Wysteria

Kayden and Sky

Ever since the shopping trip, I feel closer to Scarlett. We're spending more and more time together.. is this normal? i'm not sure.

"welcome to Evercrest Inn". I said " My name is Tera, how long will you be staying?"

"five days."

"wonderful. how many in your party?"

"there's three of us"

It's a day like any other, working at the inn always brings me joy. I don't think I can leave it now.. I don't want to..

"we must"

But I know Faye is right, I have a child to consider.. Could we really be safe here? What if he finds us? i have to keep moving.. But will I have to run for the rest of my life? the rest of their life? its not fair.

"life's not fair"

her words landed, upsetting my heart, though I know its true. nothing in my life has been fair. the loss of my mother, my fathers abuse, my pregnancy even.. but my life shouldn't reflect on my child.

"You are all set." I said. " allow me to show you your room, right this way."

I don't know when this child will be born, but I fear her life will be like mine if I stay.. and just as bad if I leave. Could we live happily hidden away somewhere? Could she be happy in a world of mortals? I once thought all supernatural beings were as bad as him.. Could I be wrong? After all, am I not supernatural,too?

"How are you feeling, Tera?"

Erin walks over, a gentle smile on her face. I didn't even realize i had returned to the desk.

"I'm fine" i say

"You sure?" she says "you seem different from your usual self today"

"I'm just.. lost in thought a little" I replied " I promise,, I'm fine."

"OK. Heads up."

She nods to the door where two people were entering the Inn. The first was a girl about 5'7 in height with long curly brown hair and green eyes wearing a black top, blue jeans, and black heels with a purse to match over her shoulder. Behind her was a tall and muscular man, about 6'2, with tanned skin and amazing abs.

"He's cute."

Faye's mind was caught by his looks, his dark black hair and his deep blue eyes. If I hadn't gone through what I had, I probably would agree with her on his appeal, but I can't.. but when his eyes meet mine, i feel as though i know him.. even though i know we've never met.

" Welcome to Evercrest Inn" i say "My name is Tera, how ca-"

the girl lets out an excited squeal and, before i could figure out what was going on, i was locked in her embrace.

"OMG" she says "YOUR her. Your Tera.. I'm so happy to finally meet you."

To say I'm confused is an understatement.. I'm far past confused. who is she? and why does she seem familiar?

"Kayden, Skylar"

I glanced towards Scarlett, hoping she might be able to tell me what's going on.. or at least help me out of this situation.

"What are you two doing here?" she asks " and what are you doing to Tera?"

"Relax mom, we aren't going to hurt her"

The boy spoke first.. did he just say.. Mom? i mean i knew she had kids but.. this is unexpected.

"We wanted to meet our new sister"

the girl spoke next, her voice a gentle chime. wait.. sister?

" You can't just randomly adopt another kid and expect us not to want to meet her."

I'm even more confused than before. Adopted? Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes has another kid? where?

"I've always wanted a sister" Skylar says, "now I have one."

She locks eyes with me, a smile on her face.

"We're going to be the best of friends, Tae." she says "Just watch."

wait.. me? I'm the adopted child they are referring to? but.. I'm not even.. SCARLETT! Help!

"skylar, release her this instant!"

Skylar seemed annoyed at her mother's demands, but did as told.

"I'm sorry for their behavior, Tera." Scarlett says, "both of you should be ashamed, springing yourselves on her.."

Listening to her scolding them made my heart feel a strange sense of warmth..

"I-It's fine." I say

I could understand where the misunderstanding came from. I'm getting closer to their parents.. but instead of hating me, they opened themselves up to me. They imagined my adoption into their family on their own accord and accepted it without issue.. not many would do such a thing. It's a sweet thought, even if they're wrong.

" They didn't adopt me." I say "I just work for them."

Even Scarlett seemed taken aback by this. How come? was what I said not the truth?

" Tera, you're more than an employee." Scarlett says, " your family. Kalen and I both feel this way.. you've gone through so much for someone your age.. stuff you never should have dealt with.. and you need to know your not alone anymore. you deserve a family."

what?

"And, we'd love to be that family" Kalen's voice came, " if you let us."

I turned to see Kalen standing in the doorway. Could I actually be hearing what I think I am? How do i respond to this kind of thing? Can it even be possible?

"No."

As if the conversation broke her out of her trance, Faye's voice rang out in my mind.

" It's not possible, Tera," she says. " I'm sorry."

"Faye?"

" I know you love it here.. and I know you love these people, I understand," she says " but it's not possible. We can't stay here, you know this. We have to keep moving... for their sake.. and for ours."

Her words weighed on my heart. I lost the chance for a normal life a long time ago.

"Then, why don't we stop running?" I said "What if we fight.. for this? We're strong enough, aren't we?"

" You want to fight the man who hurt you? Can you handle that?"

If she had asked me before, I'd have run as far away as I could.. but, bit by bit, I felt something changing inside me. I'm done running. This child deserves more than a life on the run.. She deserves a real life.

"If I'm with you, Faye," I replied, " I can do anything. We're forever, aren't we?"

"We are."

I felt sudden power forcing its way forward.. a long menacing howl was echoing in my head as if a pact was sealed between us. I will not run. I refuse to hide. This is my fight.. and I'm going to win it. We're going to win it.

Dallas' pov

I dug through the files, a flashlight in my hand. There has to be something, anything, in these files. A reason she disappeared.. a reason she apologized to me.. a reason I was the only one who recieved her goodbye. Wysteria, where are you? I need to know you're safe.. I need to know you're OK, Wysp.

" Master, I found something."

The little fire fairy flies over, a folder in her hold.

"It's not pretty, Master."

"Give it to me, Arla" I replied.

pretty or not, I had to see it. How bad could it be? I open the folder and my stomach turns, horror washing over me. Within the album were numerous X-rays.. taken through the years.. of broken bones. photos of large bruises and horrible burns. The more I looked at them, the more my heart broke.. Wysp..

" Oh no"

A page had fallen out of the folder before Arla, but upon lifting it, she dropped it and began to cry. I went to look at it but she took hold of it.

"Master musn't see this"

"Arla! Let go."

"I cannot," she says, "for your sake, I mustn't let you see this.. your darkness might.."

"ARLA!"

She flinches at my tone just enough to lose hold of the paper and I turned it over.. My heart shattered.. soon replaced with rage at the sheet before me. It was a breakdown sheet.. for a r**e kit. What happened to you, Wysp? And why didn't you call me?