Memories of Edenia

Messages from the gods

The storm outside raged on as I looked out my window of the estate. It was probably about 2 am and I couldn't sleep. Something about the pounding rain and the sound of the thunder cracking while the lightning flashes through the sky gives me a warm feeling. And it's always been like that.

My mom used to tell me the gods were sending messages down when a storm hit, she told me "if you aren't scared of the unknown you'll be picked by the gods to carry out their messages" of course I never understood and still don't. Mom was a little different. I loved her but she definitely had her quirks.

I remember the night she died and my brother disappeared. I was in my room reading. Tales of the untold. My favourite childhood story. I heard my mom talking and my brother yelling. Then there was my dad he was drunk and had stumbled into the house.

"Again really!" My mom yelled
"Dad get out now!" I heard my brother yell
"I'm the boss of the house if anything you leave" he scowled back
"Look at example your showing your son" my mom pleaded
"What about you to our daughter. You go around telling ridiculous stories" he clapped back slurring his words.
I could hear them continue to yell then my dad stormed up and I quickly locked my door. It was sad to think, but in this state I was terrified of him. I also was only 14 at the time of this, while my brother was 17. I heard my brother yell and then a scream from my mom. I was too scared to check so I began to cry. Getting lost in my own thoughts to drown everything around me out. It got worse when I heard my dad banging on the door yelling at me to come out. I remember feeling my heart beat out of my chest and then my lungs struggling to take in breaths from fear.

I looked around my small room with only a bed and dresser in it. I found a bag and threw some clothes and a few things if kept most of my life in. I then decided it was time. I wasn't sure if my brother and mom were safe but I wasn't going to take any chances with my father. He had always been abusive and a drunk so with him banging in my door it scared me completely. I looked at my window and down then quickly grabbed some sheets and attached one end to the post of my bed and the other hanging out the window. It only reached halfway down the house and I would have to jump the rest but that was better then confronting my dad. I also had the risk that the sheet would break.

I threw the bag and then crawled out slowly until the end of the sheet and I jumped. Tumbling into the grass. I looked up and then started to run. A harsh wind slammed my window shut and my sheet blew away. When I was almost far enough but I could still see the house I heard a loud shattering. My dad had thrown something out the window. And was screaming at me.

"You little bitch!" He yelled and I ran as fast as I could. I made it to my best friends estate just before dawn and felt exhausted.

They immediately took me in without asking questions and I slept for most of the day. When I woke up I told them what happened they told my they heard news that my father was found dead with a bottle of whisky next to him. It was presumed he drank to much and got alcohol poisoning. I asked about my mom and brother and they told me my mom was found in the kitchen as well but my brother had seemed to disappear. I still wonder how my mom had passed. The last thing I heard was her scream.

For the next few weeks I stayed in the room they offered me grieving.

That was the worst point in my life. But since then I've dealt with the pain and someday I will find my brother so we can reunite and so I can get some answers.

Ever since that night I've lived with my best friend Enzo. His family took me in and considering they are close with the royal family life's been good. I'm now 18. I still get nightmares about that night but I try to forget them.

The rain outside had slowed and it was now a gentle trickle. This was quieter and more peaceful but I do prefer the loud storms.

"Asteria? I brought some treats, mum made some" Enzo whispering as hewalked into my room.
"Perfect" I said jumping onto my bed.

Enzo pulled the chair from my vanity over and handed me a strudel.

"Why are you up?" I asked realizing how late it was
"The storm kept me up" he replied

I'm not sure how the house was huge and you could barely hear it unlike in my old house where the wind would shake the house.

"I love the storms" I say and wander over to my window pressing it open slightly. The soft sound of the rain dissipating was calm but in the distance I could hear the low rumble of thunder.
"I know" Enzo said coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my neck. We stood listening until the rain stopped.

Enzo had always been their for me. I'm extremely grateful to have him and his family who so quickly welcomed me to the family. Although I have a brother and just haven't seen him in forever I consider Enzo my brother too. I can't imagine what I would've done that night if I didn't know I could come here.

Since that night I've grown up with my new family in the court. Enzos family is quite close to the royals. His father is the general and mother is the queens closest friend. So we have grown up around the palace but spend most of our time with friends at the estate.

Enzo spends the time he's not with us with his father. He goes to all council meetings and then trains a bit too. He's next to be the general if anything is to happen to his father.

"Goodnight Asteria" he said when he left
"Goodnight Enzo" I replied and tucked myself into my bed.

The covers warmed my body as the cold air blew around from the window that I left slightly open.