"Have you heard the rumors?" Ron whispered, his face darkening as his eyebrows furrowed.

I shook my head. "No," I replied directly.

Suddenly, Ren appeared behind Ron.

"How could she know, you idiot!" Ren exclaimed, gently hitting Ron on the head.

Ren and Ron are the famous twins at our school. Ren is an artist whose simplicity and beauty make the boys swoon. Her art is as stunning as her face. Ron, on the other hand, is the heartthrob of the campus. He is part of both the basketball and soccer teams. He's not only popular among the girls but also highly regarded by the boys.

Some boys even question their sexual orientation when they see him. As to the fans of these two, they often turn green with envy because of how close I am to them. They always ask me the same question, but I ignore them all.

"So, what's the rumor?" I asked, interjecting in the middle of their heated argument. Both of them paused, momentarily ceasing their quarrel and straightening themselves up.

Ron took a seat directly in front of me, while Ren stood behind him. "There's a rumor about a street near the alley on 22nd Street. Every girl who ventures there disappears one by one. The most intriguing part is that when the parents report it to the police, they claim to have no leads about their missing daughters," Ron explained, pausing abruptly as the professor entered the room.

"I'll tell you later," he said, and they both settled down beside each other. My seat mate occupied the spot next to me.

"Okay, turn your books to page 139," the teacher instructed promptly. I swiftly retrieved my book from my backpack. Sneaking a glance at my seat mate, I noticed him gazing intently at the teacher.

It was then that I noticed the pronounced bags under his eyes. However, I decided not to dwell on it and instead focused on the subject at hand, which happened to be physics.

As the bell rang, I instinctively flinched when someone tapped my right shoulder. Swiveling my head to identify the person, I was taken aback to find my seat mate standing before me.

"Have you seen my sister?" he weakly whispered, his demeanor noticeably different. It was the first time he initiated a conversation with me. "No," I replied plainly.

"I think you should go to the clinic. You don't seem well," I advised, expressing genuine concern. My usual apathy rarely extended beyond my grades, my grandmother, and my two cousins.

"Nah, I need to find my sister. It's been two days since I last saw her," he responded determinedly before promptly leaving. I stared after him, perplexed. Moments later, someone tapped my shoulder once again.

"Kel, Ren said she wants to go to that eerie street. She's incredibly curious about it. Can you stop her? I'm worried something might happen," his friend explained, his voice filled with concern and gloominess.

"I'll try," I simply responded before departing in search of Ren. I asked our classmates about her whereabouts, but it appeared that she had already left the school.

Letting out a sigh, I neatly arranged my belongings and placed them neatly into my backpack, leaving only my book and pen.

A gust of strong wind made its presence known, causing the open window to sway. I contemplated closing it, but my ballpoint pen rolled to my right side. Reacting quickly, I reached out to retrieve it.

However, my eyes widened and my body trembled with fear as I noticed a mysterious shadow perched near the window.

Swallowing hard, afraid to turn around, I summoned my courage and faced the enigma before me. A boy, donning a peculiar mask and tattered clothing, sat idly on the windowsill. I instinctively recoiled.

"Your cousin is in trouble," he stated, shrouded by the curtain. When the forceful wind ceased blowing, the curtain fell back into place. However, the boy had vanished.

Without hesitation, I left my belongings in the room and sprinted as fast as I could to find Ron.

I inquired with his teammates and friends, but none of them had any information. Biting my lower lip nervously, I dashed towards the street where the rumors were said to originate.

I ran and ran, pushing my limits. Just as I was about to reach the destination, someone leaped in front of me, causing me to halt abruptly. "What the...?" I exclaimed.

"Ron?"

"Kel, you won't believe what happened. Ren was taken by an old lady! I tried to save her, but the old lady vanished into thin air. What should I do?" Ron panicked, falling to his knees.

"Don't panic," I assured him, attempting to convey a sense of calm.

"Don't panic? Yeah! I haven't told you the whole rumor. When the police claimed to have no leads, her mother shockingly said, 'I had a daughter?' As if her daughter never existed! I refuse to forget my twin," he shouted, tears streaming down his face as he cried like a baby.

"I—I understand, and I don't want to forget you two either, especially Grandma. You're my only family, the best cousins I have," I said, my voice filled with sincerity.

"Kel!" he cried out, pulling me into a tight embrace.

"You're right, we should focus on helping her instead of crying," I suggested, feeling a surge of determination pulsating within me. Ron held onto my shoulder tightly, his eyes widening with anticipation and surprise.

"Yeah! Let's go!" he exclaimed, taking a firm grip of my hand and leading me forward. We hurried towards the notorious street, our steps quickening with each passing second.

Minutes later, we reached our destination, only to find ourselves standing in what seemed like a desolate, ghostly landscape. There was not a soul in sight, only the two of us, filled with a sense of foreboding.

"Kel, I have a strange feeling about this," he whispered, his grip tightening as we exchanged worried glances. A mysterious mist swirled around us, enveloping us in its dark embrace.

I blinked, and as my eyes reopened, my heart skipped a beat - Ron was no longer by my side. Panic surged through my veins, "Ron!?" I frantically called out his name, only to be met with silence.

Suddenly, a haunting figure emerged from the shadows. Each step it took was accompanied by a chilling sound that echoed throughout the empty street. Fear coursed through my veins as the figure drew closer, its intentions shrouded in darkness.

"Such pretty eyes," a chilling voice murmured, sending shivers down my spine. Despite my fear, I mustered the courage to confront this enigmatic presence.

"Who are you?!" I shouted, trying to break free, but my feet were frozen in place. "You have the same pretty eyes as that girl," she said. It dawned on me that it must be Ren. "Where is Ren?!" I demanded.

The figure's eyes met mine, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still. It uttered only three words, each one delivering a jolt of disbelief straight to my core.

"I ate her."

My world came crashing down as the weight of those words sank in. Ren, my beloved cousin, had become a victim of this sinister force. Tears welled up in my eyes, streaming down my face uncontrollably. I stood frozen, helpless and overwhelmed by a mix of sorrow, anger, and disbelief.

Despair washed over me as I faced my imminent end. "Your eyes would make a perfect dessert," the old woman cackled. She spun around, and within a blink, her appearance transformed. She looked younger, stunning me into silence.

I mustered all my strength and courage. "You're a witch!" I shouted, pushing myself to stand up against her. Her response was only a chuckle of amusement.

She lifted her right hand, ready to touch my face, when suddenly, a voice echoed from above.

"Hey! Bitch!"

The voice belonged to the same boy who had warned me at our school. He was still garbed in his tattered clothes, his eerie mask concealing his face. He dove in front of me, and instantly, my limbs broke free of their stiffness. I took a sharp intake of breath.

The old woman retreated, her eyes sharpening at the sight of the boy. "Stand back!" he commanded. A weapon materialised at his side; a red scythe.

"What are you planning to do with that? Trim the grass?" I asked, confusion overwhelming me amidst the chaos.

"What? No! Just let me do my job!" he retorted, gripping his scythe tightly. "Stay back! You might get hurt," he warned.

"Tsk! A Trendion!" the old lady commented dismissively, attempting to escape into a swirling mist. But the boy was swift. He lunged forward, his scythe set to strike, only to be stopped by an invisible barrier.

He tried to break through, attack after attack proving futile. Then suddenly, the tides turned in our favor. The lady spat blood, crumbling to her knees. "What is this?" she wondered aloud, her voice weakened.

"You get that for blocking Yan!" the boy laughed, jubilant.

Without wasting a moment, he charged again. The old woman tried to shield herself, but it was pointless as the scythe pierced her.

I expected a flood of blood, instead, she began to disintegrate, turning to dust. The boy sat down, silently uttering a prayer, then stood up, pointing his middle finger in defiance.

"Deserved it, ugly bitch! Ha-ha! I won!" He crowded, jumping with glee.

His words left me stunned. Was this surreal reality even plausible?

"You're lucky you weren't on the menu!" he remarked. "What?"

"You didn't know? The old lady consumes girls to keep her youthful appearance. Girls who are eaten by her are forgotten, like they never existed." His words stabbed my heart.

Realization struck me, and I fell silent. Was this my reality?

I stopped talking, overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness that swept over me once again.

Then, he turned to me. "Are you okay?" he gently asked.

"No! I'm not okay! I just lost my cousin!" I shouted, my voice breaking as I fell apart. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Suddenly, he spoke up.

"She's not dead. If she was, you would forget about her. But you didn't, which means she's still alive and kicking!" he explained, his words piercing through my sorrow. I paused, taking in his words.

"Then where is she?" I asked, my frustration mounting as I stood up and grabbed him by the collar.

"Secret!" he quickly replied.

"I'm not in the mood for this right now!" I shouted at him, my emotions spiraling out of control.

"Your cousins are fine, and so are the other students. Don't worry," he reassured me, his words offering a glimmer of hope. He pointed towards the back of the building.

"This street is abandoned because of that lady!" he added, rolling his eyes from east to west. We walked towards the back of the building, and there I saw my cousins lying next to each other, along with a few other students. Relief washed over me. Nothing had happened to them.

"Thank you?" I turned to him, but he had vanished. I shrugged off the puzzling encounter and woke Ron and Ren. Gradually, each student began to wake up, yet they seemed to have forgotten why they were in here in the first place.

I questioned Ron and Ren, only to receive the same responses. They had forgotten what had happened. Strangely, it didn't disturb me as much as the fact that I was the only one who remembered everything.

Not only that, but their parents had also forgotten. Even the police had no recollection of the missing girls. It hurt to see everyone forgetting about the other girls, as if they had never existed.

***

"It was a bad day, wasn't it?" Grandma began. I turned to her, seeking solace, and hugged her tightly. "Yes, it was," I admitted, unable to stop the tears from falling. I clung onto her, finding comfort in her presence.

"You're lucky, aren't you, my darling?" Grandma remarked with a giggle. Confused, I asked, "Why are you giggling, Grandma?" She chuckled and motioned for me to sit down beside her, near our front door.

"Is the twin asleep?" Grandma inquired, and I nodded before taking a seat in front of her. "That's good. I think it's time to tell you the truth," Grandma said. I locked my eyes onto hers, anticipation building up inside me.

"The truth?" I said, my voice filled with curiosity.

"Am I not your granddaughter?" I asked, my voice trembling as tears welled up in my eyes. Grandma burst into laughter. "Of course, you're my granddaughter," she simply replied.

"You were just a baby when your parents died," Grandma continued. "Yes, I know. My mother died giving birth to me, and my father was in an accident along with Ron and Ren's parents," I stated, recalling the story I had been told. Grandma smiled at me.

"That's what everyone thought. But the truth is, it never actually happened," Grandma revealed, causing me to fall silent, intrigued. I trusted Grandma implicitly, for she was not one to lie without a reason.

"You seem surprisingly calm," Grandma remarked.

"You see, my dear, your mother never actually died while giving birth to you. Similarly, your father, uncle, and aunt did not perish in an accident. When you were a baby, you were weak," Grandma chuckled, and in that moment, a flicker of laughter escaped me.

"The truth is, your mother became involved in something beyond human comprehension. A 'being' wanted to devour her and you. Your mother prayed fervently, hoping to keep you safe. On the night she gave birth to you amidst a raging storm and the darkest of nights, an unknown force paid us a visit. That 'being' sought to consume you, but your mother shielded you with all her might. Then, out of nowhere, a strange masked boy appeared," Grandma's story unfolded.

"A masked boy?" I asked, my memory shifting to that peculiar boy.

"Yes, my dear. In exchange for your mother's soul, that boy vowed to protect you until your dying day. He wielded a scythe, cutting the 'being' in half, but it remained undamaged. The 'being' managed to escape, and since that day, the boy always stood by your side. He even babysat you whenever I was busy with your twin," Grandma explained, her tale stretching on and on.

"Why?! Mom? There are so many people outside! Why did that 'thing' choose to attack my mom?" I shouted, my voice filled with anguish. "What about Dad? Uncle and Aunt? What happened to them?" I bombarded Grandma with my barrage of questions.

"I don't know, my dear. It seems that people have forgotten about them. But I will never forget. I tried asking the boy, but even he had no answers about them," Grandma responded, tears streaming down her face.

"That boy! What is his name?" I asked, desperate for any shred of information. "I don't know either. He never spoke to me about himself. It's better if you ask him," Grandma suggested, wiping away her tears slowly with her trembling hands.

I rushed back to my room, feeling utterly helpless and exhausted. The weight of everything that had transpired overwhelmed me. Then an idea struck me, and I mustered the last bit of energy within me.

I stood up, locked the door, and opened my window. Taking a deep breath, I called out, "Come out!" There was no response. Another idea crossed my mind. "If you don't come out, I'll jump from here!" I shouted, preparing myself to leap. Still, there was no sign of him. I swallowed hard, my gaze fixating on the ground far below. If I were to hit that, it could mean my end. It was a choice of whether I wanted to see him or not. With determination, I closed my eyes, ready to take the plunge.

But then, I felt a touch. I cautiously reopened my eyes, only to find that the same boy who had come to my aid earlier had caught me in his arms.

"You really are an idiot!" he said, his tone cold and distant. Our bodies levitated in thin air as he gently placed me down.

"I overheard your conversation with your grandma. I'll tell you this much: my name is Dark Thoreau. Yun and Yan. I'm only here to protect you because of a contract.

Next time you make such foolish threats, don't expect me to save you. You brought that upon yourself. If you were to die, I might finally be free. Just a gentle reminder: I am not your bodyguard," he stated, his voice devoid of warmth.

"You're so mean!" I retorted, glaring at him as he met my gaze with a steely expression.

"Yeah, I am," he simply replied, causing me to gasp in shock.

"Isn't it rude to keep your face covered while talking to someone?" I asked, tilting my head curiously.

"It's not," he replied curtly, shutting down any further inquiry.

"Why are you so cold now, but not when you saved me?" I asked, confusion evident in my voice.

"Me? Well, it depends on my mood," he replied, leaving me even more perplexed.

"Depends? You know, you're super rude!" I exclaimed, frustration creeping into my tone.

"So now I'm the rude one? Did you ever say thank you when I saved your butt?" he shouted back, causing me to blush uncontrollably. My mouth hung open, unable to form a coherent response.

"Y-yes, I did. But you were gone. And if you're talking about when you saved me when I was a baby, well..." I stammered, my voice trailing off. "I'll say thank you for protecting me."

"Rude," he muttered, his voice laced with annoyance.

I bit my lip, growing more and more exasperated. "Fine! Just get out of my room and be gone! I never want to see your face again! I hate you!" I spat out, my patience wearing thin due to his moody behavior.

"I hope you won't regret what you said," he retorted, With a blink, he vanished into thin air before my eyes.

"Why would I regret it?" I shouted in response, frustration seeping into my voice. I jumped back onto my bed, closed my eyes, and drifted into a fitful sleep.

***

"Wake up!" Ren shouted, abruptly interrupting my slumber.

"Are you awake?" Ren asked, stating the obvious. "No, I'm not," I sarcastically replied, feigning annoyance.

"Oh, you're joking?" she chuckled. I couldn't help but feel slightly taken aback. What was happening?

"Ren, are you feeling sick?" I asked, becoming concerned. I instinctively checked her temperature, finding it to be normal. So, what could be wrong?

"What? No, I'm not sick," she assured me, seizing my hand. "I was worried about you. I overheard you and grandma crying last night.

So, I thought something might have happened. By the way, we're running late," she informed, displaying genuine concern. The weight of her words threatened to bring tears to my eyes. I bit my lower lip, resisting the urge to cry.

"Don't worry. I'm fine, so there's no need to worry about me or grandma," I reassured her, feeling grateful for her care and affection. She hugged me tightly, and soon after, Ron entered the room, joining our embrace.

"I don't know why you two are hugging, but let me join," he chimed in, wrapping his arms around both of us. I tenderly patted their heads, savoring the precious moment of warmth and love.

A few minutes later, as they prepared to leave for school, I realized that we rarely had the chance to go to school together. Due to their popularity and fan base, I didn't want any unnecessary trouble.

Thus, I had devised a plan for us to meet separately in school, ensuring that none of our fellow students knew about our family ties.

"Are you ready?" Grandma called out, perched upon her chair in the living room. "Almost," I replied.

"Feelings come and go, so remember to always stay calm, my dear. You never know what your words might do to someone or what might happen to you," Grandma advised, her words resonating deep within me. I nodded, although I wasn't entirely sure what Grandma wanted me to understand.

I darted towards her, planting a kiss on her forehead. It struck me that my backpack was still at school. "See you later," Grandma bid farewell, waving at me with a warm smile. I reciprocated her wave, sprinting out of the house.

This area was devoid of neighbors, as it was our ancestral property, passed down through generations. Grandma had always been adamant about preserving it, so the twins and I planned to build our own palace within its vast expanse.

***

As I heard the school bell ring, I raced up the stairs to the second floor. It was the first time I had been late, and the thought alone made me cringe with embarrassment.

Arriving at our classroom door, I swung it open, causing the professor to pause mid-sentence. All eyes were on me, and I couldn't help but notice the twins laughing at my expense. Ignoring their amused expressions, I shot them a glare that conveyed my annoyance.

"Are you going to say anything, Ms. Ymarez?" the professor inquired, his gaze fixed on me.

"Good day, Professor, and to my fellow classmates. I sincerely apologize for interrupting your discussion and for arriving late," I addressed the class, my voice filled with a mixture of nervousness and humility.

"And?" the professor prodded, his eyes piercing into mine. I swallowed hard, mustering the strength to maintain a smile despite my embarrassment.

"May I come in?" I asked, seeking permission to enter the classroom. The professor nodded, returning his attention to the equation he was writing on the board. As I made my way to my seat, I noticed my seatmate smiling at me.

I averted my gaze, not wanting to engage with him. Instead, I turned my attention towards the window. However, what I beheld was not what I expected.

"Transferee?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Are you going to sit down, Ms. Ymarez?" the professor's stern voice echoed throughout the room as he directed his disapproving gaze towards me. I quickly settled into my seat, my eyes still fixed to the boy, who was seated near the window.

He had his legs crossed, resting his head against the wall. The light from the window illuminated his striking eyes, which held a dreamy quality that caught me off-guard.

"What am I thinking!?" I muttered under my breath, biting my lower lip as I shifted my focus to the blackboard in front of me.

****

The class ended as the bell rang. Ron turned to look at me, followed by Ren. Ron stared at my seat mate who quickly left.

"Stop staring at him!" Ren scolded Ron, giving him an angry look.

"I'm not!" Ron denied, but it was obvious that he was lying. "Yes, you are!" Ren insisted, keeping her eyes fixed on him. I couldn't help but laugh at their sibling disagreement.

"Oh, by the way, I heard another rumor." Ron said with excitement, a big smile on his face. I felt my heart tense up. "Another rumor?" I asked cautiously, and Ron nodded.

"There's this empty room in the school, it used to be an art room, but it got locked up by the principal," Ron explained, sending a shiver down my spine.

"They locked up that art room, but one night, the school security guard was patrolling when he heard strange noises. He became curious and decided to take a peek through the window. To his surprise, he saw eerie paintings appearing on the walls. It might seem hard to believe or not too scary, but the blood used for those paintings was real. What's even more unsettling is that some of the paintings depicted a beheaded principal and other teachers," Ron explained, causing Ren and me to exchange worried glances.

"The room had been locked in the past because a teacher tragically took thn ife there," Ron continued, abruptly standing up and startling both Ren and me.

"Hey, that's not funny!" Ren scolded, hitting Ron on the back. I let out a sigh of relief, placing my hand on my pounding heart.

"Instead of talking about rumors, shouldn't you be studying?" The boy suddenly appeared behind me, startling me once again.

"What?"

Ren replied, giving the transferee a skeptical look.

"Just so you know, I'm not looking for your approval. Just take the advice and study," The transferee responded calmly before walking away, his hands casually tucked in his pockets.

"What's his problem?" Ron wondered aloud, his eyes fixed on the boy as he walked away.

"New transfer students can be quite rude these days," Ren grumbled, rolling her eyes with a hint of frustration. Ron nodded in agreement, and they celebrated their unity with a high-five.

"What's his name?" I asked, genuinely curious. Ron and Ren burst into laughter, but they quickly composed themselves when they noticed my serious expression.

"Oh, right, you're late... His name is Yan Manrique. He's the new transfer student," Ron explained, sharing the information I was seeking. The name Yan struck a familiar chord in my mind, but I couldn't quite place it.

"Shall we head to the cafeteria?" Ren suggested, attempting to change the subject. However, I had a different idea in mind. "How about we go to that abandoned art room?"

"Ron?!" I raised an eyebrow, giving him a questioning look. Ron simply laughed cutely and playfully placed his hand on Ren's shoulder. "Gross," Ren muttered, swatting away Ron's hand in jest.

"You're mean," Ron pouted, pretending to be hurt. Both Ren and I chuckled, finding Ron's expression utterly adorable.