Chapter 2: Chapter 1: when you go out at 2am—creeps are lurking
Shaianah finds herself in the middle of a green field at two in the morning. She was just standing there, tightly groping to the hem of her hooded jacket as she stares at the night sky. The blackness sang a lullaby to the stars that were slowly being pulled behind the clouds. The harmony was beautiful, although a bit dangerous. It had the power to draw out creeps that could be hiding anywhere.
"How awful it is that you have to go, mommy." When no one is around, Shaianah's raging emotions start to appear. She, too, was just a child who craved for warmth. She, too, was vulnerable.
She was not someone you'd have trouble getting along with, but people never try to approach her. She had sworn she could've been normal hadn't she talked about the universe and the Big Bang Theory to everyone when she was just four years old.
But her parents loved her so much and gave her everything she could ever ask for. Her mother was her best friend when she had none or when her sister would lock doors on her on a stormy night. Her family is everything to her.
"But you don't have to worry about us anymore. You are free from all your sufferings now. Be happy with dad, we'll be okay."
Shaianah slipped her hand through one of her pockets, bringing out the small blue box Mammy had given her earlier. Petite fingers brushed against the softness of its velvet coat before finally opening it to see what was inside—a silver necklace with a tiny diamond pendant attached to it.
"Well, hello there." The voice made Shaianah shudder. When she turned her back, her eyes met with darker ones—it was danger waiting to happen. He had greasy hair and a pale face that screamed of a bloodthirsty predator looking for its prey. His back was slightly arched and a big dragon tattoo was displayed on his right arm.
He grinned, "You shouldn't be out late. Why don't you come along with me?"
"I'm sorry, I need to go." Shaianah stutters. She didn't know whether to run or to walk away in a calm manner, she couldn't even think straight. And when she finally decided on the former, the man's hand had already found its way on her thin and delicate wrist.
"No one can escape my blaze." His words became a blur to Shaianah's ears as she began to feel her skin burning. An amber-colored light emitted from the man's hand, causing more confusion and fear to the girl who's now only worried for her dear life.
It was fire.
"What's going on?" A sculpted figure materialized from the shadows. His voice was a husky drawl but his eyes glimmered softly when illuminated by the moon's glow. It depicted authority and power which made the bloodthirsty predator stumble with words.
"I didn't mean to—I wasn't doing anything."
"How many times have I told you to stop threatening women?" As soon as the newcomer had taken one step forward, the bloodthirsty predator removes his hand on Shaianah's wrist, revealing the scorched mark he left on her skin.
"I am sorry. Please, don't tell your father about this, Asrial." He pleaded, almost on his knees if only it wasn't that much of an embarrassment.
"I will think about it." The newcomer, whose name was probably Asrial, coldly said. He then averted his gaze to Shaianah who looked confused and terrified altogether. The bloodthirsty predator had already run away by now, leaving the two in silence and under the dim light of the slowly fading moon. "And you, who are you?"
"Who are you?" Shaianah shots back, examining the man right in front of her. He could be another danger waiting to happen and not a savior. You couldn't be sure.
"Did you not know about the curfew?"
"I didn't and I don't care about the curfew. I live steps away from here. How about you? Why are you outside if there's a curfew, then? Ouch!" She exclaimed when Asrial suddenly grabs her by the hand. She then realizes everything that had just happened. The amber light. The scorched mark. "What's going on? I saw the man emitting some sort of energy from his hands. How did he do that? What is happening?"
Asrial was taken aback by her question, not really sure on how to answer. "Are you human?"
"What kind of question is that? Aren't you? Wait, are you just teasing me? I just want to know what on earth is happening here." Shaianah was starting to get pissed when she was getting no response from Asrial. The latter refused to give her answers as he wasn't sure who the girl really was. "What are you doing to my hand?"
"You have too much questions. Can you please keep quiet? I'm an ice elemental." Asrial purposely left out a little information about his identity but still, Shaianah had no clue of what he was talking about. She even looked shock after Asrial ran his hand gently over her wrist, leaving a cold and soothing feeling and removing the scorched mark right after.
"What in the world does that even mean? Why—how did the burn completely disappear?!"
"Abide by the rules next time. It's dangerous to be out here late, which is why we've set up a curfew. You're lucky I was there to stop Kash from doing something stupid. The next time, you might really be in danger." His eyes settled on Shaianah's before leaving her in a daze.
"Hey, you're leaving just like that? Hey!"
Shaianah sighed upon realizing wasting her words would be futile. Asrial was in no way of turning back just to answer all her queries. But her mind was in total chaos—from the dream and visions she saw, the cryptic message Mammy told her and now this. What was this town hiding? Because now she's sure that something was definitely fishy about Cassiopeia.
"Young lady, your presence is needed in the dining hall." A voice was heard from the other side of the door to Shaianah's bedroom. "I'm coming in."
"What? Wait!" But the door had already been pushed open, revealing three women in maidservant uniforms. Shaianah quickly got up to fix herself, not really used to people invading her room.
"Good morning, young lady, my name is Lila and your grandmother appointed me as your personal helper. You can call me anytime if you are in need of assistance." The lady who stood in front of the other two introduced herself. She looked young and serene, her skin silky white and her small lips forming a genuine smile. She was probably of the same age as Shaianah.
"Personal helper? But I can handle myself."
"It's for your protection, too, young lady." Shaianah sure could use some protection after what had happened earlier, but she wanted more to learn how to protect herself and not merely rely on anyone. And one more thing, how could someone like Lila, who looked frail and innocent, protect her?
"Who are these other two women?"
"They will be helping me today. We were tasked to dress you up." Lila answered, signalling the other two to move and perhaps do what they were supposed to.
"Why? What's the event?" Shaianah asked as her eyes linger on the two women who were now getting dresses from her closet. She wasn't used to a life like this. She literally has to live like a princess from now on. "Oh! Please, not a dress. I'd be fine with a simple shirt and jeans, thank you."
Lila faced the other two helpers and nodded at them before turning to Shaianah. "You'll be going out with your grandparents today, young lady. Oh, would you like for us to prepare you a hot bath?"
"I'm fine. I'll just take a shower." Shaianah awkwardly says as the two helpers handed the clothes they chose for her.
Shaianah thought the helpers had already left her bedroom by the time she finished her shower, but Lila was still there standing beside the vanity mirror. The silence between them was a bit awkward, not to mention how creepy it looked when Lila was just observing her doing her own thing.
"Lila, how much do you know about this town?" Shaianah decides to break the silence as Lila picks up a brush to help her with her hair.
"Well, I've lived here all my life but I think I only know so little. There are still many secrets this town holds."
"How about guys named Asrial and Kash? Do you know them? Or perhaps have you heard of them?"
"Asrial? I know him but I'm unfamiliar of this Kash you speak of. Asrial Ethan Cale is a member of the royal family, the highest ranking nobles in this town. He's the heir to his father's throne." Shaianah almost laughed on how ridiculous that sounded. It almost seemed like she was pulled into some fairy tale world with kings and queens of some sort. Or perhaps she magically teleported to England or to another country other than England, or even to another dimension!
"Do you know some sort of public library in this town?" She wanted to look for information as she was sure people wouldn't easily hand it over to her. Even Mammy couldn't explain things to her.
"I apologize, young lady, but I do not. The academy you will be attending to have a huge library, though. But you have to wait before the school starts to have access to it."
Her curiosity and the suspense of waiting were driving her nuts, but she knew she couldn't do anything about it for now. She was just dying to know what else there was in this town. She just wanted to clear things out.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone