Prologue: 5 years earlier

  Shame and humiliation makes the tempest tips of my ears burn as a stutter through my presentation I struggled to keep my face and passive I walk slowly to my desk tears burning against my eyelids. People congratulate me and I force a bright smile to my face all while thoughts tumble through my head. What was that? That was the worst presentation ever

  I close my eyes tightly as a tear slips down my cheek I pray for the thoughts to shut up to leave me alone but they don't they taught and they tease criticizing everything from my clothes to my school work. I I breathe in Anna's and out my mouth I repeat this process a few times but it doesn't help.

  I faintly hear other students stumble through their presentations the Bell screeches loudly blasting through the eardrums of the students. The girl who was giving her presentation visibly relaxes and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. She's going to have to do it the next time we have this class.

  I packed my notebook and pencil up shoving it into my bag I stiffen as he walks by my breath gets lodged and my throat and I forget about my disaster of a presentation his dark brown hair sways gently covering his ice blue eyes his eyes flick towards me and says if the world has stopped and the only thing that mattered with him.

  But but apparently I was the only one who felt it evident when he looked away without missing a step I shake my head as if to banish these improper thoughts I swing my bag over my shoulder feeling it's familiar weight and head to band class.

  By the time band class was over my lips are sore and felt swollen. Mr Sarah's reminded us of the concert coming up and dismissed us the bell rings and the kids file chaotically out of building.

  I walk home excited to tell my mom about my day suddenly a dog with white fangs black fur and a dragon looking scar around its muzzle jumps out at me barking and snarling.

  I flinch back scared it's going to rip my face off I back away slowly I cross the street the federal dog stares me down it's dark eyes following me.

  When I arrive home the doors was slightly a jar in the corner splinted I go and my heart beating wildly in my chest I push open the door my throat tight everything seemed to be in place I take a step into the house and call out.

  Mom Mom I'm home

  No one answers and I venture deeper into the house I head to the kitchen first I pale as I see the mess in front of me blood splits flattered on the White tiles a knife resting on the floor crimson coating it I shoot around the island but my mom was not there.

  You're pulses through me making it hard to breathe mom I croak out.

  I rush through the house my feet slapping against the wood floors I open every door until I reach her room I burst through the door I nearly cry out and relief.

  Almost hunched over a her blonde hair swing gently as you carefully places a Band-Aid on her foot.

  Mom are you okay concerned coach my tone as I stare at her

  Stolen story; please report.

  She cleanses up sharply her light blue eyes crinkle as she smiles at me I'm fine honey just a small mishap involving an apple a knife and my foot.

  I'm not and head back into the kitchen I grab the bleach and the paper towel from the cabinet and start cleaning up the blood small steps pad into the kitchen and my glance up to see my mom looking at me eyes wide.

  How do you know how to do that she asks.

  I throw my brow do what.

  Clean up blood she says voice shrill.

  I stuff on my laughter as my mom can send you as a friend her skin turns scarlet. Mom I know because of books not because I murdered somebody. I roll my eyes.

  I'm releases a breath and relaxes I chocolate and grab an apple slice from the counter she glares at me as I continue to smile

  Mom I asked heart racing

  Yes Allie she says

  Can I go to my friend Eva's house I whisper

  Mom pauses and looks like as if she's contemplating it when she says simply

  I look at the ground and shuffle my feet tonight I cough

  Mom jokes on what I don't know no that's all that's all she says she returns back to the same.

  Your swells in my chest no seriously I never go anywhere I do my chores I have good grades I am literally the best in my class and you say no I yell at her unable to hold back my rage.

  Besides barely but doesn't say anything I glare at her and storm upstairs I silently clicked my door shut and angrily grab a book off myself I sit on my bed and jerkly lean back.

  Take a deep breath in and out but it won't work anger swells in my chest it says if my furious suffocating me my breast is in and out panicky I shake my fingers count to 10 backwards photos around but it doesn't work

  Someone screams a pain-filled sound and that roughly stops I run downstairs my anger draining leaving me tired and sluggish blood rushes through my ears

  Mom is on the ground blood gushing out of her ears eyes open and void her hand stretches out to the doorway I rushed her aside collapsing beside her my knees flashing in the puddle of her blood

  I go down there but my lungs refused to cooperate tears slip down my cheeks splashing onto my mom's lifeless body I cup our cheek into my hand and her cheek was losing warmth fast

  A gut wrenching saw breaks free and doesn't stop this is a dream it isn't real this is a dre-

  My thoughts were interrupted by the door swinging open crashing into the wall I win but don't move maybe it's the police maybe it's the murderer who cares nothing matters now that my world is dead

  Shiny black loafers fill the corner of my vision but I refuse to look up all I can do is stare at my mom's glassy blank eyes her face losing its Rosy color her eyes slightly open I sniff the smell of metallic blood coating the inside of my nose

  Throat clears and I don't look up a shoe covered foot nudges me I glance up slowly my eyes filled with fuzz. Light pink eyes meet my Sharp angular cheeks full lips and black hair this man was hauntingly beautiful his full lips were curled into a warm smile all it does is make me feel sick no one no one should

  Hello my name is Hardin Cooper and I'm part of the SRO I need you to come with me his deep voice snaps me on my daze

  No my mom my mom mom please get up I'm sorry I'm sorry I cry out I tried to crawl closer to her but the mail harden catches me and drags me backwards

  Scream as images are forced into my mind a young woman giggling round with child a little girl chasing a kitten into the road a truck screams sadness pain than nothing empty.

  Cover my eyes wailing rocking back and forth footsteps click towards me

  What did you do a voicemail snaps

  Nothing she just started screaming hard and says defensively

  Obviously something happened the voice says roughly

  She's a mind faerie a soft feminine voice calls out cold fingers pinch my cheeks lifting me to me a fiery red gaze

  Lilith what are you on mine fairies have been extinct for decades the Drucials made sure of that the other man says

  I know that Zeke but look at the evidence what else would be the cause Lilith says reasonably

  She let's go to my chin and straightens to her full height we'll take her with us but not to execute or give to the academy well keep her until we are sure that she's mind fae. Lilith orders

  I stare up at Lilith's her beautiful face smiling at me but it was calculating hands grasp my arms and start dragging me backwards maybe they'll kill me no two merciful I close my eyes and think maybe this is a dream I think hopefully but I know that it isn't I don't think or hope or have faith because wishes are for the weak