12 One step forward

Alyra had to continue living with the four of them for months, but this time, studying with the spirits.

In the world of the living, behind her, how her powers would be stolen was calculated by those who lived under the same roof.

In the world of the dead, a small battle was about to start, there were many who were intrigued about the girl, but many, did not seem to like the idea. Someone who could do everything was a tremendous risk to the control they used to have, and that was not to their advantage, if someone else found out about it, it could be even worse.

It was no longer possible to trust, neither from the living nor from the dead.

The point is, the time that Alyra didn't even know she had, was already over, it was what they thought.

—Alyra, we need you to understand, if you don't try hard, it won't work!—Dinah said, rubbing her head.

—I'm doing my best!—She replied.

—We've been at it for months, and you still refuse to talk to them, hear from him, or even see them!— There's never any news.—she complained.

What she didn't know, is that secretly, Alyra had already advanced a lot, they all recognized that the girl was skilled, even those who didn't like her well, and that was why she scared them, she was growing up so fast, that needed to stop.

—You know what, let's take a break, I'll get us some water.—She withdrew.

Alyra had really grown up, developed skills that not even the spirits knew she was capable of.

Contrary to what they believed, Alyra not only had the ability to communicate with the other side, she was much more than that. Living in that place, taught her not only how to use magic, but taught her to survive, and also taught her to manipulate, cheat and even lie, if necessary, the point is, she doesn't look like her.

—Here it is.— the woman said as soon as she returned.

She handed the glass to the girl, who accepted it with a small smile.

Dinah looked at her expectantly, hoping the girl would drink, she just needed one last sip.

To the woman's unhappiness, the girl, who looked tired, dropped it, with great despair, the girl started to pick up the pieces, she seemed weak, as always.

A weakness that could irritate Dinah whenever she saw it, was surprising how they had all become so alike, even though they had such a different personality in the beginning.

—I'm sorry, ma'am, it wasn't my intention, I just …— the girl got up quickly.

She did not seem to be doing well, had a sick and sad face, quickly leaned against one of the walls next to her, and Dinah, soon approached, was the potion already working? Even if the last dose was missed?

—Do you want help?—Dinah offered.

The woman's friendliness seemed the same as when they first met, if she didn't know what she really was like, she might even believe it.

The woman put her hand on the girl's back, and approached her, trying to look her in the face.

That was when it all happened.

—You tried so hard to teach me to look at them, but you forgot to look at me, Dinah— she whispered in the woman's ear.

Alyra smiled mischievously, in Dinah, a large piece of glass was spiked in her neck, the blood kept flowing.

Wiped her bloodstained hand on the woman's clothing and dropped her on the floor while she was in agony, unable to say a single word.

In her last minutes, Dinah remembered saying something similar to her, and now she could see, that maybe the girl was right.

“—Are you tired, Alyra?—Jimmy asked, while the others just watched.

The girl slowly agreed, hoping to be allowed to rest at least a little:

—Not today, you're not giving us anything, nor your effort, why should we give you rest?— Celine said with an ironic smile on her face.

The girl didn't have the strength to respond, her whole body was shaking, the cold was harsh, but they didn't seem to care.

For them, the most important thing was that she learned, after a while, Alyra understood that they were no longer trying to teach about spirits, but how their hierarchy worked, where she was located far below.

The girl just looked at them deeply, just analysing one thing, their expression. She could see a kind of pride, in the eyes of everyone, they liked to feel it, the submission of one, to the power of others, it was satisfying to have someone as fragile as that, without being able to do anything.

—Why do you do this to me?— She asked without emotion.

—You are still fragile to understand, child.— Ma'am Madeleine said.

—You know what, Alyra?—Dinah began.—If you spent less time looking at us, and looked more at the spirits, you would have your answer.

And it was with that, that they left there, leaving the girl alone, in the dark, in the cold, until the body could not resist, and she passed out, with the feeling of helplessness, for not being able to do anything, just to remain there, trapped by a chain, exposed to the open air, while many others passed by, and looked at her face, only with pitying eyes, but unable to do anything.

Despite the cold, and the feeling of humiliation, Alyra could only think of one thing, something that was repeatedly going through her head.

No one would ever have that much power over her again, regardless of what she needed to do.

It was a promise.”

She took a bag that was hidden behind a bush and opened it, checking everything, food, water, money, few clothes, seeing that everything was right the girl quickly left the house, before her other mentors returned from the village, and found her there.

It was then that leaving everything behind, Alyra entered the forest that was right in the backyard, and disappeared completely.