Afraid of the Dark

Chapter 1: Happy Birthday

Nine times out of ten, when Reela wakes up to see that there is orange light outside the window as the sun just breaks the horizon, she grunts and turns over to go right back to sleep. She's oddly enough somewhat of a morning person, but she draws the line at waking up earlier than intended.

But today is that one special day that makes it impossible to fall back asleep. Finally, after ten years since moving into Sage, she's an adult. She's finally old enough to do whatever she wants and go wherever she wants. She can get a tattoo. Visit strip clubs. And finally she can hang out with the centaur twins without Corb patronizing her for being a 'child.'

She throws the covers off her body and grabs her light hoodie before rushing across the room and swinging her door open, hurrying down the hall towards the stairs in her black and purple silk pajamas.

She slips on the polished wood floor and smacks her face on the ground but she merely bounces right back up to her feet and hurries down the stairs, slowing her stride once she hears voices coming from the living room around the corner.

"I heard what you said, and it sounded like a load of bullshit," she hears Cree's voice snap with slight restraint. "What the fuck do you mean 'you don't know'?"

Reela peeks her head around the corner, hugging the wall at the base of the spiral staircase as she takes in the scene in front of her. Cree is frantically pacing in front of the fireplace while Naomi is sitting at the couch with her head in her hands. Lovell is standing by the door looking anxious but remaining silent. Nisha is behind the couch with her arms crossed as she watches Cree with a frustrated but also sympathetic look on her face as she sighs.

"I know you're upset, but we did all we could," the Tus'Felnis says. Her voice sounds a little shaken up. "We have a few search parties across the coast of Manatria, but Naomi and I needed to get back to tell you what happened before you could assume the worst."

"Too fucking late!" Cree shouts but shuts his mouth and takes a deep breath. His left hand is shaking in a fist and his whole body is tense.

Reela drops from the final stair and takes a cautious step into the room with her arms crossed. "What's going on?"

Everyone stops what they're doing to look at her in silence. Cree stares at the girl and his face briefly flashes with remorse and fear. She can practically see the pit in his stomach.

"Reela..." he says with strain.

Naomi looks from the girl to Cree and sighs before standing up and gently resting her hand on his real arm. "We'll leave you be. I'm... sorry again," she looks away and Nisha takes her hand to lead her to the door. Before stepping out, Nisha flashes Reela a weary smile.

"Happy birthday, kid."

Lovell glances back as Naomi and Nisha leave before he looks to Cree. "We'll keep you updated, milord. If anything turns up, you'll be the first to know," he says and looks to Reela, politely bowing to the young woman. "Happy birthday, m'lady Reela."

She shows him a quizzical smile. "Thanks Lovell..." she hardly gets the chance to thank him before he hurries out the door and Cree walks over to shut it behind him.

Reela just stares at him as he stays standing in front of the door without letting go of the golden knobs. His head hangs low and his breathing is heavy but slowed as he seemingly fights to not snap from whatever overwhelming feeling happens to be coursing through him in this moment.

"What's wrong? If Naomi and Nisha are here, then where's Dad?" Reela asks and walks over to the couch to lean against the arm and cock her head to the side as she watches him take a deep breath.