I awoke early after a long night of tossing and turning, it has been weeks since I've had a good nights sleep. Today is my sixteenth birthday and i have been eagerly awaiting it however a dark cloud looms over my head. My dreams have been filled with horrors, visions of terrifying creatures I have never seen and the people closest to me laying within rivers of blood. These weeks i have been filled with dread, afraid that these creatures might crawl from the shadows and consume me, body and soul.

I sit up in my bed, shaking the thoughts from my head. (Come on Saturnia pull yourself together it is your birthday). i slap myself in the face a few times blushing my cheeks and hurriedly get out of bed.( Mother is most likely sleeping now, She will wake when it is time for the party) i practically sprint to my wardrobe to pull my dress that i have been saving for this very occation out and pull it over my slip. " OUCH!" i practically scream as my hair catches in the button of my dress.

Just then the door to my chambers bursts open. " WHOS HEAD DO I HAVE TO SEV- oh" my father, red with embarrassment stops in his tracks as he sees me half dressed, struggling to free my long ebony hair from the velvet button and chuckles.

"Starlight, you frightened me my sweet little princess, Papa thought someone was trying to hurt his precious little girl." i roll my eyes and dart behind my changing screen embarrassed at my own nudity( even if its my father i dont want him to see me in my undergarments)

"Papa!! please go i am indecent!!!"

he looks on worriedly

" sweetheart, Papa can help-"

" NO" I say firmly. "I am a woman now and i need a woman to help me.. Mother is still asleep. Papa please fetch Stella for me."

My father sighs, reluctant to pass up the chance to help his little girl, however he turns defeated and says " Very well my sweet i will fetch Stella for you" and walks, slumped out of my chambers, to fetch the elderly maid.

I hear an all too familiar knock at my door.(Stella has arrived at last)

" Please enter!!!" i shout.

Stella opens the door, walks in and hurriedly turns around to shut it. When she turns to me i have stepped out from behind my screen and smile awkwardly. She laughs.

"Haha! Princess, you should have waited for me to arrive before you dressed yourself. Now look at you, hair tangled and half dressed, you sure do look a sight my lady."

I look down quite disheartened," Oh Stella ... I just could not sleep. I had to get up..." Frowning and on the verge of tears i look at my feet as Stella starts untangling my hair from the button.

"Night Visions again young miss?" Her fingers snag my hair as she speaks.

"ow-yes but i do not understand why i keep having them. They are terrifying, i hope todays festivities will take them from my mind."

Stella finishes removing my hair from the button and stalls, a look of terror floods her face. ( What could she be thinking).

"Stella?" I ask. " What is it? is something wrong?"

Startled she looks up at me. "N-no young miss, its nothing, I was just thinking you need more beauty sleep. You have begun to develop some dark circles beneath your eyes."

I look at her questioningly and pull my dress the rest of the way over my waist. ( She seems worried about something, but what?.)

I smooth my dress and walk to my looking glass. ( I look terrible..... oh dear i cant go to the party in this state. I suppose ill ask her about what she was thinking later i have to do something about this.)

"You're right, I do look a sight. I can not go out looking like this. what should i do." I frown, and go to my bed and fall on it in defeat.

" Miss. it is your birthday, let me make up your lovely face as your mother does. some powder and some blush, maybe a little rouge will help and you will look stunning. I will go to your mothers chambers and request she lend you some of her supplies and return promptly."

I light up as she says this and practically fall off of my bed. "That is a wonderful idea! ( I have never used makeup or even touched it for that matter) Mother would be so proud. Please do this for me Stella. You are a genius!"

I walk quickly over to her and give her a tight squeeze. Overjoyed, I giggle with excitement and let her free holding her shoulders, I look her down at her ( I never realized how aged she has become.)

"Of course miss i shall return shortly and we can begin preparing you for the party."

I pat her on the shoulder and allow her to leave my chambers, but as she shuts the door something in my gut is telling me that she will not return.

pacing my room I cant help but worry it has been ten minutes since she le&ft and my mothers chambers are only down the corridor. ( Perhaps mother is just talking to her.... Stella has been with the royal family for many a year and it is coming upon the time mother will have her retire and grant her land on the outskirts of town. I shouldnt worry so much. what is coming over me.)

"NOOOOOO!!!PLEASE YOUR-!!!!"

I hear Stella's blood curdling scream reverberate the walls and suddenly fall short.

Without any thought i grab my dagger from beside my wardrobe and sprint through the corridor toward my mothers chambers.

It's cold and silent every step echos through the hall and i am absolutely chilled to the bone.

I reach mothers doors and stop dead in my tracks, the door is open slightly. I slowly slide my thin frame through the door, the scene before me is like something from my night visions. ( I must be dreaming. This cant be real. Theres no way this is real.)

In front of me dangling from the ceiling is Stellas limp lifeless body, a puddle of dark liquid forming below her. I force myself to look above her, seeing red glowing eyes and pointed teeth dripping with blood.

My mothers face contorted into something frightening. Her hands have elongated and formed long black tallons. I gasp, catching my breath and shriek. "MOTHER!!! WHY!!".... Taking in the horrible realization of everything i am seeing i make up my mind and utter a single sentence before turning on my heels "how could you...you- youre a devil."

At that I run, i run as quickly as i can, going to the only place i know that my mother wont find me. The only place i know i can escape the palace with no-one noticing, my secret. My willow.