Disappointment and sadness overwhelmed Amara as she descended the steps of yet another hospital. The day was as cloudy as her life had been since the day she was born. She let out a heavy sigh as she looked up at the dark sky; she had just been rejected from another job interview — again, not even given the chance to hand over her résumé.
Mixed-bloods lived on the margins of society in Mizuki, the city where she was born, thanks to a foolish national law that forbade Aokai citizens from having relationships with people of other nationalities. Her father, however, ignored that law over twenty years ago when he got her mother — a citizen of Khalawa — pregnant. He was arrested, tortured, and thrown onto the outskirts of society along with his family, treated like animals.
Her father being paraplegic and her mother ill had forced Amara and her twin sister, Amina, to rush back from Khalawa to Aokai to care for them. They had spent several years in their mother's homeland to study, all funded by their maternal grandfather. But the degrees they earned meant nothing here, it seemed, and the money the maternal side of the family had given for their mother's treatment was nearly gone.
Amara sat on the bottom step of the staircase, lost in thought. Returning to work in a factory wouldn't bring in enough money, and Amina hadn't found work in her field either — she was working at the family bookstore. Amara found herself considering, yet again, the idea of moving the entire family back to Khalawa when a high-pitched, blaring siren tore through the evening silence. She looked up to see people running in panic, car horns blaring nonstop, and screams of terror filling the air.
Startled, she tried to stop a woman running with a child in her arms and asked:
— What's going on? Is it an earthquake alert?
The woman pulled away from her and, terrified, shouted before running off again:
— It's them! The Nefaris have crossed the border, they're coming into the city!
Amara was struck with deep shock — and a small flicker of disbelief. The Nefaris were shadowy creatures that lived beyond Aokai's borders. A magical barrier prevented them from crossing into human territory, and it had never failed before. Amara rushed to the family's old car, and as she sat in the driver's seat, she didn't even need to dial, her mother's call was already on the screen.
— Hello? Mom, what's going on? Is it true what people are saying? — She answered.
— Sweetheart… — Her mother's tearful voice came through. — It's true. Our city is being invaded by a type of Nefari they're calling Sombros. They say they can mimic people's appearances…
— What!? But what about the barrier?
— I don't know… It must've fallen. Honey, they're telling people to go to the city's underground shelter, but I…
— You what, Mom??
— Amara, you need to go get your father. I came to the market and after the news broke, the owners locked everyone inside. Your dad's home alone. You and Amina have to go get him and head straight to the shelter! — Her mother cried on the other end.
— Okay, Mom, I'll stop by the bookstore, pick up Amina, and we'll go get Dad. Don't worry, please!
— I already called and told him. You two have to hurry, our house is too close to the border…
— Don't worry, I'll be as fast as I can. — And without another word, Amara hung up and sped through the crowded streets of Mizuki.
When she arrived at the family bookstore, Amina wasn't there. A "Closed" sign hung on the front door. Amara assumed her sister had already gone to the shelter or was on her way home. She got back in the car and, while driving, called her mother again to explain. Her mom promised to call Amina via video and urged Amara to hurry — her father's life was at risk.
The family's old car couldn't go very fast on the steep roads of Mizuki's outskirts. Swerving to avoid panicked pedestrians, Amara finally made it to the Hisakawa family home with great effort. She burst through the door like a storm and shouted for her father:
— Dad? Dad, are you here?
— Here! — His hoarse voice came from the bedroom.
Amara rushed in and found her father in his wheelchair, in front of a suitcase on the bed. Next to it was a .22 caliber pistol he had bought years ago to protect the family. Adjusting his glasses, he looked up at her, his expression turning anxious when he saw she was alone.
— Where 's Amina? Wasn't she with you?
— I don't know. I was handing out my résumé at the hospital when the news about the Nefaris spread. I stopped by the bookstore, but she wasn't there. Mom said she'd call her. I also tried calling on the way, but it went straight to voicemail.
— Oh my God, then we need to go and find that girl — now!
— Yes! I'll take your suitcase to the car… — Amara closed it hastily and moved to carry it, her father following her, wheeling himself along.
— Sweetheart, the gun! Take it. It only has three bullets, but it should be enough if we run into any of those demons.
— Ah, right. — Amara grabbed the revolver from the bed. — Dad, please don't strain yourself. I'll come back to push your chair. Wait here. I don't know if any Nefari are lurking near the house.
With that, she walked down the hallway, suitcase and gun in hand — only to freeze when she saw her sister standing in the living room.
— Amina!
Her sister looked just as she had earlier: almond-toned skin, the same face, and the one thing that set them apart — her straight hair braided back. Amina's expression was panicked, her shirt and jeans stained with mud, her boots too — proof she had run a long way.
— Sis! — Amina exclaimed, and Amara stood in utter shock. — I ran here to help Dad. I didn't wait for you at the bookstore. I was too worried about him.
Slowly, Amara set down the black suitcase, gripped the revolver with both hands, and raised it at Amina as she stepped closer.
— Don't move! — Amara ordered in a grave, commanding voice.
— What is this? You don't trust me, sister?
Amara stayed silent, the gun aimed squarely at Amina's forehead.
— You think I'm a Sombro, don't you? — Amina looked stunned.
— I just want you to tell me one thing. Loud and clear… — Amara's voice was steady. — Are you hearing me well, sister?
Amina laughed and said:
— Of course I…
Before she could finish the sentence, Amara pulled the trigger. The bullet pierced the creature's forehead. The blood that spilled was black as coal.
— My sister is deaf, you bitch!