The Girl Called Pyra Foster
925 Words
Sixteen years had passed since the fall of the Kingdom of Emberyln.
Far away from burning castles, dragons, and royal thrones, life had taken a very different path for the lost princess.
Louise, the queen’s former maid, had done exactly what Queen Mirabel asked of her. She had protected the child with everything she had.
Years earlier, Queen Mirabel had approved a man she trusted to help Louise raise the child if they ever had to live outside the kingdom. That man was Ken Foster.
Louise and Ken had married soon after arriving in the human world.
To everyone around them, they were just an ordinary couple.
And the baby they raised was simply their daughter.
Her name was Pyra Foster.
Pyra grew up believing Louise and Ken were her real parents. She never questioned it. To her, they were the only family she had ever known.
But their life had never been stable.
They were always moving.
One city.
Another town.
Another country.
Every few years—sometimes every few months—they packed their bags and left.
Louise was always careful. Always watching. Always thinking ahead.
She had learned long ago that Lord Fedrah would never stop searching for the Firestone heir.
And so she stayed one step ahead of the hunters.
Every time she felt even the smallest sign of danger, she would move them again.
Sometimes she would say Ken had gotten a new job.
Sometimes she would say the rent had become too expensive.
Other times she would simply say they wanted a fresh start somewhere new.
Pyra never questioned it.
She trusted them completely.
And Louise was determined to keep it that way.
Now Pyra was sixteen years old.
She had grown into a bright, curious girl with a sharp mind and a warm heart. She was extremely intelligent and learned things much faster than most people her age.
But one thing about Pyra always caught people’s attention.
Her hair.
It was a deep, striking shade of red.
Not the kind that came from sunlight or genetics.
It looked almost like living flame.
That night, Louise and Ken sat quietly in their small living room after dinner while Pyra finished packing some things in her room.
Ken leaned back in his chair.
“She’s sixteen now,” he said quietly.
Louise nodded.
“Yes.”
Ken looked toward the hallway that led to Pyra’s bedroom.
“She needs a normal life, Louise.”
Louise sighed softly.
“I know.”
“We can’t keep moving forever.”
Ken nodded.
“She deserves friends… school… a chance to live like other kids.”
Louise thought for a moment before finally agreeing.
“Alright.”
“The school in town starts tomorrow.”
Ken smiled slightly.
“You’re really going to let her go?”
Louise looked toward the window for a moment, as if searching the darkness outside.
Then she nodded.
“Yes.”
“She’s ready.”
A few minutes later, Pyra came running into the room.
“So?” she asked excitedly.
Louise smiled gently.
“You start school tomorrow.”
Pyra’s eyes lit up instantly.
“Really?!”
Ken laughed.
“Really.”
Pyra jumped forward and hugged both of them.
“This is amazing!”
“I’ve always wanted to go to a real school!”
Louise laughed softly, though there was worry hidden behind her smile.
“Well, you better get used to waking up early.”
Pyra grinned.
“I don’t care! I just want to meet people my age.”
Ken shook his head with a smile.
“You’re definitely your mother’s daughter.”
Louise stood up and gently placed a hand on Pyra’s shoulder.
“Pyra… there’s something important you need to remember.”
Pyra looked at her curiously.
“What is it?”
Louise hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“If anyone asks about your hair…”
Pyra blinked.
“My hair?”
“Yes,” Louise said. “Tell them you dyed it.”
Pyra frowned slightly.
“But… why?”
Louise forced a calm smile.
“Because people can be… curious. And sometimes curiosity brings trouble.”
Pyra still looked confused.
“But why should I lie?”
Louise stepped closer and gently held her hands.
“Pyra… do you trust me?”
Pyra nodded immediately.
“Of course I do.”
“And do you love me and your dad?”
Pyra smiled warmly.
“More than anything.”
Louise nodded softly.
“Then just do this for me.”
Pyra thought about it for a moment before finally shrugging.
“Okay.”
“If it makes you happy.”
She leaned forward and hugged both Louise and Ken tightly.
“Goodnight, Mom.”
“Goodnight, Dad.”
Then she headed toward her bedroom.
“Don’t stay up too late!” Ken called after her.
Pyra laughed from the hallway.
“No promises!”
A few minutes later, the house became quiet.
Louise stood in the living room, staring at the hallway where Pyra had disappeared.
Ken noticed the worried look on her face.
“What is it?”
Louise spoke quietly.
“Sixteen years…”
Ken nodded.
“She’s safe.”
Louise looked toward the window again.
“I hope you’re right.”
Upstairs, Pyra lay in her bed staring at the ceiling, excited about her first day of school.
She had no idea that her life was about to change.
And she had no idea that somewhere far away…
Someone was still looking for her.
- Writer
