S.E.V

Surprised by the unexpected visit from my mother late at night, I opened the door wide to welcome her into my room. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the space, casting a warm ambiance across the room.

"Mother, what brings you here at this hour?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I gestured for her to come in. She stepped into the room, her eyes filled with affectionate concern.

"I couldn't help but notice that you seemed restless earlier," she explained, her voice gentle and soothing. "I thought a warm cup of milk might help you sleep peacefully."

I couldn't help but smile at her thoughtfulness. Despite the late hour, my mother always found ways to show her love and care. She had a knack for knowing when something was troubling me, even when I didn't speak a word.

"Thank you, Mother," I said, taking the cup from her hands. The warm ceramic surface felt comforting against my skin. The familiar aroma of milk filled the air, evoking a sense of comfort and tranquility.

We settled down on the edge of the bed, our bodies embracing the quiet stillness of the night. The moon's gentle glow filtered through the window, casting delicate patterns of light and shadow on the floor.

As I sipped the milk, its soothing warmth spread throughout my body, easing the restlessness that had troubled me earlier. My mother sat beside me, her presence a calming reassurance. We sat in comfortable silence, the only sound filling the room being the gentle lullaby of our breaths.

In that tranquil moment, I realized how fortunate I was to have a mother who would go to such lengths to ensure my well-being. Her love and care were constant reminders of the depth of our bond, and I cherished every opportunity to share these quiet moments together.

After finishing the cup of milk, I placed it gently on the nightstand, a small smile playing on my lips. I turned to my mother, gratitude gleaming in my eyes.

"Thank you, Mother," I whispered, my voice filled with appreciation. "Your presence and kindness always bring me comfort."

She reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from my face, her touch tender and filled with love. "You are my greatest joy, my dear," she replied, her voice tinged with emotion.  "You've grown so well, my lovely daughter. Time really does flies so fast, look how you have grown tall with an enchanting appearance." 

"It's all thanks to the two people with pure hearts who adopted me," I said, talking about them as I looked down at the milk on my hands.

I heard her sigh, "I apologize for not being able to send you to a University like your best friend Glendale. I know you'd love to go to a university, learn, and have fun with your fellow students, but you're stuck here with us." I felt how sad my mother was as she speaks, I hugged and tapped her back gently.

"You don't need to apologize, Mother. You have no idea how grateful I am that you feed me every day, and treat me like your own. Believe me, that's more than enough." I smiled at her and hold her hand with my other hand.

"My sweet Nyra, you are our daughter, always remember that." I nodded at what she said.

"I knew it," I saw my Father standing in front of my door. "Leaving the father in the dark again, huh?" My father said pouting at us which made us laugh.

"Come here, Father," I said and pat the bed on my left side.

He sat next to me, "How did you grow so fast, Darling?" He whispered patting my head.

I giggled, "I could not stay a child forever, could I?"

My father kissed me on the forehead, "We wish you could, but another year has passed, and my dearest daughter's birthday would be tomorrow." he said.

"What does our daughter want to eat for her birthday tomorrow, hmm?" My mother's baby talking to me made me smile even more.

I gave it a lot of thought about what I wanted and remembered my favorite.

"Hmm, can we make a Cider cake?!" I excitedly said.

My parents laughed, "Of course, that's settled, sweetie! Tomorrow we will have a cider cake for my lovely daughter." my mother said squeezing my hands.

"Okay, it's getting late; we should put the birthday girl to bed early. So she can have her beauty rest." My father said and took the cup from my hand.

I lay down on my bed as my mother tucked me in. She kissed my forehead, "Sweet dreams, Nyra."

"Good night, Mother." as she walked towards my door, I smiled at her and my father kissed my forehead.

"We love you, Nyra. You are our best decision, remember that." My dad said as he blew the light of my lantern lamp.

"I love you, Mother and Father. Thank you for everything." I said before they closed my door.

My adoptive parents continue to treat me like a kid to this day. They never get tired of it, neither do I.

With the moonlight casting a soft glow in my room, I closed my eyes, surrendering to the embrace of darkness. 

"Sequoia,"

Startled awake from my sleep, I found myself drenched in a cold sweat, my body shivering uncontrollably. Gasping for breath, I sat up on my bed, my heart pounding in my chest. The remnants of a vivid and unsettling dream lingered in my mind, casting a shadow over my waking reality.

As I tried to steady my breath, a sharp pain pierced through my abdomen, causing me to double over in agony. The coldness of my body intensified, goosebumps prickling my skin, as if the chill of the night had seeped deep into my bones. Each inhale felt constricted, as though the air itself had become thin and elusive.

Fear gripped me, mingling with the physical discomfort. I struggled to find relief, attempting to regulate my breathing, but the pain persisted, gnawing at my insides. The room felt suffocating, closing in around me as I fought to catch my breath.

In the midst of this torment, a surge of panic rose within me. Thoughts raced through my mind, a tumultuous whirlwind of uncertainty and apprehension. What was happening to me?

In my bed, I was writhing in agony. I want to call my parents, but no sound comes out of my mouth. My stomach pain has gotten worse, and now my entire body hurts.

It's like something sharp is drawing inside my body.

And then for a split second I thought I saw a man outside my window, but it could not be true. My room is on the second floor of our house.

Is it possible that I'm seeing things as a result of how I'm experiencing right now?

Overwhelmed by the intensity of the pain coursing through my body, my consciousness began to fade. The world around me blurred, and my eyelids grew heavy. 

As I slowly regained consciousness, the soft glow of morning light filtered through the window, casting a gentle warmth upon the room. Tentatively, I began to take stock of my body, bracing myself for the familiar ache and discomfort that had plagued me the night before.

To my astonishment, there was no pain. No sharp twinges in my stomach, no heaviness in my chest, no residual ache that lingered from the ordeal. It was as if the torment that had gripped me so fiercely had dissipated entirely, leaving no trace behind.

Confusion mingled with relief as I cautiously moved my limbs, testing for any lingering discomfort. But there was nothing. My body felt whole and unencumbered, as if the previous night's anguish had been merely a haunting memory.

Was it all a dream? A figment of my imagination, conjured in the depths of my subconscious?

Startled by the soreness in my back, I reached for the mirror on the side table beside my bed. Holding it up to get a clear view, I angled it carefully to see my back. My breath caught in my throat as I beheld the sight before me.

Three bold, red letters were etched onto my right shoulder blade.

S.E.V