Confusion
1018 Words
Amber's POV
The early morning sun had just risen in the blue sky and it illuminated the lonely path, bathing it in a warm yellow glow. A wide grin spread on my face as I strolled down the rough path leading me home. How such a rough night ended on a good note surprised me but it made me far happier.
Memories of the night before conjured in my head and almost immediately a blush spread across my cheeks. I wrapped my arms around myself, inhaling the cool morning breeze.
A part of me wished I could be alone with Zeus again. I wanted to feel safe. Secure. Loved.
I pinched myself to stop the daydream.
As I neared home, the familiar tracks were a subtle reminder that I needed to face reality.
I racked my brain hard for an excuse as to why I did not spend my night at home and why I didn't have the money Sandra sent me to receive on me. I had misplaced it while trying to escape from my abductor.
I thought of telling them the truth that I was almost kidn*pped but I knew my family members well. No one would believe me. I released a pent-up sigh when I reached the end of the path and braced myself up for the worst.
Just two days ago I was starved of food because I went to bed without completing the house chores which Sandra and her sister, Clara never helped me with. I wondered just what punishment awaited me this time around but for sure I knew that it would be worse.
I raised my head, beholding our house a few steps from me. I gulped hard and took slow strides toward it. With each step I took, my heartbeats thumped in my chest.
In a few seconds, I came face to face with the brown lacquered door I had known for twenty years. However, a frown creased on my face when I noticed something. It was slightly open which was unusual. We never left the door open. It was a known rule in the house.
I pushed the door back and hastened my steps through the dimly lit entryway. Scanning the room, I could sense an odd feeling. Were we robbed or attacked?
"Papa." I called out but no one replied.
I twirled around the room in panic. This wasn't the welcome I had anticipated. Every single thought of Zeus evaporated from my head immediately and my senses swung into action.
Something wasn't right and I knew it. My guts never failed me. If we were robbed, my father would have put up a struggle using some
I had felt it from the moment I saw the door open. I just hoped they were safe. Even though they didn't treat me nicely, they still had a special place in my heart because they would always be family to me. And I had learned to cope with them.
My brows knitted in confusion when I saw a piece of paper beneath a water-filled tumbler on the center table. I took slow strides towards it while darting my eyes around the empty living area frantically.
"Is anybody home?"
My question reverberated through the walls giving me my answer - No one was home. I grabbed the folded paper and yanked it open. Evident confusion was etched all over my face and with quivering lips I read out two words boldly scribbled on it.
Goodbye, Amber.
Under normal circumstances, I should have been happy that I was finally free from my father who treated me just like the Pack members did as if it was my fault I was a byblow. Or my stepmother who never ceased to dish out slaps daily because she chose to see faults in all I did. Or my step sisters who were mean to me they even gossiped about me to their friends in the Pack.
But the reverse was the case. Nervousness nipped at the base of my spine and dread filled my innards. I dropped the paper and dashed to my father's room in a hurry to find out exactly what was going on.
I pushed the door back and was faced with an empty room. Not a single box of clothing was in their room. A creepy feeling roiled in my lower pit.
Clutching the hems of my gown, I ran to Sandra's room. It was empty too.
My shoulders hung low in despair. I was troubled that they would punish me for doing what I had never done before - spending the night outside but not a single soul was home. Where did they go?
That question hung on my mind as I retreated to my room. I dashed to my closet and started arranging my things into a small box. I could always get answers later but for now, I needed to leave. But where would I go?
I heard the front door open causing me to pause what I was doing. Relief coursed through my heart and I ran out thinking that it was my family. Maybe they pulled a prank on me. That I could live with.
My brows arched in further confusion and the sight before me paused my strides.
Three guards stared at me with angry glazed eyes. I could sense their fury and it made me wonder what I had done to them but before I could open my mouth to speak. His next words left me shocked.
"You are needed at the Palace right away." The tall burly looking unsmiling guard who led them in said as if those words couldn't cause deep fear in me.
Pack members were never summoned to the Palace except if something bad had happened.
"Take her away." He ordered the two guards behind him and immediately they heralded me side by side and dragged me out of the house with force.
I couldn't struggle because I was too dazed. What exactly was going on? Why was I needed at the Palace? And most importantly Where were my family members?
- Writer
