Chapter1
1415 Words
Gasp.
I blinked several times before realizing I was back in my room. Just another dream—the same dream I kept having. The wounded man, crawling out from the woods, blood dripping from his clothes.
I sighed and sat up in bed, running my fingers through my long, curly hair. My mouth was dry, so I got up and wandered into the kitchen to get a drink.
As I poured myself a glass of water, my eyes drifted to the clock.
2:00 AM.
I wasn’t even surprised anymore. It was always the same time. Always after the same dream.
Should I be worried? Scared?
Every time I dreamed about him, I woke up at exactly 2 a.m. I tried telling people—my friends, even my mom—but no one believed me. They said it was stress from school, or that I’d read too many fantasy books and couldn’t separate reality from imagination.
Eventually, I stopped talking about it. Stopped trying to explain. Even to my parents.
Maybe they’re right...
Maybe it is just my imagination, the effect of all those books I’ve devoured. Stories where girls like me become princesses, where mysterious strangers from dark forests hold secrets meant only for them.
Where there’s always a prince.
How pathetic.
“Lucia?”
I jumped when the kitchen light flicked on and my mom walked in.
“You scared me, Mom,” I breathed, placing a hand over my pounding chest.
She smiled, stepping past me to get a glass of water. “Couldn’t sleep?” she asked gently.
I shrugged and shook my head. There was no point telling her I’d had the dream again.
“Another book?” she asked with a playful roll of her eyes. I gave her a sheepish grin and lied with a nod.
“You do know it’s really late. I wish you were just coming home from hanging out with friends, but...” she trailed off with a sigh. “Lucia, I know it’s great being smart, but I also want you to—”
“I know, Mom,” I cut in before she could finish.
She gave me a small smile and nodded, choosing not to push the subject. She knew I hated when she brought up how I “should be more like a normal teenager.”
The silence between us lingered until she turned to go back to bed, patting my head like I was still a little girl.
“Oh, by the way,” she said as she reached the doorway. “Your father called and he—”
“I don’t want to see him.” My voice was cold, cutting her off before she could finish.
My parents had finally divorced, and three months later, my father married the woman he’d been cheating with—his secretary.
I saw what it did to my mom. I heard her crying at night for months. So no, I didn’t forgive him. And I never would.
He still sent me money, which I never touched. And when he had a new baby girl—my so-called half-sister—I refused to go visit them in the hospital.
I was only fourteen then. Now, two years later, I still hadn’t spoken to him.
I had two stepsisters I never wanted. A father I couldn’t forgive.
“I know,” Mom said softly, brushing her hand against my cheek. She didn’t argue. She never did anymore.
Deep down, I knew she appreciated the way I defended her. I knew how much pain she’d buried after everything he did. How many nights she cried over someone who never deserved her love.
He didn’t deserve us.
“I’m going back to sleep,” I said, backing away.
She nodded again. “Goodnight, dear.”
“Night, Mom,” I said, kissing her cheek before heading back upstairs.
At the top, I paused and looked back down.
She was sitting alone at the dining table, her head lowered in the dark.
Damn you, I thought. Damn you, Dad, for turning her into this.
I turned and ran back to my room.
******
The Next Morning
“So… you mean…”
“That you’ve been accepted into the advanced class with the seniors,” the headmaster said, smiling proudly.
When my name was called over the intercom that morning, everyone stared. They all thought I was in trouble. Maybe that I’d finally done something rebellious.
But no. This was the surprise.
Because of my high scores in math and history, the teachers had decided to move me up.
I didn’t know what to say.
“I—um…”
“Are you not happy?” the headmaster asked gently.
I nodded awkwardly. “I guess I am... it’s just... unexpected.”
Truthfully, I wasn’t sure how to feel.
I was already used to my class, even if most of my classmates hated me. They blamed me for making the lessons harder—just because I did my homework, just because I knew the answers.
Why do you have to be so smart?
Can’t you just pretend not to know?
It wasn’t fair.
“Lucia?” the headmaster called, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Thank you for the opportunity,” I said, managing a small smile. “May I go now?”
“Of course. Good luck, dear.”
As I walked out of his office, I couldn’t help but wonder...
Why don’t I feel happy?
This is what I worked for, right?
The reason I tried harder than anyone else.
So why did I still feel like I didn’t belong here?
Like my life was meant for something else?
Like I was supposed to be somewhere else?
...L.u.c.i.a...
There it was again.
That voice.
I shivered as a cold breeze touched my skin. Winter was coming. I should’ve worn my jacket.
...L.u.c.i.a...
It’s just the wind, I told myself, hugging my arms around my chest.
I was used to hearing my name in the wind. At first, it terrified me. But it had been happening for years.
Now… I just lived with it.
“HIKE!”
Smack. Smack.
I turned my head toward the football field and winced as players tackled one another.
“How is that even legal?” I murmured to myself before heading toward the back of the gym.
My old Toyota sat in its usual spot—hidden behind the building, near the library. I liked parking there. It was quiet, away from everyone.
No cruel comments.
No judgment.
Just me, my thoughts, and my books.
That’s where I felt most like me.
“Uff!”
I grunted as a football smacked into my ribs. I turned to see a guy jogging toward me.
“Hey!”
Sighing, I picked up the ball and tossed it back at him.
His eyes widened in surprise. “Thanks!” he called out.
I gave him a short wave and turned away. He probably had no idea he was talking to the biggest nerd in school.
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Meanwhile…
“What do you mean you rejected her?! You need a princess!” the king roared.
I didn’t flinch. “Like I told you—I already found the one meant for me. I rejected Evelyn because I’ve already chosen my beloved.”
My father glared at me, but I held his gaze, unmoving. I was the only one who could challenge him without fear. He knew I was stronger. More powerful.
He stormed out of the chamber.
I sighed and stared out the window, reaching—hoping—for her. But she still didn’t respond.
Maybe she didn’t remember me.
She was too young when I first found her.
I had left the castle that night because I felt her. I knew she was mine. My other half. My soulbound.
I’d injured myself crawling out of the woods just to meet her. To see her.
She had lived in a small house, one that once belonged to an old couple.
But when I tried to return… she was gone.
I couldn’t sense her anymore.
I knew she was still alive, just… too far for me to reach.
I tried calling to her through the wind—but it never worked.
Growling, I slammed my fist against the desk and followed after my father.
He couldn’t force me to marry someone else.
I didn’t want a stranger on a throne.
I just wanted Lucia.
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- Writer
