Alice
I was hoping for some good news. But her expression told me something else. She looks terrified. Please don't tell me that I'm dying. I don't have much time left. I went to her, "What's wrong?".
She looks into my eyes, miserable "I don't know if I'm right or just my false assumption. But there is a lot that you need to know. Because I think everything is related".
I swallow, "I'm not dying? Right?".
She gives me an incredulous stare, "What? No, Jesus Christ. Of course not" she yelps.
I felt a bout of panic "Then what is wrong with me?" I ask, feeling raise in my voice.
She exhales deeply, "It's a long story, Alice".
"Congratulations we are free tonight" Luke announce in sarcasm.
She glared at him, as she asks "Why is he still here?"
He stood beside me, "You think I leave her alone here with a bunch of strangers". He paused, "Then you are wrong".
She rolls her eyes, "Alice, Can we talk in private?".
Before I say, he jumps in "Don't ever think that. She's not going anywhere alone with you. Because I don't trust you".
I sigh, "Luke. It's okay".
"No" he snaps. "This is not okay. If you can trust her then you can trust me as well". He leans closer to her, "And you, whatever story you are cooking to tell her, tell her right here".
She glared at him while clenching her jaw, "You have no idea whom you are talking to".
He shoots back, "And you have no idea whom you are dealing with".
"Okay, fine" I shout, pulling Luke back, I say to her, "Whatever this is, please tell us here. He's my friend. You can trust him".
She dropped her gaze from him, "Are you sure?".
I nodded 'Yes'.
We sit across the table, I and Luke on one side while she is in front of us. A feeling of unease skittered up my spine. Alessandra closed her eyes and took a calming breath, but no use. She still looks afraid. Why is she so scared? What could be the reason? And I myself felt unnerved. My mouth went dry but I sit still. I can't move now.
Finally, she spoke, "The reason behind that noise is that you are evolving, Alice".
Luke snaps, "That's impossible. None of us has experienced anything like this. This is terrible".
"What do you mean by evolving?" I ask nervously.
She looks at me with concern "It means your body is changing. Soon you'll not be a normal human anymore".
My breath became fast and shallow. I glance down at him and then at her. I have no idea what to say.
She continued, "When you gain your full power then that noises, whispering, maybe these all could stop".
He jerks his body forward, "Maybe?" He snorted and threw his hands up in the air. "You are not sure. What if it will never go?"
"Listen, I know I'm not sure about this right now. But soon I will" she replied and looked at me, "You'll be fine. If you let me help you".
"And how you are gonna do that?" He questioned.
She holds my hand as she replied "You have to stay here until we'll figure out everything. And I'll train you because you need to be strong enough to face it".
"Excuse me," he asked in a disbelieving voice, "Am I heard wrong? Or you just said that she has to stay here".
Frustration flicked across Alessandra's face "This is the only way".
My stomach felt queasy and my hands wouldn't stop shaking. This is so confusing and hard to understand at once. "Why am I the only one experiencing this?"
She leaned closer and watch me for a moment, maybe choosing the right word to say, deepening her voice "Because you are special" she told me.
"How?" I interrogate.
She sighs, "That is hard to explain, honey".
"Or you don't want to" he shoots back
with a sneer.
Clenching her jaw, she blurted, "What is your problem, young man?".
He instantly reply, "You," he paused, leaning closer, and he rest his both hand on the table "Your fake kingdom. Your stories. Everything. I know there is something which you are hiding from us".
"I'm telling the truth. And everything is for her sake. Because I care for her".
He groans "Really? Then where the hell you were in these past years?"
"As I told you earlier, I have these people to protect".
He slams his hand on the table, "Don't you ever think of her protection?"
"Luke stop" I shout. Groaning, I dropped my head in my hands.
He turned to me "But.."
"Please" I add. And so he did. He storms out, leaving us alone here. Lacing my fingers taut until my knuckles turned white, I tried to remain calm. Everything is too much for me. I don't know what is right? Was she telling the truth? I have no idea. And I have no choice but to trust her. I have to take this risk. Maybe this will solve all the puzzles.
I look up at her, "Tell me more".
She watched me for a second, must be wondering whether I'm believing her or not. She proceeds, "I'm your blood, Alice. We are family. The reason why I didn't show up is these people and". She paused, exhaling deeply "And because I can't risk your life too. I can't show the world that we are family. It could be dangerous for all of us".
I didn't reply just nodding to her that I'm listening.
"Will you stay?" She asks.
I sigh, "It depends on your statement. Tell me everything".
She exhales, "Our palace was on hills far away from here. But when your mother got married. She left. She wanted to live like a normal human being. But she was always there for her people whenever they need her. When you were four years. Malign attacked your mother and tried to take you. She was unarmed but then also she fought till the end and hide you in an invisible room where they couldn't see you except your father. They hadn't even gotten a glimpse of you. After that, she came to me, and ask me to run away with all these people as soon as possible. So we did. I thought she would come back but she didn't. So I looked for her for almost a year. But couldn't find her".
My face went slack and my voice dull "Why did she leave me alone? Why wouldn't she come back for me?". Tears welling up in my eyes. I look away, trying to control myself from sobbing.
Alessandra felt a pang of grief as she heard my question, "She didn't leave you, honey. She knew that if she showed up then they will come again for you".
My voice crack as I ask, "How can you be so sure about that?".
She holds my hand again, lightly squeezing, "Because I know her".
"Will she come back?"
She hadn't replied and was unable to meet my gaze. I can see the sorrow in her eyes. What if she will never come back? Tears choked my throat, burning as they threatened to bubble over and spill from my eyes. No, I don't care if the whole world loses hope. I don't give a damn about them. Because I have faith in her that I'll meet her soon. Until then I have to be strong just like her.
I wipe off my tears, "What did they want from me?".
She hesitates for a moment, but then replies, "Your power". She paused, "Because you are special. That's why your mother suppresses your power so they could never find you".
A cold tremor shot down my back. I shuddered. That woman who attacked me, was she Malign? And something strikes my mind, her last word, 'You gonna die soon. You're still alive because I let you. You've so many undone works and before that, I can't let you die'. Trembles travel from my legs and vibrate up my neck. Terror shot through me. My heart feels like it will explode.
She continues, "And I think, it is now attempting to rise again. And that whispering must be trying to talk to you, forcing you to wake it up".
"What if I don't?" I ask
Terror welled up in his eyes, "Then it must engulf you from inside out and you no longer will be in charge of your body". I can see the tension on her face.
A weight seemed to press on my chest, robbing me of breath. I was paralyzed with fear. Will I be dead then? Or I'll become someone else?