Mona had always been a quiet fan. She didn't scream at concerts or flood social media with edits, but her love for ENHYPEN was deep. Their music, especially the darker, mystical tracks like Fever, Drunk-Dazed, and Bite Me, felt like home to her. She connected with the haunting beauty in their concepts—the shadowy visuals, the whispered metaphors about thirst, time, and eternity.
She never imagined that one day, she'd be standing with them instead of in the crowd.
It all started when Mona entered a global art contest hosted by BELIFT LAB, themed around "the border between dreams and reality." Her painting—of a glowing-eyed figure standing in a field under a blood moon—won first place. The prize? A special artist internship and a chance to work on an ENHYPEN visual project.
That's when she met them.
At first, she was quiet around them. Observing. Sketching. Speaking when spoken to. But Niki—mischievous, bright, and the youngest—was the first to truly see her. He'd watch her draw in the corner, sometimes sliding beside her without warning, poking fun at her intense focus.
"You draw like you're possessed," he joked once.
"And you dance like you're hiding something," she shot back, earning a laugh from him—and a startled glance. She didn't know yet how close to the truth that was.
Over the weeks, Mona grew close to all of them, but she and Niki had a unique bond. They'd sneak out for snacks, play horror games together, and talk about the weirdness of the world. She felt like she could be herself around him—sassy, curious, and unfiltered.
But Mona was observant.
She noticed things no one else did.
Like how none of the boys ever ate during daylight filming. How the staff would turn off mirrors in the makeup rooms. How their eyes glinted strangely at night under neon lights.
And how, when she walked beside Niki in the moonlight one night… he had no shadow.
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Chapter 2: Questions in the Dark
It was late. The city was quiet. Niki and Mona were heading back from a convenience store, each with a can of iced coffee.
Mona slowed her steps, staring at the pavement.
"Niki," she said suddenly, "where's your shadow?"
He looked at her, confused. "What?"
She pointed. "You're under the streetlight. I can see mine. Yours isn't there."
He chuckled, brushing it off. "Must be the angle or something."
Mona didn't laugh. "Be serious."
"Okay, okay," he said, still smiling. "Just because our idol concept is vampire-themed doesn't mean we're actual monsters."
"Then why is your body temperature cold at night but normal in the day?"
Niki blinked. "…That's how it is for everyone."
"No, it's not. I Googled it," Mona replied, folding her arms. "Niki… are you guys really human?"
His smile faded.
He didn't answer.
"I'm not trying to be rude," she said, softer now. "But I feel like I'm going crazy sometimes. The way you guys move. The way you look in low light. The chills I get when I'm around you."
Niki stopped walking.
"Stop it," he said sharply.
Mona froze.
His eyes—normally warm and brown—turned blood red.
His teeth lengthened.
His jaw clenched, fighting back whatever beast clawed inside.
"…You are a monster," she whispered, heart racing. But not from fear.
From recognition.
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Chapter 3: The Awakening
What neither of them knew was that Mona's blood wasn't ordinary either.
Since childhood, she'd felt… disconnected. Too sensitive to noise. Too aware of people's emotions. Strange dreams of silver forests and glowing-eyed creatures filled her sleep.
Now she understood.
She held out her wrist and showed him the faint birthmark—a crescent moon inside a circle, almost glowing under the streetlight.
Niki's face paled. "That's… a Blood Mark."
"What does that mean?"
"You're not human either," he said quietly. "That's a royal symbol. The mark of a Pureblood. Not a vampire like us, but something… older. Stronger."
"Then what am I?"
He swallowed hard. "You're not just one of us. You're above us."
They stared at each other, hearts pounding, the truth hanging thick in the night air.
And from the shadows behind them… something growled.
They weren't alone.
"Run," Niki said, his fangs still visible. "I'll explain everything later. Right now, they're coming for you."
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[To Be Continued…]