The hum of the car engine filled the silence as Olivia stared out the window, watching the city lights fade into the distance. She felt like she was leaving more than just her apartment behind. Everything familiar—her routine, her responsibilities, her identity—was dissolving into the night as they ventured further into a life she had never asked for.
Dylan sat beside her, his headphones on, staring blankly at the seat in front of him. Olivia could sense his unease, though he hid it well. He had always been strong for his age, tougher than most kids in his position would be, but even he couldn't disguise the fear gnawing at him. He had no idea what was happening, and Olivia wished she could tell him something to ease his mind. But how could she? She didn't know anything either.
Her mother was seated on the other side of the car, clutching her purse tightly, her gaze distant and unseeing. Olivia glanced at her, the lines of worry etched deep into her face. For so long, she had been the fragile one, the one Olivia worked tirelessly to protect. Now, they were all in the same sinking ship, with no real understanding of what was happening or where they were headed.
Olivia's thoughts churned, running circles around the same questions. What did they want from her? What was this legacy they kept talking about? And most of all, what did it mean for her family?
Sitting across from her, Edmund watched them with a calm, assessing gaze. His presence was unsettling—he seemed too composed, too knowledgeable about a world Olivia hadn't even known existed. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was holding back, that there were layers to him that she hadn't even begun to peel away. He claimed to be her grandfather, but Olivia couldn't bring herself to feel any connection to him. He was a stranger, wrapped in an air of secrecy.
"Where are you taking us?" Olivia finally asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was steady, but underneath, her nerves simmered.
Edmund's eyes flickered toward her, cool and detached. "To a safe place, where you and your family can be protected. There are people after you now—people who understand your abilities better than you do. I want to help you."
"Abilities," she echoed, the word still foreign on her tongue. "You keep saying that. What abilities? I've never noticed anything different about me."
He studied her for a moment before answering. "You have gifts, Olivia, whether you realize it or not. Your instincts, your ability to handle pressure, to sense things before they happen—that's just the surface. There's much more to it. Your father had the same power, and it's been passed down to you."
Olivia's stomach twisted. Her father. A man she had barely known, who had died when she was young, leaving behind more questions than answers. She had never connected with his memory, never understood the mystery that surrounded his life. Now, Edmund was claiming that he had been part of some powerful lineage, and that she had inherited something dangerous.
"I don't want any part of this," she said quietly, her voice filled with frustration. "I've been doing fine on my own. I don't need... whatever this is."
Edmund's expression didn't change, but there was a softness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "You may not want it, but it's already a part of you. Whether you like it or not, you're tied to this legacy. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll understand what you're capable of."
Olivia clenched her fists, her pulse quickening. She hated feeling like this—helpless, confused, out of control. For as long as she could remember, she had been the one in charge of her life, fighting for every inch of ground she gained. Now, she was being dragged into something she couldn't fight, something she didn't understand.
But despite the fear and uncertainty, there was a flicker of something else inside her. A strange curiosity, a tiny flame of intrigue. What if Edmund was right? What if there was more to her than she had ever allowed herself to believe?
She forced herself to push the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the reality in front of her. She couldn't afford to get caught up in fantasies or speculation. She had to stay grounded, for Dylan's sake, for her mother's sake.
As the car continued to roll through the darkness, Olivia squared her shoulders and sat up a little straighter. Whatever was waiting for them, whatever this new world held, she would face it head-on. She wasn't a coward, and she wasn't about to let anyone—or anything—push her around.
If there were enemies out there, if there were powers within her she had yet to discover, then she would deal with it. But she would do it on her own terms, just as she had done everything else in her life.
She didn't trust Edmund, she didn't trust this legacy, but she trusted herself. And for now, that would have to be enough.
The SUV glided smoothly along the winding driveway, the thick trees surrounding them gradually giving way to a sprawling, expansive estate. Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief as the estate came into view—an enormous mansion nestled in the hills, the kind of place she had only seen in movies. This was no "safe house." It was an estate, almost palatial in size, with sprawling lawns and meticulously manicured gardens stretching as far as the eye could see.
Her grip tightened on the strap of her bag as the car rolled to a stop in front of the massive villa. Stone statues lined the pathway leading to the entrance, and several armed guards stood at attention near the gates, their expressions unreadable. The sheer size of the estate was overwhelming, and for a moment, Olivia felt out of place, like she was intruding on a world that didn't belong to her.
Dylan's jaw dropped as he stared out of the window. "This is... insane," he muttered under his breath, the awe clear in his voice. Olivia could see the disbelief in his eyes, the same disbelief she was feeling in her gut. Her mother, however, remained silent, her expression unreadable, as though she had resigned herself to this bizarre turn of events.
The front door of the villa opened as the car door was pulled open by one of the guards. Edmund stepped out first, and Olivia followed, her eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously. Everything about this place screamed wealth and power, two things she had never been comfortable with. The presence of the guards, the massive gates, the towering walls—it was all so foreign, so distant from the gritty, working-class life she was used to.
As they were ushered up the stone steps toward the entrance, Olivia maintained a calm facade, her features set in their usual stoic expression. But inside, her mind was racing. She had no idea what was waiting for them inside, and every fiber of her being told her to remain on guard.
The villa itself was massive, its towering walls made of smooth stone, with large windows that glinted under the evening sky. It was pristine, polished, and cold in a way that made Olivia feel even more out of place. She wasn't used to this kind of luxury, this kind of... opulence. But she wouldn't let it show. She wouldn't let anyone here see how uncomfortable she was.
The guards flanked them as they entered the villa, leading them into a grand foyer with high ceilings and marble floors. Chandeliers hung from above, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. There were portraits lining the walls, paintings of people Olivia didn't recognize—ancestors, perhaps? The grandeur of it all was overwhelming, but Olivia kept her head high, forcing herself to act as if she belonged here.
"Welcome to your new home," Edmund said, turning to face them. His voice was calm, composed, as if none of this was out of the ordinary. He gestured to the large room, as though presenting it like a gift. "You'll be safe here, away from prying eyes. No one can touch you within these walls."
Olivia fought back the urge to laugh. *Safe?* This place didn't feel like safety. It felt like a gilded cage. She hadn't signed up for this, for the guards and the grand halls. She hadn't asked for any of it. She had spent her entire life clawing her way through hardship, building her own path, and now she was being whisked away into some mansion under the guise of protection? It felt wrong.
She exchanged a glance with Dylan, who seemed just as lost as she was. His eyes darted around the room, taking everything in, clearly unsure of how to process it all. Olivia could tell he was torn between awe and suspicion.
"This is too much," Dylan finally said, breaking the silence. "We don't need all of this."
Edmund smiled faintly, though there was something unreadable in his gaze. "It's not about what you need," he said simply. "It's about what's necessary to keep you safe. There are people out there who would do anything to get their hands on you. This estate ensures they can't."
Olivia's chest tightened, the weight of his words sinking in. Whoever these people were, they must be dangerous—dangerous enough to warrant this level of protection. But still, it didn't sit right with her. She wasn't used to relying on others for protection. She had always handled things on her own, and this... this estate, this army of guards, made her feel like she was losing control.
Edmund turned to one of the guards and nodded. The man, dressed in a dark suit, stepped forward and gestured for them to follow. "We'll show you to your rooms," he said, his voice professional and curt.
Olivia exchanged another glance with Dylan, and then with her mother, who still hadn't said a word since they arrived. Her mother's face was pale, her hands shaking slightly as she clutched the handle of her purse. Olivia knew she was in shock, overwhelmed by everything happening around them. She didn't blame her. Olivia was barely keeping it together herself.
They were led through a series of hallways, each more extravagant than the last, until they arrived at their quarters. Olivia's room was spacious, with large windows that overlooked the vast estate grounds. The bed was enormous, draped in expensive linens, and the furniture was made of dark, polished wood. It was a room fit for royalty, not someone like her.
Olivia dropped her bag on the bed and stood by the window, staring out at the endless gardens and the rows of guards patrolling the perimeter. She felt caged, trapped in a world she didn't understand, with responsibilities she hadn't asked for.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered to herself, her hands gripping the windowsill. "I'm just a nurse. I didn't ask for any of this."
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. It was Dylan. He stood in the doorway, his hands shoved into his pockets, his expression uncertain.
"Hey," he said softly, stepping inside. "You okay?"
Olivia forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine," she said. "Just trying to process all this."
Dylan nodded, his gaze drifting to the large room around them. "This is... a lot. I don't know what to think."
"Me neither," Olivia admitted, her voice quieter now. "But whatever this is, we need to keep our heads. I don't trust it. I don't trust *him*." She glanced toward the door, her voice lowering. "Something's off about all of this."
Dylan hesitated, then nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I get that feeling too. But... we're here now. What do we do?"
Olivia took a deep breath, her mind racing. "We play along. For now. But we stay sharp. No matter what they say, we look out for ourselves. No one else is going to do it for us."
Dylan gave her a small, grateful smile. "I can do that."
Olivia nodded, her resolve hardening. Whatever was coming, she would face it head-on.