ARIA
Dad didn't come out until after an hour and a half.
I'm guessing he might have thought it would look suspicious if he came after me just as I left the dining room. So, I was in the barn the whole time, fiddling with the laboratory instruments that I'd left while I enhanced my hearing in order to eavesdrop on my parents. I know it may seem weird, but I was desperate. Who knows, maybe Mom also took part in these deranged happenings.
When I heard nothing that would help me with my personal mission, I turned my hearing back to normal. While I waited for Dad to come out, I was looking around the interior of the barn. Everything was organized like it was my own laboratory. There were the usual clutters here and there, a pile of binders filled with my crazy experiments that were either piled up on the table or on those shelves that Mom built for me one summer ago, my usual instruments laid down in a way that was convenient and ready for me to just grab one and go...
These days, I haven't had the urge to go brewing for more dangerous combinations and inventions like I used to do. Back then, explosions were a daily part of my everyday life. But now...Now, I've busied myself with other things. I haven't really settled enough—or even healed enough, emotionally that is. I've had too many things to worry about. I fear I've gone far enough to the point where nothing else will be normal ever again.
Heck, I haven't even said a word to my friends ever since I came home. I haven't even charged my phone, or any of my gadgets. They tried calling through my house's landline, and I would always tell my Mom I was too sick to answer. Some fearless friend I am.
Footsteps and clinking of the locks told me he had arrived. He went inside the barn. I noticed he had ditched his coat and changed into more appropriate clothes for summer weather. He also brought the briefcase he always takes along with him. "You're late. And why did you bring your luggage here?"
"Sorry, I had to help your mom with the dishes." he replied, placing the case on the table. "Now, where were we?"
"You were telling me how only the two of us remember Liv." I said, crossing my arms to my chest. "What is going on, Dad?"
He sighed, "It's a long story."
"That's fine. I have all day." I went around the table and plopped into my seat.
"Well, I could tell you the truth right away, it's just..." He stared at my face, watching my expression. His body was tense, and he looked slightly haunted. "Look Aria, I would really prefer you stay ignorant of whatever stuff that's been going on. You can just leave finding Liv to me. I'd rather leave the house with you cross at me, but at least you get to stay safe."
"No! That's not what we agreed on." I said "You told me you were going to tell me what's happening."
"We do not have such an agreement."
"But you can't just hide this from me!" I yelled, frustrated. "This is Liv we're talking about! I also have a responsibility to know what happened to her!"
"Keep your voice down!" He slid a cautious look at the closed door. "Your mother will hear."
"Just...please! Please just tell me." I said, insisting. "I promise, I can handle it. I swear on my life."
He went silent. Just leveling me with a look that made me feel like I'm in a courthouse waiting for a sentence. I mean, I do understand his perspective as a parent on making sure their child is safe and well-cared for. But this is different. That incident didn't just cost me my sister, or my possible friendship with Teagan, Austin and Carter, with my role in endangering their life, even my life as a normal teenager.
Though I'm not really sure what I'm putting myself into, I'm sure I'll adapt to it. No matter how dangerous or life-threatening it is. I'm used to taking actions that put myself at risk. But at those times, it was just me. Now, even my friends and my sibling was hurt. I'm willing to take responsibility for my actions. But I can't do that if I can't even apologize to Livia, without her actually being here.
"Alright." He said. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Here's the thing," Dad started. "The supernatural dimension is real."
I tilted my head in confusion, "By supernatural you mean–?"
"Yes. Monsters, magic, witches, vampires, demons, the like."
I blinked at his words. He continued. "They are here. With us. Just blending in with humans. They are dangerous beings, empowered by centuries of experience as they are immortal. Most of them don't possess powers, and those who are–they are very rare, and they are the ones we should steer clear of."
"What does that have to do with the meteor and earthquake incidents?"
"Remember back in your elementary school days, your first lessons in science?" I nodded. "It is common knowledge that our planet is being protected from space endangerment by the ozone layer. That is how humans see it. But on my terms, in our kind, we know the truths of the world. The ozone layer is in fact an ancient powerful barrier that protects humans from immortals. It's what keeps them from invading us."
"'In our kind' ? What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. "Are we some kind of demon–immortal slaying family? Is that it?"
"Yes."
I was momentarily stunned. I asked it as a joke, because of all the things, there was no way this was actually happening to our family. And when the truth finally processed in my mind, I felt anger and betrayal bubbling up in my chest.
"I—" he started, but I cut him off, "Does Mom know?"
His silence told me the rest. And that freaked me out, "Unbelievable!"
He stood, frantic, trying to explain "Yes, your mother and I were both Hunters. And we were going to tell you the truth! It's just...we wanted to tell you both when you're older because we hoped you'd understand to never get involved with this line of work. Apparently, that was wishful thinking."
I sighed, rubbed my palms to my face in disbelief. "Then what about the disaster incident?"
Dad opened his suitcase, pulling a labeled folder from it, and showing me the papers inside it. "A year ago, I received a directive from The Church. At that time, me and my platoon were out in the field exterminating a coven of vampires who had been killing humans by inviting them towards their nightclub, so it took me a while to come back. It seemed like a strange, mysterious magic attempting to destroy the barrier. It was so powerful that its effects were felt all across the globe. The part of the barrier which got hit was located on this land–right above Forbidden Vale."
"That's why we were affected the most." I continued, a grave feeling beginning to creep into my chest. "I heard that the damage it created was so large that it took a year for the town to reconstruct the damaged parts. I found out late because I was in a coma."
"I'm afraid so."