Fiona readied herself for what her parents would tell her. She rang the gate bell, and after a while, a guard came to open the gate door. "Welcome back Miss Fiona. Your dad has been waiting for you." A guard greeted her, his eyes held confusion on her attire, which Fiona had forgotten to take note of. Just those words about her dad waiting for her, sent chills down her spine. She gave him a warm smile, before stepping Inside as he closed the gate door behind her.
She made her way to the entrance door, when she got In, her family members were no where around. "Miss Fiona, ain't you cold In that attire." Fiona's eyes darted to her clothing and then to the helper who Informed her on her dressing.
She just nodded In disagreement. "No, no, not really." She quickly ran up to her room. She really needed to be careful, she thought.
She changed Into her normal house clothing. The knitted blue turtle neck she usually wore with her cotton shorts, just above her knee.
When she was done, a tired sigh escaped her lips. She felt exhausted. From the truth or dare, to the creepy creature which wanted to eat them, and then the mysterious Twilight. Everything was just out of place for her.
A sudden knock Interrupted her thoughts. "Come In." She tiredly said, sitting on her bed. When the door creaked open, she expected to see her dad or mom, but all she saw was the side view of one of the helpers, who only peeped halfway her door.
"Miss Fiona, dinner Is about to be served, and your mom calls for you. " "I'll be there. " She answered, and the door closed back.
After a moment, she stepped out of her room, and headed for the dinning room. When she reached the table, with all her family members quietly waiting to be served, her mom and dad greeted her with a smile as usual, and Bluebell stock her tongue out In disrespect.
Fiona quietly took her sit, as the helpers came to serve them their dinner.
When we were all served dinner, everyone was quiet, until my dad asked, "So Fiona... " He stirred his spoon In his soup, not meeting my gaze. "Mhm." I answered. "...how was your study session." I paused my mouth, with food still In eat. After she gulped In what she was eating, she then replied, "It was fun, actually." She bent her gaze back to her food.
"Oh really..." Her dad dropped the spoon he was holding and then looked at Fiona. "....so what did you guys study. I would love to know what kept you long there. " She dropped her fork which she had already picked up the vegetable she was about putting In her mouth.
"Well we studied Chemistry, dad." If her dad could read her mind, all the far-fetched lie she just said would be exposed. Although no one said anything apart from them, the clinking of their cutleries on their plates accompanied their discussion.
"I see..., you must have fun then". He continued eating his meal.
When I was done eating, I excused myself. I got to my room, took a shower and changed Into my pyjamas. I then picked my phone to call Aviva. After It rang for some time, she picked.
"What's up." She greeted from the other line. "Am cool. Did your dad find out? " Asked Fiona, she then went to her bed and sat down. "Nope. So about the creature that captured us, do you know where It might have come from. " Aviva's voice was like a whisper when talking about the white Annis.
Fiona sighed before saying, "No Aviva. How will I possibly know where that crazy and creepy thing came from, do I look like a wizard or so". She Itched her temples In frustration.
"Can't you just say no. Gosh! Your too dense." She cleared her throat like she was eating something. "Tomorrow Fiona, do bring me one of your chef's shepherd's pie." A licking sound was heard by Fiona from the other line.
"Your just a glutton. And what are you even eating. " Aviva licked her lips from the other line. "Just cream puffs. Please do It for me bestie." If Fiona could see the expression on her face, she bet she had those deceiving puppy dog eyes.
She sighed. "If you have nothing other than food to talk about, how about you just end the call. " "Okay, eish! Have you collected your science partner's number, you know the project Is due on Monday." Fiona totally forgot about the project, and now where In the world was she suppose to find his number, so they could practice tomorrow.
"Oh no!, I totally forgot to ask him. " Fiona scratched her hair In frustration. "Well just hope that he found yours." Aviva tried to calm her down. And to think that life was trying to help her, even with seeing him like almost all through the day.
"I just don't know what to do." "Just calm down, I bet everything's gonna be okay, okay. I gotta go, catch you later." She then ended the call.
Fiona dropped the phone to her side. Now she doesn't know how to get her project done, and losing marks wasn't what she wanted In her final year In high school.
She looked at the clock In her room, and It was already eight o'clock.
She decided to head to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, staying awake and figuring out what she should do for the project. At least If Twilight won't show up, she would have something to present.
Getting out of her room, the light of the corridor was the only light plus the one above the staircase, that were still left on.
She made her way to the kitchen when she stopped halfway on the chattering of someone In a low tone. She hid behind the wall that was close to It.
"I know what I'm saying.. " Wait, that was dads voice, she thought. He seems to be talking to someone on the phone. "Those creatures are looking for us, and If we don't solve the puzzle, they will not hesitate to kill us. " He stops talking, like the person at the other line was explaining something to him.
"I know Steven, but we stole something from the tombs, and they will definitely want It back." Fiona Inched further to hear what he was saying In a low tone, but she ended up pushing over a tall vase, which was next to her. But she caught It before It tipped over.
" I'll call you back Steven... " He ended the call stepping closer to the exist of the kitchen where Fiona was. "Whose there." He asked but no reply. She quickly ran out of there.
When he came to check the side of the wall, he found no one, a tired sigh escaped his lips. The creatures that were hunting him, seems to make him paranoid.
When Fiona got Into her room, she felt relieved. Hopefully dad didn't see me, but what did dad mean by something hunting him, was he hiding from someone or something.
The thoughts pushed to the back of her mind. She decided to search on her project.
After two hours of searching on her project, she finally got tired. She then fell asleep after a while.
The next day was quick to come, and Fiona was still In bed. When her alarm kept on ringing. She slammed her hand lazily on the alarm clock on the side of her bed. She usually woke up earlier than the alarm to put It off before It rang, but sleeping late yesterday had made her to sleep-In.
She got up from the bed, scratching her eyes. When she then stretched a bit. She didn't mind to take a shower, Instead she headed downstairs to take a mug of coffee.
Stepping down the stairs, she Itched her eyes, as she was still a little bit heavy In slumber. On reaching the last landing, her eyes fell on her parents.
She came closer to the living room, and then she saw Twilight who stood by the side, close to her parents. Her mouth slightly opened In shock. Her parents greeted her with a smile, where as Twilight held an amused smirk on his face, seeing her still In her pyjamas.
"Fiona you have a guest." Her mother stated the obvious. Fiona just forced a smile on her face. Could the universe treat her any worse, she thought.
She just stood where she had come to stand at. "How about you go freshen up, then you can attend to your guest." He stressed the guest, with a hard grin on his face.
Fiona nodded before she walked quickly back to her room. She took her time to bath, and when she was done, she picked her usual dressing, but this time the turtle neck was white and the shorts, black.
When she was done getting ready, she went back downstairs to have her breakfast. Her dad and mom were already gone. Twilight sat on the cushion with a leg placed on top of the other, while he sipped on the orange juice that was given to him.
He stared at her as she made her way to the dining room, before placing the glass juice back on the center table.
Fiona felt the piercing eyes of that creepy boy on her, she just went to eat.
When she was done, she headed to the living room where he sat, just two steps from where he sat. "Um... We may start now. " She crossed her hands behind her, he scanned her from head to toe. His eyes holding tranquil.
"Normal people greet." He placed his leg down, that had been on top of the other, with his hands playing with the ropes on his black hoodie.
Normal! Well he was far from normal. She thought. "Good morning." She gritted her teeth. He pushed himself up from the coach. His towering self now stood two steps away from her. "Well It's not morning." He jerked his head to the clock on the wall.
She turned behind her where the clock was, only to see It was already afternoon. She hadn't even noticed she slept that much.
"Well good afternoon." She felt really embarrassed right now, he saw her sleepy face, and now she thought It was still morning.
"You can notify your foolishness later. Let's go to your laboratory." He looked at her with seriousness on his face.
Did he read my mind, and again with the Insults. This boy or guy or whatever he Is, had a sharp tongue, she thought.
She just directed him to the Lab that only Britney made use of all the time, where as Fiona came here on very rare occasions.
The lab was a simple home Lab, having the essential apparatus.
He made his way to the Lab coat placed on a rack, before he looked at Fiona with a brow raised. "Are you going to keep staring, or get a Lab coat." Fiona cursed In her mind. This boy was full of himself. Where as she thought how he got her address, he mistook her staring for something else.
He then puts on the Lab coat same as Fiona. "I was thinking we should go for something easy. " She said putting on the second sleeves of the Lab coat. He made his way to the Lab table, where some beakers were kept.
"What pleases your brain. " He said lifting a beaker, checking for any dirt. After he placed It back, he turned to look at her, who stood like the rack. "You can make your Idea useful by coming here. " Fiona made simple steps next him.
"I was thinking we should make Hydrochloric acid. It seems easier." He didn't reply, Instead he checked the cupboard below the table platform for what they would need In making It.
When he settled everything down on the table, Fiona just stole glances of his face. Although he was annoying and mysterious, she wouldn't lie that he had a fetching appearance. His dark hair was smeared a bit on his forehead, highlighting his dark brows and black eyes. A black fox would suit him, she thought.
"Hydrochloride solution." She asked, and he handed It with no word. She added It to a beaker. "Water." He handed It to her. She stirred It for some time, then stopped.
"And where done." She looked at him, who was now removing his coat, he then went back to hang It on the rack, before coming back to her.
"I know you have a lot of questions." Fiona was shocked on his sudden words.
"About the project? Well not really, I made resear-." Her words were cut short when he Interrupted, he then faced her, looking her straight In the eyes.
"Not that. About everything." She looked confused that he was opening up about all the hocus-pocus that have been going on. She faced him with knitted brows.
"Yes I do but, If It doesn't concern me, I don't mind not knowing." His face still held seriousness.
"You have the right to know. I can't tell you much now but, what I can tell you Is watch your grounds. Your not safe. " His words made her feel really ditz. Cause putting his words In mind meant her life was on the line.
"I'm not safe from what." I couldn't help but ask. He sighed before saying,
"Your not safe from yourself, or anyone else." He was about saying something when a knock on the door stopped him from speaking.
A helper entered the Lab. "Sorry to disturb, but I'm just here to keep an eye." She smiled at Twilight, who just gave a straight face.
"No need Miss Hailey, we're already done." On hearing this she just nodded and left.
"I'll be on my way. " He Informed me, but I still had a lot of questions to ask, so I stopped him. "Wait!" He turned his back to face me, his face looking confused.
"Do you still want to endure the company of the one you hate, If not, what Is It then." He thought I hated him, which I didn't, I only thought he was annoying.
"What Is happening to my body." He looked at her with knitted brows.
"It's called puberty. And I'm the wrong person to ask such questions." Did he miss took her words, she thought. While Twilight on the other hand, knew exactly what she was asking.
Before she could rectify herself, he had already made his way out of the Lab.
This boy made It his hobby In misunderstanding me, she thought.
***
Later In the evening when Fiona was done having her dinner, she headed back to her room. She was so tired that she didn't change Into her pyjamas or had a shower. She just sank Into the soft bed and fell asleep.
"Out of the way!." A coach man on a carriage yeld, with two black horses moving faster. Fiona who stood In the middle of the road with a little girl, dash out of the way. "Are you Okay? " The little girl Fiona talked to, didn't reply.
The little girl ran away from there. Fiona was about chasing her calling her attention, when someone from behind said, "She won't hear you." Fiona turned to meet a woman, who wore a black cloak, with the hood left open to show the beautiful face of the woman.
She stepped a bit closer to Fiona, where she now stood two steps away from her. The mysterious woman held a smile on her face.
"Who are you, and where am I." Asked Fiona, who took notice of her surrounding. It looked like she had gone back In time, In the era of the medieval time.
The lady still held a smile on her face, she then said, "My Identity would be revealed soon, and you are here for a reason." Fiona wondered why anytime she met a mysterious person, they answered her questions with questions.
"How did I get here. " All this while they stood put, and the road and streets clear of people.
"Follow me. " The woman turned as her cloak swayed behind her. Fiona didn't know where to go, or how she got here, but she just decided to follow her.
The woman moved gracefully with the warm breeze, guiding Fiona Into a forest.
On reaching the sight of a cottage In the forest, the lady stopped and turned back to look at Fiona, who held confusion In her eyes.
"You will find your answers In there." The woman turned back to face the cottage, pointing a finger at It.
Fiona walked to stand In front of the woman, wanting to see what she was pointing at. On seeing the cottage where smoke came out the chimney, she wondered what she would find In there. Fiona turned to ask something, but the lady had vanished.
She then decided to walk to the cottage Her steps on the forest grounds making a crunching sound, due to the dried leaves on the ground.
When she was In front of the cottage, the door opened. The little girl who ran away earlier now stood In front of her. The girl had tears In her eyes, and red strip like marks on her skin, like she had been whipped with a cain.
The little girl passed through Fiona, like Fiona was a ghost. Fiona was surprised on how the girl passed through her. The thoughts of her still sleeping or dreaming pricked In her mind.
A lady came from the door, she looked furious. Her peasant cloth was old and patched, her hair was left In a messy bun and her skin had spots of dirt. She held a whip on her hand.
"Foolish girl! All you ever do Is get Into trouble. You better find my lost pigs, or you'll stand In place of them. " She then shut the door close. Her tone was harsh and full of no remorse.
The little girl walked faster Into the forest hearing the lady's voice, not bothering to look at her face. Fiona followed her, feeling pity.
The little girl went Into the forest, clicking her tongue to lure the pigs, but all she heard was the rustling of tress and chirping of birds. She sighed In frustration, she then sat on a stump full of moss at the sides.
She picked up a stick and played with It on the ground. "Where did you go little piggies." Tears rolled down her eyes, Fiona stood In front of her, not knowing what to do, If a person can't see, hear or touch you, It felt painful that she couldn't pacify the girl.
The girl wiped her tears, she stood up and went back to searching for the pigs.
After the Sun was about setting, she heard noises coming from a cliff. She went to the cliff and saw her pigs where about falling down. The were on the side of the cliff, where as the small rocks the manage to stand on, was falling bit by bit.
The pigs oink and oink In fright. "Don't worry piggies, I'll save you. " The little girl braced herself to climb down the side of the cliff to save the pigs. When she got to them, she placed one on her little shoulder and the other, she held In her left arm, while her other arm climbed up the cliff. It was easy for her cause, the pigs where still young and light to carry. And she was more bigger than them.
Fiona just stood and watched, cause she couldn't help the girl.
When the girl reached up the cliff and now stood on the ground, she removed the pigs from her body, she dusted herself and the pigs oinked happily. She was about stepping forward, when a part of the cliff where she stood broke.
She quickly held on to the part that wasn't broken, heaving for air, cause she was scared. "Help!! " The girl yelled for help, with her legs dangling over the rocky ground below her.
Fiona tried to pull the girl up, but her hands just passed through her. What type of punishment Is this, Fiona thought.
When the girl was about falling, someone caught her just In time. The person pulled her up, as she breathed In relief.
"T-Thank you... " She said still trying to catch her breath. When the girl eyes met the one who caught her, she was surprised, not because he was handsome, but because he wore a white cloak.
"You should be careful young maiden. " The young boy looked Into her dark eyes with his white ones. The wind blew his black hair to the symphony of his aura.
The boy was about walking away, when the little girl said, "Please wait. " The young boy stopped to look back at her with confused eyes. "Is there a problem?" The breeze moved the down side of his cloak, as she stared back at him.
"What's your name young sir." She couldn't help but ask this dapper creature.
"Jinx, my name Is Jinx. What's yours. " The expression on his face, calm and matured. The little girl was awe on his name, cause Jinx was someone who was cursed with bad luck.
"My name Is Amilys. Thanks once again for saving me. " She thanked him again. Fiona who stood close to a tree watching them, was shocked that she had seen the owner of the old journal she found. Or Is she mistaken things. Cause what If this was another Jinx, but what are the odds, thought Fiona.
"No problem young maiden, see you again. " He closed his cloak and swayed back Into the forest, where as the sun had nearly set.
Amilys took her piglets with her, back to her cottage and Fiona followed suit.
On reaching the cottage, the harsh lady was carrying woods Into the cottage.
Amilys went to the back of the cottage where the pig's pen was. She dropped them In, and closed the wooden fence door.
She went back Into the cottage, with Fiona, to find the harsh woman putting some of the chopped woods Into the fireplace.
On dusting her hands and turning back to meet the Innocent eyes of Amilys, she asked,
"Did you find my pigs? " Her words harsh and cold.
"Yes aunt Morgan." Amilys words like a whisper, with respect.
"Dinner Is served." Her aunt dropped a small metal plate of dried bread on the floor for her, while she ate her own dinner on the small wooden dining table.
Amilys didn't say anything, Instead she ate the dried bread and drank a cup of water when she was done.
Fiona couldn't Imagine that some people's lives were a living nightmare. Where she had the luxurious life she lived In, some didn't have what to eat or where being maltreated.
The Image she was seeing now flipped like a page, like It was showing her Into the nearest future of what she was seeing.
Amilys was all grown up and beautiful, despite the old and torn peasant clothing she wore.
"I'll be off to the market aunt Morgan." She dashed out of the old cottage she grew up In, and headed for the market.
When she reached the town square, where some traders came to sell their goods, her eyes darted at the fresh vegetables and fruits being displayed.
"How much for the blueberries." Asked one of the customers who was purchasing something close to her.
She went to the veggie stand, where a middle aged man stood behind the stand. She greeted him with a dashing smile .
On seeing Amilys In front of his stand with a dashing smile, the man said, "Lemme guess...., here to buy rotten left overs again." She frowned on the man's words.
"Well Is what I can afford. "She played with her hair nervously, that was left to settle on her shoulders.
"Sorry then, your out of luck today. There Is no left overs for cheapskates." Came the Insult of the man to Amilys.
"I have respect for my elders, but your just being rude. " She tried defending herself, but that only made the man to chuckle loudly.
"Rude?! You say. Look everyone, the church rat Is demanding I treat her with respect." Harrumph the man, and It got some of the traders and customers attentions.
Amilys felt really embarrassed at the eyes of people on her. Some held confusion, distaste and some disgust on seeing her.
"She wears ragged clothes and think she Is Important." One of the traders Insulted.
"Isn't she the rumored cursed child of her family. " Said another.
"I heard she Is a witch, and she was the cause of her family's death, apart from her money driven aunt. " Came another Insult.
Tears pricked In Amilys' eyes as she still stood, listening to their painful words. Fiona couldn't believe the pain Amilys was going through, thus, she couldn't do anything.
"Richard, I think the rat In the village are competing with her with left overs, how about we give her some of ours. " One of the traders said, referring to the man who sold the left over veggies to Amilys.
And with that said, the traders began throwing rotten fruits and vegetables at Amilys. Her throat full of pain as It ached to let out her painful cry.
She began walking back from where she came, when someone yelled, "Stop It!! " The ones who were throwing rotten food stuffs at her, stopped.
Amilys turned back to see a young man In a white cloak. "You should all be ashamed of yourself, what have this young maiden done to offend you. " The man asked them, as they bent their heads In shame.
"We only gave her what she asked for, Sir Jinx." Replied Richard, who was the bold one to talk to the man.
"So she asked to be humiliated, tell me. " Richard didn't say anything, he just bent his head too, In shame.
"You all have no shame. " He shun on their behaviours and went to meet Amilys who was now covered In rotten fruits and vegetables.
"Are you okay? " He asked her, who looked at him In astonishment. She had met Jinx again, and he saved her once again.
"Thanks Sir Jinx. " Tears rolled down her eyes.
"Don't cry. " He patted her shoulder to comfort her, which only made her cry more. He motioned his hand In the air and the muck on her clothes disappeared. Amilys was caught up In her emotions, that she hadn't noticed.
"It's me Jinx, Amilys. The girl you saved as a child. " Jinx looked surprised on seeing her, and yet upset that she was disgraced.
"Amilys, oh my heavens...., what happened to you over the years. I hadn't seen you since then. " She wipes the tears that had reached her chin away.
"I've been...., here. " She forced a smile. He then removed the hand that was patting her shoulder until now.
"So what did you wanted to buy." He asked, with concern In his eyes.
"Just vegetables." She wiped her hands on the side of her cloth.
"And then you got disgraced, the people of Gifted can go haywire at times." He sighed. "Come with me. " He guided her back to Sir Richard's vegetable stand, where as he held a disgusted face at Amilys.
"Give us your best vegetables." Ordered Jinx.
"Sir Jinx that girl can't afford even my nearly expired vegetables. " The man Insulted.
"I didn't ask what she can, or cannot afford, I say give me your best vegetables." Sir Richard just went behind his stand to get his fresh vegetables.
"It's true what he said, I can't afford anything here, apart from rotten vegetables." The words were shaky In her mouth, as her eyes where bent to the floor not meeting his gaze that now looked at her with pity.
"I don't care what you can afford, but no matter your status In life, all humans deserve respect." Her eyes went up to meet his, he then gave her a charming smile.
All this while, Fiona just stood and watched everything that happened.
"Thanks Jinx, but you say that cause your a wizard. No matter how you are, as long as you are as poor as a church rat, like me, no one In this village or world will respect you. " Her eyes went back to meet the muddy floor.
Jinx's hand closed his face with his hood that had been opened until now. "So what If I'm a wizard. Not everyone likes wizards Amilys, and apart from our kingdom, so far, magic Is hated In the other lands. So I am just like that church rat, but In a wealthy man's house. " Amilys' heart was filled with joy, he treats her like an equal, which she thought she was far from being.
"Here are they vegetables." Came Richard with a basket full of vegetables of different varieties. He handed the vegetables to Jinx, and Jinx handed It to Amilys.
She didn't collect It, she only looked confused at him. "No Sir Jinx, I can't." She wiggled her hands In refusal, not wanting to take It, but Jinx held a frown on his face.
"You know It Is rude to refuse a gift. " He brought the basket closer to her, she then took the basket from him, and gave a warm smile to him.
"Thanks so much, I will make sure to repay you." Jinx slightly chuckled at her words.
"You don't repay a gift, lady Amilys. And your welcome." Amilys smiled at him.
"How much do I owe you Richard." His gaze going back to the man who looked like he wanted to snatch the basket back from her.
"It's free too. " Richard gritted his teeth.
"No, no, I Insist. " Jinx brought out a small black purse with ropes, he then removed five golden coins and placed It In the hands of Richard. Richard smiled at him.
"Thanks then," Jinx helped Amilys carry the basket, as they both left the market. Jinx Insisted on accompanying Amilys half way to her house.
"Thanks again Sir Jinx. " She couldn't help but thank him again.
"No problem lady Amilys. " A smirk appeared on his face. "So where will I meet you again Lady Amilys." Asked Jinx, he then kissed the knuckles of her hand that wasn't holding the basket. She blushed by his simple gesture.
"Everyday by noon In the market, If your free." She hugged the basket on her chest.
"I will always be free. " He smiled warmly at her. "See you again then lady Amilys. "
"See you again too. " Amilys smiled back at him.
He then turned and vanished Into the forest.