[CHAPTER 001]

Waves splashed on the cliff as it drifted back to the blue deep ocean with dolphins jumping gleefully and wildly. Birds perching in the soul, singing harmonically on the tree trunks followed by the laughter of the kids who were playing happily while chasing each other. People roaming around the streets as they hurriedly went to their work. And there was an old humble man- who is my grandfather, ruling a peaceful kingdom named Veridia, watching pleasingly at the scenery as he smiled at the children’s laughter.

As time passed by so quickly, a sudden violent disturbance of the atmosphere with thunder and lightning began haunting the palace simultaneously causing everyone to scream and panic while rushing themselves to their safe homes and birds scattered in the sky as they flew to somewhere safer than their ‘home’, since their nests were on the tree which was completely dangerous due to the strong gale around them.

Confused with everything that was going on, I rushed myself out from the building to the garden (which is in front of the building), ignoring my servants warning. I stopped in time to see a peculiar black smoke with wind that seemed like a tornado whirling on the ground in front of me. But the next thing I saw was… unbelievable.

Behind the thick dark tornado, a huge human-like shadow was seen. It didn’t take a minute when the tornado, the gale that lingered dangerously in the town, stopped abruptly. Strange, I thought to myself. But then my instinct brought me to reality again when I felt someone was staring at me. I froze on the spot with hands trembling beside me as I watched in horror at the creature in front of me. There was a woman with her black long dress wrapped around her and her red glowing eyes staring at me dangerously.

I was in complete shock… and scared. But then I realized that she was not alone. There were other women standing behind her. I couldn’t comprehend anything in my mind to what I just saw a moment ago. Run Tanya! Run! Save your goddamn life! I said to myself but my body still wouldn’t move, not until I heard someone yelling at me. “Oh no… not again… It’s the Queen of Darkness! Run Tanya! RUN!”

I examined the person’s face beside me and released that I had never saw him around but because the circumstances we were in, without wasting any more time, I ran as he told and hide somewhere I didn’t perfectly know.

I was still confused about that guy. Who was he? How did he know my name? And I had never seen him around here. But from what I saw, he looked like he was slightly older than me. As I was about to increase my pace, I heard a painful laugh banging on my eardrums, twitching my head to the side when the same figure appeared in front of me with her eyes staring at me intently.

Her long tangled black hair moving back and forth as the wind swung across her ears. A wicked smile appeared on her pale lips showing her fangs in the corners of her mouth. I stared at her body with a cloud of smoke around her as she approached me slowly. But it wasn’t until the realization hit me that I turned my eyes to her legs and in surprise, I saw her feet weren’t making a contact with the ground. She was floating!

My whole body tensed at the sight and my hands shook so badly. This horrible creature kept approaching me! I tried to step backward, to run away but my legs didn’t do what I commanded. My legs were glued on the ground. I couldn’t move it. What’s wrong with me?!

I heard everyone screaming and yelling at me to run. I tried with all my effort but it seemed like it didn’t work. Tension built up as I felt the cold wind brushing against my bare arms causing goosebumps to appear everywhere on my body. The creature was only an inch away from me. Her red glowing eyes never left me as she kept staring at me so furiously. Her looks was terrifying. She extended her arm towards me and a sudden red light appeared on her palm as she smirked so evilly while making her way towards me.

I closed my eyes not wanting to see what’ll happen next as she was ready to attack me with her magic in her hand facing my side. I could feel my whole body trembling so much that my bones were almost giving up. I prepared myself ready to face the consequences, even if it was going to hurt me or… either kill me.

Nevertheless, I sensed no harm on my body but a strong pull on my arm making me grumble in response. It was a pair of arms engulfing my body in secure, protecting me from the Queen of Darkness. I glanced up to see the stranger and surprised. It was a girl. She was indeed beautiful and her soft long brunette hair was brushing against her soft cheeks. Somehow, I felt as if she looked either like me, but of course, she was much prettier than me and… the sudden warm feeling in my heart being in her arms was making me… confused. It wasn’t the kind of warmness that I had ever experienced. It was like; somehow there was a connection.

Without me knowing, I was once grabbed again by this unknown girl –who was maybe the same age as me- and ran in full speed as a blue bright light appeared on her palm. I widen my eyes as I watched the sight on her palm when the blue light was turning into a sharp sword of ice. She threw her arm and shot her power towards the Queen who was is now following us. The Queen swayed her body to the side easily as the ice hit the ground uselessly.

The ‘unknown’ girl gritted her teeth watching her power being missed by this ‘witch’. We continued to run away to somewhere deserted where there was no sense of living. She turned her head around just to see a black circle of gas coming towards us; ready to harm us in any seconds. Unfortunately, the ball of harmful gas that was thrown at us was stopped all of sudden. It was stopped by a force…

In the corner of my eyes, I saw someone floating in the air. It was a guy. He opened his palms as he circled his arms on his chest with his left hand in the bottom while his right hand on the top, leaving enough space between his arms. His lips parted away as he mouthed some mantra when the same blue bright light appeared in between his hands.

An orb of water formed between his hands as he kept his attention to his power. The size of the orb on his hands became bigger and bigger by each second. Once it was big enough, he threw the water towards the Queen successfully as the Queen lost concentration on her own power. As the strong force of water splashed on her entire body, she felt a sudden migraine as her vision become less vivid. She grasped her head hardly, wrenching in pain as she glared at us with her dark evil eyes. “I’ll come back soon! Definitely!” she warned before she vanished into a thin air.

I breathed out in relief when I felt a hand slipping through my palm. I looked at the person and realized it was the guy who was flying a moment ago. His nude locks brushing against my temple as he leaned closer to my ear. A rush of heat burning my cheeks, feeling uncomfortable at the position we were in. He chuckled lightly at my response as he whispered something I couldn’t comprehend. “At last, we’ve finally found you here. I’m so glad to see you…”

I woke up in the sudden darkness, eyes wide staring at the dark ceiling with a blanket lying over my rigid body. Drops of water trickled down my temple to my cheeks and down to my neck. I’m sweating… I choked realizing that my breath become irregular. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves down as my mind started to think about the dream I had.

“You’re one of us, Tanya…”

I’m one of them? What’s that supposed to be mean? And who are they? I shook my thoughts away as I pulled away my blanket, slipping my feet into my slippers as I headed downstairs to have a glass of water. Before I went down the stairs, I realized the lights were switched on everywhere which meant someone was still awake. But… who? The only one who lived in this house is me and my mom. And I’m sure my mom was already asleep before me.

Frantically looking around while adjusting my eyes from the sudden brightness, I saw my mother’s bedroom door was slightly open as I stepped into the living room. It was strange for me to see my mom sleeping with the door open, even if it was a little bit, but yet I had the gut to check her room.

MMPPHHH!!!

My body stiffened, my eyes wide open and ears alarmed at the sudden muffled scream that was coming from my mother’s room. My legs moved automatically as I rushed myself to her room. But then I stopped abruptly in front of the door, knowing that there was someone else in her room. Trying to hear what they were saying, I leaned my ear to the door, listening carefully to the voices.

“Where is your jewellery?! I know it’s hidden in here!” barked the man with his deep rough voice as he continued searching inside the wardrobe.

A robber? What was he doing here?! I questioned myself while still sticking my ear on the door.

“I told you! I don’t have any!” My mother exclaimed truthfully because she had sold them due to our low economy life.

“Argh! Stop lying! I know you have it!” barked the man impatiently.

I clenched my hands tightly, digging into my palms as I tried to peek from the small gap of the door. My eyes wide in terror at the sight I just saw. There was really a robber inside her room, standing in front of the wardrobe with clothes scattered on the floor. I tried to find my mother but I couldn’t find it due to the small space I was only provided to see.

My eyes darted around the room and I caught a reflection of the light from the mirror of her wardrobe. I attempted to focus my eyes on the mirror and within a blink, I saw my mother standing with her hands tied behind her. My heart winced in pain when I saw my mother’s face. Her red eyes were swollen and her cheeks were damp. Was she crying?

I watched her from the distance, struggling to free her hands from the strong grip behind her. I was confused as to why she was struggling so hard as if there was someone holding her. Then, a sudden tremulous voice came, breaking the cold silence that was once lingering between them, “Please… Just let me go… I really don’t have anything!”

 She sounded so fragile. I wanted to help her but… I was so scared.

“What? Let you go? Hahaha, nope. I’m not going to let you go.” Exclaimed the man sarcastically.

Wait, why does he sound different? I’m sure I only saw one robber in her room. Is there anybody else? If there is, where is he?

“Please…”

Could it be…?

“I said NO and NO! Did you even understand what I-“

“Let her go!!!” Everyone jolted in surprise seeing me bursting into the room without their expectation. I eyed the people in her room and my instinct was correct. There were two robbers. One was roaming the wardrobe and the other was behind my mother.

“Tanya…!” My mother shouted. Her body was trembling. I could easily see the fear on her face.

“Mom!” I shouted back when the robbers suddenly burst into laughter.

“Aw… What a scene.” Said the robber sarcastically, walking slowly from the wardrobe to my place. I clenched my jaws as I sent him death glares.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” asked the fat robber playfully to his friend while raising one of his eyebrows.

“A kid?  Or baby perhaps? Maybe she had nightmare and came here to hear a lullaby from her mommy.” exclaimed the other guy mockingly, who was now laughing quietly behind my mother’s back. I glared at them even more while digging my palms with my nails, feeling itchy from wanting to punch these robbers on the face.

“Don’t glare at me like that, you pretty girl. It doesn’t suit your face.” He teased as he bent down to my height out of nowhere. He poked my chin with his big thumb and index. I moved my head immediately, feeling too disgusted with the man’s hand.

He chuckled darkly after seeing my response and a smirk was now plastered on his arrogant face. His huge tattooed body interrupted the sight of my mom, so I was unable to look at her. He approached me once again and from that moment, I felt sick because of the stink that lingered on his body. Has he ever showered in his life? He stinks like garbage to be very honest, I muttered to myself unable to say it out loud.

“What do you want from us?! And you, Mr Skinny Stickman! Get away from her!” My anger had now increased.  I didn’t even know where that kind of courage came into me to say something brave like that. But I was ready to face the consequences.

“Tanya… Please, leave this room, Sweetheart. It’s not safe here.” I glanced to my mother; her solemn eyes were laid on me as if they were screaming for me to run. But of course I wouldn’t leave my mother alone, especially in this kind of situation.

“Mom, you do know that I won’t leave you like that, right?” I asked her with a soft smile plastered on my face. After hearing those words coming from my mouth, she glanced down on the floor tiles, feeling quite upset at my response, but half of her heart was fluttered at my sweet yet genuine words.

“Okay, that’s enough. Too much lovey-dovey going on here. Rick! Hold this girl. I want to continue searching for the treasures.” My eyes went wide when I felt a strong grip on my hands. I turned my head around just to meet with an unfamiliar face again. Wait- so there were three robbers in the house?! How come I didn’t see the other one?!

“LET ME GO!!” I shouted as I swayed my body side to side roughly, hoping that he would lose control on his grip but there was no success as he tightened them even more.

“Tanya!!” My mom shouted. She was worried about me. I knew that.

“Shut up! And stop moving!” the man grabbed my wrists roughly, causing me to winced in pain. I was sure later on; a hand mark would appear on my wrists. I kept shrieking hoping I could be free from his grip, and just like before, the man won’t let me go. After struggling for who knows how long, my body became weak. The man’s grip was too strong for me.

I felt numb and stupid. I wanted to cry and shout as loud as I could until the window glass scattered into pieces on the ground. Why am I so weak? If I’m this weak, how can I protect my mother??? I’m sorry mom, I couldn’t save you. Please… forgive me…

“Why? Are you numb now?” asked the robber behind me, smirking while staring down at my fragile body.

“Acted like a hero a moment ago but, what now? She became powerless?” Mocked the ‘Mr Skinny Stickman’, laughing so loudly that I wanted to shut the hell out of him by shoving stinky socks inside his wide mouth.

Powerless…? I’m weak, aren’t I?

I breathed a deep sigh while closing my eyes, trying to calm myself down. But the moment I closed my eyes, I couldn’t believe what my ears really caught…

A wind brushing against my ear causing me to have goosebumps and my little hair to stand; my body became stiff as I heard a voice.

“Tanya~”

I glanced up to see the person who had whispered to me but there was no one to be seen. I was sure the voice was belong to a male. But, something was strange. Really… strange. There was no wind around. The windows were all closed. Then, where had the ‘wind’ come from?

Then I heard the same voice again. It was so calm and supportive.

“Stand up, Tanya. You’re not weak. You’re the strongest girl I’ve ever known…”

 I recognized that voice! I swear I’d heard it before. But… where? Anyways, whoever this was, what he said was true. I’m not weak. I’m not that weak!

 The anger inside me was building up as I felt something peculiar. I’m not sure what it was but it felt so powerful. I could feel the energy inside my body running down my spine to every single of my nerve and bone.

What was wrong with me? Why was I feeling so energetic all of a sudden?

Without thinking, I straightened my back while clenching my hands as I gritted my teeth. Suddenly, I pulled my arms from the strong grip around my wrists and was surprised; my hands were free. I didn’t know whether the robber behind me was conscious at my action, but I felt as if I was a lot stronger than before.

He stepped back, trying to balance himself from falling down as I swayed my arms away from him. He was wide in shock, surprised at the sudden strength I had.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing huh?!” Barked the man behind me, he grabbed one of my hand again but was pulled away immediately when he cringed in pain. He stared at his hand in horror. His hand colour became red.

“AHHH!!!  MY HAND IS BURNING!!! AHHH!!! SOMEONE HELP ME!!!” He screamed in pain as he held his burning hand.

I didn’t really pay too much attention to the poor man who was now in great pain behind me. I kept my mind on the other robbers.

“Hey!! What happened to you?!! Why are you screaming like you’re really in pain?!”

“I AM! I’M REALLY IN PAIN! LOOK! MY HAND IS BURNING!!!” he showed his burnt red hand to his friends who were also in complete shock.

“How come?!” asked the fat robber who was busy searching treasures inside the drawers. They now were paying attention to their friend with very wide eyes.

The burnt-hand-man flustered at the question and confused with his own question too at how did his hand ended up burning? Then he remembered the incident. It was all happened after he held my hand.

 

He narrowed his eyes on my back as he drifted his eyes down to my hand and then he stopped. His eyes were becoming even wider than before. “H-H-H-HER H-HAND! LOOK AT THAT! THERE’S S-STEAM ON HER H-HAND!!!” he stammered as his index pointed to my hand.

All the eyes in the room were now on my steam-hand. Not forgetting to mention, my mother was also in complete shock seeing the incident. Somewhere in my mind, I didn’t feel like I was in my current self. It had all happened without me thinking. But then, again, an electric shock shot to all my nerves as I watched intently at the flower vase slowly floating behind the robber, who was still holding my mother.

The fat robber, who was beside the burnt-hand-man, was now trembling along with the other men beside him. They watched the vase slowly floated in the air by itself with their wide naked eyes.

The robber who was standing behind my mother gave them a questioned look as to why they were trembling so much and why they looked so frightened? “Hey guys, what’s up with those looks? Why are you guys looking so scared?”

The fat robber lifted his trembling hand as he pointed to the strange ceramic vase which was floating. But due to of his absurd friend’s brain, he didn’t get what his friend was pointing at. His curiosity brought him to turn around and his body became stiff with eyes staring at the floating vase.

“H-h-how is this-s vase f-float?!” he stammered, he wasn’t able to comprehend anything in his grey matter.

Without my conscious, the vase was now in the position to hit the robber. The robber let go my mother’s hands immediately as he crossed his hands above him, shielding himself from the fallen vase. But when his consciousness brought himself back to reality, he felt no pain as the vase was only an inch away from hitting him.

I shifted my eyes to face the person who currently held my arms as I muttered, “Mom…” under my breath. She looked at me as if the eyes explained everything for me to do. “Calm down, Sweetheart… take a deep breath now.”

I did what she told me to do. I took a very deep breath as I felt the oxygen running to my lungs and exhaled through my mouth. Now, I could feel that I’m in my current self.

The vase suddenly dropped by itself and was scattered into pieces with flowers lying down on the floor. After a moment of silence, one of the robbers spoke for the first time. “Y-you… you are abnormal! You’re a monster! YOU’RE AN ABNORMAL KID!”

A tingling pain shot to my heart after hearing those words. I could feel my heart wrenching in pain. Am I abnormal? Am I really a monster?

“Do not speak like that towards my daughter! She’s a normal kid! Just like the others. And excuse me sir, she is NOT a monster!” I could hear my mother shouting at them, standing for my ground. I was happy and thankful to my mother for defending me from those robbers. But those two nicknames they had given to me were still stuck in my head.

“She really is a monster! She nearly killed me! Okay guys, we can’t stay in here for too long or else, our life will be in danger. Let’s go!” and then they escaped from the windows of my mother’s bedroom, leaving only the both of us alone in this messy room.