The Luna Awakens

Chapter Three

Maya's POV

"You must be joking."

I knew he wasn't, but I just wanted to make myself believe that. Why would we move? It definitely wasn't because of Cassandra, so what could it be? I just don't get it.

"Maya, I know this is sudden and all, but your birthday is coming up, and we need to be in a place suitable for it."

My dad kept fidgeting with his hands. He never did that. What the hell is going on?

"Dad, is there something you are hiding from me, something I need to know?"

He looked away from me.

"Nothing, dear. Just go pack up, we are leaving tomorrow."

He started going up the stairs like he was fleeing from the outburst he was sure would follow.

"Tomorrow?!"

What the hell is going on around me? First, I started hearing voices and received a sudden bout of physical strength, and now we are moving because it is my birthday. Things are definitely not turning my way this year.

He stood at the top of the stairs and turned to look at me.

"We will be leaving early as it is an eight-hour drive. Maya, please don't do anything stupid. This is for your own good."

Then he left.

I sat on the couch, wondering why I felt this way. It wasn't as if I had friends I was leaving or people that I cared about. School wasn't looking good tomorrow because of the incident with Cassandra and the art teacher. The art teacher was a minor issue, and somewhere inside my mind, I had this sense of giddiness, like I had something to look forward to and something good was brewing somewhere.

I went up to my room to pack my things, which was stressful as I had no idea where we were going or what to pack. My dad wanted me ready by 6 a.m., and that's what I would do. Any questions I had would be answered later.

I turned off my lights and climbed into bed, ready to sleep, not before wondering about the voice again, feeling like I was meant to know her or had heard it somewhere.

I was running through the forest, chasing a deer. The thrill of the chase always made me heady—the way the leaves rustled behind me and the way the wind slapped my face. I didn't want to kill it, just chase it for the fun of it. I knew I wasn't meant to be out here by this time, but I just loved ticking him off. I knew he was probably looking for me now and about to tear his head off.

I continued the chase until the deer abruptly stopped. I moved closer, wanting to see what had made it so terrified, and then I saw Him.

I woke up to the shrill sound of the alarm, annoyed that it had stopped me from seeing his face again.

I had been having this dream for as long as I could remember, and I had questions I had no answers to.

Why was I in the forest chasing a deer? Was it a dream or just a figment of my imagination? Why did I feel so happy yet afraid at the thought of him?

I hurried off my bed to get ready, dashing into the bathroom for a quick shower and putting on my clothes. I tried to comb my hair, but it kept tangling, so I just gave up and packed it. I applied some lip gloss, and then I was good to go.

I went down the stairs and met my dad with his hand on the wall. It seemed like he was reminiscing about memories and stuff.

"Dad, if you don't want us to go, we don't have to. I don't know why I have to spend my birthday somewhere else."

He turned around, startled.

"We are going, and it is final. You need all the help you can get."

The relief I felt at his statement was a revelation to me. Why did I want to go that much? And also, what did I need help with? But I knew he wouldn't answer my questions. My father could be pretty hardheaded sometimes.

I just hummed and hauled my suitcase out the door and into the car.

My dad entered the car, and then we drove off. I turned to look back at the house that had been my home for as long as I could remember, and I felt relief instead of sadness. It was as if my wait was finally over, as if I could finally be happy.

"Those are just your residual emotions from over the years. Don't worry, you will understand better soon."

I turned to look at my dad and asked, "Dad, did you say something?"

He shook his head, confirming what I had already known. It was the girl's voice again, and this time I heard it loud and clear—a full sentence, not just a word or chuckle. I was beginning to think I was going crazy.

We drove on and on for hours till we started leaving civilization and getting close to a place filled mostly with woods and forests. I saw houses, though, but they were getting fewer and fewer.

And then we got to this town. It said Hardenville on the signpost. From then on, I could see little cottages everywhere, small children running around, and the air was filled with happiness. There was this buzz inside me; I felt so at peace.

It was more like the town was surrounded by forest because, outside the cottages, the only thing I could see was the woods.

My dad kept driving till we got to this huge mansion with vines everywhere. It was beautiful, and I felt the beckoning of my soul to this place.

This is where I was meant to be.