The train came to a halt in a breath of steam. Caden and Bella stepped onto the platform, their bags slung over their shoulders. The city before them was neither too big nor too small, a lively place where cobbled streets intertwined with stone buildings and colorful shop signs. Yet, their destination lay a little further away, out of sight from curious onlookers.
After some searching, they finally found the house of Bella's friends. Unlike the closely packed homes in the city center, this one was set back, surrounded by old trees with gnarled branches. It was a discreet building, its gray stone walls partially covered with climbing ivy. Though the windows were large, heavy opaque curtains shielded them, and the solid wooden door gave the impression of a refuge built to keep intruders at bay.
Upon reaching the entrance, Bella pressed the doorbell.
A moment passed before the sound of footsteps could be heard from the other side. Then the door opened, revealing a young man with tousled hair and a piercing gaze.
— "Zetch!" Bella exclaimed with a warm smile.
The boy, visibly pleased to see her, smiled faintly, but his expression changed the instant he noticed Caden. His gaze hardened slightly.
— "Bella! You're finally here! But… (he motioned toward Caden) Who's this guy?"
— "Oh, Zetch, don't be like that…" (She gestured toward the interior.) "Can we come in?"
Zetch, who hadn't taken his suspicious gaze off Caden, blinked as if snapping back to reality.
— "Huh? Uh… yeah, of course."
They stepped inside. The place was warm and simply furnished but with care. A soft light illuminated the main room, where a wooden staircase led to the upper floor.
No sooner had they crossed the threshold than a female voice rang out from upstairs.
— "Zetch, is that Bella?"
A silhouette appeared at the top of the stairs. A young woman hurried down, her long black hair flowing with each step. Her blue eyes shone with recognition when she saw Bella.
— "Aletha!" Bella exclaimed joyfully.
But just as she was about to embrace her friend, Aletha suddenly stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Her gaze had landed on Caden, and her expression instantly changed, shutting like a locked door.
— "Who is he?" she asked in a sharp tone.
Bella hesitated for a second before answering.
— "This is Caden, a friend I met at school."
But before she could add anything else, Aletha cut her off brusquely:
— "Why did you bring him here? You know it's dangerous!" (She shot a piercing look at Caden.) "What if he's a spy sent by those who are after us?"
Caden, who had remained silent until now, furrowed his brows slightly.
— "Excuse me?" he replied, surprised by the accusation. "I'm not your enemy."
Aletha, unfazed, crossed her arms.
— "It doesn't matter. You are not welcome here. You're not like us."
A heavy silence fell. Bella opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, Caden spoke again, his tone colder this time.
— Ah… I see. Miss "I'm always right" thinks she can judge people without even knowing them.
Aletha's eyes narrowed.
— Who do you think you are? she snapped, her jaw clenched.
Caden shrugged, unfazed.
— No one. Not like some pretentious people.
A stunned silence fell over the room. Bella and Zetch widened their eyes.
Zetch, inwardly, thought: This Caden has guts… he has no idea what's coming.
Aletha, still unfazed, fixed him with an intense stare.
— Don't you ever talk to me like that again.
But Caden remained undeterred. A faintly amused smile curled his lips.
— Or what?
That was the final provocation.
With a swift motion, Aletha extended her hand, and a wave of water shot toward Caden.
But at that very moment, an explosion of heat filled the room. In a split second, a blazing flame rose in front of him, neutralizing Aletha's attack.
Zetch and Aletha froze, stunned.
Bella, on the other hand, chuckled slightly, finding the scene almost comical.