Forbidden Throne Of Revenge

Chapter 2 (Welcome back indeed)

Standing before that unfamiliar environment, Oakwood Academy, a boarding school. I tilted my head up to the massiveness of the building before me. My gaze left the building to take in my surroundings. So this is where Astrid went to school? Partetic. Ignoring the stolen glance at me from a few students who walked by, murmuring to themselves, my mother got out of the car as well to stand by my side. The shock in the students' eyes at seeing me again. Standing in this very same school compound, the one that I died.

It took my father 3 hours to finally agree to my request to take Astrid's place and two months to get me ready to be Astrid. I didn't blame him. I may look exactly like my twin sister, but I am nothing like her. Astrid is what one would consider soft, gentle, and kind. She is the best between the two of us, and I knew it. I, on the other hand, was different, but as my father would put it, I was a monster that needed taming.

I was 5 years old when I snapped a bird's neck because it pricked my finger while I was trying to feed it. It had no manners. My parents at first took it as child's play until I buried our dog's puppy alive because that b***h bit Astrid's arm. The dog hurt what was mine, and I returned the favour. It was a fair game, but my parents didn't take it lightly.

At that age, the doctor had already diagnosed me as having traits of a psychopath, and if not attended to immediately, I would become very dangerous when I got older. Funny. My father was down for the idea at first, but a mother can never let her child go that easily. So they held back.

I was 7 when our nanny spilled hot water on Astrid's body, leaving her with a permanent scar. Everyone called it an accident, but I saw through her intention. It was no accident, so I took matters into my own hands and stabbed those same hands with a table knife when she was serving us food. And that did it. I was sent away, locked up in the hospital for treatment until I turned 10 years old. I wasn't getting better. How would I get better? I was treated like an animal in the hospital.

My mother couldn't take the harsh treatment anymore and took me away to live with my grandfather in Germany. After that, I was announced dead in a fake accident. All to save the family's image. My father's doing.

I love my grandpa. He never saw me as a monster, unlike my father. Instead, he said I have very terrible anger issues that need working on. So, instead of turning my anger on living things and hurting myself. He taught me to direct it to labour, boxing, demolishing stuff, beating up the s**t out of criminals. What was even more fun was that my grandfather was into some underground s**t, and he put me through the entire business. I didn't need to go to high school. Never wanted to, but here I am.

There was one person I loved the most before anyone else, before my mother, and that was Astrid. She is my sister, my twin, mine!! And she was taken away from me.

''Astrid?'' My mother called me by my new name as I felt her fingers lace mine. Gentle. Just like Astrid, the two were so much alike. I looked in her direction to meet her eyes. Those ice-blue eyes. We looked like our mother, but our eyes were from my damn father. plain brown. '' Are you ready?''

'' Yes'' I responded with a nod. My mother led me through the stairs and straight to the admin building. Doing my best to ignore the eyes of students and staff. Some carried a face of confusion and shock as if they had thought I would die, others looked apologetic and some scared. Probably wondering if I was a ghost.

The news of Astrid being alive but suffering a head injury was released after two days of waiting, tension. Many students may still find it hard to believe because they would claim to know what they saw.

Sitting quietly in the principal's office. My gaze travelled through the classical office, which was covered in well-crafted wooden furniture. '' Astrid'' my mother's whisper came in, calling me out of my thoughts. I turned to look at her, and she still had those worries in her eyes. Not scared that I would get caught, but scared that I would get hurt just like my sister did '' Are you sure you will be fine?''

'' I can handle myself, mama'' whispering back reluctantly, exhausted from trying to persuade her.

'' You can till back down now and claim that you want to be homeschooled, I can talk to your father''

'' I have no interest in school, mama. I want to find the person behind this''

'' Ok then,'' she forced a smile. '' You remember what I taught you? Astrid doesn't shut, Astrid doesn't....'' I cut her off.

'' Astrid doesn't get violent, Astrid is kind, Astrid is an excellent student and one of the top 5 in the school... bla,bla,bla'' rolled my eyes. She has been saying those words to me since I started preparing to be Astrid.

'' And, most importantly, Akira, Astrid doesn't curse''

'' And what if some b***h tries to step on my toes?''

'' No one dares to step on Astrid's toes, Akira. Do you realize the family you come from, who would dare''

'' Family background doesn't matter if one shows weakness, and by all you have been saying about Astrid, she made herself a prey in this school''

''Nonsense!!'' My mother snaps, raising her voice. The moment she realized it, she looked around to be sure she wasn't heard before going back to whispering '' Astrid has so many friends, Akira. No one would want to hurt her'' I rolled my eyes for the hundredth time today. Yet a soul as amazing as that was killed. Very funny. There is no point arguing with my mother.

The door suddenly opened, and that face I had read so much about during preparation walked in. A lady in her early forties walked in with a warm smile. Her hair is styled in a very tight bun, and she was dressed upright and professionally.

As expected from Principal Evelyn Brown. First daughter of Steeven Brown, who has been heading this school for the past 8 years and just 3 months ago Steeven Brown died, leaving her to finally claim ownership of the school. This caused a bit of speculation because people had thought he would give it to his only son. I guess the man knows what he is doing and does not give a damn about gender, and gives credit to anyone who deserves it.

''Miss Harrington'' she spoke with gentleness in her tone and open arms. My mother stands up with a smile.

'' Evelyn dear,'' the two exchanged hugs and pulled away.

'' How have you been? It is so nice to see you again, and Astrid dear'' She opened her arms again, and I raised an eyebrow at her. Am I supposed to hug her?

'' Yes?'' I asked, confused, and my mother kicked my leg, then flashed a disapproving glance. I wasn't told in the briefing that I was familiar with the principle, so why do I have to hug her?

'Get up', my mother mouthed. Seriously. I pushed myself up reluctantly and walked towards her. She immediately wraps her arms around me, rocking me from side to side.

'' You have no idea how happy I am to see you again... I feared what would happen to you that day'' she spoke with the most gentle tone as she held me tight, but I didn't hug her back. I am not sure if I need to. She finally pulled away. Both hands on my shoulder ''Let me look at you'' Her eyes studied my face, searching. She searches for something I don't know. ''Hh'' she breathes out '' I am so proud of you for surviving. You are a very strong girl'' I bit my lower lip. If only, if only my sister had survived, it would be a different story now.

'' I am happy to be back'' I forced a smile '' Just that my memory is ruined. I can't remember so many things''

'' So I heard, but you will be fine. Your friends and classmates have been waiting for your resumption. Welcome back, dear'' she says, and I nod. Welcome back indeed.