Chapter 1
LYRA
“Stop it. You're killing her!”
One of Rachel's friends yelled at me. I could swear that I heard her growl in anger just now.
My gaze on her intensified as Rachel's moldy tears slipped down.
My palms became moist as my power swept through me. Like a rush of electric current, and I charged at Rachel.
Taking away her core senses.
I tightened my fists on the glass cup and squinted my eyes as my neck moved to the left.
With great difficulty, I finally broke my gaze from her and fixated it on the floor as I held the bar table, trying to steady my breath that seemed to rise rapidly.
“You damned girl! I always knew something was wrong with you!”
Rachel cursed angrily.
I looked up and gazed at her and the broken glass cups that were destroyed by her. She looked colorless, like life had just left her.
I hurried over to Sarah, who sat by the corner, terrified by what Rachel had just done.
Needless to say, it wasn't Rachel's first time bullying Sarah.
“Sarah? Are you okay?”
I crouched down and extended my hand a little. Sarah retreated and tightly held her knees close to her chest.
Her eyes lit up as she stared at me.
“That,” she held my gaze. Her eyes were bright and expressive, “was truly fascinating.” Sarah admitted as her lips curled up in a smile.
Thereafter, she picked up her bag from the floor and left.
Mum arrived earlier than expected.
She darted her eyes from the moving Sarah to the shattered glass cups and wares on the floor and finally at Rachel and her two friends, who held her closely.
I stood up and headed to the bar area, like nothing bad just happened.
“The nerve you have to take away my smell, my sight, and my touch!”
Rachel said and took a few steps towards me.
“Maybe you shouldn't go around attacking people like a lunatic.” I said in my defense, as I rolled my eyes.
She came closer but stood a few inches away from me. A safe distance, that's what I'd call it.
“I'll deal with you! Ginger-haired. You'll wish you never butted in!”
Rachel snarled as she made for the door, accompanied by her two friends, who literally murdered me with their eyes.
I stood still, unfazed by their threats, rather, disturbed by the unexpected surfacing of my power.
The look in my mum's eyes confirmed my fears. She knew better than anyone that my power had surfaced yet again.
This time, worse than before.
I was just twelve when it first surfaced. All I could remember was passing out due to shock and being banned from making friends or associating with people.
It was a terrible period.
The snack bar was the only place I could come to, work, and see people.
“Go upstairs”
Mum ordered, subtly but in a way that raised the hair at the back of my neck.
I untied my apron and kept my blue hairnet and black gloves by the bar side.
Looking back, I'm grateful there were no customers when Rachel misbehaved.
I threw every feeling of remorse away as I headed upstairs.
No one was allowed to bully anyone, especially those who came to the shop.
Rachel deserved worse than I did to her.
I opened my room's door as the scent of soft lavender filled my nostrils.
I looked at my skin and felt the stench of Rachel and her friends on it.
“Deep down, I wish I did more.”
I said to myself as I grabbed my bathrobe and headed to the bathroom.
Taking away her core senses was little compared to what I'd have done if I could fully control my power.
- - - - - - -
Later at the dining…
I placed the bowl of creamy spaghetti and occasionally scooped some in the plates of my ginger-haired dad and my brown-haired mum.
The scent of the food couldn't cloud the heavy stench of the silence and the things that followed it.
Plates, forks, and even the hands of those meant to eat were still.
“It's not like I committed murder.”
I admitted half-heartedly. I couldn't care less about what I did to Rachel; I just couldn't have my parents stay mad at me.
“I mean, I wish I did more to her but I didn't. You both should show some leniency. I saved someone else from her.”
My mum was the first to speak, “At the expense of what? At the expense of your life and freedom?”
She clutched her fork and glared at me, like she could see my soul vividly.
“You're worried for nothing.” I said to her, hoping she'd eventually understand that Rachel was just Rachel.
“No she isn't just Rachel, even if that's how you see her. Lyra, you crossed the line this time.”
A worrisome look rested on her face.
Rachel was still alive; what was the fuss about?
“Here” my dad said and handed me an envelope.
The stamp was unusual. I hadn't seen anything like it before. I shot a glance at him and my mom before tearing the envelope open.
“Dear Lyra Cassian, we hope this finds you well. You've been offered a scholarship and admission into Velmora Academy, with immediate effect from tomorrow.”
My eyes darted from place to place as I reread every line. Bit by bit. Word for word.
Shocked, my hands trembled on the paper as it came crumpling down.
There was no way this was happening.
“I'm going back to school? And this is how you tell me?”
I couldn't believe what was playing out before me.
After pleading to go back to school for so long and getting a no due to the grounding, I'm now supposed to jump in excitement that my wishes were finally granted?
Images of the days I sat by my window, looking at other children dressed up and giggling on their way to school, clouded my mind.
I was made to watch. To beg and to wish that I could be like every other child and go to school; yet I was denied that request.
This was unacceptable.
I stood up to leave but was stopped by my father, who grabbed my hands.
As his warm hands clutched mine, I blinked repeatedly in order to suppress the overwhelming tears that threatened to fall.
I gave in to his persuasive pull and sat down, occasionally exhaling to steady my breathing.
Tears trickled down my mum's face. There was so much she hadn't told me.
“We're so sorry, Lyra.” She cupped her face and tried to stop her tears from falling even more.
“Lyra?” My dad called out to me as he rubbed the back of my hand.
“My child, you're different, and you know it. The regular school here is too small to contain you. Soon enough, you'll understand why we did this.”
I gazed at his clouded face that revealed nothing but the truth.
“This scholarship came at the right time. Take it that you're leaving the slums to become better and do better for your family. Rachel's family might harm you if you're still here; you need to leave, my love.”
Mum drew me closer and hugged me tightly, like I could be taken from her in the next minute.
I buried my head in her shoulders. Warm tears trickled down my face as I sniffled.
Finally, I slowly broke the hug and stood up to go to my room.
I already knew that there was no sleeping this night. That was the price of using my powers.
I'd have to stay awake and think all through the night, especially now that I had tons of things to think about.
“I had your things packed already.”
I looked back at my dad in disbelief, “Already?”
“That's because you leave tomorrow morning.”
I gave no reply; rather, I entered my room and stood at the door.
For some reason, I could hear their voices clearly. Mum's words rang severally in my head.
“Lyra has to go. This is the debt that we cannot repay.”
