Queen of the zodiac ( zodiac city duology #1) [ undergoing revamping]

~un~

Brooke

Raindrops mingled with the tears on my cheeks as I sat on the cold, wet ground, the distant wail of sirens a haunting melody in the background. My eyes, once bright, were now dark and heavy, burdened by the weight of unimaginable pain.

"Are you listening to me, child?" The cops voice pierced through the fog of my thoughts, demanding my attention. I lifted my head slightly to meet their gaze, but my lips remained sealed, my mind struggling to process the horrifying reality unfolding around me. I instinctively nuzzled into the blanket that covered me, seeking solace in its inadequate warmth.

Should I feel relief that I was now spared from the abuse?

My gaze shifted towards the stretchers that held the remnants of my family. My mother's face, once full of life, was now barely recognizable, marred by the cruel flames that had consumed her. Beside her, my stepfather lay in a pool of his own blood, his expression forever frozen in a mixture of shock and fear. A single tear slipped from my eye, landing on my arms, and I wiped it away with trembling hands, my touch as delicate as if I were handling fragile glass.

"Where were you, Brooklyn, when all this happened?" The jarring voice of the news reporter cut through the chaos, their camera's harsh flashes casting stark shadows across my face. I stared back, my eyes vacant, unable to form words. The world seemed distant, a surreal nightmare I couldn't escape.

My gaze shifted again, this time to Bailey, who lay there in a state more horrifying than death itself. Her body was now reduced to ashes, her very essence consumed by the merciless flames,you could see her bones showing. The reporters continued their onslaught of questions, their probing inquiries forcing me to confront the harsh reality of my new fate.

"Can you identify any of the robbers who did this?" they asked, their words hanging heavy in the air. I shook my head weakly, my voice lost amid the discord of despair.

"How do you feel being the new heir of the Aire shrine?" The question echoed in my mind, a reminder of the responsibilities thrust upon me. I bowed my head, my hair falling like a curtain, shielding my face from the prying eyes. Loneliness enveloped me, a suffocating presence that clung to my very soul. This wasn't what I wanted. I wanted my family to witness my triumphs, while they wallow like miserable shits.Now, who was there to prove myself to?

The rain intensified, its heavy drops drumming a melancholic rhythm on the ground. People scattered, seeking shelter from the storm, but I remained seated, my mind a turbulent jungle of emotions. What was I going to do now? I sighed, a heavy, ragged sound that mingled with my sobs. The cries of my heart blended with the mournful wails of the sirens, creating a symphony of grief that resonated through the desolate night.

Present day

The gates of Zodiac Academy swung open with a creak, allowing a surge of students to flow onto the campus grounds. Golden rays caressed the surroundings, painting a warm hue on everything they touched, from the vibrant foliage to the students' excited faces. The interplay of light and shade danced gracefully across the pathways, creating a captivating mosaic of illumination and mystery.

Stepping through the gates, I felt a curious mix of wonder and uncertainty. The academy's architectural grandeur struck me immediately-the towering ivy-covered walls, the stone carvings that told stories of ages past, and the imposing spires that stretched toward the sky.

Maylee's eyes glimmered with enthusiasm "Do you smell that, girls? It's the scent of Money, sex and power"

"It smells like workloads and another year of enduring professors who think they're superior to us," Renee grunted