FATED DECEPTION

The Mysterio

's

rking a simple Job in a quiet little cafe far

olf side deep, ignoring the pull of the moon and the

rving coffee with no dark past and

bell above the cafe door chimed, signaling a new cus

nd I couldn't ignore it. When I finally looked up, he was there-tall, with pie

out a word. He had the mix of danger and charm lik

ped, and for a second, I wondered if he could se

mile pulling at his lips. "You're Kae, aren't you?" His voice was

e", I stammered try

His eyes never left mine, making my skin prickle with som

ed, fidgeting with the cloth in

is chin on his hand, watching me closely as if

d making a latte, hoping he couldn't see through the slight sha

ptically. "Passing through, but t

harm?" I couldn

knowing in his expression. "The hidden kin

ing if he was referring to m

everything I could to hide my nature, to be just anot

" I said, hoping to

l of mysteries, Kae; I believe you know about that," He replied with an

e to remind myself to breathe. I handed

his is the surprise

is eyes still on me,

of us seemed willing to ask. Finally, I broke it, feeling an odd compulsion

said, the faintest hint of a smile o

ing to keep it casual. "Not muc

ing over my shoulder as if he sensed something just beyond the walls

it was like he knew my secret even though I'd never said a word. And yet, there was also a

oice softer and almost cautious

ing how much to share. "I......just ne

e than I'd said. "A fresh start. I can r

pt mute for a moment without a reply

houldn't have been cautious-I barely knew this man–but I felt a strange pull t

still locked on me. "Thank you for the coffee, K

nore the flutter in my chest. "Take care,

ered long after I'd extended my farewell greetings

a glimpse of something on the counter; it was

trembling as I unfolded it. When I scrawled in, I found out i

what

he window, expecting to see him standing there, watching

w about me-about the part of me I

'd spent years burying that side of myself, trying to be normal, bu

if he knew what I was...