely contrasts to Dahlia's usual life
Dahlia had everything she wanted ever since she was born
While Jeon didn't had everything, like Dahlia. And had to work for it to support his little brother, and himself
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Dahlia was back at her estate late at night
Her nanny Jasmine noticed it
"My lady, you have been out for a long time now... May I ask why?" she asked, her tone worried
"Oh! It's nothing! And I am feeling tired so I will eat my meals in my room today" Dahlia replied as she gave Jasmine her smile. She soon walked passed her, leaving her nanny worried about her
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Dahlia's just done taking a warm bath and eating her dinner
She was laying on her bed, staring at her ceiling
"What was with that warning earlier?" Dahlia asked, telepathically to her guardian
Silence
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"It's nothing, my sapphire... just sleep..." Her guardian replied, his voice sounded firm and more stern then usual but... held the same softness
"... Is it also something I shouldn't know off?" Dahlia asked again, her tone soft yet held tiredness
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"Just sleep, it's getting late and your also tired. Get enough rest for tomorrow" Her guardian avoided her question
Dahlia took this as a answer
"Ok... but... I hope one day... you will tell me everything..." Dahlia mumbled as she shifted to her side, gripping her pillow as she felt a pang in her chest
"Goodnight..." Dahlia said to her guardian
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She didn't get a reply, so she falls asleep
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"I will someday say everything to you... but... it's not the time yet... for now..." Her guardian paused for a short while. "Just dream of the sweetest dreams, my sapphire" His tone softer
But unfortunately... Dahlia doesn't hears his response as she is fast asleep
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After 1 week
Jhony finally noticed that Dahlia's been out far longer outside than usual
He has also caught word from his Nanny, Jasmine
About Dahlia been outside till it's late at night
Jhony had gotten worried and anxious
So he decided to confront Dahlia
With Dahlia
She was reading her book while sitting in her bed
Jhony soon came inside her room
"Dahlia..." He called out, getting her attention
Dahlia looked up from her book, "Yes brother? You need anything?" she asked
"Yes... I have been receiving word from Miss Jasmine that you have been out till nighttime. Where have you been going this late?" He asked, his tone firm and serious
Silence
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Dahlia grip on her book tightened slightly as she kept a blank face, trying her best to not show even a slightest reaction to her brother's question
Cause she knew that when her brother sees through her reaction, he will immediately know that she is up to something and will interrogate her more. Until she finally reveals her plans
"It's nothing brother, I was just out in the library. I was so fixated on a book, that I forgot how much time passed on there" Dahlia explained as she gave him a smile, trying to sound as normal as possible
And even if his brother tries to investigate the library's records, he will find out that Dahlia indeed was in the library for a long time. She made sure of it as she know for a fact that one day or another... her brother will caught on her suddenly being away outside for long. So she prepared everything, just in case
Jhony stared at Dahlia for a while, trying to gauge anything from her expressions or her body language
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Dahlia forces herself to act normal as perfectly as possible, not to show even the slightest nervousness
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"Fine... I will take up your excuse for now..." Jhony replied after a long silence. He soon turns towards the door of Dahlia's room. But before exiting, he looked over at Dahlia again. His emerald colored eyes pierced through her purple colored eyes
"But, if I get any cue on what you are doing is dangerous... I will not hesitate to lock you inside the estate and make sure you never set foot outside... not until you come to your senses..." He warned coldly as he leaves her room, closing the door behind with a loud thump
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Dahlia felt her heart thumping loudly which she realized until now
She also let's out a deep breath, she didn't know she was holding. "That was a close call..." she thought but internally knew that she had to be careful
Now that her brother is getting really suspicious of her and he would definitely keep a close eye on her
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The next day arrived
Dahlia is currently observing and following Jeon like a shadow again, she made sure to be well hidden
While following him, she didn't notice any Ghouls coming after him... well... showing themselves physically yet, for the past week
When evening hit, Dahlia was still observing Jeon while he is working at a inn. He was cleaning tables, then suddenly... he saw a letter. He had the urge to turn it away but his body moved on it's own, out of his will
He was tensed up, his mind was telling him not to open it
But he opened the letter eventually
His heart started picking up speed, temperature seemed to have dropped around him, his hands trembling slightly
Cold sweat forming and his brown eyes wide open
He was scared from something... unknown
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He felt as if he is being watched
But there is no one except him and the owner of the inn
He couldn't read cause he didn't received proper education
But... was able to tell what the contents of that letter was
It was as if the letter's words had come alive, words felt like whispers in his ears
He felt dread fall over, as if the whispers were telling him a forbidden secret he is supposed to never know or even exist before
Meanwhile, where Dahlia is hiding
She noticed the tension Jeon was having
"The Ghoul finally acted..." Her guardian remarked, his tone cold more then usual
"What...?" Dahlia was surprised as her eyes widened slightly
"The letter that child received..." Her guardian replied but paused for a moment
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"Is from the very Ghoul that has been lingering around him for the longest time now"