Nia: Betrothed Luna

“Nia, Nia….it’s time for you to wake up” I hear my father Nix state through gritted teeth. I lazily sit up and look at my alarm clock. “Dad it’s 3 a.m. we don’t normally go on our run until 5 a.m. is everything okay?” I ask a little alarmed since I realize the time. “Everything is fine baby girl but today is your birthday and your Mother Sphinx and I need to have a serious conversation with you. Due to my tiredness and the time I had completely forgotten that today was my sixteenth birthday. I switch my nightlamp on and glance at my father. You wouldn’t believe that he was forty by looking at him. He had a crescent tribal tattoo that took up the left side of his torso, he was extremely fit and his hair was always faded against his caramel skin. “You and Mom want to have a conversation with me at 3 a.m. Dad?” “No,” he swiftly replied, we want to have a conversation with you after your run. Now get up and get ready and Nia.” “Yes,” I ask still a little alarmed due to his grim facial expression. “No shorts today, running pants and a long sleeve running shirt understood?” “Yes father! I’ll meet you out front in ten.” I state as I rise up out of bed. A bit odd I think to myself as I begin to dress. It isn’t like my father to wake me up early; especially not on my birthday. He also dictated what I should wear on this run and he has never done that. I know something is wrong because he is normally kind and gentle towards me yet all I saw on his face this morning was sincere concern. I make my way to the front of the house and I freeze in place. “Sol what are you doing here?” I ask my older brother. “Aren’t you supposed to be at school?” Sol is my twenty-year-old brother who is currently attending a private university in the south with my other brother who happens to be his twin Mitchell. They are both spitting images of my father; except Sol got the same tattoo my father has the day after he turned sixteen. Mitchell just got a crescent moon on his left pectoral. “You really think I would miss your birthday baby girl?” he says as he walks towards me. “No, but studies are extremely important…I would have understood” I say as I lunge at him grinning. Just then Mitchell walks up looking worried. “It is time” he states as my father and him start leading me towards the back of the house. “Father!” I ask getting a little shaken. “Why are we heading towards the forbidden woods?” “The woods are no longer forbidden as of today Nia but I must give you a word of advice for today’s challenge. That is if you would like it.” He says as he faces my brothers. “Advice? Not forbidden? Dad we have lived beside these woods my entire life and you have always told me to stay away from them. So, exactly what has changed overnight? If I do recall correctly I was reprimanded the day you found me trying to climb over this exact fence not too long ago yet here we are standing before it; you of all people telling me it is okay to climb over this metallic fence and face whatever awaits me on the other side!” I ask bewildered that he is even considering sending me on the other side. I remember I was trying to climb it eight months ago because for the first time in fifteen years I had heard movement on the other side. Staring up at the fence now, I couldn’t imagine making it to the top. The metal bars were covered in thick vines, so dense that I was unable to see through them and glancing above all I could see were trees that went on for miles. “Alright, so what’s my challenge Dad? Making it to the top of the fence? If so, it may take some time but know that I will succeed in any obstacle you throw my way. I mean that is why you’ve been training me my whole life right?” I ask feeling a lot less confident than I looked, “and yes, I would like any advice you wish to give.” “Okay, Nia I need you to focus and run…promise me that no matter what you hear you will run. You have two hours to make it to the other side, do you hear me no a minute more Nia this obstacle is life or death we cannot help you in there but you are right I have been training you for this moment.” “Life or death!” I bellow. “Life or death Dad what is going on?” I ask questioningly. When I receive no response, I look at Mitchell who looks worried and Sol who appears as confident as ever. “Well,” Sol says. “My sweet loving sister it is time.” Just then the floor began to tremble as the gate swiftly came down and lay before my feet. I stare into the forest before me and all I see is darkness with small glimmers of light. The trees had a magical aura about them that seemed to send me into a short trance. “Sixteen years and I am just finding out that this can move? Is there anything else you wish to tell me Dad?” I screech as I turn around. How did I walk past the entry way, I ask myself as I am now aware that I am inside of the Forbidden Forest? I quickly turn around to walk back to my family just to feel the trembles once again. The fence… it’s rising once again. “Dad! Dad! Please don’t leave me in here I scream as I run towards the closing structure. “Nia, I need you to focus baby girl and remember to run!” he states right before I find myself in this immense darkness that oddly felt like impending doom. **I will try my best to post a new chapter every night or every other night! This is my first story that I post so please let me know your thoughts! Thank you for reading and I hope you liked it!!