Unlocked Secrets: Volume 1

1. Her Beginning

1.Her Beginning
I'm in the middle of a forest. All the trees are dead apart from one giant cherry blossom in the centre of the clearing in the forest. The tree’s petals seem to glow and something is drawing me to the beautiful tree. My body seems as though it is moving on it's own as I approach the tree. The whispers in the wind which rustles the trees petals almost seem like voices crying for help.

Once I reach the tree I find my arm reaching outwards. My palm places itself firmly on the solid trunk. The space I'm touching pushes itself inwards and soon enough the bark on the trunk is parting, forming an entryway.

I step forward and a bright light engulfs my vision. When the light disappears I find myself looking at a beautiful lake. Stones make a pathway to the shoreline. Before proceeding I turn around to see what is behind me. It's a tree just like the one I had just entered, only this one was dying and didn't look as happy. A breeze picks up ruffling my short, dark brown hair that sits an inch above my shoulders. I tuck some of my hair behind my ear, trying to tidy it up and prevent it from getting knotted. I look into the water at my reflection, it shows a 14 year old girl.

“Help us!”

The dream ends there. The dream always ends with those two distressed words. I've been having this recurring dream ever since I can remember. The only thing that ever changes in the dream is the age of my reflection.

I sit up in my king sized bed. The canopy above it blocking out any sunlight with its dark purple curtains. I crawl across the bed and draw the curtains back only to be blinded by sunlight. I shield my eyes and feel around on my bedside table for my glasses. My hand finally brushes them and I pick them up, rub my eyes and place them on.

Just as I finish putting my glasses on the double doors to my bedroom open and a familiar grin greets me.

“Hey princess, I was just coming in to wake you. You're going to be late for your first day in your new private school.” Sky Takahashi, my male best friend I've known ever since I was born says.

“Ugh… do I really have to go?” I ask, looking at him with pleading green eyes.

“Master of the house orders it. He says a beautiful young lady such as yourself shouldn't spend her time cooped up indoors. You need to get an education and become a successful individual.” Sky retorts.

“You mean a victim of bullying because I'm super awkward.” I state. Sky chuckles.

“I don’t know what you're worried about. I'll be there.”

“Yes Sky, you will be there but you are also two years older than I am so you will be in a higher year level.” I pout.

“Don't stress. I'll watch you like a hawk.” Sky says with a wink. “Anyway, hurry up and get dressed. Your uniform is on your vanity, get dressed. Don't wanna be late” with that he leaves the room and I'm left with complete and utter doubt.

With a loud sigh I climb to my feet and head over to my vanity. The common stabbing pain in my shoulder blades still remains, niggling at me. I decided it probably caused me pain because I must have done something to it as a child but cannot seem to remember.

I pick up my school clothes. They consist of a white long sleeve button up shirt, a tartan pinafore, tartan neck ribbon, white otk socks and dark brown lace up boots. I putting up the shirt and then get into the pinafore, adjusting my collar I glance at myself in the mirror and tie the neck ribbon underneath the collar on my button up shirt, readjusting it once complete. I then walk over to my bed, sit on the edge of it and roll my socks up my legs then slide on my boots and lace them up.

Once complete and after brushing my teeth I walk back over towards the mirror and brush out my hair that is matted from sleep. Finally I put a headband on that has a ribbon and matches the tartan of my uniform. Once satisfied I bf read down the long wooden hallway aligned with doors that lead to other rooms and windows that show off the courtyard.

Soon I reach the grand staircase, placing my hand on the railing to keep my balance, my shoes sink into the soft red carpet that lines the stairway and hallway. I almost trip on the last step but quickly regain my balance.

“Ah it's good to see you're ready just in time. If you and Sky leave now you won't be late.” The Master of the house, Dominic states with a sly smile. His long raven coloured hair fastened behind him in a pigtail in order to keep it out of the the way.

Dominic took me and Sky in after the accident that had occurred eight years ago, the sad thing about it was the fact that I couldn't remember any of the accident that claimed the lives of my parents. Everytime I tried to remember it always felt as though something was missing… I could never determine what that something was though. I was merely told that my parents had died in a house fire, the memory was traumatic they had claimed and stated that that was the reason why I couldn't remember and my memories were suppressed.

“Yes Master Dominic.” I reply with my head hung low.

“Now, now no pouting Miss Himura. Sky is waiting outside for you.” Dominic orders with a tutting sound.

“Alright… guess we’ll see you later then…” I mutter as I walk past Dominic, towards the big oak double doors that lead outside of the mansion. I reach my hand out and press down on the brass handle, the door opens with a click and I see Sky in the distance past the water feature -that sits at the front of the house- and standing at the Iron gates.

I head towards Sky and he presses a button which opens the iron gates with a loud creaking sound. A limousine sits before us on the other side of the gates.

Sky opens the door and ushers me in. I nod at him and climb in through the door, sliding across the back seat so that Sky can slide in next to me.

“You nervous?” he questions as he closes the door behind him with a thud.

“Yeah…”

“Don't stress. It'll be fine.” he reassures me as the limousine begins to drive. I can hear the gravel underneath the tyres crunching softly.

“That's easy for you to say Sky… you're attractive and will become popular in an instant… I'm a shy, geeky nerd girl people choose to ignore.”

Sky doesn't say anything in response to that other then a heavy sigh. I shake my head, resting my chin on the palm of my hand with my elbow propped up on the side of the door, I stare out at the passing scenery.

After a while of silence Sky speaks up. “Uh… hey… Courtney…” he begins.

“Hm?”

“You know that uh… dream you've had since you were a kid?”

“Yeah… what about it?”

“Uhm… is it still… you know… the same as always… or has it… changed a little?” Sky wonders.

“Nope… still the same. Why?”

“Oh… uh… no reason…” Sky responds and then what seems to be a sigh of relief escapes him.

Ever since we moved in with Dominic, Sky has seemed a lot more distant. He used to flirt playfully and crack stupid jokes but now it seems like we barely talk. What's worse is the fact that he goes out late at night and doesn't give me a single idea as to where he is going. It's usually him telling me that he's just hanging with friends or that he's doing older kid stuff but he never gives me a direct answer. It worries me.

Sky is supposed to be my best friend but nowadays it just seems like we're drifting farther apart and I'm honestly not sure how I'm supposed to keep it together. He's pretty much all I've got and it's making me feel so lonely…