"Selene! Selene!! Wake up! It's your first day of work you don't want to be late," Flora, Selene's foster mother, called out as she approached Selene's door and knocked.
Selene jerked up from the bed, startled. Rubbing her eyes, she slipped into her slippers and stepped into the bathroom. After a refreshing bath, she got dressed in a sharp, knee-length gown adorned with a beautiful floral pattern, accented with white and purple sparkly stones that gave it an elegant touch.
She applied light makeup and styled her hair into a neat bun, securing it with decorative hairpins. Looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled her deep dimples making her already enchanting appearance even more captivating.
Meanwhile, Flora, having just finished making breakfast, came upstairs to check on Selene.
"My darling, you look gorgeous today!" Flora said warmly as Selene stepped out of her room.
"Thanks, Mum. Good morning," Selene replied, embracing her.
Flora smiled and kissed Selene's forehead. "Good morning, dear. How was your night?"
"It was fine, Mum. I slept well," Selene answered as they made their way downstairs for breakfast.
Selene sat at the table, munching on a cheeseburger and sipping her orange smoothie. They ate in comfortable silence until Selene's attention was suddenly drawn to the news on the television. She grabbed the remote and increased the volume.
"It has been rumored that a man saw individuals dressed in black hoods yesterday. He witnessed them approach another man, giving him conditions before taking him away," the news anchor reported.
Selene narrowed her eyes at the screen.
"All these rumors… they're just nonsense," Flora muttered, though her eyes flickered with a hidden emotion.
"Mother… I think it's true," Selene said, rising from her chair, her focus locked on the screen.
"Here is the man who witnessed the event," the reporter continued, holding out a microphone. "Sir, can you tell us about your experience?"
The man hesitated, fear clouding his eyes. "I saw them… cloaked in black hoods. T-they… gave a man who looked stranded some kind of condition. I can't recall what it was exactly, but I remember him agreeing… and then following them."
He suddenly collapsed.
The screen went black.
A chill ran down Selene's spine. "Mother… what just happened?"
"I don't know…" Flora whispered. She abruptly got up and began locking the windows and doors.
Just then, a low, eerie voice echoed through the house.
"Selene…"
Selene's breath hitched. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling. No answer came. Instead, a powerful gust of wind tore through the house, knocking objects to the floor.
"Stop it!" Flora's authoritative voice rang out, and the chaos ceased immediately.
Using the faint morning light, Flora stepped protectively in front of Selene. "She's here…" she whispered.
Suddenly, the plates in the kitchen began crashing to the floor, one by one, the noise growing louder and more violent.
"Get down!" Flora screamed.
They ducked just in time as a sharp knife flew past their heads and embedded itself into the wall.
Silence fell.
Flora stood, helping Selene to her feet. "She's gone," she murmured, unlocking the doors and windows.
The dining room was in shambles, broken dishes scattered across the floor. But something far more chilling caught their attention: just beside the knife lodged in the wall, a black, shallow inscription read:
'I'LL BE BACK.'
A shiver ran down Selene's spine. "Mother… what was that? Who was she?"
Flora exhaled shakily and began picking up the broken pieces. "She's your mother," she said, looking at Selene.
Selene's eyes widened. "My mother?" she echoed, disbelief in her voice.
"Yes… your mother," Flora confirmed calmly.
Selene stepped closer. "I thought you were my mother…" she said, her voice cracking as tears welled up.
Flora wiped her tears away and gave a sad smile. "No, I'm not. I'm only your mother's twin sister. She abandoned you twenty-three years ago at a graveyard. That's where the locals found you… and I took you in, raising you as my own."
Pausing, Flora turned her back and lifted her shirt, revealing deep scars across her back. "She did this to me seven years ago… when she tried to take you. I stopped her. But she told me that when you came of age, you would go to her willingly."
Pain flashed through Flora's eyes.
Tears streamed down Selene's face as she embraced Flora, sobbing uncontrollably. She had always believed Flora was her real mother the resemblance was strong enough that she'd never questioned it.
But now… everything had changed.
"You said she's my mother… but why is she after me?" Selene asked, pulling away, her face etched with worry.
"The people… the man on the TV mentioned—your mother is among them," Flora said, her eyes burning with anger.
"Oh my God…" Selene whispered, fear gripping her. She sat down, cold sweat breaking out on her body.
"Don't worry," Flora said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "You have to be careful. She's desperate to pull you into her group."
Selene nodded, her heart racing.
"It's time to go to work," Flora said gently.
Selene stood up, rushed to grab
her bag, and kissed Flora on the cheek before stepping out of the house, using Flora's car.