"Catherine: Sometimes there is no darker place than our thoughts, the moonless midnight of the mind."
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YEAR: 1213, SOMEWHERE IN THE MONTH OF MARTIUS, OF MERIDITH'S LUNAR CALENDAR.
KINGDOM: DEMACIA
CATHERINE'S POV:
As I sat near the peaceful river, surrounded by almost nothing but huge trees my mind began to hear thoughts that a normal person cannot hear. That was my curse. Or as they say, my superpowers.
The sound of rushing waters as they flow through the river. The sounds they make when they strike every time by the hard rock that stands in their way. The sound of the water free falling and meeting the other end falling down.
The sound of the trees standing in the forest as the air gushed through them. The zephyr indeed chills me sometimes, even though it is almost summer.
The sound of birds humming a tune to communicate with their loved ones. As they tell how their day was when they reach their home. I feel pity for myself, looking at those who have a home, unlike me, who live just in a palace.
When the mother bird returned home bringing food for her children, looked happy. They were sad as they thought she had abandoned them. Lucky they are that she came back. After all, I guess not everyone is the same.
I don't remember when I could hear everything a person thinks or I could just read their memories by touching things. And that is why most people avoid me. They think I might read their darkest secrets.
But I am bound. I was forbidden from reading one's thoughts without their permission. Not until they allow me by letting me touch them. If I'd try, the band of veritas (truth) would shock me to almost death. I only can read the mind outside a person. Trees, birds, animals and every other object who has the ability to think.
I remember when I was only 8, I couldn't control my powers and ended up getting punishment. My mind flashed to the night 5 years ago.
FLASHBACK 5 YEARS AGO,
I couldn't sleep for the last few days. Since I got to know I am adopted. But who are my parents? Why did they abandon me?
"What are you thinking Cath?" My older sister Siya asked. She was 5 years older than me. We shared the same room. And she is the best sister I could have. Unlike her, our grandmother doesn't like me that much. I guess that is because I wasn't her real granddaughter.
"Nothing" I replied hiding my tears.
"Do not lie to me Cath. I know you better than anyone. So tell me what's wrong?" She asked scooting over to my bed. "You know I love you the most, don't you?" she whispered, kissing my forehead.
"I was just thinking about who were my real parents and why they must have left me," I said honestly. I knew I couldn't hide anything from her.
"Well, it is their loss and my gain. I got an amazing sister like you." She smiled and hugged me tightly. I feel safe in her embrace. My safe place.
"But I want to find out," I said looking at her. I really want to.
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We walked into the Queen's library. It is said to behold the secret affairs of Meridith. I hope I'll find something from here!
We started looking top every rack until we heard "Catherine! Siya!" And we froze at our place. It was Grandma Agatha. She is one of the high priest witches in Demacia. Although my father says that she admires me, I always find that she does not even like me. That is why she never liked when I used my powers.
"What are you both doing here?" She asked as she entered the library followed by our father, Shiraz, the minister of Demacia.
"I-I..."
"Say no more, you brat. I know you have trapped Siya in your words to do such a crime. Invading the Queen's library is forbidden." She said.
"WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO MUCH?" I shouted. Finally letting my powers take over me.
My hair flew as smoke filled the surroundings from my neck. That is my power. Power to read the mind. I couldn't control it. I was too young. I wanted to know why she hated me too much! I couldn't stop myself when the smoke filled her nostrils and she was getting conjured by me.
I could feel the pain she was feeling. I had the access to her mind. I could feel how much she despise me. But why? The answer needs to unfold until I reach the right part of the mind.
"STOP!" The sound echoed through the walls as I was forced to take back my magic all at once. I looked at her and she was none other than queen Lucy! The queen of witches.
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We were asked to be present before the court the very next day. Siya and I stood in the centre of the court as the Queen was yet to come.
"Behold, King Jonas and Queen Lucy are about to enter the court. Everyone must stand bow and respect" the guards proclaimed our father's entry. To put it more profoundly, I should say the king.
I could see a smirk on our grandmother's face as soon as she heard them walk in. She always finds a way to put us in bad eyes before Queen and father.
Angry, the king asks, "What's the accusation this time?". I barely could look at him in fear. He was not a person that should be met when he was angry.
"My king, I have found her in the forbidden section of the library, the kids were too disrespectful of Demacia's law. Thus I want them to be punished under the law so that they keep in mind, Demacia's law must not be broken under any circumstances." Grandma says with an uptight smirk.
"Oh, I think she's just becoming a wonderful witch mother." My father laughed nervously. He tried to persuade her. But she was not a soft-hearted person. Especially when it comes to my part.
The queen looks at us. She looked displeased.
"Well, my queen, I was the one who initiated it," Siya told. She stood beside our father. I have never doubted her. I knew she would take my side even if it was not her fault.
"Shut up and stand still you little fool. If it wasn't her evil hoax you'd never have ended up there" Grandma snarled at her. I wouldn't lie she was looking like an ugly angry witch right now that I'd never want to mess with.
And before I could know it she cast a spell and pain struck my head. It was excruciating. I started screaming in pain. My birthmark glowed brightly with the strikes.
"You should know, the punishment is only to make you better," Queen Lucy says as she tries to look pitiful towards us.
That was the day when they put the band of Veritas in my hands, tying me up, forbidding me to read any memories or thoughts without one's consent.
END OF FLASHBACK
I came back to my present senses from that horrifying memory in my head. I didn't want to go through the pain that we were put into when I was only 8 years old.
Since then I have distanced myself from everyone. I like to stay alone. At least I will not bring misery to others.
As I sat peacefully, I could hear thoughts. Someone was running to save their lives as someone was chasing after them.
As my mind wouldn't stop hearing the sounds, I followed them. It was not the first time, but still, it make me curious to know more about it.
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The sounds make me stop near the forest. It was coming from inside. I wasted no time as I walked inside.
There was a baby deer that was running for her life and was chased by a mountain tiger. The deer looked scared as she ran as fast as she could. But the injury to her left leg made her every step harder.
Both the tiger and deer stopped at my arrival. Both of them had different thoughts. One was begging for its life, pleading through her eyes whereas the other was hungry.
How was the world created? One must be killed for the other one to regain power. I was in my thoughts when the tiger saw it was the right moment to pounce, and that is what he did. But before he could make it a bright light hits her eyes, making him fall to the ground almost blind.
"What are you doing? This little kid would have died if I didn't come at the right time"
I looked to my side, where a girl stands looking at them pitifully. I had never seen her before, but I began to feel something. Maybe uncomfortable?
"Why didn't you save her?" She asked what had bothered me somehow. It was not like I hated her, but we were different. I could never feel any emotions like her. I have learned to grow selfish now.
"I feel liberos," I say as I shrug off.
"Still, you should have tried," she says as she approaches the baby deer. The tiger had gone away a long time ago.
"Stop telling me what to do okay?" I yelled at her as I ran away. Leaving her dumbfounded at her place.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hello guys, how have you been? I am glad that you guys are enjoying my book. Thank you for reading. Please do not forget to vote. Also, let me know of any suggestions.