MOONSTRUCK

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

FIND YOUR GUARDIAN?

~~~~~

POV(KAIA)

I stormed into the house, the strange customer, the tattoo. Everything was bothering me and I had a lot to talk about with my parents.

I slumped on a couch and that's when I noticed the packed bags strewn all over the living room.

"Kai, pack your bags. We're leaving."

I stopped dead with words hanging in my throat but I still managed to say something.

"What? Where are we going?"

Dad appeared beside mom, his expression serious. "We'll explain everything on the train."

I was confused, wondering if the whole day was a dream and I still haven't woken up. The tattoo, the customer and now this? Moving in the middle of the night.

"The train? What's going on? You can't just drop this bombshell on me to tell me we're leaving? Where are we off to? And why are we leaving? Are we getting chased by the government or something?"

mom's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I saw a flash of something there, something that looked almost like...fear.

"Kai, trust us. You'll understand everything soon. Just pack."

I hesitated, unsure of what to do. But my parent urgency was unsettling and I was left dumbfounded. I grabbed my backpack and started shoving clothes and random items into it.

As I packed, I had a bad feeling that something was off. I could tell, our sudden departure was more than just a hasty vacation.

"Kai, let's go!" my dad called out, his voice low and urgent.

I grabbed anything in plain sight, tucked it into my backpack and followed my parents out the door.

As we boarded the train, I knew something was going on but I didn't dare ask questions, I couldn't.

"Put this on." Mum handed me a hoodie, I didn't protest and just wore it.

She ordered to keep my head down. I felt like I was in some kind of witness protection program.

We found our seats, and my parents sat on either side of me, their eyes scanning the surrounding area like they were searching for something...or someone.

I tried to ask them what was going on, but they just shushed me and told me to keep my voice down.

As the train lurched forward, mum's grip on my arms tightened. They were watching the other passengers, their faces tense with concern.

I followed their gaze, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Just people going about their daily business.

But they seemed to sense something I didn't. They exchanged a nervous glance, and my mom leaned in close to me.

"Kai, you have to listen to me carefully," she whispered. "There are people who might be looking for us."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. "What people? What's going on?"

dad's eyes locked onto mine, his expression serious. "We'll tell you everything soon, I promise. Just trust us for now."

But trust was hard to come by when it seemed like my whole world was being turned upside down.

I glanced around the train car again, this time searching for any signs of danger. That's when I saw him, a tall man sitting across from us, his eyes fixed intently on me.

My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met. "I think that man is looking at me." Mum pushed my head down as soon as I said those words and I started to realize the urgency of the situation.

A group of people, all wearing black hoodies, filed onto the train. They were scattered throughout the car, but their eyes seemed to be scanning the area, like they were searching for someone.

My heart began to pound as I took in their appearances. They were all tall, muscular, and had menacing scars on their faces. Some of them had tattoos of strange symbols on their necks or arms.

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized that they were hiding weapons. I saw the glint of a knife, the outline of a gun. My mind was racing with questions. Who were these people? What did they want?

I froze, my eyes fixed on the group. My parents seemed to sense my fear, and they leaned in close to me.

"We know what you saw, Kai," my mom whispered. "But you have to remain calm. Don't draw attention to yourself."

My dad's eyes locked onto mine, his expression serious. "We'll get through this, okay? Just stay close to us."

The group of people in black hoodies seemed to be closing in around us, their eyes fixed on us, me precisely.

The train pulled to a stop and Suddenly, my parents grabbed my arms and pulled me to my feet. "Kai, listen carefully," mom whispered urgently. "Listen carefully, we don't have much time and it's just you now. You might not see us again, don't trust anyone. the most important thing is you have to find your guardian."

I stared at them, confused. "What are you talking about? Who's my guardian? How do I find him?"

"You'll know when he's close. The moon will guide you."

"What moon?" I tried to ask and the train door glided open to our stop.

"The tattoo, it's not just a tattoo it's your sign. If you find him, show him the sign."

"What's really going-"

But before I could ask any more questions, my parents rushed me to the door of the train. They pushed me out onto the platform, and I stumbled, catching myself just in time.

As I turned to look back at them, I saw them rush back into the train, slamming the door shut behind them. I heard the sound of locks clicking into place, and I realized, with a jolt of fear, that I was trapped outside, alone and defenseless.

"Mom! Dad!" I started to scream, but the train was gone.

I pinched myself, hoping it was really all just a dream.

As I stood there, frozen in shock, I felt a hand on my elbow, helping me up. I turned to see the man from the coffee shop, his eyes locked onto mine.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.

I stared at him, my mind racing. "Thank you but what are you doing here?" I demanded. "Did you follow me?"

He held up his hands, a look of innocence on his face. "No, no, I just happened to be passing by. I saw you fall and thought I'd help."

But then I took a good look at him, I noticed something that made my blood run cold. On his neck, just below his ear, was the same symbol I'd seen on the people in black hoodies on the train.

My heart racing, I took a step back, trying to get away from him. "You're one of them aren't you?," I accused, my voice shaking.

He smiled, a cold souless smile. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, but his eyes told a different story.

"Those people on the train, what do you want from me?" My eyes darted around the station and I realized it was just both of us. One mistake and I might get killed by this man.

I turned and ran, my feet pounding the platform as I desperately tried to get away.

But he was right behind me, his footsteps echoing off the walls. I could hear him gaining on me, and I knew I had to think fast if I wanted to escape.

"Wait! Listen, I just want to talk." I heard his eery voice from behind but I knew better than stopping not when I don't want to die.

I darted to the side, using a nearby pillar to block his path. But he was too quick, and he easily dodged around it, I knew I couldn't outrun him. I needed a new plan, and fast.

I looked at every direction, there was no other way to swerve. I looked forward and it was a dead end, so I stopped running and turned to him.

He stopped too and a grin played on his face.

At that moment, I knew it. I'd just let him kill me, maybe I'll die or maybe I'll wake up from this scary dream.

But one thing was for sure, one wrong guess and I'm gone.