Elara
After a few frantic minutes of searching, panic completely taking over me, I finally found Dr. T and my grandmother in the small Buddhist temple behind her house. They were sitting on the floor, facing the Buddha statue. My grandmother had her eyes closed, murmuring something under her breath—God knows what—while Dr. T sat beside her, also with his eyes closed, but silent.
The moment I stepped inside, I felt it. Something in the air. Energy.
My eyes darted around the room. Strange charms covered the walls—symbols and objects I couldn't recognize. I had no idea what any of them were for. I had never seen anything like it before.
"Grandma?" I called, my voice tight.
No answer. Panic rushed over me again.
Did she do something to him? Some kind of spell? Did she figure out he's not human? What could even affect him? My mind flooded with questions. I didn't know how to react. I didn't know what to say. I just stood there, frozen, watching them.
"Are you okay?" I asked mentally.
Nothing.
Could it be the charms? Were they blocking our connection?
God, it was so frustrating not knowing what he was. If I knew—even a little—I could help him. But no, he had to be stubborn and keep everything to himself.
"Grandma??"
"Don't disturb us while we pray!" she snapped harshly.
"It looks more like you're casting spells on him," I muttered under my breath.
"What did you say?" she asked, opening her eyes just enough to glare at me from the corner.
"I don't think I need to repeat myself. Your hearing is pretty good for your age," I shot back, crossing my arms and looking away.
She stood up and walked toward me.
"What could I possibly do to him?" she asked.
"Who knows what ideas come into your mind," I replied, meeting her gaze.
"It is a really nice place for prayers," Dr. T suddenly said, standing up.
My grandmother's eyes widened so much they looked like onions. Clearly, she hadn't expected that.
"What's going on?" I asked mentally.
Still nothing.
I looked at him. He looked back at me—with a small smile.
"Your grandmother insisted on showing me her temple," he said calmly.
Temple? It looked more like a witch's room.
"I'm sure she just wanted to show off," I said, forcing a smile.
"What's wrong with showing off?" she asked.
"You didn't bring me—your own granddaughter—here, but you bring a total stranger," I replied.
"It is not your place to set foot here."
"What? Why?" I asked, stunned.
But instead of answering, she turned and walked out.
God, give me patience—because otherwise I might commit murder. This old woman is seriously testing me.
We walked back inside. My grandmother led the way while Dr. T and I followed behind her.
"What the hell just happened?" I whispered.
"I think she took me there to test me," he replied mentally.
I turned to him, relieved. "Finally—it's working."
"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.
"I kept reaching out to you, but there was no response."
"I could hear you perfectly. I even replied. You couldn't hear me?"
"No," I said, panic rising again.
What was going on?
"I'm pretty sure she was testing me back there."
"What is your weakness?" I asked.
"My weakness?" he repeated, confused.
When we entered the living room, my parents and William were sitting together, eating apples.
"Where were you?" Mom asked, rushing toward me and grabbing my hand.
"She came to disturb us while we were praying," my grandmother said, sitting down.
"You panicked for nothing," my dad added.
"You acted like your grandma kidnapped him," William said.
"It was weird. You never took me there," I said.
"Why would I take you there?" my grandmother asked.
"What do you mean? You never even showed it to me or told me about it," I replied, annoyed.
"Because you don't—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
"Because I don't what? Go on. Say it," I pushed.
"Your grandmother is just sensitive about it," my dad interrupted. "It's her private place."
"Oh, let's not talk about who she chooses to bring into her 'temple'," I said sarcastically.
"Elara! Calm down," my mom warned.
"You've never seen it?" William asked.
"Did you go there too?" I asked him.
"Almost every weekend," he said casually.
Everything clicked. Like streetlights turning on one by one, the truth lit up in my mind. She takes people there to test them. To see if they're human. To see what they are. Clever. Too clever. And she never took me… because deep down, she suspects me. She's afraid of the truth.
I started laughing.
"Elara!" my mom called.
"You're clever," I said to my grandmother. "Taking people there for—" I stopped myself.
"For what?" she asked.
"We both know. Or should I say it out loud?" I challenged.
"Calm down," Dr. T warned mentally.
"What do you mean?" my mom asked.
"Stop pretending," I snapped.
"Elara, I think you should calm down. It was just a prayer," Dr. T said out loud.
"If you don't want them to suspect me, shut up," he added mentally.
"They already suspect me," I replied.
"This is between me and my family," I told him coldly.
"I understand," he said. "I think I should leave."
My dad walked him to the door.
At the door, Dr. T turned back.
"Take care, Elara."
I nodded.
"Reach out if something goes wrong," he said mentally.
"I will."
The moment he left, my mom and grandmother dragged me into my grandmother's room.
"It's time you tell us what you know," my grandmother said.
"Me? No—it's time you tell me the truth," I shot back.
"This is serious," my mom said.
"Exactly! And yet you keep hiding everything from me and expect me to act normal!"
"What do you mean?" my grandmother pressed.
I scoffed.
"We are your family. You don't have to hide anything," my mom said.
"Family?" I laughed bitterly. "You call this family when you keep me in the dark?"
"We just want you to have a normal life."
"How can I have a normal life when I have to hide my black blood? When my necklace hurts me? How is that normal?"
"Why are you so attached to Dr. T?" my grandmother asked sharply.
"Why are you so focused on him?" I fired back.
"You are too close to him."
"And what if I am? Is it a sin to be friendly?"
"No, of course not," my mom said quickly.
I stepped closer to my grandmother.
"Then what are you trying to say?"
"She just—"
"I asked her, not you," I snapped towards my mom.
"From today on, you will keep your distance from him," my grandmother ordered.
"No."
"What did you say?"
"I said no. You don't control me anymore." And without another word, I walked out.
When I entered my room, William was already there.
"You argued with them again?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Why are you defending Dr. T so much?" he asked, hurt.
"It's not about him. It's about them hiding things from me."
"What could they possibly hide?"
"Don't start."
"No. This is getting out of hand. You act like your life depends on him."
I stayed silent. He wasn't entirely wrong. Why do I care so much?
"I don't defend him," I said weakly.
"You do. I saw how panicked you were. I've never seen you like that."
"You like him?" he asked.
"No," I answered too quickly.
But it felt like a lie.
"Then stay away from him."
"…"
"Please." He added.
"I can't," I admitted. "Not until I get answers."
"So you choose him," he said quietly.
"I—"
But he was already gone. I sighed, staring at the empty doorway. I'm sorry. But I can't stay away from him. Even if part of me wants to… I just can't.
"I think it's time I get some answers."