"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance."
-Alan Watts

I pulled on a fresh shirt when Becca's familiar knock echoed through the room.

"Rise and shine, Maddie! Time to greet the day!" Her bright voice starkly contrasted the swirling shadows of my thoughts. I took a deep breath, smoothing imaginary wrinkles as I opened the door. Becca leaned against the wooden frame, her vibrant hair catching the morning light. "Look at you, all dressed and ready! How did you sleep?"

"Better than I expected," I admitted, stepping across the threshold to join her.

As we moved to the kitchen, she began to fill the silence with animated stories about her gardening mishaps. I listened, a small smile creeping onto my face as she described a runaway rabbit that had demolished her hard work. Yet, even amidst her laughter, a nagging sense of strangeness lingered. How could life feel so average while the black cloud of my past loomed?

Everything felt unfamiliar. A restless, twitching energy buzzed at the back of my mind like the sharp prickle of an electric shock. My body had grown used to the bruises, the blows, and the endless degradation. Could someone go through a withdrawal from pain? The abrupt shift from being seen as worthless scum, without any rights, to being seen as a person—it rattled my system, leaving me unsettled.

The gravity of these thoughts furrowed my brow into a deep frown. Becca noticed immediately, her reactions precise as always, and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. Her touch was light and careful, as though she knew not to overwhelm me.

"I've got a feeling you're going to love this," she said softly, her voice a balm to my frayed nerves. "You must be starving."

I wasn't. We were allowed to eat once daily, and skipped meals were typical if the teachers decided we didn't deserve them. My body had adjusted after months of the same grueling schedule.

I nodded. I didn't want to dredge up the past. Becca's look in Nan's office branded itself on my memory, a quiet reminder that she had lived through horrors, too. I could adapt if the vibrant, glowing woman beside me could be so outgoing after all she'd endured. I always had. I had to give it time.

Becca's hand grabbed mine, pulling me toward the door with her usual energy, interrupting my descent into thought. "Evan is a genius in the kitchen! I've eaten foods I never thought I'd try, and they were amazing."

Becca gracefully led me through the dining area, revealing a space that exuded elegance at every turn. Pristine white silk adorned the tables; crystals shimmered in every nook and cranny. They nestled in vases, candle holders, chair accents, and exquisite chandeliers suspended above each table. The sheer beauty of it all overwhelmed me. I unconsciously pulled my arm from Becca's and stood transfixed. The breathtaking sight held me utterly captive.

A few people, already seated for breakfast, turned their heads toward me with palpable curiosity. I was the new girl - the one Becca had assumably whispered about, the one who had overheard two people gossiping, the one the Queen had taken a personal interest in, and the daughter of a woman known in this strange world.

That familiar sensation of smallness crept over me. Gazes locked on me, and I felt like prey about to be pounced and chewed. Becca, sensing my unease, retook my hand. She smiled confidently at everyone in the room, holding her head high, and without missing a beat, she pulled me into the kitchen.

Pandemonium greeted us. People darted around, arms full of precariously stacked items, moving with an impossible grace and speed. Chefs had their faces fixed in intense concentration, and each person laser-focused on their task. But amidst the frenzy, one figure stood out. A man in the center of the space, his movements calm and assured. His hands worked with quiet confidence, but his eyes? They noticed everything. The kitchen was an extension of himself, aware of every move made.

The second he saw Becca, his demeanor lit up with unmistakable warmth.

"Becca! Nice to see you this morning. Enjoying your day off?" Even while looking in our direction and speaking, his hands moved with practiced ease, not missing a beat.

"Yeah," Becca grinned. "Just going to grab a quick bite, then show Maddie here my masterpiece."

At the mention of my name, his vision flickered toward me, and his expression flashed back to professionalism. "Maddie! Ah, wonderful to meet you. So, tell me, what's your favorite meal to eat?"

Becca shook her head, smiling. "Evan, do you need to ask that of every person you meet?"

He nodded, not missing a beat, then turned his attention back to me with a look of genuine curiosity. My mind scrambled for an answer. I had eaten the same bland, nutrient-packed mush for the past year—engineered to provide but void of authentic flavor or enjoyment. A wave of shame crept over me. Once, food had been my comfort, a way to unwind after a long day. That memory stirred something within me, and I finally had my answer.

"A hot Cuban sandwich," I said, my voice steady but my stomach aching, reminding me how much I missed real taste.

Evan nodded approvingly, moving with masterful precision. "I'll keep that in mind. I might put it on the menu soon."

Rubbing her belly in anticipation, Becca said, "So, what's the morning special, Chef?"

With a grin, Evan responded, "Today, it's simple—lemon custard topped with whipped cream, fudge drizzle, and a cherry on top."

The growl from Becca's stomach echoed loudly in the kitchen, and I couldn't help but laugh. She joined in and snatched two prepared custards from the table while flashing Evan a smile with a faint blush. One was already halfway into her mouth as she handed the other to me.

I took a tentative bite, and the flavors instantly awakened my tastebuds after a long hibernation—the tartness of the lemon custard balanced perfectly with the creamy sweetness of the topping. I couldn't stop the slight, involuntary gasp of delight that escaped me. Across the kitchen, I saw Evan's satisfied grin, and Becca, making happy noises, joined me in savoring the moment.

"I could be surrounded by this stuff all day," I said quickly and took another bite.

After downing four more, my abdomen stretched painfully tight with every breath. Becca, noticing my discomfort, chuckled and led me outside into the gardens. As we stepped out, a symphony of fresh, fragrant scents engulfed my nose. I could hear Becca beside me, inhaling deeply with an appreciative smile. She pointed ahead and to the left toward an area covered by a small, colorful forest.

"Over here is my favorite place to work. The orchards were my idea. The King just wanted a garden that would rival any in the world, but when I suggested adding trees, the Queen was thrilled," she said proudly, guiding me down a path lined with vibrant russet trees. The landscape displayed every autumn shade, from deep amber to fiery orange.

"It's a maze, but don't worry, you can't get lost—every path eventually leads back to the entrance. And the best part? Some of these are fruit trees, so if you ever want a snack, you can grab one as you walk."

We wandered in comfortable silence, with Becca leading the way.

Eventually, she glanced over at me. "How are you doing, Maddie? You've been quiet. I know you've been through hell, but you're holding onto emotions you no longer need to endure by yourself."

I stopped walking and looked up at her. If it were anyone else, I would've just smiled and kept walking, brushing it off. But Becca was right. The unease crawled under my skin, and I couldn't shake it.

"I feel out of place," I admitted, my voice low. "Kind of jumpy, like my body doesn't fit me right. I keep waiting for when they're going to lock me up and hurt me."

"You won't be here. I promise you that," Becca said, her voice full of certainty. "Queen Helen never treats her helpers with absolute kindness. She takes care of every single one of them. She and the King have been fighting for decades over auction houses and human trafficking. They want them gone."

Becca ran a hand through her hair, absentmindedly twirling the strands at the ends. "Your skin will settle after a couple of days. Humans get used to a routine, and supernaturals—especially the ones who see us as prey—know how to exploit that. The Academy conditioned you to expect the worst. I'm so sorry, Maddie. Words don't fix anything, but I'm always here if you need to talk."

I gave her a small hug, and she patted my back gently. "It wasn't always horrible," I said quietly. "There were days they'd leave us alone. Some other girls had calming voices, and I'd just listen. In the very beginning, before nights got bad, there were even a few nice moments."

Becca pulled back and started walking, motioning for me to follow. She asked gently, "What's the best you remember?"

I didn't need to think long. One memory always came to the surface. "This man showed up occasionally during the first few weeks leading up to my training. I'd see him in the halls sometimes. Most of the other girls were already numb by then, and the new recruits quickly learned to keep their heads down. But I was naive. I believed if I could make eye contact with someone and connect with them, things would improve."

Becca's smile faltered, and her features softened with pity, but I kept going. "When I saw him, I'd stare. He was the only one who looked back at me without annoyance or anger. I cherished those brief seconds. Then, after about a month, they took me for my first training session. The next day, I couldn't bring myself to look at him. He studied me, but I just ignored him. After that, he stopped showing up in the halls."

She asked a few more questions about my time there, carefully avoiding topics that might be too painful for me to relive. To my surprise, I asked her a few questions about her life. As the sun sank lower in the sky, Becca led me out of the orchard maze. We stopped by the kitchen again, but Evan was nowhere to be found. The tall woman grabbed two plates and piled mine with items she thought I would want to try. The day ended with her taking me to the library as I had requested, and after showing me around, she quietly left me to my thoughts.

This week has been so hectic! Between two birthday parties, a Halloween carnival, school parties, and actual Halloween, I haven't had much time at all. But, it's Wednesday! So here I am to release the next part of Maddie's journey. 

I would love your encouragement! Please leave comments as you see fit, and don't forget to ★ V O T E ★

If you would like to follow my progress of getting this story out there and self-publishing, please add my Tiktok! www.tiktok.com/@chellelynnwriting <3 Thank you! 

FINAL EDIT: 01/25/25
I will not edit this again on Wattpad. Any further changes will be kept in a published-only version.