The morning sun bathed the city streets in a soft, golden light as Alaric made his way down the familiar path to school. The routine of getting ready, eating breakfast, and heading out had become almost mechanical, a welcome distraction from the undercurrents of tension that seemed to follow him lately. Today, however, something felt off. The air seemed charged with a faint, ominous energy that set his instincts on edge.
As he walked past the neighborhood park, his thoughts wandered back to the previous evening. Evelyn's unexpected visit had been a mix of awkwardness and unexpected warmth. It was strange how quickly their relationship was shifting from wary allies to something resembling genuine friendship. Despite the tension between their families, Evelyn had started showing signs of lowering her guard, even enjoying her time with his family. Alaric couldn't quite decide if this was a good thing or if it would eventually lead to complications.
