I wake up the next morning still feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. The nightmares feel more real with each passing day, and now there's a nagging feeling that something's wrong, something I can't quite place. The sun is high, and the light spilling through my curtains feels too bright, too harsh against the fog in my mind.
I check my phone. Nothing from Justin. My chest tightens as I exhale a shaky breath. Maybe I said too much last night. Maybe I scared him off. He hasn't replied, but then again, he could just be busy.
I push the thought aside and force myself out of bed. The day feels heavy before it even begins. I go through the motions of getting ready, my mind wandering back to everything I learned yesterday—the fae heritage, the pendant, the strange voice warning me that I'm not safe. Every little thing seems connected, but it's all too much to process.
As I twist my hair up and glance at my reflection in the mirror, something flickers—a flash of light in my iris, almost like sunlight bouncing off water. I blink, confused, but when I look again, it's gone. I shake my head, brushing it off as a trick of the light, but the odd feeling lingers.
As I descend, I hear faint voices drifting from the kitchen. Mom must have someone over. But then I freeze.
You're not safe.
The voice isn't Mom's. It's… something else. Almost a whisper, yet clear as day, brushing past my ear like a gust of wind. I whirl around, my heart pounding, searching for whoever spoke. But the hallway is empty. There's no one else here. My pulse races as I take a deep, steadying breath.
It's nothing. Just your imagination. I force myself to calm down, shaking off the lingering chill, and walk into the kitchen.
"Mom?" I ask, still on edge. My eyes flit between her and a woman sitting at the table with her.
"Hey, sweetie," Mom greets me, her smile tight. "This is… a family friend, Lilly. She came to visit for your birthday." There's something off in her tone, a forced calmness that makes my stomach twist.
The woman, Lilly, looks up at me with a warm smile. She's tall, graceful, with blonde hair that gleams like sunlight. Despite my wariness, her voice has a soothing quality. "Hello, Sarah. You probably don't remember me, but I was a friend of your birth mother and father. I knew you when you were very young. I was devastated to hear of their passing, but I couldn't find any way to contact your family until now. I finally found Cassie and had to come say hello."
Her words hang in the air, and I feel my pulse quicken. A connection to my birth parents? I fidget nervously. "Oh… um, nice to meet you, Lilly. Will you be staying long?"
"Just tonight," Lilly responds, her smile lingering in a way that makes me uneasy. "I wanted to give you a gift—something I know your mother would've wanted you to have. I'll be back this evening to give it to you."
I glance at Mom, who looks tense, her lips pressed into a thin line. Lilly stands, brushing off her coat and turning to leave. "Oh, and Cassie?" Lilly adds with a smirk, her gaze glinting. "I'm very happy to see some things haven't changed." She strides out the door, giving me one last glance, her presence leaving an odd stillness behind.
"Mom…" I ask as soon as Lilly is gone, my voice wavering. "Who is that?"
Mom exhales slowly, her eyes filled with an anxiety I rarely see. "She's an old family friend," she says carefully. "But she's not someone we want sticking around for long. Trust me when I say, nothing good ever comes from Lilly being here."
Her words send a shiver down my spine. I glance back at the door, half-expecting Lilly to reappear.
Mom pulls me into a hug, kissing the top of my head. "Anyway, happy birthday, dear."
"Thanks, Mom," I say, but my voice sounds distant, like it doesn't belong to me. The strange encounter with Lilly has left me unsettled, and I can tell from Mom's stiff posture that she's on edge too.
Before I can leave for school, Mom stops me with a serious look. "Tonight, I need you to come straight home after school. There are things we need to discuss before she comes back." Her eyes are sharp, the kind of look that means this isn't up for debate.
I nod slowly, understanding the gravity of her request. "Okay, I'll let Justin know we can't go to the library today."
I grab my bag and give her one last hug before walking out the door. But the uneasy feeling lingers like a shadow, and all I can think about is Lilly's smirk and the cold warning that seemed to echo in my mind: You're not safe.
********
At school, the usual hum of student chatter fills the air, but something feels different today. My eyes instinctively scan the hallways for Justin, though I'm not even sure why. It's not like I expected him to be waiting for me, but his absence sends an uneasy flutter through my stomach. The morning drags on in a haze of confusion and nervous glances toward the empty seat next to mine in every class. My fingers hover over my phone multiple times, wanting to text him and ask if everything is okay, but I hesitate.
Why hasn't he reached out yet?
By lunchtime, the unease has settled into something heavier, nagging at the back of my mind. I grab my tray and head to my usual table in the cafeteria, but the noise around me seems to grow louder, more distinct. Conversations that should be a low, incomprehensible hum from across the room become oddly clear. I can hear the girls at the far corner gossiping about last weekend's party, their voices sharp as if they're sitting right next to me.
"…he totally ditched her… can you believe it?"
I freeze mid-bite, my fork hovering over my plate. I've never been able to hear conversations that far away. I shake my head, trying to brush it off as a fluke, maybe just paying too much attention. But then I catch the scent of something familiar… floral and musky. It's faint, almost like it's being carried on a breeze, but I know it—Lilly's perfume.
My heart races, pounding against my chest as the cafeteria feels suddenly overwhelming. The noises grow sharper, more invasive. The clatter of trays, the slam of lockers in the distance, the shuffling of feet—it's too much. I push my tray away, not caring that I haven't eaten, and grab my bag.
My senses feel like they're going haywire, and the overwhelming flood of sound and smells makes me dizzy. My hands tremble as I stand up, forcing myself to move. I need to get out of here.
"I'm leaving," I whisper to myself, barely aware of my own words.
As I weave through the hallways, the students around me seem to blur. The typical school sounds feel distorted, like they're pressing down on me from every direction. A cold sweat clings to my skin, and my steps quicken, my breath coming faster.
What is happening to me?
I shove through the exit doors and gasp as the fresh air hits my face, calming the racing in my chest, but only slightly. I need to get home, talk to Mom. She said there were things we needed to discuss, and suddenly it feels like I can't wait another second to find out what's going on.
Without thinking twice, I pull out my phone and text her:
"Mom, I'm coming home. Something weird is happening to me."
I keep walking, my shoes slapping against the pavement in a rhythm that only half registers in my brain. My hands shake as I clutch my phone, waiting for Mom to respond, the strange scents and sounds still lingering in the back of my mind.
A ding pulls my focus back to the phone in my hand. Mom's reply pops up on the screen:
"Come straight home. We'll talk."
I pick up my pace, practically jogging the rest of the way. My pulse quickens the closer I get to home, the same feeling of dread from this morning creeping up my spine. Something isn't right, and the answers I need lie just beyond the front door.
As I reach the house, I notice Mom standing on the porch, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her gaze locked on the road like she's been watching for me. The second our eyes meet, I can see it—the worry, the fear. She knows more than she's letting on, and now, it's time for her to tell me everything.
"Mom," I say, panting slightly from the rush. "What's going on?"
She steps aside, motioning for me to come in. Her voice is tight when she speaks. "We need to talk, Sarah. It's time you knew the truth."
Mom doesn't say another word until we're inside. The tension in the air is palpable, and it feels like the house itself is holding its breath. She motions for me to sit at the kitchen table, and I do, her eyes never leaving mine. She's not just anxious—she's afraid.
"Sarah," she begins, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's something I need to tell you. It's something I've kept from you for a long time… about your past, about who you really are."
My pulse quickens. "Does this have to do with Lilly? Or my parents?"
Mom's eyes flicker at the mention of Lilly's name, a flash of something like anger crossing her face. She takes a deep breath before continuing, her hands clenched tightly on the table in front of her. "Yes, it has to do with Lilly, but more importantly, it's about you and your parents."
I lean forward, my heart pounding. "What are you saying?"
She swallows hard, her gaze softening as she watches me. "Sarah… you're not human. You never were."
Not human. The words hang in the air, impossible to grasp, as though someone had suddenly rewritten my entire existence.
I blink, my stomach dropping. "What? What do you mean I'm not human?"
"You're fae, Sarah," she says, her words steady, though I can hear the weight behind them. "Both of your birth parents were fae—powerful ones. You're fully fae, just like they were."
Fae. It's like hearing about a stranger—except that stranger is me.
The room seems to spin for a moment, and I can barely breathe. "I'm fae?" The words feel foreign on my tongue, unreal. "That's impossible. How could I not know that?"
"Your parents and I hid it from you," she says, her voice full of regret. "We didn't want you to grow up in that world—the world your parents came from. After they… disappeared, I thought the best way to keep you safe was to raise you as human. I had hoped that by doing so, your fae powers would never manifest."
My heart races as I remember the strange sensations over the past few days—the heightened senses, the flash in my eyes, the strange voices. "But they are manifesting," I whisper. "Everything that's been happening lately—the sounds, the smells… the voice I heard earlier—it's all because of this, isn't it?"
Mom nods, her expression grim. "Yes. Your fae powers are awakening, and now that they are, things are going to change. I tried to delay it, but there's only so much I could do. The fact that it's happening now… I don't think it's a coincidence."
I lean back in my chair, my mind spinning. "So I'm fully fae… What does that even mean? Why is this happening now?"
"I'm not sure," she admits, her eyes full of worry. "But I believe Lilly's arrival has something to do with it. She's not just an old family friend, Sarah. There's a reason she's back, and I don't think it's a coincidence that your powers are awakening at the same time."
I bite my lip, remembering Lilly's strange presence, the way she seemed to know things she shouldn't. "What does Lilly want with me? Is she dangerous?"
Mom's face hardens. "Lilly is dangerous, Sarah. She may smile and act friendly, but she's been involved in things that put your parents at risk. She's not to be trusted."
"Then why is she here? What's she trying to do?"
"I don't know for certain," Mom says, her voice tight with worry. "But Lilly always has an agenda. And if she's back now, it's because she wants something from you—or from your family's legacy."
I stare at the table, the weight of it all pressing down on me. Fae powers? My parents? Lilly being involved in something dark? None of this makes sense, and yet, deep down, I know it's all true. My whole life has been a lie.
"We need to be careful," Mom continues, her voice firm. "Lilly said she'll be back tonight, but before she returns, there are things we need to talk about—about your powers, about who you really are, and about the fae world."
I look up at her, my throat tight. "So… what do we do? How do I handle all of this?"
Mom reaches across the table, taking my hand in hers. "We start by preparing you. There's a lot you don't know, but I'll help you understand. We'll figure this out together. But for now, we need to keep Lilly at arm's length."
I nod slowly, still trying to absorb everything. "Okay. I trust you."
Mom squeezes my hand gently, her eyes filled with determination. "Good. Tonight, we'll talk more. But until then, stay focused, stay cautious, and remember—whatever happens, you're stronger than you realize."
As I rise from the table to go wash up, my head swirls with a thousand unanswered questions, but one thing is clear: nothing will ever be the same again.
*******
The evening sky darkens, casting long shadows across the kitchen as the last remnants of sunlight filter through the window. The tension between Mom and me has been thick since our earlier conversation, but there's an unspoken agreement not to dwell on it for now. My mind still reels from everything—fae powers, erased memories, and Lilly's true nature. It feels like my world has been flipped upside down.
Mom busies herself with dinner, her movements more mechanical than usual. I try to help, but my hands are shaking too much to be of any real use. All I can think about is Lilly's impending return and what she could possibly want from me.
Just as the clock strikes 7:00 p.m., there's a soft knock at the door. The sound makes both of us jump, though we've been expecting it.
"She's here," Mom says quietly, her voice tight.
I nod, my heart thudding painfully in my chest. Part of me wants to run upstairs and lock myself in my room, but I know I can't. Not now. This is something I have to face.
Mom opens the door, and there stands Lilly, looking just as serene and unsettling as before. Her blonde hair cascades over her shoulders, and she's holding a small, ornately wrapped box. A musky floral scent drifts in, unnaturally potent for such a small space. It clings to the air, just like the lingering tension Lilly seems to carry with her.
"Good evening," Lilly greets us with a smile, her voice warm but carrying an undercurrent of something I can't quite place. She steps inside, her presence immediately filling the room. "I won't take up too much of your time, but I wanted to give Sarah her gift."
Mom stands stiffly by the door, her face unreadable, but I can sense the tension radiating off her. "Thank you, Lilly. Sarah has been looking forward to it."
Lilly's eyes flick to me, and for a moment, it feels like she's searching for something in my expression. "I'm sure she has." Her smile widens as she hands me the box. "This belonged to your mother, Sarah. It's something she would've wanted you to have when the time was right."
I take the box from her with trembling hands, the weight of it feeling far heavier than it should. My fingers fumble with the ribbon as I slowly unwrap it. Inside is a delicate silver necklace, the pendant shaped like a crescent moon with a single teardrop-shaped stone hanging from it. It's the exact pendant from my dreams.
The moment my fingers brush the cold metal, a sharp wave of recognition sweeps through me. It's not just a necklace; it's a piece of me, something my very blood remembers, even if I don't. The pendant gleams under the kitchen light, the stone catching the light in a way that makes it almost seem alive.
"This… this is…" I stammer, unable to finish the sentence. My heart races as the pieces of my past seem to fall into place, but too fast for me to keep up.
"It's a symbol of your heritage, Sarah," Lilly says, her voice soft but sharp with intent. "A piece of your mother's legacy. The same legacy that flows through you."
I feel the weight of her words, but something about her tone makes me uneasy. I glance at Mom, hoping for some kind of reassurance, but her expression is unreadable.
"Why now?" I ask, my voice shaky. "Why are you giving this to me now?"
Lilly tilts her head slightly, her smile softening. "Because now is when you're ready, Sarah. Your powers are awakening. The time has come for you to embrace who you are."
A chill runs through me, and I clutch the pendant tightly, feeling its cool surface against my palm. "What do you want from me?" I whisper, the words barely audible.
Lilly's smile fades, replaced by something more serious. "It's not about what I want, Sarah. It's about what you're meant to do. Your parents left you with a gift, a responsibility. And it's time you started preparing for it."
I glance at Mom, who steps forward, her voice firm. "That's enough, Lilly. If you truly cared about Sarah, you wouldn't have waited this long to come forward."
Lilly raises an eyebrow, an almost amused glint in her eye. "And if you truly cared about her, Cassie, you wouldn't have kept her in the dark for so long."
The tension between them is almost unbearable, and I feel like a bystander in a conversation that's far bigger than me. The pendant in my hand feels heavier, as if it holds secrets I'm not ready to uncover.
"I think it's time for you to leave," Mom says, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Lilly's gaze flicks back to me, her smile returning, but it feels forced now, like a mask. "Very well," she says smoothly. "But remember, Sarah, this is only the beginning. I'll be seeing you again."
She turns and walks to the door, her movements graceful and deliberate. As she steps outside, she pauses and looks back at me one last time. "Trust your instincts. They'll guide you when nothing else will."
And then she's gone, the door closing softly behind her.
For a moment, the silence in the room is deafening. I stare down at the pendant in my hand, its faint glow seeming to pulse with an energy I don't understand. Mom watches me carefully, her expression softening as she steps closer.
"Are you okay?" she asks gently, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I nod, but the truth is, I don't know how I feel. Everything about tonight has left me more confused, more uncertain than ever. I clutch the pendant tightly, its cool surface grounding me as I try to make sense of it all.
"We'll figure this out," Mom says softly. "But for now, you need to rest. Tomorrow, we'll talk more. There's still so much you need to know."
I nod again, my mind too full to form words. As I head upstairs to my room, I can feel the weight of the pendant around my neck, a constant reminder that my life is no longer what it used to be.
The darkness of my room feels heavier than usual as I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. The events of the day swirl in my mind, an endless loop of questions and half-answers. My fingers brush the pendant, its cool surface comforting yet unsettling.
I close my eyes, hoping for sleep, but knowing that tonight, the dreams will come again.
The darkness of sleep takes me, but it offers no solace. This time, the nightmare is sharper, more vivid than ever before.
******
The forest surrounds me, dense and unyielding, its twisted trees like skeletal hands clawing at the sky. Shadows writhe in the corners of my vision, and the whispers are no longer faint—they're deafening, a cacophony of voices that pierce my mind.
"The blood of the fae… the light of truth… beware the darkness…"
The pendant around my neck feels warm, pulsing in time with my heartbeat. When I look down, its glow is brighter than it's ever been, illuminating the tangled roots underfoot. I stumble forward, desperate to escape the voices, but the forest seems endless. The air grows heavier, each breath harder to draw.
A figure emerges from the shadows ahead, barely visible through the thick mist. At first, I think it might be Lilly, but as the figure steps closer, my blood runs cold. It's cloaked in darkness, its face obscured, but its presence is suffocating, like the weight of the entire forest bearing down on me.
"Who are you?" I demand, my voice shaking. The figure doesn't respond. Instead, it raises a hand, pointing toward something behind me.
I turn slowly, my heart pounding in my chest. The forest parts, revealing the box from my earlier dreams. It sits on a pedestal of gnarled roots, the crescent moon carved into its surface glowing faintly. The whispers grow louder, urging me forward, even as my instincts scream at me to run.
Don't open it.
The voice isn't a whisper this time—it's clear, commanding, cutting through the chaos. I freeze, my hand inches from the box. The pendant burns against my skin, as if warning me to stop.
The figure steps closer, its presence chilling. When it speaks, its voice is low and distorted, like a thousand voices layered together. "You cannot escape what you are. The truth will find you, Sarah."
Before I can respond, the ground beneath me crumbles, and I'm falling—falling through darkness, the whispers chasing me like a storm.
******
I wake with a gasp, my body trembling and drenched in sweat. The pendant around my neck is warm, almost too hot to touch. I clutch it tightly, trying to steady my breathing, but the words from the dream linger in my mind.
You cannot escape what you are.
The room is eerily silent, the kind of quiet that feels alive, like it's waiting for something to happen. I glance at the clock—it's just past 3 a.m. The shadows in the corners of my room seem to move, twisting and stretching like they have a mind of their own. My throat tightens, and I force myself to look away.
I can't stay here, not like this. My heart pounds as I grab my notebook from the desk and open it, flipping through the sketches of the symbols I've drawn. They stare back at me, hauntingly familiar, but still indecipherable.
A sudden, sharp knock at the window makes me jump, my notebook slipping from my hands. My breath catches in my throat as I turn toward the sound, my heart racing. The shadows outside seem to press against the glass, but there's no one there—just the darkness.
My phone buzzes on the desk, breaking the tension. I grab it, the light from the screen blinding in the darkness. It's a message from Justin.
"I need to see you. Now. It's important."
The words send a jolt through me. I hesitate for only a moment before replying:
"Where?"
His response is immediate:
"Outside your house. I'll explain everything."
I throw on a hoodie and grab the pendant, slipping it beneath my shirt as I head for the door. The house is silent, my mom fast asleep in her room. I step outside into the cool night air, the weight of the dream still pressing heavily on my chest.
Justin is waiting at the edge of the driveway, his expression tense and shadowed in the moonlight. He looks up as I approach, his eyes sharp and filled with an intensity I've never seen before.
"What's going on?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Justin glances around, as if making sure we're alone. Then he looks at me, his jaw tightening. "We don't have much time. There's something I need to tell you—something I should've told you sooner."
His words send a chill down my spine, but I force myself to nod. "Okay. I'm listening."
He hesitates for a moment, his gaze flickering to the pendant around my neck.
"That pendant," he says quietly, his voice laced with something I can't quite place. "It's not just a keepsake, Sarah. It's a beacon."
"A beacon?" I repeat, my stomach twisting.
Justin takes a deep breath, stepping closer. "It's drawing attention. Powerful attention. And if you're not careful, it's going to bring the kind of danger you're not ready for."
I clutch the pendant tightly, the heat from it searing against my palm. "What kind of danger?"
Justin's jaw clenches, and he looks at me with a mixture of urgency and regret. "The kind that killed your parents."