Pretty Predator

Chapter 6: Meadow

Something was wrong. Someone needed me. I could feel it, but I did not know who. My connection with that person felt almost nonexistent, but it was there, and it kept bugging me. I stopped pacing, took my phone, and searched the human world map. I was powerful, and I was certain that with my powers, I could figure out where that person was. After a while, I realized that my powers were not working on my phone, so I went to my father’s study. I had no time to waste; that person urgently needed my help because, according to the dream, danger was already lurking in the shadows. When I entered my father’s study, no one was there, which I was thankful for. I searched for the map and found it in a drawer by the desk. I could not risk anyone finding me there and seeing what I wanted to do, so I ran back to my room. I placed the map on top of my study table and traced my fingers all over it. After a while, I felt a tingle on my fingertips, and a small part of the map turned blue. I looked at the map and, I had found my person.

“I am coming to save you,” I whispered.

***

It was now or never; I was going to do it. I looked at all my family members around the table and decided to ask my dad right there. It was dinner time, and everyone was present.

“Dad, I have something to ask you.” He looked at me suspiciously

“Go ahead.”

“I want to go to the human realm.” I blurted out before I could change my mind.

“No.” Instead of my dad replying, my older brother Christopher did.

“Why not?” I asked him.

“I agree with your brother. You are not going there. It is not safe.” My dad replied. Why were they replying for each other?

“Exactly.” Christopher continued. I looked at my mom, and she just shrugged, great.

“I want to explore, guys. I do not want to be stuck here for the rest of my life, and it is not like I will be gone forever; it will be just for a couple of months. This place offers me nothing. I am homeschooled, have no friends, and all I do every day is study and then deal with your second wife.” I said, glaring at my stepmother, and she rolled her eyes.

“Don’t worry, everyone, she loves me, and that is why she is always talking about me.” She said with a smirk.

“You wish,” I mumbled.

“Quiet!” Father shouted, and I turned my attention to him.

“My word is final, Meadow. You are not going there. That realm is dangerous, and it is no place for my angel. I hope you understand," Father said, then left the table, ending any further discussions on the topic. I was still staring at his retreating figure. I had to leave this place, and I would do it even if it meant leaving without permission. After all, I was the great and powerful princess of Melodia, and no portal would ever be strong enough to restrict me in my endeavors.

“Mom?” I called out to her.

“I am sorry, angel, but I must agree with your father. I can not afford to lose you, and that is why I can not allow you to go to the human world. Now, if you will all excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to.” She said before elegantly walking away. By pressing matters, she probably meant hosting a teacup, which apparently was more important than her daughter.

“I get why they are concerned, but I still feel like it is only fair that you are given a chance to explore, and I can also accompany you.” My twin brother Jayden said after my mother had left the room. Jayden and I were one; we understood each other, and he would do absolutely anything to make me happy. I smiled at him in gratitude.

“Stop it, you two. No one is going anywhere, and it is final,” my dad’s second-born, Frank, said. We dropped the topic for now because I was not going to let it go. I was going to pester them until they agreed. Christopher and Frank were alike in many ways. They were both strict and quiet, and they shared a mutual love for our family. My father’s first wife had five children: Christopher, Frank, Charlie, Alexander, and Suki. Christopher was the oldest, followed by Frank, and Charlie, Alexander, and Suki were fifth, sixth, and seventh born. The second wife had two children, Fillan and Faesy, who were the third and fourth in the family. Then my mom had three kids, Jordan, Jayden, and me, the youngest of the family. All my brothers loved me regardless of who their mother was; not even that woman, Marcia, could manage to turn her sons against their siblings.

“Fillan and Faesy, can I please have a word?” I said to my brothers, I called those two specifically because the three of us were the mischievous ones in the family. We made things happen, and we were convincing when we wanted something, so for now, I was going to recruit these two into my team, and things would flow from there.

“Of course, Angel,” Faesy said. In my room, we sat on top of the bed.

“I want to go to the human world,” I told them.

“Dad and your deputy parent have already said no, and even the third mother is against it,” Fillan said and looked at Faesy, who nodded.

“Yes, I was there, and I heard everything, but my dear brothers, this is a matter of life or death. I must be there as soon as possible. Please help me.” I folded my hands and batted my huge eyes at them.

“That will not work on us. We are not Christopher,” Faesy said, laughing, and he was right, Christopher was the only one who succumbed to my cute eye-batting. He might look hard on the outside, but he has a soft heart and a soft spot for me. He was a marshmallow. “But I also want to go to the human world, so I am in.” Faesy continued. I did not want to embark on this journey with anyone, but at this point, I had no choice. Even if my father hired a hundred people to come with me to protect me, I would agree in a heartbeat. What mattered to me now was getting there. I looked at Fillan, waiting for his response.

“Tell me why you want to go there, Angel?” Fillan asked, and I smiled.

“Well, I want to experience what it is like to be human. I want to make friends and see what that world has to offer that we lack here in Melodia. So basically, what I want is to do some research about human beings and how their world operate, and I can only do that by living among them for a while.” I lied, well, technically I was not lying because I was very curious about mortals and their lifestyles.

“You don’t have to convince me any further. I will help you, but only if you let me accompany you on this journey.” Fillan said, and I mentally rolled my eyes. At this rate, there will be no princes left to take care of this kingdom.

“I am also sold.” Ugh, there he goes again with one of his phrases. I wonder where he gets them. I grinned at him and gave him a thumbs-up.

“Of course, you can also come with. I don’t mind the company.” I lied through my teeth. I minded not because my brothers made bad company, but because they would always be guarding me, and what I yearned for the most was freedom.

“Let us plan everything tomorrow. I am tired right now, so Faesy and I are just going to leave. Good night.”

“Good night. I love you.” I told them.

“We love you too.” They said simultaneously and then left my room. I was not feeling sleepy yet, so I took a book, one I had not read yet, but I had fetched from the library a week ago, it was titled Melodia. By just seeing the title, I knew it was about the kingdom, the culture, and the landscapes. I loved these kinds of books because I liked learning about different cultures. The last book I read was about the culture of South Korea, and yes, I even ventured into the human realm books; I also read one about Africa, and it felt like a beautiful place. I found them very interesting, even though some were cringe. I lay on the bed and started reading. I was only on the fifth page of the book when someone knocked on the door.

“You may enter,” I called out, and my brother sauntered in. Jayden threw himself on the bed and got under the blanket. I shook my head and left my room, headed for Jayden’s room. When I arrived, I looked around and found the big scary monster that scared my brother. It was only a lizard, and it was outside; you could only see it through the window. I closed the window and then left his room. I entered my room and then went to bed.

“Is it gone?” He asked.

“No, but I closed the window,” I told him.

“It does not matter. I’m still going to see it.” He mumbled, and I kissed his cheek.

“Good night, dear brother,” I said.

“Good night, my beautiful twin.” I smiled at that; he was so extra sometimes. This has always been happening for as long as I can remember. At first, my mom was against it, but she gave up because Jayden kept coming to my room instead of one of his brothers' rooms. I honestly did not mind. I did not like seeing my brother in distress, and I would do anything to protect him, even if it was from harmless insects or reptiles. I put my book down, switched off the lights so it would not disturb my brother, and then went to sleep.

When I woke up in the morning, I found a tray of food on my table, and I saw my brother Suki trying to wake Jayden up. Suki was the romantic one in the family. He sometimes made breakfast in bed for the ladies, and he bought us flowers, chocolates, and all that cute stuff, so when I wanted something cute, I knew where to go.

“Good morning,” I said while sitting up in bed.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.” He said, and I furrowed my brows.

“Jayden is the sleepyhead,” I told him, and he laughed.

“I know, right? I have been trying to wake him up for a while now, but there is no response.” He said, feeling exasperated.

“Maybe he is dead.” I laughed and then sprinkled water on Jayden’s face.

“I am going to kill you, Meadow.” He said, slowly opening his eyes. I looked at Suki.

“It always does the trick.” I winked at him, and he laughed.

“Thank you for the breakfast, by the way, brother.”

“It is my pleasure. Now eat and get ready for the day. I will get this one out of your hair.” I smiled at that, and Jayden looked at my food and then at Suki.

“Where is my food?” He asked while making a face as if he wanted to cry, and I laughed at him.

“Unfortunately for you, you were born a boy; otherwise, you would have such privileges,” I told him, and he pouted.

“That is not fair.” He said, and I rolled my eyes. What a baby.

“Come on. Your food is downstairs. I will even serve you myself if you want.” Suki said.

“Yes,” Jayden shouted and then they left my room. I ate my breakfast in peace and then got ready for the day.