A'S

." His gaze moved to Michael and back to me. "Pack your things and go home for the rest of the day by t

edly grabbed my bag as I dragged Mi

n as we were outside. "You totally zoned

s mysterious guy I've been talking to...he says he's my guardian angel

el yelled, "You're not

ounds crazy, but hear me out. He was right there, but you couldn't see him. H

I pulled up my shirt, revealing the symbol on my shoulder. "Look! I have it too

kay, let's take a step back. What's going

truth. This guy, Kael, is literally everyw

ybe there's a way to get some answers. My aunt knows this... fortune-teller, or som

ing like that. She swears that he's the real deal. May

sterious fortune-teller or even trust Michael. I turned around to take a quick glance at him. He

thought for a moment, trying to put my finger on what made Kael so...unsettling. "He's...inten

mm

-------

e so crazy, one wouldn't easily locate here, unless you're a frequent visitor. The sign above the door read "

e and a warm smile greeted us and nodded towards Michael with a smile. He explained that we were here to see Julian and n

d under his gaze and snuggled behind Michael. "Please, sit," the man urged, gesturing to a sma

udged me, encouraging me to explain, so I told Julian about Kael, and the symbol on my shoulder, and t

eadable. "I see," he said. "I sense a...looming darkne

movements with the chaplet before his eyes returned to me with so

help me understand what's going on." "I'm afraid I can

ulian's gaze flicked towards Michael, and he shook his head. "N

t I couldn't? And why was he so insistent that I leave treating me like s

reassuring words in my ear. "It's okay, Aria. Everything will be alright. We'll figure this out together." It was

He handed me a tissue from his pocket, and I blew my nose, feeling a lit

late and I coul

ith me." His words held a bit of uncertainty, but I nodded eag

When we got down, I was taken aback by the sight before me. It looked like a complete ghetto, with crumbling buildings and trash-line

an area like this, yet he comes to t

probably on your mind," he said. "I always wanted to see you Ria even if it means spending my daily earnings." H

ael." I whispered, assuring him. As we pulled away from the hug, my mind couldn't help but reel.

king the silence. I took the opportunity to glance around the room. It was sparse, with

him, murmuring a little "Thank you." Taking a

My parents are no longer alive." I gasped, feeling guil

e learned to do life alone, although I do visit my aunt sometime

g closer, our bodies almost touching. I stared into his eyes