Ha-Joon came sprinting up the sidewalk, toward Joy, who's hands were crossed and freckles bouncing as she smiles.
Ha-Joon ran towards her, chest heaving, legs pumping as if he'd just broken the sound barrier.
Sweat soaked through his T-Shirt, darkening the fabric around his collar and underarms. His backpack bounced against his back with every step.
''Joy!'' he gasped when he reached her, voice trembling '' You'll never-'' He swallowed hard, wiped his damp hair from his fore head, and took a shuddering breath.
''I saw In-Su's face... in the bathroom''.
Joy's brows shot up '' what do you mean?''
Ha-Joon let out another ragged exhale, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting In-Su to appear, then he blurred out.
''He-he turned around, and his eyes were bright red. I saw him without his mask, he had... those sharp thin fangs, and a scar by the corner of his mouth''
Joy moved forward concern and curiosity warring in her eyes '' You mean a cut.. or..''
'' A slash'' Ha-Joon said shivering from the memory.
'' Clean almost surgical. It looked like-Honestly it looked deliberate. And those fangs Joy. He looked nervous... shocked that I had seen him''
They resumed their slow walk home, the afternoon sun warming the pavement. Joy studied Ha-Joon still thoughtful, she tilted her head with a playful smile '' do you think he's handsome?'' she asks.
Ha-Joon paused starring at the ground, trying to remember In-Su's features without the fangs horror, Finally he nodded ''Yes.. he's handsome quiet... he has a cute , face... his face looked feminine though... Like he moved with quiet grace, and his skin looked smooth''
Joy Whistled '' ooh, then that means I made a great choice for my heart''
Ha-Joon managed a weak smile ''yeah you made a great choice..'' They rounded the corner toward their Café but Ha-Joon stopped,
''My Bike, broke.. I have to take it to repair, I must return back..''
''Oh Really thanks for escorting me'' Joy said and winked, But Ha-Joon's head still bowed down.
''What the matter?'' Joy asked voice low with concern.
''I don't think I want to go to the café today... I don't feel so good'' Ha-Joon said voice low.
'' It's okay you can go home Grandpa... I will deal with Manager Bark..'' Joy said with a smile and Ha-Joon nodded.
They waved softly and gently and then went their ways.
----------
The overheard light has stepped away, leaving only a deep, inky darkness broken by the faint of glow of a red ruby eyes, In-Su..
He stands at the center of a room, shoulders slumped, mask gone and guilt written in every part of his face. His palms are pressed against a cold metal behind him as if he's trying to brace himself for the consequences of what he had done.
From surrounding shadows two silhouettes step forward. First a tall, , broad-shouldered man whose smile parts just enough to reveal a row of glinting fangs. Beside him appears a slim woman in flowing robes, one hand curled around the gnarled wood of a slander wand. Her lips curve in a knowing smirk, and her eyes gleams with both disappointment and amusement.
The man's voice rumbles each control words dripped in control fury '' You let that boy see your face? After everything we've protected you from? you are a disappointment'' A faint riff behind him, betrays the dark energy he's summoning.
''I'm Sorry.... father...'' In-Su murmured, before he could speak again the woman his Mother, steps closer, wands held at hip, she let out a soft cutting laugh.
''Even though the boy doesn't know the truth about his self.. we do, and you let him see those sharp fangs? what if he comes to know? huh?'' She says voice smooth as silk. With a flow flick on her wrist, sparks of violet flame dance along the wand's tips
''Do you have an idea what could mean for our family?... the elements... will track us down and end.. us along with 'you' '' she added her voice hesitant but firm.
In-Su's shoulder rose and fell, when he took a hard breath. He lifts his head his glow eyes meet theirs. The room felt silence a if waiting for someone to speak.
In-Su's voice trembles as he steps forward ''I didn't mean...for Ha-Joon to see my face Father... we ran... and I removed the mask... for air then he saw...''
''Quiet...'' His fathers sharp voice cuts him mid sentence. Then his lips curved into a harsh smile, and then without warning, In-Su felt an unseen dark fingers around his throat.
Black motes of magic snaked from his fathers hands, constricting like iron bands. In-Su's kneel buckled his hand tied at the unseen grip
''This world is not like the Earth you love'' His Father hissed his voice low and menacing
'' Here people watch for shadows-monsters from myth and nightmares, you dare expose us to the other side of this world?'' He roared.
''The side of the heroes'' He said his voice low.
In-Su gasped trying to let air pass the unrelenting hold. He met his father's glare and swallowed.
Before his vision became blur, a cold and sharp voice pierced the tension '' Dracula enough!''
His mother stepped forward her hand raised, in a protective arc, The violet spark around it wavered dissolving the strangle magic in an instant.
In-Su stumbled backward but still at his feet, his mother's eyes were stern but not unkind to him.
''You must be careful with your disguise-this face is yours-not the body and the rest'' She said her voice chided softly ''As a vampire you can't afford a slip.''
In-Su pressed a hand on his throat his breathing ragged ''I....I....Understand mother... I promise I will be careful''
His father released his magic hold completely, and crossed his hands on his chest. He mutters something under his breath before disappearing into the darkness.
''Mo...mother how... long will I have to pretend to be In-Su...?'' In-Su asked his voice hesitant.
His mother looked at him eyes softening but she quickly covered it up with a firm ''Mmmm'' then a gave a slight nod.
''As long as he is not Ha-Joon my dear... Until we concurred the whole and destroy all heroes especially the elements'' His mother said her voice cold and smooth, she turned around elegantly in her flowing robes, her wand in her hand and disappeared into the darkness.
In-Su stood there head bowed down '' I don't like pretending to be who am not... and not talking'' He murmurs.
------------
HA-JOON'S POV:
I stumbled inside the front gate, my hands still holding the broken handle bar of my bike I left at the repair shop on my way back, so it wasn't with me now. As I approached the driveway I saw my dad's car and Min-Ju's both parked neatly side by side-yet the house was silent.
No noises from the kitchen, no bickering from my siblings nothing.
Shrugging off the oddness, I pushed the front door open and kicked off my shoes ''Mom...?'' I called but only echoed answered me.
The hallway's lights were off, and afternoon shadows crept along the walls. I dropped my bag on the chair and headed to the kitchen.
Inside everything was still and cold, the toaster unheated the kettle untouched, even the clock radio silent. I frowned. Why would every one's car be here when no one's home? I shrugged it off telling myself I just came back early.
I rifled through the fridge and found half a carton of chocolate milk, a lone slice of cheese and then a half emptied bag of chips, the chips won.
With the bag rustling on my laps, I sat on the couch munching waiting for what I call life: My mom's rapid footsteps in the kitchen, my dad walking heavily with his boot, in the hallway, Ji-Woo and Min-Ju's bickering.
Instead, I heard a faint trembling voice, coming from above-the attic hatch in the ceiling.
I froze mid crunch, eyes locked on that close panel.
The air charged as if the whole house was holding it's breath. Leaning forward, i set the tasty... chips aside I whispered
''Hello? is there anyone else in here?''
The voice came again-soft urgent-so faint I thought I'd Imagined it. But I didn't. My heart pounded as I stood up, every nerve telling me am not alone.