"Alright, Google… don't let me down."
I plopped down in front of the computer, my face set with the kind of determination usually reserved for people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. My powers were spiralling out of control, and I wasn't about to spontaneously combust because I couldn't figure out how to manage a bit of divine energy.
And after what happened in the woods. Yeah… no. I wasn't ready to fight glowing-eyed bloodsuckers without knowing what I was up against.
Google Search: "What to do if attacked by… something with fangs and glowing eyes?"
Enter.
Results:
"How to Identify Wild Animals at Night."
"Surviving Animal Attacks: What You Need to Know."
"Conspiracy Corner: Modern Myths and Hidden Threats."
I blinked.
"Conspiracy Corner?"
Click.
"Conspiracy Corner: Modern Myths and Hidden Threats"
"Throughout history, strange sightings and unexplained phenomena have been dismissed as mere legend. But what if the truth is closer than we think?"
"Oh great… I'm officially that guy. Next thing you know, I'll be wearing a tinfoil hat."
But I kept scrolling.
"Mysterious disappearances… unexplained deaths… odd sightings at night…"
Okay, maybe I was overreacting.
"While most reports are easily debunked, a small fraction remain unexplained. Some point to ancient myths resurfacing, suggesting that what we consider fiction may have roots in reality."
"Ancient myths…"
My mind flashed back to the golden glow crawling across my skin.
"Well, that's not ominous at all…"
Deep Dive: The Rabbit Hole Begins
"Possible explanations include:
Highly advanced cults practicing dark rituals.Creatures that have adapted to blend into modern society. Government cover-ups designed to protect the public from dangerous truths."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Government cover-ups? Really?"
I was about to scroll past when something caught my eye.
"Creatures that blend into modern society…"
"Wait a minute…"
"Hidden Predators: Theories of the Night"
I scrolled down, and that's when I saw it.
"Legends persist of nocturnal predators who prey on the unaware, leaving behind little more than a trace of ash. While dismissed as folklore, some believe these beings still walk among us, adapting to the modern world."
My heart skipped a beat.
"Certain accounts describe individuals with glowing eyes, heightened senses, and an aversion to sunlight."
I froze.
"Glowing eyes… sunlight…"
That was exactly what I had seen.
"No way…"
Connecting the Dots: Uh-Oh Moment
"Occasional reports describe glowing eyes, unnaturally fast movements, and bodies that turn to ash when exposed to intense sunlight…"
"Just like…"
My stomach dropped.
"Oh, come on… I thought vampires weren't real!"
I stood up, pacing across the room.
"Alright, so… vampires are real. Cool, cool. No big deal. What's next? Werewolves? Mummies? Maybe the Loch Ness Monster is chilling in my backyard."
But the problem wasn't just the vampires.
The real problem?
The Power Problem: Hotter Than a Solar Flare
I couldn't ignore it anymore. The pulse inside me was getting stronger. Every time I practiced, it felt like a ticking time bomb.
"Okay… maybe I should Google that too."
Google Search: "How to control weird solar-based powers that make you glow like a Christmas tree?"
Enter.
Results:
"Meditation and Energy Control for Beginners."
"Channelling Your Inner Power: A Guide to Harnessing Energy.
"Managing Stress to Avoid Spontaneous Combustion."
I snorted.
"Spontaneous combustion… yeah, I feel like that's where I'm headed."
I clicked on the first link, hoping for some easy-to-follow steps.
"Meditation and Energy Control for Beginners"
"When harnessing inner energy, one must learn to focus and channel their power."
"Okay, this sounds promising…"
"Step 1: Find a quiet place to clear your mind."
I glanced around my room.
"Define quiet… because I don't think my closet counts."
"Step 2: Focus on your breathing. Let the energy flow through you like a steady current."
"Breathe in… breathe out… don't accidentally set the curtains on fire…"
"Step 3: Visualize the power as light, guiding it to where you want it to go."
I closed my eyes and gave it a shot.
I imagined the warmth of the sun filling me, but instead of letting it explode outward like a supernova, I tried to contain it.
"Come on… stay cool…"
For a moment, I felt a flicker of control.
And then—
Poof.
A tiny spark shot from my fingertip, landing harmlessly on my desk.
"Okay… progress. At least I didn't melt the keyboard this time."
But then… The Internet Strikes Again
I was about to call it a night when I noticed another link at the bottom of the page.
"Related Articles: Hidden Societies and Secret Worlds."
"Oh, come on…"
My curiosity got the better of me.
Click.
"Hidden Societies and Secret Worlds"
"Legends speak of hidden realms and secret societies that protect ancient knowledge from the outside world. These realms exist parallel to our own, accessible only to those who possess the right knowledge or abilities."
"Hidden realms…?"
I squinted at the screen.
"Okay… I'm officially in 'weird shit' territory now."
Déjà Vu Hits Hard
A train.
A platform that didn't exist.
A castle hidden from sight.
"Wait…"
My heart pounded.
"No… it can't be…"
Images flooded my mind.
A scarred kid.
A redhead.
A bushy-haired know-it-all.
"Oh, hell no…"
The Moment of Realization
"Secret societies… hidden realms… parallel world…"
My brain was connecting the dots, and I did not like where they were leading.
"Am I… in that world?"
I felt like I had been punched in the gut.
"If Hogwarts is real…"
My eyes widened.
"Wait… does that mean I'm gonna need a wand?"
I groaned, slumping back in my chair.
"This just keeps getting better and better…"
The Bigger Problem?
If I was right…
And Hogwarts was real…
Then that meant I wasn't just dealing with divine powers and vampires.
I was smack in the middle of two insanely dangerous worlds.
"Great. Just great."
And as if that wasn't enough?
The pulse inside me was growing stronger.
"Yeah… no pressure."
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
"If I survive this, I'm going to need a serious vacation…"