Chapter 1

Narseau, January 18, 1851

I was awakened by an extreme radiant even my eyes were shut closed. I can feel someone is pulling me from my comfort place. What a disturbance! I can hear some murmur and a female voice weeping. I do not want to go but it seems like it is my time to go out of my favourite spot. Ouch! Someone is pulling my neck! Don't they know that it hurts? Noooooo! I can already feel the cold breeze of the outside world hugging my soft, gentle skin. I then feel the warm and tender touch of an immense hands holding my small figure. I opened my amber-coloured eyes. Everything was slightly fuzzy but I got a hold of it. Then every single thing became clear. I caught a glimpse of a sturdy man. Maybe he is my father, for we have the same eye colour. I know it sounds ridiculous to assume that this man is related to me, but I can feel it. I looked at my surroundings. I saw an old woman in grey clothing. She has a white hair and is holding a woman lying on the bed. She was slightly pale. Tears were falling on her cheeks. I can clearly see it even I am far from her. I also saw a woman in braided jet-black hair. She slightly looks like the woman on the bed. She was smiling while she was looking at me. Who are these people? But my attention was caught again by the woman on the bed. She was looking at me, then tried to reach for me. Something tells me to reach back for her. I tried to reach her. And I saw my hands. It is so tiny. I tried to reach the man holding me but I could not make it to him. Yet he smiled. Why is he smiling? I said on my mind. Then it hit me. Mother. She is my mother. That woman is my mother. I tried to scream for her. But I only hear my loud wailing. What is this? Realization came into my mind. I am an infant. The miniature version of the man that is holding me and that woman lying on the bed. That explains why my hands are so short. Why my language is just weeping. But why can I think properly? Why can I identify my surroundings? What is this wizardry? Is this a jest? I shouted out loud to ease the thoughts in my head.

"Oh honey, look at her. She is crying. I think she wants you to hold her." said by the man carrying me.

He then gave me to my mother. I guess I have to get myself used to calling him father. I felt her soft palm holding my small built. It gave me a serene feeling. Just like my old favorite place. It is really her, my mother. I heard her saying something, yet I can't comprehensibly understand it. And she smiled. I do not know why it gave me a peaceful feeling.

"Deena Charlotte is her name my love. Charlotte is our freedom." She says as she pulled me in for a warm embrace.

Narseau, May 24, 1854

My name is Deena Charlotte –Snyder. First daughter of Annaliese –Snyder and Maximillian Snyder. I am three years old and I am an older sister of my younger brother. His name is Marcus Andre –Snyder. My mother is giving him a way to be here with me. She is giving birth to him right now but I already saw him in my dreams. He will be cold and he will be like a wallflower. He will not talk much too.

I like to run around the field for I like the feeling the grass gives me every time it meets the sole of my feet. I saw my Auntie Annabele. She was hanging my clothes to make it dry. I ran towards her and decided to be playful with her. She's my favourite playmate. I grabbed some of the clothes pin and pinned it on my beige-toned skin. She saw me and a smile was painted on her glass-like face. She bent down her knee so that we could be at the same reach.

"What is it my lovely little smushy?" she asked me while giving me my favorite soft and delicate head pats.

"Why are they taking so long? I want to see my brother! I am so thrilled to see him Auntie." I replied excitedly. I am so buckled up to play with him, even I know he will talk that much.

"Hold your horses young lady. Young Snyder will be here soon." She replied and gave a kiss on the tip of my head, stood up and continued what she was doing. I was playing with the pins when I saw Grandma. She went out and waved her hand to call me. I sprinted quickly towards her excitedly knowing that I am allowed to go inside to go see my brother.

"Grandmaaaaaaaa! Am I allowed to go insideeeeeee?" I asked, batting my eyelashes.

"You can go inside sweetie. Your brother is waiting for you." She said and flashed her smile on me.

I did not reply, instead, I also showed my smile and ran as quickly as possible to the house. As soon as I held the door, I slammed it open, like a careless little girl and will get the taste of scolding the minute after. Again, I ran but this time, towards my mother.

"MOOOOOOOOTHER! Where is my brother?!" I yelled at my Mother who is laying on the bed.

My Mother did not replied. She just showed a weak smile which gave me the cue not to be too clamorous. I just also smiled at her and looked at the tall figure standing near the window. He is smiling while looking and clutching on the miniature version of himself.

"Lower your voice dear. Your brother is sleeping. Do you want to take a look?" Father said while holding my brother who is sleeping on his arms peacefully.

I quickly nodded and ran carelessly towards the both of them, while Mother is looking at us and is smiling weakly. I climbed at the bed which caused the portion of the soft mattress to recline from its flat configuration. I glanced at the small life-form wrapped around in off-white coloured cloth, slumbering softly on the sleeves of our patriarchal figure. I peeped and saw his pale-coloured complexion peeling off which shows his true ivory-shade skin. His plumped cheeks were slightly flushed, which I believe is that he is healthy. And just like what I saw, he is not fond in smiling. His forehead furrows like he is having a terrible nightmare. I giggled on the sight of the juvenile soul.

"Father, can I touch him? Pleaseeee. Pretty please." I asked while lashing my long and curvy eyelashes.

He laughed at the sight he is seeing at the moment. He nodded as a response to my question and slightly leaned to give me a better view of my newborn brother. I gasped in admiration. For the moment he was tilted towards me, he opened his eyes. And there, I saw his sky-coloured pair of eyes, looking directly at me like he knew that I will be peeking at him. Maybe it is also my imagination that I saw him grin. I was so surprised that I took a step back and shook my head. Father noticed my weird gesture.

"Are you alright dear?" He asked me.

"I am alright Father, I was just seeing some things." I answered and took a look again on my brother.

I thought he would be still looking at me, well, not just look, but a glare, that I think he is saying, 'What are you looking at, being my elder sister does not mean you can stare at me all the time', and it gives me an eerie feeling. But he was sleeping soundly again, like nothing happened. What a witty little tot! I frowned and sat beside Mother who was looking at me the whole time. She giggled and I crossed my arms and sighed.

"Mother, do you think Andre will have powers like me?" I asked while still crossing my arms.

"Why did you asked that my dear?"

"I saw him in my dreams and he can multiply himself. I wish I have that too. I just have Mother's ability for now." I said in a sad tone.

Mother got up from lying down on the bed and tucked some of my hair that is covering my face.

"Do not be sad sweetheart. Both of you and our little sunshine are still young. You have many years to come to make your abilities stronger. Don't you agree with me Charlotte?" Mother said with a smile on her pretty face while she gently runs her finger through the strands of my hair, which made me smile too. I forgot that my Mother have the ability to persuade anyone just by physical contact. I was about to complain but I suddenly felt sleepy. Argh Mother, her strokes made me drowsy, her dirty technique to make me lose. Well, if she touches me, I have no chance of winning at all. So I might as well just enjoy this moment.