CHAPTER 3
992 Words
Annabeth's POV
"STOP LAUGHING!" he shouted right in my face.
I stopped, but the grin plastered on my face remained. "Then don't shout. Do you want Mom to hear you yelling at me? And then she'd scold you again like she always does? Scold you, blame you, annoyed by you. And guess what? She did that because she loves me more than the rest of you combine."
SLAP
A sharp slap landed on my face—courtesy of Caleb. And because Annika's body is weak, I immediately fell to the floor. I laughed again and stood up.
"Why are you so mad, huh, Caleb? Is it because I can finally stand up for myself? Or is it because what I said is true? She never gives attention to any of you because... she loves me, and she wishes you were never born." I laughed at them. Another slap hit me, making me fall once more.
"What the hell happened to her? Where did she even get this courage, huh? Hey, answer us, you dipsh*t!" Dionne kicked me in the stomach, making me curl up.
I stopped laughing when I heard familiar footsteps. I looked at my siblings and immediately started crying. I cried and cried until a loud shout echoed.
"What is happening—OH MY GOD, ANNIKA!" Mommy rushed toward us and helped me up.
I just kept crying.
"Stop crying! Just earlier you were laughing so mu—"
"To the meeting area. Now!" Mommy ordered angrily. She hugged me.
"But mo—"
"I said NOW!"
The five of them had no choice. They knew they lost. While they glared at me with hatred, I grinned back at them mockingly.
This is just the beginning. You tortured Annika far too much—now it's time for payback.
*****
"Annika, you're so pretty. Can you be our friend?"
"Huh? I-I'm pretty?"
"Yes, yes and cool too!"
"But... you always say I'm the u-ugliest and the most boring person in the wor--"
"Oh silly little old me. You know we were just joking right? Now, can you come with us?"
"Hmm..s-sure."
"Good. Let's meet the others. They want to eat with you."
"Okay."
*****
"Annika? Can you come with us? We have your birthday gift."
"Ahh really? You got me gifts?"
"Of course! That's what friends do, right?"
" Where are we going? Are we going to the roof top?"
"Shh. Just follow us."
*****
"Pathetic. You really thought we wanted you? Ha!? You are such a loser!"
"W-what.. I thought we're friends?."
"Well, we don't accept losers in our group—and you don't belong! You don't even have any magic!"
"Pathetic loser. I can't believe you're Caleb's sister! My God, how can someone so shameful and powerless be their sibling? Maybe you're adopted? You don't even have magic to defend yourself! HAHAHA!"
*****
"Please don't... you're gonna kill me. "
"This is an order from your siblings—we're just following it, hahaha. Besides, you're not gonna die. You'll survive the fall."
"No.. please AHHHHHH!"
*****
No. Annika died. That's why I'm here. Because she's killed.
I stared at myself in the mirror. Annika looked pale and unnaturally white, clearly someone who took great care of herself. It was strange that she didn't even have a single scar despite all the abuse she suffered from the royalties. I rolled my eyes at my reflection.
So many things ran through my mind. Memories that weren't mine played endlessly in my head. Stupid Annika—dying just because she was pushed from four floors? Hah. I survived jumping from the 7th floor.
I looked at what I was wearing. A floral blue dress. I grimaced. It's not like I don't like dresses. I just hate how flowery it seems.
After applying powder and lip gloss, I went out to meet the maids who would escort me to the dining area. It was my first time leaving this room since yesterday, so I felt strangely excited. Based on Annika's memories, the palace was beautiful—but I wanted to see it with my own eyes.
We exited the room and I was greeted by a tall hallway. A grand staircase. Paintings. Red carpet. Two guards stood beside the stairs. Almost everything was gold. But what caught my attention was our family painting.
The King and the Queen. In the center was me, around seven years old, with the twins on each side. The boys stood behind the king and queen. All of them were smiling sweetly.
Fake.
I remembered what happened that day.
*****
"SMILE!"
CLICK
"Today is the day we find out what powers the youngest sibling has! Ahhh, Mommy is so excited!"
"Hm. I wouldn't be surprised if you're as talented as us, Annika." – Dianne
"As you should be." – Drex
"She might even be better than you." – Dionne
"Psh. As long as your powers are strong, we'll accept you." – Josiah
"Agreed. Let's go, it's almost eight." – Caleb
*****
"M-mom? Why is there nothing?" Annika asked, confused.
"Anak... I-I'm sorry."
"She doesn't have powers, Mommy?!" – Caleb
Mommy shook her head, making Annika burst into tears.
"Stop crying! You don't even have powers and you're acting like that?!" – Dianne
Annika was stunned by her siblings' behavior. Just moments ago, they were kind—but now...
...right. She had no powers. What a loser.
"What will my friends say when they find out my sister doesn't have any powers?!" – Josiah
"What a shame." – Drex
"SHUT UP! SHE IS STILL PART OF THIS FAMILY! HOW COULD YOU SAY SUCH AWFUL WORDS TO YOUR SISTER?!"
"Ciara, she doesn't have powers," the king interrupted, his face filled with disappointment.
"Y-you too?! For God's sake! She's our daughter!"
*****
That day was the worst day of Annika's life. Look at how they treated her—as if they never shared anything together.
I smirked and continued looking around.
- Writer
