Legends: Awakening of Secrets

New Beginnings

I felt the warmth on my face before I saw the red of my eyelids caused by the sun streaming through my window. I peeked through my lashes to see that the sun had just barely started rising. Confused as to why I was up so early my eyes slid to the analog clock on my wall to see that the hands read it was just barely after six in the morning.

I let out a gruff groan and flip onto my side away from the sun and closed my eyes to try and go back to sleep. I am homeschooled, so I didn’t even need to get out of bed until nine. After a few moments of not being able to fall back to sleep, I rolled onto my back and looked around my room. I noticed everything seemed dream-like, so I looked back at my clock and notice a normal amount of time had passed telling me I’m awake.

I sat up to get ready for the day, but I had to pause due to feeling light-headed. Once the feeling had subsided a bit, I got up and headed down my hallway to see if my dad was awake yet. I figured if he was awake, we could make breakfast together. I opened his bedroom and noticed it empty save for a packed suitcase on his bed. He must have gotten up due to another business trip. I left the room to check if he was making coffee and that was what woke me up.

He wasn’t in the kitchen, so I popped in some toast and pulled out the cinnamon and sugar to eat for breakfast. If he was leaving on a trip he generally wouldn’t be here very long. I grabbed a plate and set it next to the toaster while I waited for it to finish cooking.

“Hey dad, what time are you leaving today?” I called out rounding the corner to the living room and in my peripheral vision, I noticed something on the floor in the foyer. I went to check it out and as I got closer my heart got heavier. The image before me was horrific, I stifled a scream as I kneel next to my father. He laid in what appeared to be a puddle of his own blood, his wound hidden.

There was an envelope in his hand, slightly crumpled by his grip. I eased it out of his hand and turned it over, and as I pulled it out it appeared both sides were blank. Huh? What was this about? I stammered in my own thoughts.

I felt the warmth on my face before I saw the red of my eyelids caused by the sun streaming through my window. I peeked through my lashes to see that the sun had just barely started rising. Confused as to why I was up so early my eyes slid to the analog clock on my wall to see that the hands read it was just barely after six in the morning.

I let out a gruff groan and flip onto my side away from the sun and closed my eyes to try and go back to sleep. I am homeschooled, so I didn’t even need to get out of bed until nine. After a few moments of not being able to fall back to sleep, I rolled onto my back and looked around my room.

My eyes widen when the sleep fog cleared my mind and I realized what was going on. “s**t, ooooh s**t,” I mumbled to myself sitting up, ignoring the little headedness.

It had been months since my last vision, my father and I assumed they were going away. Really, we had hoped and begged they were going away. I threw my covers off and pounded down the stairs to my father, kneeling next to him and grabbing the envelope. This time it reads:

Della, I love you for eons.

I’m sorry you had to see this, but there weren’t many other ways. There are people who don’t understand you and want to harm you because of that and this was the only way I could keep you hidden. Time is running out, but your mother is coming. I promise your life with her will be all you could ever want, you must go live with her now. There is a bag packed for you on my bed, I was hoping you’d never have to use it. The world is scary, but I know you will conquer it. You always have.

I’m so sorry

I love you

Dad x

My throat thickened, and I became aware of the tightness in my chest. My heart was booming in my ears and I could feel myself becoming numb. I looked down at myself and my father. I was covered in his blood and at that point, I don’t know that I had the capability to care. I leaned over him and stroked his cheek with my hand and tears I didn’t even realize were forming dropped onto his chest. I leaned down and kissed his forehead, which wasn’t covered in blood.

I almost robotically got up and shuffled my way up the stairs to my shower. I cleaned myself of the blood stains and I just left my clothes on the bathroom floor. I entered my bedroom and somehow placed a pair of leggings and a comfy sweatshirt on. I didn’t even process it happening. I tucked my feet into a pair of sneakers, not caring enough to find socks.

I found myself in my dad's room grabbing the suitcase trusting whatever was packed would be exactly what I needed. I took it all down to the bottom of the stairs and just sat there choking on my tears. I was off to see a woman I knew nothing about, supposed to live with her. I wasn’t even sure what just happened in my life, now I’m supposed to be worried about this too?

My father never told me anything about my mom and never even pretended like I was going to see her. He only told me that when I was extremely young, practically newborn, he wanted to save me from her. He thought in a selfish rage to take me away and create this life we have together.

There was no possible way to wrap my mind around what happened, and I had so many questions. Nothing felt right, and nothing felt real. Last night they were enjoying their time and laughing like they always did and it was impossible to think that wouldn’t happen again.

There came a booming knock at the door, frightening me almost out of my skin. I held my bag and made it to the door, opening it just to close it again. The person on the other side looked nearly identical to me. I always knew I must look more like my mother because of how little I resembled my father but after seeing for myself I was in utter disbelief.

I opened the door, “I apologize you caught me off guard.” I mumble looking down. I was too freaked out to look her in the face again.

“It was a more than understandable response. I knew my family genes were strong, never seen them this strong.” She said confidently and seemingly without emotion. It felt like I was just a business issue she had to deal with it, and the way she was dressed I wouldn’t be surprised if that was true.

“Oh, don’t think like that. I am unsure of how to react. This is a lot to take in, especially after getting the call from Wes to come to see the daughter I never got to keep.” She stated rushed taking me back, was it written on my face that clearly? I had heard of people being an open book but never thought of myself as one.