BORN OF TWO WORLDS

"You're not doing this, Phina." The words cut through the heavy silence like a blade. The young woman standing by the window didn't respond immediately. Her fingers instinctively curled over the gentle swell of her stomach as she stared out at the moonlit sky beyond the castle walls. She could hear her own heartbeat, loud enough to drown out every other sound in the room. Slowly, she closed her eyes. "I have to." "No." The other woman shook her head firmly. "No, you don't." A faint, bitter smile touched Phina's lips. "I do." She finally turned around, her tear-filled eyes meeting the woman standing before her. "Because I love him." The room fell silent. The woman searched her face, hoping to find the slightest hint that she was joking. Instead, she saw certainty. Phina drew in a shaky breath before whispering the words she had been too afraid to say aloud. "...And I'm carrying his child." The colour drained from the woman's face. For several long seconds, she simply stared. Then she stumbled backwards. "No..." Her voice was barely audible. "No... no, Phina." She ran both hands through her hair, pacing across the room as panic settled into every part of her expression. "Please tell me this isn't true." "I'm sorry." "You don't have to apologise to me!" Her voice cracked. "Do you even realise what you've done?" Phina lowered her gaze. "I know." "No, you don't." Tears began to gather in the woman's eyes. "If they find out..." She stopped herself, unable to finish the sentence. She didn't have to. They both already knew. Silence settled between them once again. Phina let out a slow breath. "I'm scared." her voice trembled. "I'm terrified." For the first time that night, the anger vanished from the other woman's face. She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around Phina without another word. The embrace lasted only a few seconds before Phina finally broke. Tears rolled silently down her cheeks as she clung to the only person who had never judged her. "I don't want to leave," she whispered. "I know." "I don't want to lose my home." "I know." "But I can't leave him." The woman closed her eyes. She had known this conversation was coming. She just hadn't expected it to hurt this much. After a long moment, she gently pulled away and held Phina by the shoulders. "Then listen to me carefully." Phina nodded. "If you're going to leave..." Her voice faltered. "...leave tonight." "Don't wait until sunrise." "Don't tell anyone where you're going." "And whatever happens..." Fresh tears filled her eyes. "...don't ever come back." Phina bit her lower lip to stop herself from crying. "Thank you." The words came out almost as a whisper. She reached down, picked up the small travel bag resting beside the door and slowly walked towards it. Just before leaving, she paused. Turning back one last time, she managed a small, heartbreaking smile. "If fate is kind..." "...perhaps we'll meet again." Without waiting for an answer, she stepped through the doorway. The door closed softly behind her. The woman remained where she stood. ********************************* The sky rumbled. Without warning, a crimson bolt of lightning tore across the darkness, illuminating an ancient courtyard for the briefest of moments. A lone figure stood at its centre as another bolt descended. The impact forced the figure to their knees. A cry echoed through the storm and then another strike came. And another. Rain poured relentlessly from the heavens, washing crimson across the stone floor. Around the courtyard, silent figures stood motionless, their faces hidden beneath long dark cloaks. No one stepped forward. No one spoke. Only the storm delivered its judgment. The figure slowly struggled to stand once more. For a brief moment, they lifted their head toward the sky. Then... They smiled. Not with happiness. Not with victory. But with the quiet acceptance of someone who had already chosen their fate. One final bolt of lightning split the heavens. The world disappeared in blinding white and silence followed. A cold voice broke it. "Dispose of the body.” *********************************** "Urrgh, Dad! You're so annoying," she groaned, her soft Australian accent slipping through as she frowned at him. The older man chuckled warmly. "No," he replied, smiling as he gently pinched her cheek. "I'm just being very protective of my daughter. You know I can't afford to lose you." He turned and walked toward the car parked a few steps away, continuing to load the last of their luggage into the trunk. "I'm nineteen, for God's sake," she muttered, following behind him. "I can live in another city on my own." She folded her arms stubbornly, though she couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. Meanwhile, the man finished arranging the suitcases. He had already made up his mind that once his daughter settled into university in Florida, he would sell the house they had lived in for years back in Australia and move closer to her. The thought of leaving their old home behind wasn't easy, but being near his only child mattered more than anything else. "No more arguments," he said, patting her shoulder affectionately. "Get in the car. We'll be late for our flight." She let out an exaggerated sigh before opening the passenger door. "Ugh... I hate you." He laughed as he climbed into the driver's seat. "I love you too." Moments later, the engine came to life, and together they drove toward the airport, leaving behind the home they had always known. The drive to the airport was peaceful. The streets she had known since childhood passed by outside the window one after another. Every familiar corner, every café, every park, and every building reminded her that she was leaving the only place she had ever called home. Neither of them spoke much. They simply enjoyed each other's company, knowing that life was about to change. A few hours later, they arrived at the airport. After checking in their luggage and completing the necessary formalities, they boarded the plane. As the aircraft slowly lifted into the sky, she looked down through the window. Australia. Her home. She watched as the city grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared beneath the clouds. A quiet sigh escaped her lips. Mira's POV And that was how we left Australia. Australia is my home. It's where I was born, where I grew up, and where almost every memory I've ever made exists. Life there had always been good to me. Maybe it was because I was a celebrity dancer. Maybe it was because my dad was a medical doctor and we were financially stable. Or maybe I was simply lucky enough to have amazing friends and a wonderful life. Either way, I never really lacked anything. Of course, life wasn't perfect. There were difficult moments, just like everyone else, but I learned to live with them. Now, I was leaving all of those memories behind and moving to a completely different country where I knew absolutely no one. Everything felt like it was starting all over again. I didn't know whether to be excited or terrified. The university I would be attending was the same one my father had graduated from years ago, and apparently it had one of the best Tourism and Hospitality programmes in the country. So, for the next three or four years... Florida would be my new home. I only hoped it would eventually feel like one. The plane landed safely in New York later that day. Third person's pov After collecting their luggage, they boarded a train that would take them to Florida. She sat quietly by the window throughout the journey, resting her head against the glass as she admired the unfamiliar scenery rushing past. Everything looked so different. The towering buildings... The endless roads... The trees lining the streets... Even the atmosphere felt different from Australia. "It's so pretty," she whispered almost absent-mindedly, a small smile finding its way onto her face. Her dad Chris sitting opposite her looked out of the window before smiling. "It is." "And you'll love it here." She looked at him, smiling softly. "I hope so." He reached across the table and gently held one of her hands. "You know I love you, right?" She nodded. "I know." "I've always wanted the best for you, and I'd go to any length to make sure you have it." His smile widened. "You're one of the strongest and most talented young women I've ever known." She laughed softly. "Dad..." "No, let me finish." He squeezed her hand gently. "I believe the whole world will know your name one day." "So live your life to the fullest." "I'll always be behind you." Her eyes became watery. "Aww..." she laughed, trying to hide the emotion in her voice. "Thanks so much, Dad." She smiled brightly, revealing a perfect row of teeth. "I think coming with me was a bad idea." He frowned playfully. "And why is that?" "Because you're going to make me cry before school even starts." The two of them laughed together. Hours later, the train finally arrived in Florida. After getting off, they hailed a taxi and made their way to the house he had bought on Hendon Street, just a short distance from her university. As the taxi pulled into the driveway, her eyes widened. "Whoa, Dad... this place is nice." She stepped out of the car, slowly taking in the beautiful house before turning to admire the breathtaking view of the city beyond. "I told you you'd love it," he said proudly. "Pick any room on the right side and make yourself comfortable. School resumes in two days." She saluted playfully. "Roger that!" Laughing, she grabbed one of her bags and headed inside. But Just as she reached the doorway... She stopped. A strange feeling crept over her. It felt as though someone... —or something— was standing directly behind her. Slowly, she turned around. Nothing. The driveway was empty. Her father was still outside unloading the remaining luggage. She frowned. "Must be my imagination." She turned back toward the room. Then, instinctively, her eyes drifted downward. A shadow. It stretched across the floor unnaturally. It wasn't hers. And it didn't resemble the shadow of any normal human. Her heart skipped a beat.