If someone had asked me yesterday what my biggest worry was, I would have probably said college applications.
Funny how quickly life can change.
Just one night… and everything becomes different.
But before the blood…
before the fight…
before the creature that shouldn't exist…
There was only an ordinary evening.
And I was just Kray Ashford.
Nothing more.
Nothing special.
Just a normal guy trying to figure out his future.
The smell of dinner filled the house as I sat at the table, absentmindedly scrolling through my phone.
Mom was in the kitchen, humming softly while finishing the last touches to the meal.
She always hummed when she was relaxed.
It was strangely comforting.
"Kray, stop staring at that screen and help me bring the plates," she said without even turning around.
I sighed but stood up anyway.
"Coming."
My mom, Elena Ashford, had always been a caring person.
Maybe that's why she became a veterinarian.
She couldn't stand seeing animals suffer.
If a stray dog appeared near the house even once, she would somehow end up feeding it.
Our own dog was proof of that.
A large German Shepherd named Rex rested near the living room doorway, lazily observing everything happening in the house.
His ears twitched as soon as he saw me carrying food.
"Don't even think about it," I muttered.
His tail wagged anyway.
Hopeless.
"You're talking to the dog again?" a cheerful voice came from behind me.
I turned to see my younger sister leaning against the wall, smiling.
Clara Ashford.
Still in school.
Still somehow more energetic than any human should reasonably be.
"At least Rex listens to me," I replied.
She placed a hand dramatically over her chest.
"I listen too!"
"Only when snacks are involved."
"That's not true," she protested, then paused. "…Okay, maybe a little."
I smirked.
Clara was the type of person who could brighten any room just by being in it.
Kind.
Optimistic.
A little dramatic.
And somehow always convinced everything would work out fine.
Dad entered shortly after, loosening his tie slightly as he sat down.
Adrian Ashford worked for a construction company and often returned home looking exhausted, but he never failed to smile when he saw us all together.
"Tough day?" Mom asked as she placed food on the table.
"When is it not?" Dad replied with a chuckle.
We all gathered around the table.
Simple moments like this had always been part of our daily life.
Normal.
Comfortable.
Safe.
"So," Mom began casually, "how is the college application going?"
There it was.
The question I had been trying to avoid all day.
"It's fine," I said, probably too quickly.
Clara leaned forward with interest.
"That means it's not fine."
"Traitor," I muttered.
Dad smiled slightly.
"You don't need to decide everything immediately. Take your time. Just choose what you think is right."
That was something I appreciated about my parents.
They trusted my judgement.
They always had.
Even when I wasn't confident in myself.
"I just don't want to mess it up," I admitted.
"You won't," Mom said instantly.
Her tone left no room for doubt.
"You've always handled things responsibly."
Clara nodded enthusiastically.
"You literally helped me pass math last year. That alone proves you're reliable."
"That says more about your math skills than my reliability," I replied.
She kicked my leg lightly under the table.
Rex barked softly, sensing movement, probably hoping someone dropped food.
"Relax," I told him.
Dad folded his arms, observing me carefully.
"You've always been protective of your sister," he said.
Clara grinned.
"That's because I'm amazing."
"That's because you attract trouble," I corrected.
She opened her mouth in protest but couldn't really argue.
There had been incidents before.
Arguments.
School problems.
Situations where someone needed to step in.
And I had.
Not because I enjoyed conflict…
…but because family mattered.
And I would always protect what mattered.
"You've got a good head on your shoulders," Dad continued.
"We trust your decisions."
Trust.
Such a simple word.
But hearing it made the pressure feel heavier.
Expectations didn't scare me.
Disappointing the people I cared about did.
Dinner continued with small conversations.
Clara talked about school.
Mom mentioned a difficult surgery she had earlier that day.
Dad shared a story about a workplace accident that thankfully ended without serious injury.
Normal life.
Simple life.
Looking back now…
I wonder if that was the last truly peaceful evening I would ever have.
Later that night, the house grew quiet.
Clara had gone to her room.
Mom finished cleaning the kitchen.
Dad reviewed some work documents.
Rex followed me as I headed upstairs.
"You're getting too old to escort me everywhere," I told him.
He ignored me.
Typical.
Inside my room, I stared at the college application page displayed on my laptop.
Deadlines.
Choices.
Future.
It all felt overwhelming.
Too many possibilities.
Too many unknowns.
My mind refused to stay calm.
I needed air.
Quiet air.
Fresh air.
Without overthinking.
I changed clothes quietly and waited until the house lights dimmed.
Sneaking out wasn't exactly difficult when everyone trusted you.
That trust made it feel slightly worse.
"I'll just walk for a bit," I whispered to myself.
Rex watched curiously as I moved toward the window.
"No," I told him softly.
"You're staying."
His ears lowered slightly.
Guilt.
Why did dogs have to be so expressive?
"I'll be back soon."
The night greeted me with cool air.
Peaceful.
Calm.
The streets were mostly empty.
Streetlights cast long shadows across the pavement.
Walking had always helped clear my thoughts.
Step by step.
Breath by breath.
Everything slowed down.
College didn't feel so overwhelming.
The world felt manageable again.
I didn't know…
That something else had arrived in this world that night.
Something not meant to exist here.
Something searching for survival.
And soon…
Our paths would cross.
I stopped near a narrow alley, sensing something strange.
A faint metallic scent lingered in the air.
My instincts reacted before my thoughts could.
Something was wrong.
I just didn't know how wrong.
And in only a few moments…
My life would change forever.