Whitethorn Academy

Chapter Sixteen

Bile rose in my throat, sharp and stinging. I pressed my hand to my mouth, forcing myself to swallow hard.

No matter who this person was, why did they want my mother invited to Parent's Day? What difference would it make if she was invited or not? Who cared enough to threaten me over it?

Was this the same person who'd left the note in my locker earlier today?

Nervously, I chewed on a loose piece of skin around my thumb. The thought of inviting my mother made my nerves churn in my gut. Alek had wanted to talk to her, discuss why I was at Whitethorn. I didn't want him to know my secrets.

But if I didn't send a letter to my mother, the whole school would know anyway.

Sighing, I sat down at the desk and tugged out my notebook. As much as the note that was left scared me, I knew that I needed to invite my mother for me.

I needed to know if she would truly abandon me or if she would come if I asked her to. The words she'd spoken were harsh, sure, but part of me hoped that they were just said in the moment.

So, I opened my notebook to a blank page and I grabbed my pencil.

Dear Mom,

I know you told me you didn't want to hear from me again. But you're my mother. And I'm your daughter. We're family. And after dad died, you promised that you would always be there for me.

Whitethorn Academy is having Parent's Day this weekend. And I would really love it if you would come and visit me. Maybe we could talk about everything.

I love you, and I hope you still love me,

Selene

I ripped the paper out of my notebook and folded it up, feeling like I'd written away a piece of my heart. Then I shoved it in my backpack. I'd ask Naomi to help me mail it tomorrow.

There was some homework I needed to work on, but I didn't feel much like doing anything. I changed into my pajamas and curled up on the bed with the book I'd been assigned in English class.

Maybe I could get a chapter or two in before bed. Loki gave a soft meow as he curled up beside me.

~

The sidewalk was cold under my bare feet. Goosebumps rode along my flesh as a biting wind coursed over me, freezing me to my core. And yet, I stood still on the sidewalk, my gaze frozen on the evergreens.

A small expanse of frozen grass stood between us, the grass blades glittering like diamonds in the light of the moon.

Come to me, a voice called from the trees. It was a whisper that caressed my skin, breathing shivers down my spine.

But I was completely enraptured by it.

I stepped off the sidewalk and into the grass, the blades stabbing like knives into the bare soles of my feet. Ignoring the stinging pain, I walked over the grass, more shivers slipped down my spine, arms, and legs.

My teeth began to chatter, but still I moved, until the boughs of the evergreens brushed against my cheeks as I stepped into their embrace.

Inside the trees, it was nearly impossible to see. The branches of trees formed a perfect canopy above, blotting out the moon. But that voice called to me and I kept moving, my feet sure of their destination.

Sticks and frozen grass stabbed at my bare feet, but the cold had numbed them to the point of feeling no pain.

Not far into the forest, a small clearing burst from the trees, a halo of light illuminating the ground.