1 chapter - 0 prologue

"My Lady, young Miss Luna Ansel!" I heard her call with a tone of urgency in her voice.

A sharp gasp escaped my mouth and I suddenly placed my hand on my chest over my heart, feeling its pace quicken in an almost panic. "You scared me! What's so important?" I asked with half of my attention going to a novel I'd hidden in a half-sitting up, half lying down position on my bed, my heartbeat returning to normal after realising it's only Miss Sunada.

"My Lady," She addressed me, a slight smile forming across her face. "What do you think you are doing?" She seems cross now. "I've been shouting for you out here like an idiot! Have you been ignoring me? Answer when I call you!"

I roll my eyes. "What is your problem, Miss Sunada? You've been calling me ever since I threatened to leave home. What is it now?" I complain, already bored of her.

"My Lady, it's not that. There's something else…"

"What? Is it my father?" I ask, feeling more concerned now, wondering what's going on.

"Young lady… It's just that...." She's smiling, but only slightly, like she's trying to hide it and I can sense a look of pity on her face.

"What is it?" I demand seriously. "I've told him I'm leaving and no more discussion shall be had on the matter. I won't have it and my mind cannot be changed."

"Miss Ansel, your father has found the novels. He knows you've been reading them sneakily." She looks empathetic.

I say nothing but get up from my bed and race down the stairs, eager to get to the scripts before they're burned… again. How does he keep finding them? I feel despair.

"You'll not find them. It's done. They're now but ash." The voice is cold and familiar and it belongs to my father. I am sick of it.

"These books belonged to me!", I exclaimed shakily. Nervousness and anxiety taking over. You've no respect for my likes and interests! You're too restrictive and it's unfair." My vision starts to blur with tears forming in my eyes and all I can think is that I cannot wait to leave. To leave to a wondrous place where I'm free and where I don't have to hide anything in fear of it being destroyed. I can't wait until I can finally be myself and enjoy the things I want to enjoy.

My father does not care. "Child, why don't you listen to me? I have done this 5 times now. What must I do to make you see that these novels have the potential to destroy your life? You don't need them and as long as you continue to hide them from me, I will continue to find them and burn them. You'll not leave the house for a month! Behave and learn."

The tears finally escaped my eyes and I begin to sob. As soon as he finishes his unfair lecture, I run to the back yard with a slither of hope. Are they completely ash? Is there any chance of reviving my beloved books? No. They're unsaveable. Ash.

My voice is shaking with great sadness. "I can't take this anymore, Miss Sunada.." I declare depressingly, still looking at the pile of ash which was once a collection of books I loved so dearly. I let out a howl. A loud one comparable to the cry of a child lost in a large crowd.

"Young Lady…" Miss Sunada started sadly.

On looking up at my butler I cried more. My face was soaked with tears and I could taste the saltiness of them on my lips. If I cried any more there would surely be a puddle by this pile of ashes and Miss Sunada would be made to mop it up. I returned to my bed depressed.

"My dear child,"

Feelings of sadness evaporated for just a moment as confusion got the better of me. Looking around I could not see anyone. My curiosity grew.

"My dear child... Help me.. Help me and I will grant any wish of yours. Please take my beloved children from their misery."

I feel myself becoming weaker. Any strength I had left is quickly leaving my body and I feel nothing but nausea and confusion. I try to speak but I'm too weak. "Who is this?!" I start but cannot finish the question.

Suddenly my head hits the ground as if in slow motion, but wasn't I in bed? I make an attempt to shout for help as I realise that the ground is hard and cold. It rules out my location being my room because I have soft carpet that feels so soft under one's feet. Is this… Kidnap? I'm terrified.

I don't know how long has passed but I'm still not any closer to finding out what's going on. I look around and take in my new, mysterious environment. I'm free to move and there's no rope binding me or anything. It doesn't seem like the dirty, scary home of a kidnapper, but an old, large, Western style house belonging to.. A rival of my father's perhaps? I have a hundred and one questions and I'm terribly anxious to find the answers.

All of a sudden I notice the colour of a picture hung on the wall begin to fade, then the whole picture is gone. Disappeared with no explanation. The same thing happens with every other object in the room. There's nothing left. Everything's white. Is the state of my mental health so poor? I'll never forgive my father if he's finally made me go mad. I feel like I'm going mad. My head is clouded and I can't think straight. I've no chance of coming up with an explanation for any of this. Where am I?

---------------------------To be continued----

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author note -

Hello I am new when it comes to novel writing so I wish for you all help me by giving critique on how to improve and support me as much you can thank you!

credit -

Author - myself

proof reader - Amy (link to her profile comment section)

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