"Claudine," the voice came again.This time, Claudine could tell who it was. It was Janey. There was something about her voice, though, deep and resounding, almost like it had morphed into that of a monster. Claudine felt herself shiver as the voice came again.Mrs. Zaynader stomped into the kitchen, and Claudine swivelled to look at the middle-aged woman who looked rather bewildered. She looked Claudine up and down, then her eyes rested on the girl's newly shaved head."I see Arielle has been doing the work of a barber quite impressively," she said, her lips curling up in a slick smile as she spoke.Claudine suddenly felt a wave of shame wash over her. Mrs. Zaynader was the first person, after Arielle, to see her with her shaved hair, and she felt embarrassed. Claudine cast her eyes on the tiled ground of the kitchen, her hands in front of her in a demure pose. Mrs. Zaynader heard her sniffle. She walked over to her."Claudine?" She said, her voice unusually calm."Yes, ma'am," Clau

After a while, Claudine began to accept her fate. It seemed that this was the path her life was meant to take. While at the orphanage, she and the other girls had ambitious dreams of being adopted by caring parents who would cherish her as if she were their own. Reflecting on this now, she couldn't help but find a hint of irony in those aspirations. It was time for Claudine to toughen up; after all, she wasn't a child anymore."How silly," she would say to herself.Given the chance, she would reunite with some of the girls from the orphanage and reveal that life beyond its walls was far more challenging than it appeared. At the orphanage home, she ate at least twice, but now, she struggled to eat and couldn't sleep well because her room was not conducive.Determined to break free from the weight of regrets, she immersed herself in action, starting with the cluttered room. With Arielle peacefully asleep and Mrs. Zaynader engrossed in household tasks, she grabbed some cleaning tools

Although the cabin was a comfortable space for her, Ezrianna often longed for the balmy conditions that could only be found in nature outside of the cabin. Her mother, herself a powerful witch, had once told her that a witch should never forsake her connections with nature, that a witch should ensure that she remained, in every way, tethered to the energies that bound the universe. And Ezrianna never forgot these nuggets of advice. She spent most nights in the clearing where she had met Claudine, picking flowers, listening to the trees whisper, and feeling her body imbued with the world's vitality.She had enjoyed the unexpected visit from Claudine, and it gladdened her heart that she had found a friend, for she so often got bored being alone all the time. After she saw Claudine off to her house, she went back to the clearing, packed her things and began on her way home.She usually walked slowly in the night; it was her favourite time. Something about it felt different: the clouds

In the dimly lit confines of an abandoned warehouse, where sporadic light bulbs cast a faint glow, Reid and his band of rogues underwent intense training. The gritty atmosphere resonated with the sounds of their movements, harmonising with the occasional wind howl seeping through cracks in the walls.Amid this, four groups were engaged in one-on-one combat, their grunts and groans saturating the air with the intensity of their battles. Notably, Reid faced off against both Keeran and Tommy simultaneously, revealing his raw strength through a seamless fusion of strikes, dodges, and strategic manoeuvres that challenged the conventional norms of single combat."You're both moving too slowly," Reid remarked to Tommy and Keeran, "and attack as a team, not as individuals. Remember, you're facing an alpha! I'm the next thing to a god!" His words carried an air of confidence, underlining the aura of authority he sought to establish in the training session.As he spoke, Reid effortlessly dodge

The Founder's Day Ball turned the ordinary-looking streets into a magical carnival, with people adorned in masks filling the space. Every corner, embellished with vibrant decorations, created a swirling burst of colours beneath the greyish night sky, illuminated by the gentle twinkle of fairy lights.Denzel and Nira arrived in style, pulling up in a vibrant red sports car to join the bustling event. The streets pulsated with the lively beats of a live band performance, and fire dancers twirled flames in a captivating dance. Distant fireworks erupted, painting the night sky with vivid hues. Cars decked out with floral arrangements and ribbons lined the streets, serving as transportation and exclusive lounges for the attendees.As Denzel looked for a parking space, he glanced at the bubbly scene outside their car, an air of disinterest apparent on his face. Nira, sensing his subdued mood, turned toward him."Why so unenthusiastic, Denzel? This is supposed to be a celebration," she remar