The walk home felt longer than usual. Chloe’s mind replayed the events of the day over and over, like a broken record stuck on the most baffling part. Her hands... her body... how had she done that? How had she fought like that? It wasn’t normal—she wasn’t normal.

  She barely noticed Brian’s rambling about his day, only nodding occasionally to avoid suspicion. As soon as they reached home, she trudged to her room, flopping onto her bed with a heavy sigh.

  Her grandmother must have noticed something was off because not long after, she appeared at the door with her usual gentle but knowing smile. "You’re unusually quiet today, dear. Is something on your mind?"

  Chloe hesitated before shaking her head. "Just tired. Long day."

  Grandma sat beside her, placing a warm hand on her head. "Sometimes things happen that we don’t understand. The best we can do is trust in fate to guide us where we need to be."

  Chloe looked up, meeting her grandmother’s wise eyes. There was something so comforting about her presence, like she knew all the answers but would only reveal them when the time was right.

  As usual, her grandmother began humming a familiar melody, the same song she had sung to Chloe since childhood. Her voice was soft and soothing as she sang:

  "The king will come wearing the red crown,

  The king will hold hope in his eyes,

  And calmness and protection to people at night...

  With wisdom deep as the endless sea,

  And a heart so pure, wild yet free,

  He shall bring justice, strength untold,

  With hands so kind, yet firm to hold.

  He walks the path of light and shade,

  Never swayed, never afraid,

  With truth as armor, fate as guide,

  The people's trust strong by his side.

  Through storms and wars, he'll stand so tall,

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  Breaking chains, answering the call,

  A guiding star in darkest night,

  Bringing peace with fearless might.

  The true king will return at the dawn."

  Chloe felt her eyelids grow heavy. The song had always made her feel safe, even when she didn’t quite understand its meaning. Before she could question anything further, sleep pulled her under.

  The next morning, Chloe woke up feeling refreshed. Whatever had happened yesterday still lingered in her mind, but she decided not to let it ruin her day. Instead, she had more important things to do—like annoying Brian.

  She sauntered into the kitchen, grabbed a piece of toast, and took a loud bite right next to Brian’s ear.

  "Ugh, do you have to chew like a wild animal?" Brian groaned, swatting her away.

  Chloe grinned. "What can I say? It’s my talent. I might enter a competition for the loudest eater."

  "You’d win. And then I’d move out," Brian muttered, making Chloe laugh.

  As they left for school, Chloe felt lighter, like her worries had been temporarily placed on pause. Sure, her life had taken a strange turn, but for now, she was still Chloe—the funny, slightly annoying, but completely lovable Chloe.

  As she entered the school, her four closest friends—Emma, Jake, Lily, and Ryan—rushed toward her with wide eyes and excited grins.

  "Chloe! You were so cool yesterday!" Emma gushed. "Where did you learn to fight like that? Was that judo? Karate? Have you been secretly training all this time?!"

  "Yeah, come on, tell us the truth!" Jake added, looking at her in awe. "You totally went all ninja on those guys. It was epic!"

  Chloe’s brain went into overdrive. Oh no. Oh no. What do I say? Her mind felt foggy and overloaded as she scrambled for an answer. Maybe I should say I had a master? No, no, then they’ll ask me for his name, his address, and everything. That would be even more suspicious. Think, Chloe, think!

  "Uh... my friend taught me!" she blurted out, hoping that would be enough.

  Her friends’ eyes lit up. "Who? Who? Tell us!" Lily pressed excitedly.

  "Uh... a schoolmate!" Chloe said quickly, regretting it the second the words left her mouth.

  "Whoa, whoa, whoa! A schoolmate?" Ryan repeated, eyes wide. "Wait, wait, tell us who! Who is this mystery martial arts master?"

  Chloe internally screamed. Shit, shit, shit! Why did I say schoolmate?! Am I crazy?!

  She waved her hands frantically, trying to back out of the situation. "Okay, okay, let’s go, guys! Enough of that—let’s go have lunch!"

  Thankfully, her friends were easily distracted by food, and as they made their way to the cafeteria, Chloe let out a breath of relief. Crisis averted… for now.