The day had felt long but sweet filled with tiny giggles, sticky fingers, running feet, and glitter that somehow ended up in places it shouldn't.
Alina's body was tired, her shoulders slightly sore, her feet aching in her shoes. But her heart? It was strangely full.
As the final bell rang and the soft orange glow of evening light poured over the kindergarten building, a peaceful stillness settled in. She stood at the front courtyard with her little students, now all cleaned up, each one holding their tiny backpacks or lunch bags, waiting for someone to take them home.
She had expected parents. Somehow, in her mind, she imagined warm reunions—a soft hug from a mother with the same wolf-like eyes as Luna, a proud vampire father picking up Vlad Jr. with a graceful nod, a cheerful elemental couple waving at Drake. Maybe even a nod from Felix's mysterious guardian.
But instead, one by one, all that came were drivers. Quiet, efficient, perfectly dressed drivers with polite bows and silent goodbyes. Some arrived in cars, others in floating carriages or magical transports, each one whisking away a child without much conversation.
Drake was the first to go, waving at her from the back window with both hands, his face smooshed against the glass as he shouted something she couldn't hear.
Vlad Jr. left with the same elegance he always carried, walking like a tiny prince into a waiting shadow carriage.
Boo floated into a glowing vehicle while throwing glitter into the air like confetti.
Luna transformed mid-run and climbed into a howling wolf-shaped ride, muttering something about being late for her nap.
Even Kelpie was carefully carried into a fog-covered transport, holding his bag like a treasure chest.
Rocky gave Alina a quiet wave as he left with someone.
And then... the noise faded. The others were gone. Only one remained.
Sable.
He sat silently on the wooden bench, holding his small bag with both hands. His eyes were focused on the ground, and his shoulders looked smaller than usual. He didn't say anything. He rarely did. But Alina could feel the change in the air around him. The shadow near his feet curled up more tightly than before, like it was trying to hide him. Or maybe hold him.
The others might not have noticed, but she did. He looked nervous—nervous in a quiet way that didn't need tears or words to be understood. Like this wasn't the first time he had been left behind. Like he already expected it.
Alina's heart ached just a little.
She slowly bent down, crouching to his level so he wouldn't feel smaller than he already did. Her voice was soft, calm, almost like a whisper on the wind.
"Your ride didn't come yet?"
Sable didn't respond right away. He simply gave the tiniest shake of his head. His eyes didn't lift, but his fingers fidgeted against the strap of his bag. Alina waited. She knew better than to push. She just stayed by his side, offering the one thing he might need most right now—presence.
She sat beside him on the wooden bench by the front gate. Neither of them spoke. The evening breeze brushed through her hair, and the sky slowly turned from warm orange to dusky pink. She didn't ask questions. Didn't pry. She just sat there with him, silently watching the last birds fly across the clouds. The silence wasn't awkward...it was soft. Peaceful.
After a few minutes, she reached into her bag and pulled out a kitkat from her bag. She unwrapped it carefully, held it out toward him without saying anything. He hesitated at first, then slowly...so slowly his hand reached out and took it.
Sable small frame still and tense, shoulders barely lifting with each breath. When he took the first soft bite of the chocolate she'd given him, Alina noticed something that broke her heart in ways she didn't expect.
His eyes watered.
Just a little.
Not loud crying. Not wailing like a spoiled child.
Just the soft, helpless shimmer of someone too young to understand why being left behind felt so cold.
And in that moment, watching him chew with trembling lips, trying not to sniffle, her heart cracked. He looked so small, so fragile..his black hair falling slightly into his small face, his little fingers still sticky with the chocolate.
He barely looked three years old.
A child who should've been loved loudly. Hugged tightly. Picked up and spun around.
Alina bent a little, speaking gently, keeping her voice calm and warm.
"What happened?" she whispered. "You can tell teacher. I'll help you, sweetheart."
Sable's wide eyes lifted slowly to hers.
And for the first time, it looked like he was going to say something.
His lips parted...just a breath.
And then—
A luxurious black car pulled up to the gate.
Two tall figures in dark formal uniforms stepped out quickly. They looked sharp and clean, probably high-ranking servants from whichever territory Sable belonged to.
"Apologies, young master. We're late," one of them said respectfully, without even sparing a glance at Alina.
Sable froze.
The moment shattered.
He stood up quietly, chocolate still in one hand, and followed them without a sound. His steps were obedient, soft.
Just before reaching the car door, he turned.
His big eyes looked back at her.
So many words unspoken. So many emotions trapped inside those small features.
And then he slipped inside, the door closed, and the car sped off into the fading light—disappearing down the path like a whisper swallowed by the trees.
Alina stood there, frozen.
Then slowly, her knees gave way, and she slumped back onto the wooden bench, her body heavy with everything she couldn't explain.
She had only been here a few days… and already, this place had changed her.
This wasn't like any normal kindergarten and this place had vampires, Dragons, Ghosts, Shapeshifters.
She quickly stood up.
"Okay no—no time to sit around and cry," she muttered.
"I'm not going to die young. Not today."
She hurried across the courtyard, rushing back toward the house assigned to her on the edge of the campus. She double-checked her lock, peeked out the curtains three times, and even grabbed a plastic ruler just in case something flew through the window.
Only after she had checked every corner, flicked on her dim reading light, and bolted the door tight did she finally sink onto the edge of her bed.
The silence hit.
And for the first time since she arrived…
She truly processed everything. Her world...her idea of reality had changed..