I creased my eyebrows, breaking an orange wax seal on the back of the envelope to see what was inside. A yellowed piece of paper lay carefully folded within. With gentle fingers I removed it, confused as to what it could be. I untucked the edges of the paper from itself, looking at the deliberately placed words inside.
Makayla,
I know this may come as a surprise, however, it's me, your father writing to you. I can't have anyone else looking at this so once you complete reading, it will burn immediately after to keep both you and me safe. At this very moment your mother is taking on many responsibilities, all at once, which is becoming too much for her to handle. Which helped contribute to her outlash on Chase. Yet, that isn't the only reason she got his blood on her hands. By beating him she was able to get her point across that no creature that isn't human or awakened should be alive. Although this has not always been her belief, and she has not always hated Chase. After your brother's death she was no longer able to take the stress and pain other creatures cause. Now she's power hungry, and I'm not sure if there is anything I'll be able to do to stop her. Soon, you three will be sent away together to Kipcord Grove. This region of forest is extremely dangerous, full of some horrible creatures along with the forest Fae. Your mother plans for you to awaken on this journey and to hopefully eliminate James and Chase in the process. I believe you three will make it through, but I have a request to ask you. Although the journey is dangerous, please get to know several of the "creatures" that are like Chase and come up with your own judgment on whether or not you think all of these beings' lives should end. Good luck,
With love, your father,
Benjamin Clark.
Immediately after reading it, just as the letter had said, the paper and envelope burst into flames, disappearing into thin specks of ash. I jumped back at the sudden heat, staring in awe as it disappeared into nothingness, not even leaving a smell behind.
My mind began to reimagine the paper and what my father had written. Nowhere is safe. I thought to myself, biting my nail, not even my home. I made my way to the large window in my room, shutting and locking it softly anxiously. Locking it made me feel the slightest bit safer, but what was I supposed to do when my greatest enemy seemed to be my own mother. I stepped carefully across my floor over to my closet hastily grabbing an outfit as I made my way to the bathroom.
One brisk shower later, and I arrived in the wide expanse of my room once more. I made my way over to the bedside table, finding my phone that I hadn't thought to look at in days. With a considerate grip, I lifted it from its charger, seeing many notifications from the friends I'd made in Aken's Town. All seemed to be apologies about my brother, including quite a few messages from the one person I considered to be my best friend, River. She was tall, lean, and beautifully blonde with deep ocean blue eyes.
I opened my phone, dreading reading all of the messages inside. I sat on my bed carefully and stared at the screen, scrolling through the endless messages. I sighed, opening River's before everyone else's.
OMG! That's insane. Do you think you know him?
That's strange, I can't believe your family would react that way!
Are they all keeping secrets?
Hello?
Makayla?
It's been a couple days, I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing.
I just heard, I'm so sorry about your brother…. If you need anything, I'll be here.
Makayla, I really hope everything's alright, please respond whenever you see this.
My thumbs typed as though they had a mind of their own. I responded in an instant, not wanting to worry her any longer, but of the same token, I knew I couldn't tell her all that happened out of fear for myself and my family. Of course, it caused my soul to ache, but I couldn't do much else.
Hi River, I'm so sorry for not responding, this last while has been extremely stressful and traumatic for me. I'm really sorry for not getting back to you sooner, and again if I don't respond.
In no more than two seconds I got a response from her, seeming as though she was relieved.
It's all good, thank God you're okay. I was so worried, but I'm glad to hear from you. Again, if you need to talk, I'll always be here for you.
I stared at the phone in my hand wishing to tell her everything, when I was reminded of the words on the opening of the letter, wishing it to be read alone.
Thank you. I placed my phone back on the nightstand, it was early in the day, yet the exhaustion that plagued me was horrible. I glanced out the window, stressed for what was about to unfold. I had to help James and Chase, but what exactly did that entail? Overthrowing my own mother? I shivered at the idea; she was terrifying. I had no clue as to how to proceed. I had to protect myself, along with Chase and James in the process. I wasn't able to wield a weapon, let alone fight against whatever laid in the forest, or anywhere else for that matter.
I ran my fingers shakily through my hair, letting out a sigh. Life was changing all too fast, within the past week my life had changed for the worst. I had no idea who I even was anymore.
A light tap sounded from my window, so inaudibly I wasn't sure it'd been there. My senses immediately heightened, as I swiveled my head in its direction. Tap. Tap. Two more sounded, with the same inaudible nature. I rose to my feet without making a sound, adrenaline filling my senses. Tap. Tap. Tap. My breathing had hitched in my chest as I soundlessly progressed forward. Just as I had made it three feet before the window, an enormous brown bird landed on the sill. I fell backward letting out a startled shriek.
The bird let out an alarmed squawk, rustling its wings in response. I stared at it, my hand clutching my heart. It hopped down onto the floor cooing ever so slightly as it stalked toward me. Golden eyes started into mine, sleek brown feathers coated its body, shining against the sunlight. Razor sharp talons clawed at the floor against its yellow feet.
I scooted backward, the immense size of it terrifying, yet it kept moving forward. I shut my eyes tightly, turning my head away when the door opened, a startled James standing in the doorway. The bird puffed up, ceasing its movements.
"What in the world-'' James began as the bird interjected, letting out a screech, fully exposing its giant wingspan. "An eagle?" He asked looking from me to the bird who did not look happy to see the man in the doorway. I looked to James, yet in the instant I looked away the bird flew in front of me, creating a barrier between us. It let out another screech.
"A-a what?" I asked, staring at it, it turned its head to me again, cocking it to the side once more. It let out a purr and hopped towards me again. I flinched in response, resulting in a cease of its advances, it lowered its head, one golden gleam looking my way.
"A golden eagle," he said slowly, confusion lining his words. He took a step forward, but quickly decided against it. "I heard you scream," he said slowly. "I thought something had happened."
"Well there's a bird in my room," I stated in disbelief. "A giant one at that, I feel as though I had every reason to scream," I shook my head, the bird lifting its head, cooing softly. "Why would an eagle be in here?"
James ran his fingers through tousled hair, "I'm not sure, it could be enchanted but-" brown eyes looked from the eagle to my pitiful form on the floor. "It would have already attacked you." I held out my hand to the creature, seeing if it'd let me touch it. "I don't think I'd do that-"
The bird nudged my hand, feathers softer than silk caressed against my bare palm. Its eyes shut as it let out another coo and rubbed its head. James stood there dumbfounded; a look no different than that of a child who had its candy taken away. "How did you do that?" I ran my fingers over its forehead with careful precision so as to not startle it.
"I'm not sure," I mumbled, just as confused as he was. He cautiously made his way over to us, refusing to let the bird out of his sight. By now it had seemed to calm down, regardless of James's close proximity. "Why would something like this appear out of nowhere?" He shook his head in utter confusion.
"Maybe it was sent by someone? For what purpose I'm not sure," the eagle removed itself to analyze the both of us. The wariness it had earlier ceased, along with my own fear of the creature. Sent by someone? I pushed hair out of my face trying to put the pieces together. My father? The bird flapped its large wings, pulling me out of the trance I was trapped in.
"What am I supposed to do with it?" I asked, rising to my feet. Wiping dust off of my pants as I did so.
"Feed it? Water it?" James shrugged his shoulders, crossing muscle ridden arms across his chest.
"Wow how helpful," I rolled my eyes in response, glaring at James. "How am I supposed to take it anywhere?"
"Who says you have to?" James looked at me dead serious. "Makayla, we have no idea where this bird came from, let alone if whoever sent it had ill intentions," he shook his head, strands of blonde falling into his face. Brown eyes looked toward me between the strands. "It isn't safe."
I stared at the bird that fluffed up, squawking. "It doesn't seem bad though, if it were here to hurt us, wouldn't it have already done so?" I stretched, yawning. "Plus, you're the one who told me nothing bad could enter the house. Didn't you?" I bat my lashes at him, smiling sweetly. He scoffed, turning around.
"Using my own words against me huh?" He looked back at me smirking. "Must've been pretty memorable. I assume you must have been gawking at me while my poor defenseless self was asleep," he flipped his hair back holding it with one hand while the other was plastered to his chest. "And to think I even consoled you, how idiotic of me," James sure was good at dramatics. He chuckled to himself, staring at me. "Keep the bird if you want to, just know if I'm correct, I told you so," his eyes darkened in response before turning his head back to the door.
"Want to get something to eat?" He asked, reaching for the door.
"But the bird-"
"Just leave it, if it wants to follow it will," James's voice was cool and even as he spoke. "So? Food?" As he asked, my stomach growled before I had the chance to respond. A gentle laugh sounded from him. "I'll take that as a yes, let's go eat."