episode 2
1101 Words
The train came to a stop, and just like everyone else, Auria got off and proceeded to the road to get a cab.
She had the cap of her sweater over her head and kept her gaze on the floor.
19-year-old Auria was one strange girl. She was beautiful, with piercing blue eyes, and often acted unpredictably.
Her life had been rough, growing up in a polygamous household. Her mother died when she was seven, leaving her and her sister to face their impossible father and stepmother.
Her sister — Mira — had left home years ago after a bitter conflict with their father. She told only Auria where she was going. But a few days ago, Auria realized she could no longer stay behind; she needed to leave too.
Her hands were buried in her sweater pockets as she walked, finally reaching the roadside. It was almost evening.
She boarded a cab, keeping her cardigan cap tightly over her head.
“Wow! Nice eyes you’ve got,” the woman beside her said, and Auria cringed.
She thought of saying thanks but instead covered her cap further and stared out the window. She hated talking to strangers.
The rest of the drive was silent, save for the FM playing softly. Auria barely noticed it, lost in her thoughts — about her life, her sister, and the family she had left behind.
All she wanted was to be far away from them, hoping they would never find her.
When she reached her destination, she asked the cabby in a low, gruff voice to stop. She got off, paid him in cash, and continued walking. She knew she couldn’t have him take her any closer — this was restricted territory.
Lowering her head, bag slung around her neck and hands lost in her trouser pockets, she moved carefully. To a stranger, she might have seemed suspicious, yet striking.
Finally, she reached the restricted area, moving through thick bushes with no clear plan. The tall, imposing building loomed above the forest-like surroundings. Just as she approached, they appeared.
“Stop right there!” a husky voice barked from behind. Auria froze.
She could hear multiple footsteps.
The c*****g of a gun followed, yet she did not move. She wasn’t planning to attack; these were their grounds, and she was trespassing.
“Raise your hands above your head and turn around… slowly,” another voice instructed. Auria lifted her hands but did not turn immediately.
“Who are you? And what do you want?” the first boy demanded. She slowly turned.
“My name is Auria. I’m looking for my sister,” she said, meeting the gaze of the men surrounding her.
They were boys, not men.
The first boy exchanged glances with the others before speaking again.
“Who’s your sister?”
“Mira,” she replied.
“Mira?” the boy repeated. Silence fell for a moment.
“Why are you looking for her?” he asked. Auria hesitated.
“I… I want to see her,” she whispered, swallowing hard.
The boys exchanged another silent signal. The first boy gestured for her to move, directing her with the gun. She complied, walking ahead without fear — though she felt uneasy with them behind her.
They emerged from the bushes and reached the main gate, opened from the inside. Auria’s eyes widened at the sight of the sprawling complex. It was massive, comprised of multiple buildings, and bustling with life.
Cars moved along the grounds; boys and girls walked around, some smoking.
Auria felt oddly safe among them — she could sense they were like her… supernatural.
They escorted her into one of the buildings. As they passed a hallway, they came across a cheering crowd.
In the center, two people were wrestling on the floor. The crowd’s noise made it hard to see clearly.
As the fight ended, one of the competitors rose — and Auria realized it was her sister.
“Mira!” she almost called out, stopping herself.
Mira, victorious, turned to the cheers of her friends. Her eyes met Auria’s — wide with surprise.
“Auria?” Mira gasped, rushing forward.
The crowd parted, murmuring at the sudden appearance of a stranger.
“She’s your sister?” one of the boys asked.
“Yes,” Mira confirmed, grasping her sister’s hand.
“What are you doing here?” Mira cooed.
“I… I came to see you,” Auria said timidly.
“You brought a stranger into the building?” a girl snapped, referring to the boys who had escorted Auria.
“She said she was looking for her sister,” one boy replied.
“It doesn’t matter. What if she’s a spy? Master Kael would punish you for this,” another warned.
Mira studied her sister’s face and sensed something was wrong. Then she turned to the others.
“Don’t worry. I’ll speak with her,” she said.
“She should leave. If Master Kael finds her here, it could be deadly,” one boy said.
“Let’s go,” Mira muttered, taking Auria’s hand. Together, they retreated to a separate room.
Mira took Auria away from the scene, far into her room which she shared with another girl.
As soon as they entered, Mira slammed the door and stood face-to-face with her sister.
“Auria,” she called breathlessly, pulling her into a hug. Oh, she had been longing to do that.
Auria sighed as she returned the warm embrace. She had missed being in her sister’s arms.
They held each other for a long moment before pulling apart.
“How’ve you been? How’s Dad?” Mira asked. Auria nodded quickly.
“He’s fine,” she replied.
Mira smiled and took Auria’s bag. As she opened it, Auria’s eyes wandered around the small but cozy room.
“Where did you get this money?” Mira asked quickly as she found the bundle inside.
“I… stole it,” Auria shrugged.
Mira scoffed. “Seriously? Why?”
“I… I needed money to come here. I didn’t have anything on me,” she replied quickly, speaking in her usual fast, nervous rhythm.
Mira shook her head and tossed the money onto the bed.
“You hungry?” she asked. Auria shook her head at first, then nodded.
Mira chuckled and led her to sit on the bed while she went to get some food. She returned with a pack of chocolate pops.
“Thank you,” Auria mumbled, collecting it and starting to munch.
Mira sat on a small stool in front of the bed, watching her.
- Writer
