Starlit Bonds

XXXIII

Karina's perspective: ⚕

To say that I'm shaking in fear would be an understatement. The unfamiliar woman with some sort of pulse detector sits across from me on the dark oak table. Principal Anderson stands by her side, his expression unreadable. Kelsie looms by the door, her presence intimidating. I can't bring myself to look at her. If I do, I fear she'll see right
through me, exposing the truth that I've fought so hard to conceal.

The woman explains how the procedure will work, her voice cold and clinical. Kelsie approaches, her movements deliberate, and grabs a wire connected to the machine. With hands like ice, she sticks it to my temple before stepping back, her gaze unwavering. I swallow hard, trying to ignore the racing of my heart as I'm instructed to stay calm and be honest because they will know if I'm lying.

I nod, trying to suppress the tremble in my voice as I acknowledge her instructions. The weight of the moment hangs heavy in the air as I steel myself for what's to come. With every beat of my heart, I can feel the pulse of fear coursing through my veins, threatening to betray me.

As the machine hums to life, I close my eyes, trying to block out the noise and focus on controlling my breathing. The questions begin, each one feeling like a hammer blow to my fragile resolve. I answer as truthfully as I can, the words feeling like lead on my tongue.

Behind me, I can sense the tension in the room, palpable and suffocating. Kelsie's presence looms large, a constant reminder of the consequences of failure. But I refuse to let fear dictate my fate.

Minutes stretch into eternity as the interrogation continues, each passing moment feeling like an eternity. But finally, it's over. I exhale a shaky breath, feeling drained and vulnerable.

As I wait for the verdict, my mind races with a million thoughts and fears. What if they find out? What if I'm expelled? What if...

But then, a glimmer of hope flickers to life within me. I refuse to let fear consume me. No matter what happens, I will face it with courage and resilience.

"Are you a vampire?" the woman asks, her tone devoid of emotion, her eyes fixed on mine with unwavering intensity. Every word feels like a dagger aimed at my heart, threatening to expose the truth hidden beneath layers of fear and desperation.

I swallow hard, trying to muster the courage to respond. "No," I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. The weight of the lie hangs heavy on my conscience, but I push aside the guilt, focusing instead on maintaining the facade of normalcy.

The woman's gaze remains fixed on me, her expression inscrutable. Behind her, Principal Anderson watches with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, while Kelsie stands guard by the door, a silent sentinel ready to pounce at the first sign of deception.

As the seconds tick by, I can feel the tension in the room mounting, threatening to suffocate me. But I refuse to buckle under the pressure. I steel myself for the next question, determined to hold onto my fragile facade for just a little while longer.

The woman nods, seemingly satisfied with my response, before moving on to the next question. "Have you ever knowingly associated with vampires or harbored them?"

My heart pounds in my chest as I weigh my words carefully. Admitting any connection to vampires could spell disaster, yet lying could have equally dire consequences. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves before responding.

"No," I answer, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts to appear composed. It's a half-truth at best, but in this moment, it's the only answer I can give without revealing the tangled web of alliances and secrets that bind us all together.

The woman studies me intently, her gaze piercing through my carefully constructed facade. I hold her gaze, trying to project an air of confidence even as doubts gnaw at the edges of my mind.

Behind her, Principal Anderson leans forward, his expression unreadable. I can feel his eyes boring into me, searching for any hint of deception. Kelsie remains silent, her presence a constant reminder of the stakes of this interrogation.

As the woman moves on to the next question, I steel myself for what lies ahead, knowing that each answer I give could bring me one step closer to either salvation or ruin.

As the interrogation progressed, they delved into various aspects of my life: my friends, my experiences at school, and then, with a sudden shift in tone, they uttered Winter's name.

"And what about Winter Kim?" the woman asked, her voice carrying a weight of suspicion that sent a chill down my

My breath catches in my throat at the mention of Winter's name. Panic threatens to overwhelm me as I struggle to find the right words. Every instinct screams at me to protect her, to shield her from the scrutiny of these strangers.

"She's just a student like the rest of us," I reply, my voice trembling despite my efforts to remain steady. "She's never caused any trouble."

I can feel the weight of their scrutiny bearing down on me, each second stretching into an eternity as I wait for their response. My heart pounds in my chest, a constant drumbeat of fear and uncertainty.

The woman's gaze lingers on me for a moment longer before she nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer. Relief washes over me in a dizzying wave as I realize that, for now at least, Winter's secret remains safe.

With Kelsie's hands gently lifting from my head, a sense of relief washes over me. I managed to keep my emotions in check, ensuring they wouldn't perceive me as unusual. As I rise from my seat, a wave of accomplishment fills me.

"Please signal for the next person to enter," Kelsie instructs, her tone professional. I comply with a nod, stepping out into the hallway. All eyes are on me, but I refuse to meet the gaze of those whose eyes hold mysteries darker than the night and light brighter than the day. Instead, I focus on my friends, seeking solace in their supportive presence.

Soon, the next name is called. "Kang Haerin," Kelsie announces. With grace and poise, Haerin strides forward to face her interrogation. As she disappears behind the door, I can't help but glance at Minji, whose expression betrays her inner turmoil.

Minji's anguish is palpable as she watches Haerin enter the interrogation room. I can sense her fear and uncertainty, mirroring my own. I long to offer her reassurance, but my own nerves are stretched thin.

The minutes tick by slowly as we wait outside the conference room. Each passing second feels like an eternity, amplifying the tension that hangs heavy in the air. I steal a glance at Danielle, who stands beside me, her jaw clenched with worry.

Suddenly, the door swings open, and Haerin emerges, her expression unreadable. I rush to her side, concern etched on my face. "Are you okay?" I ask, my voice filled with concern.

Haerin's response is stoic as she meets my gaze. "I'm fine," she assures me, though her eyes betray a hint of exhaustion. "It wasn't as I presumed."

Relief washes over me as I exhale slowly. "I'm glad to hear that," I reply, grateful that she emerged unscathed from the ordeal.

As Haerin rejoins our group, the weight of the moment hangs heavy over us. We exchange anxious glances, silently bracing ourselves for whatever comes next in this harrowing ordeal.

As a few others take their turns, I can't shake the feeling that they're just waiting to call in another one of us. If it's not Minji, then it's— "Winter Kim," they call, and a chill runs down my spine, leaving me rigid with apprehension.

Winter strides forward without sparing me a second glance. I feel an urgent need to say something, to reach out, but words fail me, and I'm left grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. The weight of it all seems to crush me as the soundproof door shuts behind her, sealing her fate within that room.

As Kelsie begins to attach the wires, I can't help but watch, feeling helpless and desperate. For a fleeting moment, Winter's gaze meets mine, and in that brief exchange, I sense a silent message passing between us. It's as if her eyes convey the words I long to hear: "I love you, I always will."