"Becky!"
Why was she yelling?
"Becky!" The voice sounded even more panicked.
My tired eyes cracked open to see my mother looking anxious and my father just as worried.
Ugh. My neck was killing me.
Great. My emotionally unstable self slept on the window seat. And trust me when I say that it was not the most comfortable place to have some shut-eye.
"Oh Becky! We thought you were dead!"
Dead?
My confused expression must have said it all as my father continued, "We couldn't hear your heartbeat, Becca. You were so still,"
Now I was freaking out. No heartbeat? Completely still? What on earth happened to me last night?
"Can you hear my heartbeat now?" I cautiously asked, scared to hear the answer. My mother placed her head on my chest and visibly relaxed. "Yes," she breathed "Thank the Creator," I relaxed too, at least I'm not an Undead. Those creatures were known to inhabit the Black Caves in the far north. All I knew about them is that they suck the souls of anyone who came across their path. I shuddered. At least I'll never have to meet them.
"Now what?" I asked my parents noticing how they were just staring at each other like they were mind-speaking. They couldn't, of course, since not a drop of magic ran through our blood. Then they just turned to me and my mother announced, "Despite this sudden scare, I'm afraid we still have to go to the Capital," Observing my crestfallen face, she hastily continued, "Becky, if this meant anything, it only further proves how staying here is bad for you and that you desperately need a fresh start,"
"But Mother-" I began to argue
"Our decision is final" my father declared. "Clean yourself up and pack your bags, we leave in two hours."
And they strode out.
"Can't you see that I'm in pain!" I screamed hoarsely at the shut door. Tears were brimming on my swollen eyes. They just continued to abandon me, like they couldn't stand the sight of me anymore. I rested my head on the glass window, feeling utterly rejected.
"Why can't they just leave me alone," I murmured into the silence feeling utterly wretched.
~
Two hours later, I was sitting in the comfortable enough coach my parents owned on our way to the capital. I guess one could say that we were a well-to-do family. My mother owned a healing potion business which she based from home and my father was a jeweler. He owned a shop here in Tristia and another in the Capital, so he travelled a lot. But what I found quite weird, was how my father never hired servants, despite all the other households around us having at least two. All my father said about it when I asked, was that he cannot risk someone stealing his precious stones which he kept in his study; but something told me that wasn't the whole story. Oh well, what do I care? I'll no longer be living with them anymore.
A bump in the road jolted me out my despondent thoughts, causing me to glance at my parents. My father affectionately held my mother's hand asking if she was okay, love shining in both of their eyes. I used to have that.
"Rebecca, I hope you know that we're only doing what is best for you; we're not trying to make you miserable," my father said gently, noticing my forlorn expression. "Too late for that," I bit back, "You have officially ruined my life,"
Yes, I was very bitter. Ignoring the their hurt expressions, I decided to glare at the Tristian buildings instead.
The town looked emptier than usual. A few people were out and about, but they seemed almost lifeless. It was clear that some of their family members must have disappeared as well.
The Vanishing. It was only the day before yesterday yet it made such a significant impact on our town. Some shops were closed and there were no more vendors. It's like the people were hiding. Some of the King's Guards were lounging around on the street corners chatting lazily among themselves, acting unaware to the sadness and despair around them. I saw Knight Praedin having a serious discussion with the remaining town leaders. He looked up to our passing coach and we made eye contact. There was an unreadable expression on his face but I didn't make much of it. I lost sight of him when we made a turn towards the town gates.
I could have helped him out more.
Reflecting on these recent events, I started thinking about that little girl again. I really wanted to find out if she had anything to do with the Vanishing, or if anything, why would a little girl go to see a bloody execution. So many questions but no answers. I had been hoping to go on the hunt for her, but my parents had unknowingly made sure that didn't happen. I wanted to bang my head in frustration but that would give them even more reason to monitor me.
Then, there was the case of those disembodied blue eyes, watching me from the bushes yesterday morning. A cold shiver went down my spine wondering what would have happened if I had stayed any longer. Why was I seeing so many outlandish things? I must be going insane at this rate. My parents might just be right, I really did need a break from this strange town.
As we left the town gates, we entered the Gollian countryside. Civilisation seemed non-existent the further we went out, with nothing but endless fields and rolling hills to keep us company. The constant clip-clop of the horses' hooves soon lulled me into a dreamless sleep.
~
"Becky, wake up sweetheart"
Forcing my eyes open, I immediately noticed that it was nightfall.
"Where are we?" Blinking in the darkness, I could only make out a large rectangular shape.
"At the gates of the Capital,"
I felt like dying inside as my harsh reality slapped me in the face.
I sensed my father smiling as he said "Welcome to your new home, Becca,"
His patronising tone made me regret ever waking up.
Kill me now.