"No!!!... Aaaah!" Mom's scream echoed through the house, followed by a loud thud from the living room...
I immediately jumped out of bed and ran toward the sound. When I reached the living room, I saw Mom sitting on the floor, one hand gripping her ankle, her face contorted in pain.
"Mom! Are you okay?". I asked, panicked, rushing to her side.
"I'm fine, sweetheart... I just slipped,". She replied softly, forcing a smile even though she was clearly in pain.
My eyes scanned the chaotic room. Things were scattered everywhere, and on the sofa sat an open suitcase, half-packed with clothes. Mom looked like she had just started packing as if she was trying to leave or escape?.
"Mom, all of this... what's going on? Where are you going?". I asked softly, confused.
But before I could finish, Mom cut me off.
"We're moving, sweetheart". Her voice was rushed.
"Moving? Where? And why so suddenly?" I asked, the uneasy feeling in my chest growing stronger.
Mom didn't answer right away. She just looked at me for a moment, then said gently, "Help me up first, okay?".
I helped her up and guided her to the sofa carefully. She winced but tried to smile.
"Mom, where are we going?". I asked again, unable to hide my curiosity.
"I'll explain later," she answered quickly too quickly, like she didn't want me to press further.
Before I could ask again, Dad walked in. His face looked tired, his shirt a bit wrinkled, and his eyes locked on me with unusual concern.
"You're awake, sweetheart?". he asked in a low voice, his eyes filled with worry.
His question reminded me of something I had almost forgotten.
"Oh right, Mom... I screamed earlier. My back felt hot... like it was burning," I said quickly, standing and searching for a mirror.
But before I could move, Mom grabbed my hand, stopping me.
Her expression changed. She turned to Dad and shot him a sharp, angry look like she blaming him.
"Forget it and start packing now. We're leaving right away". She said firmly, making my heart race.
They were hiding something. I could feel it strongly.
I glanced at the wall clock_2 AM.
"Mom, it's only two in the morning. Why...". My words were cut off when Mom suddenly shouted.
"Aurya!! Stop asking questions and pack now!". Her shout startled me.
I froze. This was the first time Mom had ever yelled at me like that. She could be strict sometimes stern but never this harsh. Something was definitely different.
"Darling, why are you yelling at Rya like that?". Dad raised his voice too, clearly upset with how I was treated.
But Mom's expression didn't change, still serious. Dad looked at me, his gaze softening.
"Sweetheart, listen to your Mom, okay? Go pack your things". His voice was calm and loving, trying to comfort me as tears welled up in my eyes.
I didn't answer. I just nodded and ran to my room, tears already spilling down my cheeks. My hands trembled as I opened my wardrobe and started throwing things into my suitcase without thinking.
Once I finished, I sat on the sofa in my room, staring blankly at the space around me. A room I would soon leave behind for the third time.
Ever since I started high school, we had moved three times already. It felt like we were running from something or someone. And my parents refused to tell me the truth.
Tears poured down even harder. "What are they hiding from me?". I asked myself.
Why did we have to keep moving? What were we running from? Who was chasing us? Why wouldn't they tell me anything?.
Minutes later, Mom stood in the doorway. Her face was soft, full of guilt. Seeing her, I quickly wiped my tears away.
"Rya... Sweetheart I..." Her voice trailed off. She walked over and sat beside me.
"I'm so sorry..." she whispered, her hand gently holding mine. Her voice was soft now, no longer harsh just a mother haunted by fear for her daughter.
She pulled me into a hug warm, like a blanket in a snowstorm. And I couldn't hold back anymore. I cried as hard as I could, burying my face in her chest.
Mom stroked my hair gently, like a whisper telling me everything would be okay.
"I'm so, so sorry, sweetheart". She whispered before kissing my forehead lovingly.
Not long after, Dad came in. He walked over and silently wrapped his arms around us too. I felt warm in their embrace.
A few minutes later, we let go.
"Come on, let's go". Dad said, lifting my suitcase and carrying it out.
I followed them, and just before getting into the car, I turned around. I looked at the house we were leaving again.
There were memories there laughter, tears but we had to leave once more.
I took a deep breath and finally got into the car.
"Mom, Dad... where are we going?" I asked softly, still curious.
No immediate answer. Just silence filling the car.
Then finally, Mom spoke.
"We're moving to Velmoria," she said quickly, like she didn't want to give me a chance to ask more.
I was shocked and thrilled.
Velmoria. The metropolitan city I always saw in ads the dream city for students.
"Velmoria?" I whispered in disbelief, a smile slowly spreading across my face. "We're going to live there...". I repeated, trying to convince myself it was real.
For a moment, the fear and confusion of this sudden move faded in my excitement.
Because we were going to Velmoria a modern metropolis nestled in a foggy valley surrounded by mountains. On the surface, Velmoria looked like a paradise of technological advancement with futuristic skyscrapers, glowing holograms lighting up the night sky, and silent, sophisticated transportation systems. But beneath all the luxury and strict order, the city held a forgotten, dark past.
I'd heard myths about Velmoria that it was once the battleground between the Goddess of Light and the God of Darkness. The magical energy left behind made it a powerful spiritual zone, though most citizens no longer believed in such legends.
And Velmoria was also known for Veridion Academy, a mysterious elite school that only accepted selected students. I had always dreamed of studying and living there, and now that dream was coming true I was ecstatic.
During the ride, I leaned back in my seat, staring out the window. Streetlights reflected off the car windows, creating calming flickers. I smiled to myself, imagining how amazing it would be to live in Velmoria a city often described as heaven on Earth. The towering buildings, the bright lights, and everything else about that city...
But my daydream shattered in an instant.
The car came to a sudden stop, and my body lurched forward, my face nearly hitting the front seat.
"Dad, what's going on?". I asked, a little panicked.
Dad looked at Mom, then ahead. "I think I hit something," he said quietly.
He was about to open the door when Mom suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Don't get out... Drive. Now". Mom said quickly, her voice tense and alarmed.
I turned to follow her gaze. My eyes stopped on five crows perched on a tree branch right in the middle of the dark road. Their eyes glowed red, making my skin crawl. The five crows didn't move just stared at us, like they were watching.
The atmosphere inside the car instantly turned eerie. The air felt colder.
"Mom... what's wrong?". I asked, fear creeping into my voice.
She didn't answer. Her eyes still locked onto the crows.
"They've found us"....