BLOODBOUND FATE

"What are you talking about? I don't get it! What prophecy??? Who is Sarina? Who is that woman? Can you please answer all of my questions Ms. Gina?"

After what happened that time, I no longer knew what happened. After that woman on that stage disappeared like a bubble, I apparently lost consciousness, according to Ms. Gina. I also cannot remember everything about how people were able to move normally again.

I saw Ms. Gina staring blankly, as if she did not know how to explain everything that happened to me.

"Calista.... It is hard to explain, but I just want you to know that everything I will tell you is the truth. Everything you will find out, you need to accept. I know it is difficult, but that is the reality."

"What do you mean?"

"You are an immortal. You are not a normal human. We are living in an immortal world. I have powers. You have powers, and in the coming days you will also know everything."

"But why can't I know now? Who am I really?"

Before Ms. Gina could speak, I suddenly asked her a question because I remembered something. "By the way Ms. Gina.... After what happened that night. What happened to the people? How did they return to moving normally?"

She smiled at me and stood up. "Come, come with me outside, there are many people there."

Even though I was curious, I followed Ms. Gina. I don't know if she plans to answer my question.

"What are we doing here outside? Is there an answer to my ques-"

My eyes widened at what I saw. Ms. Gina snapped her fingers while I was speaking, and I was shocked when the world stopped just like what happened at my pageant yesterday.

"Do you believe me now? Calista you are not dreaming. Try to snap your fingers."

Even though I was nervous, I still did it. I snapped my fingers and my face was totally shocked.

When Ms. Gina snapped, the world and surroundings stopped. But when I tried to snap my fingers, it suddenly returned to normal.

For a moment, I just stood there, my heart pounding so loud it felt like the frozen world could hear it. The people around us moved again as if nothing strange had happened, laughing, walking, talking, completely unaware that time itself had just stopped and restarted.

I slowly looked at my hand, flexing my fingers as if they no longer belonged to me. "I... I did that?" My voice trembled. "How is that possible?"

Ms. Gina turned to me, her expression serious now, no trace of a smile left. "That is only a fraction of what you can do, Calista," she said softly. "What you just witnessed is proof. Proof that what I told you is real."

My chest felt tight. Questions flooded my mind, faster than I could speak them. "Then the pageant... that woman... Sarina... all of it wasn't just my imagination?"

"No," Ms. Gina replied firmly. "Everything that happened was meant to awaken you. Your powers are beginning to surface, and once they do, there is no turning back."

I swallowed hard. "Then tell me the truth," I said, meeting her eyes. "If I'm an immortal... if this world is real... then what is my role in all of this?"

Ms. Gina took a step closer and lowered her voice. "That," she said, "is the part of the prophecy you are not ready to hear yet."

The weight of her words settled heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe. I looked around once more at the ordinary world that now felt unfamiliar cars passing by, children laughing, people glued to their phones none of them knowing that reality could be bent with a simple snap of a finger.

"Then what happens now?" I asked quietly. "Do I just go back to pretending everything is normal?"

Ms. Gina sighed, her eyes softening. "For now, yes," she said. "You must live as you always have. But things will change, Calista. You will start noticing strange dreams, sudden emotions that don't feel like your own, moments where your power reacts before your mind does."

A chill ran down my spine. I remembered the nightmares I used to brush off, the voices I thought were just thoughts. "And Sarina?" I asked. "Who is she to me? Is my name sarina or what? Why they called me Sarina?"

Ms. Gina hesitated, and that pause frightened me more than any answer could have. "Sarina is connected to your destiny and past," she finally said. "Whether as an ally or an enemy... that will depend on the choices you make."

"Choices?" I repeated. "You mean this isn't already decided?"

"The prophecy shows possibilities, not certainties," she replied. "Even immortals are bound by choice."

I clenched my hands into fists, feeling a faint warmth pulse through my palms. Power. Mine. The realization was terrifying and thrilling. "Then teach me," I said. "If I have these abilities, I don't want to hurt anyone. I don't want to lose myself."

Ms. Gina nodded slowly, a small smile returning. "That is why I'm here," she said. "To guide you... and to protect you from those who will come once they sense your awakening."

My heart skipped a beat. "They're coming?"

"Yes," she answered honestly. "And when they do, Calista, you will finally understand why the world had to stop for you that night."