"Ahhhhh!" I groaned in pain as Sabrina yanked my hair.
I'm already used to this. Used to the pain and the bruises I get every day because of them.
They don't pity me anymore; they're the reason why I became like this. The once cheerful and smiling child became serious and stopped smiling.
I've been like this ever since I found out my parents died in a car accident and their bodies were never found—that's what my aunt told me back then. But deep inside, I know it wasn't just a simple car accident.
Since they were gone, my life has become a mess. I still live in our house with my aunt, uncle, and their child, but they treat me like a maid.
I couldn't continue studying because they wouldn't send me to school. Even with food and clothing, I barely get anything. I only eat their leftovers. They even took my clothes, jewelry, and savings, leaving me with nothing.
Even though it's hard, I stayed here to survive and have a place to sleep. I endured all their pain without complaining. I rarely speak anymore.
Sometimes people around me laugh at me because I look like a beggar from all the dirt on me. Others pity me for what happened after my parents died.
After finishing all the house chores, I immediately went to the big tree planted at the back of the house. This is where I always stay when I'm sad. This is where I cry every night. This is where I pour out my pain.
It feels like this tree has been my companion in my struggles since my parents died. We used to hang out here with my mom and dad.
"Mom, please come back. I can't take it here anymore," I whispered to myself as I looked up at the stars above.
Even now, I never run out of tears. What people see in me is someone emotionless—someone who doesn't feel sad or happy—because my face is always serious.
Mom, Dad, I promise this will be my last cry. I will never be weak again. I promise that one day, I will be free and happy.
I was shocked when an old man suddenly appeared in front of me, and I almost hit him. Luckily, I stopped my hand just in time. My eyes widened when I saw flames come out of my palm. I thought I would burn the old man, but he dodged it.
I quickly hid my hand behind me. Since I was little, I already knew I had powers because my dad explained it to me. My dad had powers too, but he said mine were stronger. He came from a place where people had powers and lived here to be with my mom, but I don't know what that place is called.
When I turned twelve, we always went to the backyard to train how to control my powers. Dad said his power was the element of fire, but mine was the elements of fire, water, earth, wind, and light—which includes thunder under my light power. I also have healing powers and mind reading, but I can choose whether to read someone's mind or not.
At a young age, I already knew who and what I was. Mom would always give me words of wisdom, but her most important advice was: "Don't trust the people around you too easily." That's the one that stuck with me.
"Don't worry, young lady. Your suffering will soon end, and always remember—every hardship has happiness as its reward, and every happiness comes with sadness in return," the old man said before disappearing into the darkness. WTH? Who was he? Geez, that was scary.
I calmed myself before going back inside the house and heading straight to my room. When I got in, I immediately lay on the bed but noticed an envelope tucked under my pillow. I took it.
"To Ms. Sawyer"
That's what was written on it, so I opened the envelope. A letter? Was this letter for me? I took the letter out and read it.
"To Ms. Sawyer,
Greetings from Impo Academy! We are now searching for students like you. We are inviting you to be part of the Impo students. We are waiting in the Crimson Building at exactly 10 PM. We will be expecting your presence there.
Impo Academy"
That's what the letter said. Are they kidding me? Going to the Crimson Building at night is suicide. There are rumors that ghosts haunt that abandoned building, which happens to be the Crimson Building. I've never even heard of Impo Academy before.
Splash
I woke up because a large amount of water hit my face. Wait—WATER? I quickly sat up from bed because of the cold.
When I looked at who did it, I saw my aunt holding a bucket. She didn't even wake me up properly.
"Get up and cook. We're going out today," my aunt yelled before leaving the room. I could only sigh. I had to endure.
I had no choice but to get up and cook. I made chicken adobo and fried eggs.
"Remember, never leave this house, understand?" my aunt said, and I just nodded. What else could I do? If I leave, Sabrina will tattle on me.
When they left, I immediately sat on the sofa and watched cartoons. I didn't do anything the whole day because Sabrina stayed in her room and didn't come out.
It was already night when they came home. I had already cooked and was about to serve the food at the dining table when I heard laughter in the living room. I peeked and saw my aunt, uncle, and Sabrina happily laughing and drinking wine.
I was about to approach them when I heard something I never expected, causing my tears to fall one by one.
"Poor Yssa, she doesn't even know we killed her parents so we could take their property, hahaha," my uncle said while laughing. These monsters. They killed my parents.
Out of anger, I threw the food onto the table, and they all looked at me. I thought they would tell me what I heard was wrong, but they only smiled.
"You monsters! You killed your own brother. You have no shame. We were good to you!" I shouted full of anger. How could they do this? Heartless.
"Oh dear, don't be angry. They're already DEAD," she said, and I froze at her words. What? She even had the nerve to call her brother dead in front of me.
They've gone too far. I can't endure them anymore. I felt the wind grow stronger around me. I had to calm down or else I might kill them.
Calm down, Yssa.
"You've gone too far!" I screamed at them and ran out of the house. Mom, Dad, I'm sorry. I promised you I wouldn't cry anymore, but I failed. I can't stay in that hellish house any longer. They've gone too far.
I ran away from the house even though it was already dark, not knowing where I was going. I just kept running because of the pain I felt. I wiped my tears as I ran.
I stopped when I noticed many people my age standing not far from me. Out of curiosity, I approached to ask.
"What's happening here?" I asked a girl who looked about two years younger than me. She looked at me, shocked.
"Ahmm, well… it's because…" She seemed hesitant to answer and looked at her watch. I also looked at the time. When I saw it, it was already 10 PM. Only one thing came to my mind—
The letter.