The barracks were cold and lifeless, the walls a dull gray that seemed to absorb any sense of hope or comfort. Each recruit was assigned a simple cot with a thin blanket, and their personal belongings were limited to a small locker at the foot of their beds. Kikidori sat on the edge of his cot, staring at the unfamiliar faces around him.
This was his new life now.
Quinn sat on a nearby cot, scribbling something into a small notebook. Kikidori noticed how quiet he was, keeping to himself while the others unpacked their things or introduced themselves. Erin Heley leaned against a wall, her sharp eyes scanning the room like she was assessing everyone. Layla Munrow, on the other hand, was already chatting with Peter Chuck, who seemed awkward and nervous.
And then there was Vorden Blade.
Vorden was the loudest of the group, moving around the room with an easy confidence. His brown hair was neatly combed, and his charming smile never wavered as he greeted everyone. Kikidori had seen him at school before—he was one of those students who always seemed to stand out, even among the powered.
Vorden approached Kikidori with a wide grin, extending his hand. "Kikidori, right? Good to meet you!"
Kikidori hesitated before shaking his hand. "Yeah, that's me."
Vorden's grip was firm, almost too firm, and Kikidori noticed how Vorden held onto his hand for a moment longer than necessary.
"You've got a solid handshake," Vorden said, clapping Kikidori on the back. "I like that. Shows you've got some grit."
"Uh… thanks," Kikidori muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Vorden didn't seem to notice his discomfort. Instead, he pulled a nearby stool over and sat down, leaning forward like they were old friends. "So, what's your story, Kikidori? Got any interesting powers up your sleeve?"
Kikidori stiffened. "No. I don't have any powers."
The room grew quiet for a moment as Vorden's grin faltered. But then, he laughed, the sound a little too loud. "No powers, huh? Well, that's not a problem. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?"
Kikidori frowned. He wasn't sure if Vorden was being sincere or just patronizing him, but he didn't have time to dwell on it.
Vorden leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Don't let anyone here underestimate you. Sometimes, the people who seem the weakest have the most potential. You'll see."
Before Kikidori could respond, Vorden reached out and patted him on the shoulder again, his hand lingering for a second before he stood up and moved on to talk to someone else.
As the evening went on, Kikidori began to notice something strange. Every time Vorden greeted someone, he shook their hand or clapped them on the back, just like he'd done to Kikidori. It wasn't just a friendly gesture—it was deliberate, almost calculated.
Kikidori watched as Vorden made his way around the room, casually interacting with everyone. He'd laugh, joke, and even mimic their mannerisms at times. It was subtle, but Kikidori couldn't shake the feeling that Vorden was studying them.
When Vorden returned to his cot, Kikidori finally decided to ask.
"Hey, Vorden," he said, keeping his voice low.
Vorden turned to him, his smile as bright as ever. "What's up, Kikidori?"
"You… uh, you're really good at getting to know people," Kikidori said carefully. "It's like you're trying to memorize everyone or something."
Vorden chuckled, leaning back on his cot. "You could say that. I like to get a good read on people, you know? Helps me figure out who I can trust."
Kikidori nodded, though he wasn't entirely convinced. "And the handshakes? You do that a lot."
Vorden's smile didn't waver, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—amusement, maybe, or something darker.
"It's just my way of breaking the ice," Vorden said. "Don't overthink it."
Kikidori decided not to push further, but the uneasy feeling lingered.
Later that night, as the recruits settled into their cots, Kikidori found himself lying awake, staring at the ceiling. His mind replayed the day's events, from the assembly at Westbridge High to the transport ride to the military base.
He thought about the others—Quinn, with his quiet intensity; Layla, who seemed friendly but guarded; Erin, who radiated confidence; and Peter, who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.
And then there was Vorden, who Kikidori couldn't quite figure out.
As Kikidori rolled onto his side, he felt the sharp tips of his fangs brush against his tongue. He still hadn't told anyone about the vampire ritual or the strange book he'd found. Not that there was much to tell—he didn't have any powers to show for it.
"Why did I even bother?" he muttered under his breath.
But deep down, he knew why. The book was a reminder that he wasn't entirely powerless. Even if he didn't understand what it meant yet, it was a small spark of hope in a world that constantly tried to crush him.
The next morning, the recruits were woken up at the crack of dawn by the blaring sound of a horn. An officer stormed into the barracks, barking orders for everyone to get dressed and line up outside.
As they stumbled out of bed and scrambled to follow orders, Kikidori noticed Vorden giving him another pat on the back as they passed each other.
"Don't fall behind, Kikidori," Vorden said with a wink. "This is just the beginning."
Kikidori nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Vorden knew more than he was letting on.
As the recruits lined up outside, the sun rising over the horizon, Kikidori took a deep breath and steeled himself for whatever came next.
The End of Chapter 12.