Bright One | Empire of Blood and Swords Series

6. Grounded

-6-
-Grounded-

It's been two weeks since Seth and Samtron left. Suzanna and Sam brought me to back to school that day, the teacher thought I was skipping school and took me to the principal's office. The principal called my foster mother and I got scolded by her.

I wanted to tell them what really happened. I wanted to get some help from them. But I couldn't. Would they believe me? Would they believe that there are people who can talk to animals, turn into animals and have powers? But even if they did, what if they fear me for what and who I am? I've been keeping myself busy, but the words keep lingering in my mind.

An achillea. The daughter of the Dark One.

The knocking on my door brought me back to reality. I snapped my eyes to the door from the window. The door opened and my foster mother walked in with a plate in her hands. I looked down immediately, avoiding her gaze.

I couldn't meet her eyes, not even when she was in the office. I didn't know why but I feel bad. She took me in as her own child and wanted a perfect one. I tried to give her everything she had ever wanted. I've never skipped school, or raise my voice or act aggressive.

But now I have.

That day at the office, she was scolding me, embarrassing me in front of my principal and my teachers.

"You let me down," she said, the disappointment in her eyes showed it. "I've raised you for eleven years, taught you how to be human but you give me this! I'm so disappointed in you, Odette."

Taught you how to be human. That word sliced my heart.

"I'm not hu—" I slapped my mouth shut. I can't. I promised Sans.

"You're talking back to me now, eh? Who have you been with these days? That boyfriend of yours? He's a bad influence. And he's not worth it."

Anger boiled inside of me, but I let it slide away. I can't get angry at her, I've made her sad enough now. I've only been out for a few hours, what's the fuss about?

"Do you know how hard it is to earn money so that you can go to school? Please, I only asked for you to be a good girl. Why can't you just do that?"

Why can't I do that...? She thinks working is hard. But she's human. She has no idea what I've been through. Lost, insecure, scared of who and what I am. I've lived here for eleven years. Hearing everything the animals say; feeling what the trees feel; smell every feeling of everyone. And I've always wondered why...

"What about me?" I mumbled behind gritted teeth.

"What?" She asked.

"I said, 'what about me!'," I shouted, anger taking control of me. I couldn't hold it anymore, I needed her to know how I feel. I stood up, walking in front of her. She was shorter than me now, how did I not notice that? "Do you think that you're the only one who's going through a lot here? I'm going through a lot as well. I've been different from the others, and you know that. For years I've also wondered who my father was, why he left me, why I keep having the same nightmares of him killed by a pack of wolves?! And I wouldn't even know if I've never met Sans. Don't you ever say that he's not worth it!"

Then, I threw the chair at her...

She placed the plate on my nightstand and I held my breath. Two weeks since she found out. Two weeks since I've been suspended and grounded. She wouldn't even let me step foot out of my own bedroom. But it's fine. We would exchange a few words in the morning and then she's off to work.