The Awakened

Chapter 21

I creased my eyebrows, breaking an orange wax seal on the back of the envelope to see what was inside. A yellowed piece of paper lay carefully folded within. With gentle fingers I removed it, confused as to what it could be. I untucked the edges of the paper from itself, looking at the deliberately placed words inside.

Makayla,

I know this may come as a surprise, however, it's me, your father writing to you. I can't have anyone else looking at this so once you complete reading, it will burn immediately after to keep both you and me safe. At this very moment your mother is taking on many responsibilities, all at once, which is becoming too much for her to handle. Which helped contribute to her outlash on Chase. Yet, that isn't the only reason she got his blood on her hands. By beating him she was able to get her point across that no creature that isn't human or awakened should be alive. Although this has not always been her belief, and she has not always hated Chase. After your brother's death she was no longer able to take the stress and pain other creatures cause. Now she's power hungry, and I'm not sure if there is anything I'll be able to do to stop her. Soon, you three will be sent away together to Kipcord Grove. This region of forest is extremely dangerous, full of some horrible creatures along with the forest Fae. Your mother plans for you to awaken on this journey and to hopefully eliminate James and Chase in the process. I believe you three will make it through, but I have a request to ask you. Although the journey is dangerous, please get to know several of the "creatures" that are like Chase and come up with your own judgment on whether or not you think all of these beings' lives should end. Good luck,

With love, your father,

Benjamin Clark.

Immediately after reading it, just as the letter had said, the paper and envelope burst into flames, disappearing into thin specks of ash. I jumped back at the sudden heat, staring in awe as it disappeared into nothingness, not even leaving a smell behind.

My mind began to reimagine the paper and what my father had written. Nowhere is safe. I thought to myself, biting my nail, Not even my home. I made my way to the large window in my room, shutting and locking it softly anxiously. Locking it made me feel the slightest bit safer, but what was I supposed to do when my greatest enemy seemed to be my own mother. I stepped carefully across my floor over to my closet hastily grabbing an outfit as I made my way to the bathroom.

One brisk shower later, and I arrived in the wide expanse of my room once more. I made my way over to the bedside table, finding my phone that I hadn't thought to look at in days. With a considerate grip, I lifted it from its charger, seeing many notifications from the friends I'd made in Aken's Town. All seemed to be apologies about my brother, including quite a few messages from the one person I considered to be my best friend, River. She was tall, lean, and beautifully blonde with deep ocean blue eyes.

I opened my phone, dreading reading all of the messages inside. I sat on my bed carefully and stared at the screen, scrolling through the endless messages. I sighed, opening River's before everyone else's.

OMG! That's insane. Do you think you know him?

That's strange, I can't believe your family would react that way!

Are they all keeping secrets?

Hello?

Makayla?

It's been a couple days, I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing.

I just heard, I'm so sorry about your brother.... If you need anything, I'll be here.