My graduation day had finally arrived, and I couldn't contain my excitement. The culmination of years of hard work and dedication had led me to this very moment. I stood proudly amidst the sea of graduates,my foster parents and my best friend by my side. This was undoubtedly the best day of her life.

Oh before I forget, let me introduce myself, I am Aphrodite, a normal human, with a blond and red hair mix. I don't even know why I have that kind of hair color but it's the least of my problems.

And I have no clue about my real parents, I was found in a dumpster by my foster parents who took me in and raised me till now, and my best friend Jace who's always been there for me. I am Kate and Logan's only child. Seeing they weren't able to have one.

The sun shone brightly, casting a golden hue on the campus grounds. Laughter and joy filled the air as graduates hugged, took pictures, and shared stories of their academic journey.

I couldn't stop smiling as I posed for countless photographs, my cap and gown accentuating my radiant glow.

Amidst the celebratory chaos, I felt a strange sensation as I made my way towards the restroom. I brushed shoulders with a man, but in the flurry of excitement, I didn't recognize who he was.

The encounter was peculiar, as it was unusual to see a male in the female restroom. However, I shrugged it off, chalking it up to the chaos of the day.

As I entered the restroom, my smile faded, replaced with a look of sheer horror. There, lying on the cold tiled floor, was my course mate, Lydia, in a pool of her own blood. Her heart had been ripped out from her chest. It was like a hole was punched into her chest with her heart lying next to her on the ground.

The sight sent a chilling shiver down my spine, and I let out an ear-piercing scream that echoed through the restroom. Who would have thought such a thing would happen on this wonderful day.

My foster parents and best friend rushed to my side, their faces etched with concern and confusion. They followed my gaze and gasped at the gruesome scene before them. Panic set in as they realized the severity of the situation. "It's alright dear, it okay" my mom said, patting my head gently.

My best friend Jace quickly took out my phone and dialed emergency services, relaying the distressing situation. Time seemed to stand still as they waited for help to arrive, their hearts heavy with a mix of fear and sorrow.

My mind raced as I tried to piece together what had happened. I couldn't comprehend how such a joyous occasion could turn into a nightmare in an instant. Questions swirled in my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder if the encounter with the unknown man was somehow connected to this horrifying scene.

It seemed to be the only clue, he was the only one who had left the girls bathroom, the problem was I didn't see his face, but I could perceive a strong smell of sandalwood, patchouli, mixed with rosewood, I knew those scents all too well cause it was one of my favorite scent in the world, maybe this was a clue.

As they waited for the authorities to arrive, my parents held her tightly, offering comfort and reassurance. They urged me to stay strong and reminded me that I had done nothing wrong. Graduation day was meant to be a time of celebration, not tragedy. But I was too lost in my thoughts to hear them, I knew I didn't always get along well with Lydia due to her sour behavior but still we were course mates, I wouldn't wish such cruel death for her.

When the police and paramedics finally arrived, they swiftly cordoned off the area and began their investigation. They called me off to ask me a few questions.

"Young lady, I'm Anna, what's your name?" She asked me, smiling.

"It uh Aphrodite" I answered with a shaky voice and a teary face.

" Okay you don't need to be scared, just tell me exactly what you saw?".

"I uh.. I came to use the bathroom, but I brushed into some weird guy on my way in, I didn't see his face when I entered I saw Lydia on…" I couldn't continue my sentence. I was beginning to Panic, I couldn't breath, I gasped for hair, then Jace rushed and held me "breathe Aphro Breath, okay, you're fine" he said, patting me gently on my back.

I slowly began to get myself, he took me away from the lady questioning me, I couldn't stand any more questions, it was my first time seeing something so gruesome.

My parents too were taken aside for questioning, providing any information that might be helpful in unraveling the mystery behind Lydia's brutal attack.

Hours turned into an eternity as the investigation intensified. The campus was gripped by fear and apprehension. Students huddled together, seeking solace in each other's company as they grappled with the shock of the incident.

Finally we were free to go, my parents and Jace took me home immediately. When we arrived at our small but cozy home, he helped me into the house and then he offered me a glass of water to refresh myself.

"Are you okay darling" Dad asked me, and I nodded my head, but I knew deep down I wasn't okay, this was too much.

"It's gonna be okay dear, it will all pass with time" mom squeezed my hands slightly, before she stood up and left with dad, leaving me with Jace.

Jace had always got my back, anytime I needed him, he was always there, he was 2 years older than me and 1 year ahead of me in class so he graduated last year, he works at a gaming company, one of the biggest companies.

"Hey, hey look at me, look at me" he puts his hands gently on my rosy cheeks, as I stared into his eyes "it gonna be okay, your strong you can get through this"

I only nodded my head, as the images from earlier flashed across my eyes again, I immediately pulled him in for a tight hug, we stayed like dat for a few minutes till I slept off.

He gently carried me to my room, and laid me on the bed, he covered me with the blanket, as he was about to leave I subconsciously grabbed his hand, I didn't want to be alone even in my subconscious state, he turned and stared at me and sat close to the bed he held my hand in his.

After a few minutes, I began having nightmare, I kept on seeing the man from earlier in the restroom, I was walking in a dark alley, I couldn't make out his figure, so I rushed to follow him, but I lost him when I turned to the next alley.

He came out of thin air and bit into my neck, I screamed awake to a sided eyes Jace who I presumed must have woke up with force due to my screaming my parents rushed in I was sweating so much, there was terror in my face, as I held my neck with my hand to check it I was truly bitten.

"Hey sweetie are you okay' my rushed to My bed and hugged me tightly.

"Don't worry baby it's just a nightmare, nothing to worry about" My dad said reassuringly as he poured me a glass of water and gave it to me.

I took it and down it all in one goal, I was already really thirsty, "mom, dad, it was so real, I thought he was gonna kill me".

"Who are you talking about dear?" my mom asked me curiously.

"The man with the fangs he bit into my neck"

"It all a nightmare, those creatures ain't real, you mind is just conjuring those images due to the incident earlier" my dad told me

"Yeah, Aphro it ain't real, they all exist in novel and fictional characters okay" have assured me it was nothing to worry about, my tummy grumbled and I remembered I hadn't taken anything today.

Mom smiled at me, "my baby is hungry, let me prepare some of your favorite dishes, oh and Jace stay over for dinner"

"Okay ma" she left the room with dad, while I sat with Jace we were discussing he was trying so hard to distract me.

We went down for dinner, I ate but not much. My parents knew today's event must have affected my appetite, so they didn't force me to take more. After dinner Jace left he house was only a few blocks from mine so bid him farewell and went back inside.