Stuck in the Shadows

Chapter 1 – Destiny

It is pitch black. “What happened?” Kibeom moans as he sits up and massages his temples. It’s so dark that he can’t see his own hand in front of his face. “Hello?” his voice echoes around him. “Where am I? Is anyone here?” He cautiously stands up, careful to feel his surrounding incase he bumps into anything. Have I been kidnapped? He thought. I don’t remember anything like that… I only remember… He remembers walking home from a normal day at school, he bumped into a man in a hoodie and when he turned to say sorry; everything went black. So I have been kidnapped?! Panic spread throughout his body. What is he to do? “Kibeom.” A deep voice bellows. Candle lights flicker alight at the same time and they circle around him. Am I going to die? Sweat matted his hair. Either he was shitting himself, or these candles were burning like the sun. Three people appeared before him, behind the candles. They were dressed in cloaks with hoods that cover their eyes. The person in the middle wears a black coat rimmed with gold, while the other two wear burgundy cloaks with black rims. I guess that means the guy in the black cloak is the leader or of higher standing. Kibeom felt his hands shake a little. “W-Where am I?” he demanded, curling his fingers into fists to try and stop the shaking. “Do not be alarmed Kim Kibeom.” The man’s deep voice boomed around the room. “How can I not be alarmed? I-“ But Kibeom was cut off by the leader. “Silence Kibeom!” Kibeom whimpered. “You are chosen to become a guardian.” Kibeom let it sink in. “Wait. What?” he stammers. “Is this some sort of prank or some hidden camera thing? It’s not funny.” “Rest assured Kim Kibeom, this is not a prank. You will become a guardian.” Says the man in black. “What does it mean?” asks Kibeom. He is so confused. Why all of this so suddenly? What is a guardian? “You life will now consist of protecting others. A particular other. You will be assigned a person to protect until they are declared safe. You will be given wings and supernatural powers. And do not worry, your normal life will still be in tact…most of it anyways.” The man smirks under his hoodie. “Why me?” Were the only words that could escape the teenager’s mouth. This is obviously a trick. How could an 18 year old boy protect become a guardian? Before the man could answer, Kibeom threw him another question. “Who do I have to protect these people from? Why can’t the government protect them or something?” “It is your destiny Kibeom. You’re not dealing with mere mortals Kibeom.” Replies the man. It can’t be. There can’t be such things as demons and witches and other things. “If you were wondering; there are such things as demons and witches and other things.” Says the man with a smirk. Fear spiraled in Kibeom’s stomach. Can he read minds? The pressure is too much. Kibeom’s head began to spin, his stomach turned, his legs became jelly.

He faints.

Notes