[POV: Rebecca Asheart]
«Rebecca, stop whining,» my mother snaps. «I told you a week ago that your father and I would go out for dinner tonight to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We'll only be gone a couple of hours, but please — don't drive Uncle Edmund crazy this time. We're lucky he agreed to watch you tonight.»
She's annoyed by my protests, but they won't listen. I've been crying all afternoon, but I want to be with them. I really do. I barely see them during the day since they both work from dawn to dusk, and I'm often asleep when they get home. At least tonight, when there's a chance, I want to be with them. It doesn't seem like too much to ask for a ten-year-old.
But the truth is something else.
«N-no, Mom, please...» I murmur. I sniff and wipe my tears. «Okay, Mom. I won't ask to come anymore, and I won't throw a fit, I promise. I promise I'll be good. I'm old enough to stay home alone. As soon as you leave, I'll lock the door and go straight to bed. I won't cause any trouble, I swear.»
I try with all my might to hold back the tears, to prove to Mom I'm not a spoiled little girl anymore, but I can't. Not when I think that man will be here soon, and we'll be alone in the house...
«Rebecca, you're only ten. There's no way you're staying home alone! If something happened while we were out, your father and I would be arrested. Is that what you want? To see your parents in jail after all the effort we put in every day so you don't miss a thing? Since the day you were born we've been working like slaves to save enough money to send you to Astralea Academy, and this is how you thank us? By making us feel guilty!» my mom yells.
My father stands silent in the doorway, watching me with resignation as he waits for Mom to join him.
«N-no, Mom, I'd never do that. I truly appreciate all the sacrifices you're making for me, and when I become an officer in the Kristalia army I'll have enough money to thank you so we can finally live the life we've always dreamed of, all together... but not Edmund. Please, Mom. Not him...»
«Rebecca Asheart.» My father's stern voice paralyzes me. «I've told you more than once I don't want to hear you drag my brother Edmund Asheart's name through the mud again. He's a man of values you hardly see anymore, an honest worker who breaks his back every day in the foundry to feed your aunt and your two cousins. I'm certain he'd rather be resting right now than looking after an ungrateful little crybaby like you, so don't you dare let another slander about him leave your mouth. And if tonight Edmund tells me you've thrown another fit, not even your mother will stop me from using the belt. Am I clear?»
I nod, tears streaking down my cheeks. There's nothing else I can do.
«I wonder where we went wrong with her. Dragging the honor of someone like Edmund through the mud, slandering him with the worst accusations just because she wants to stay home alone and cause trouble. Unbelievable...» my father mutters, with my mother right behind him, as he slams the door and locks it twice.
If they've left, it means they saw Uncle Edmund coming from down the street... he's almost here...
My legs tremble, and I can't breathe. My eyes burn from all the crying; they're so red I can hardly keep them open.
I have to do something. Now. Yes—I need to hide. The small cabinet in the bathroom, where Mom keeps the dirty laundry. He would never look in there.
A cold shiver runs down my spine as I hear the key turning in the front door. He's here...
I have to... I have to stay as quiet as possible. I hold my breath, forcing myself not to tremble, not to let my teeth chatter. I want to scream, but I can't. I can't even let out a whisper, or he'll find me.
Light from the living room filters through the slats of the cabinet door. It shines on something beside me—a photograph.
A fourteen-year-old boy with fiery red hair, holding a trophy. Jade Kyndrake, the kingdom's prince. He's only in his first year at Astralea, yet he defeated a fifth-year student. I would have loved to see that match, but the ticket cost far more than my family could afford. Still, I'm so happy I managed to get this photo signed by Jade himself. It's my most precious treasure... but what was it doing in the laundry cabinet? Maybe Mom picked it up by mistake and threw it away. Jade Kyndrake isn't just handsome—he's proud, strong, fierce. And I... I want to be like him.
«Little Rebecca? Where are you hiding, my beloved niece? It's me, your dear Uncle Edmund. Come out, or I'll have to tell your father you've been very bad again tonight.»
I press the photograph to my chest, clutching it with all my strength.
If I were stronger—if I were as strong as Jade—I'd never let this happen, not to me, not to anyone else in the world. I want to be like you, strong and respected like you. Please, Jade, give me the strength to endure tonight. One day this will end, I know, but until then... please, Jade, help me...
A sinister creak.
The wardrobe door creaks open, light spills over me.
He's found me. I squeeze my eyes shut.
Now it's all dark.
I snap my eyes open and... wake up with a desperate scream. My breath comes in ragged gasps, cold sweat beading on my forehead.
I sit up, pressing my back against the headboard of my bed in the Astralea dormitory. The moon still hangs high in the sky. Its pale light falls on a crumpled piece of paper lying on the nightstand beside me.
A photograph—of Jade Kyndrake from his first victory at the semester tournament against Professor Selunara.
Why? Jade, Viktoria, Arielle, Selene, Jasmine... Why do you hate me so much...? The day before I set foot in Astralea, I was so excited at the thought of finally meeting you in person that I couldn't sleep at all that night. It was thanks to you that I found the strength to face everything... your strength was my inspiration. You were my role models, my idols, the ones I wanted to become...
I don't understand... I worked so hard to become stronger, to become someone worthy of your attention...
Large tears fall onto the wrinkled, yellowed surface of my precious keepsake.
Jade... I... I just wanted to thank you personally for everything you've done for me, even if you can't know it, of course... I... I just wanted you to notice me... to be your friend...