Outlands

I grew up in the outlands; the northernmost island of our country that was away from the urban world. Our economy revolved around agriculture but our technology isn't that much different from the city.

My mother is a skilled herbalist. The people in our community would refer to her as a goddess. She is a mystery. A truly beautiful and complex mystery. She treated everyone equally without a bias. She was a woman of compassion and probably the heroine of the story but why?

Why did they kill her?!

...

"Astrid!" Ara called.

"ASTRID!" She called louder but to no avail.

"Utopia" She then called but now softly.

"Hm?" I replied.

"Your father is calling you."

"Huh? What father?" I responded sarcastically.

"Please Astrid, just go to him. I don't want you punished again." She pleaded.

I sighed defeated and stood up. "Just don't call me that. It's Utopia."

2 years had already passed from my once peaceful life; now hell. It all happened so quickly. Just some time ago, my mother was singing me to sleep. Now, things have changed entirely. Not only am I adopted by the very person who murdered my mother in front of my very eyes but now, every day is a battle against life.

As I walked down the halls to Mister Beau's office, "my father", I tried to calm myself and bring myself back to senses. His presence itself can make a fully grown adult man quiver in fear. He's a spawn of Satan as other kids would refer him and they're not wrong. Even I am terrified of him.

As I knocked on the door, I felt as if my whole body was numb and adrenaline rushed through my veins. "Will I even make it out alive?" I said in my mind.

"Come in." He scowled.