"Hanna! Beer!" Richard's voice came from the living room and I rolled my eyes. I wanted to nap when I had gotten home, but I realised that I couldn't, when I had a family like this.

Making my way into the living room, I carried the tray towards Richard, giving him his beer before making my way towards Debra.

"Your tea." I said politely, but it hit upon deaf ears. Debra merely took the tea out of the tray, her small round eyes never leaving the screen. Her brown hair was wrapped up in tight curls and her chubby body was encased in a light blue silk gown, in which her huge breasts could be seen protruding out. She rested the tea cup on the rounded surface of her stomach before ushering me away in a 'shooing' manner.

Lastly, I made my way to Sierra. Her brown hair was in a ballet dancer-style bun and she wore an oversized hoodie. She turned to me with a small smirk on her freckled face.

I came over to her and handed her the lemonade glass, before wedging the tray between my arm and side. I moved towards the kitchen but Sierra's voice rang out.

"Ice?" She asked simply and I nodded, resisting the urge to throw the tray at her pretty face.

She drank a bit through the straw before looking towards me.

"I hope Mommy informed you that I have somewhere to go tomorrow, so I can't take Zug Zug to his vet appointment. It's at 2, in the afternoon. Don't be late." She explained, a smug look settling onto her face.

I wanted to argue against it, telling her I had a seminar at that time. I knew, she knew I had a seminar at that time. My schedule was the same every week. I wanted to argue against it, but I didn't have the energy to. I was feeling tired and sick of it, so I merely nodded and bid a good night before retiring to my bedroom. Besides, taking Zug Zug to the vets would be a good excuse to not come in and see Drake. Or, anyone, for that matter.

I cringed at the thought of what had happened just a few hours ago in University. I didn't want to go back and, if it was my choice, I would stay in bed for the rest of my life, despite it's mucky appearance.

Sierra had gotten the biggest room, stating that it was only appropriate, seeing she had more belongings. Richard and Debra had gotten the second biggest room which left me with the small room at the end of the hallway. I didn't mind though. It made me feel far from the rest of them and I felt content, in the safety of my bed, creating worlds of my own.

I sighed heavily, the sound of the T.V. and Debra's hacking laughter could still be heard, but I felt better knowing that her concentration was not on me. With those thoughts, I got ready for bed, excited for the dreams that awaited.

                   °°°°°°°♧°°°°°°

Breathing.

All that could be heard from the distance was the sound of my laboured breathing, my chest rising and falling dramatically.

I was crouched down in the bushes, hiding from something. I didn't know what I was hiding from, but I just knew that it was very vital to not be seen as it would prove dire.

I grimaced at the dull ache I felt in my legs from the way I was crouching and moved slightly to ease the pain. My eyes peered over the bushes to check if the surroundings were safe, but all that could be seen for miles was darkness as it stretched across the forlorn lands.

The moisture of the grass below had my thighs wet to the touch, but despite that, I felt warm inside. And, no, it wasn't the delightful warmth you feel when nestled next to a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa. It was a dreadful warmth. The feeling can only be likened to that when you are caught cheating and you feel the rush of warmth touch your cheeks.

I put a cool hand to my forehead, letting out a deep sigh at the beautiful contrast it gave. All such thoughts were out the figurative window when the sound of rustling leaves emanated through the cold air. I stilled, scared the sound of my thudding heart would give me away.

Whatever I was hiding from, it had found me.

I peered over the bushes again in a feeble attempt to see the perpetrator that had me scared out of my wits, but just as before, the darkness had clung to its form, making it impossible to see.

And, then, there it was. The clear and unmistakable sound of footprints against the solid ground. It creeped in slowly as though to tease me. I had an eerie feeling that it knew where I was hiding, but chose to play with me like a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Then, came the heavy breathing. The breathing was strange and dense. I felt the sound come closer and closer and closer, until my ears felt like they would tear from the intrusion. When, in reality, I was still safely nestled behind the bushes. I recomposed myself and exhaled quietly.

I had to think logically. I looked behind and assessed my chances of survival, if I made a break for it. I hadn't had time to arrive to a suitable decision when the sound of a twig snapping came from my far right and I looked up to see a face of darkness as it screamed painfully in my face.

I woke up, my body damp with sweat from the fright of what I had just conjured up, in my brain. What was more frightful, perhaps, was the fact that the screaming hadn't stopped.

I sprung out of the bed as though it were on fire, making a dash towards the location of the sound. Exiting my room, I went down the hallway, towards Sierra's room, my heart thudding heavily in my chest. It was Sierra screaming, no doubt.

I opened the door, tepidly, looking into the room, only to be surprised to see both Debra and Richard stood above Sierra as she wailed loudly like a broken police siren on loop.

"What happened?!" I urged, rushing over to see Sierra clutching her bleeding leg, tears cascading down her cheeks in waves.

Suddenly, Debra grabbed my arm and shook me violently.

"Oh, don't act like you don't know, you devil! Who else could have done this to my baby?!" She sobbed loudly, spitting the words at me and I recoiled at the venom in her voice.

"You think I did this?" I questioned, a shocked tone in my voice as I pointed a finger at the wound.

At my words, Debra let out a mixture of a sob and laughter, her chubby hands wiping at her nose.

"100% guarantee that you did it. Who else would come in just to draw an eye on her leg?!" She all but screamed at me and, only then, did I notice that- underneath all the blood- was a distinct drawing of an eye etched into the skin of her thigh.

I glanced over at Richard to see if he felt the same and gaped at the glare he gave me, hugging Sierra to his side protectively as though I was going to grab her right now and draw something on her other leg.

I sighed deeply, running a hand through my black hair.

"I can't force you to believe me, can I now?" I asked simply before retreating to the door, but Debra was already yanking at my arm again.

"Oh, no, you don't. You think you can get away with this?! No, you can't! I have been far too lenient on you and it ends now!" She shouted, her eyes filling with sorrow as Sierra let out another cry of pain and I realised something then.

The three of them- they were a family and I was the outsider. I was just a guest living at this house, nothing more. The fact that they adopted me had blindsided me for far too long. I hadn't done anything for myself and I reassured myself with promises of London that I would get away soon. But, enough was enough.

I snatched my arm out of Debra's grasp to which she looked at me in astonishment. I glared at both her and Richard.

"Lenient?! Is this what you call lenient?! I do your dirty work, day and night, and where does that get me, huh?!" I questioned, tears pooling up in my light brown eyes and I blinked rapidly. In normal circumstances, I wouldn't have said half the things I was saying now, but today was far beyond normal. I had met a strange old man, saw my 40 year old manager kissing my 28 year old co-worker, suffered the biggest public humiliation in University and now this. I had enough.

I pointed accusingly at Debra, hot tears cascading down my cheek.

"You always made me feel like I should feel grateful that you took me in, but I feel anything but that! I wish you didn't, I really do! You wanna adopt someone?! Then act like parents!" I screamed, the heartache of 20 years coming out in an incoherent babble of rage.

I rushed to the door, not giving a second thought to the gaping faces I left behind or the stomping footsteps that followed. I hurriedly ran to my door, shutting it swiftly behind me. I stood in front of it as I heard Debra coming down the corridors, her fast footsteps an indication of her rage. Hurriedly, I reached for the key, on the drawer before putting it in the keyhole and shutting the door, in one swift movement. Just in time, too, as Debra chose this moment to turn the doorknob, an angry scream leaving her mouth as she found out it was locked.

"Wait till I get my hands on you!" She screamed, banging the door with all her might. I recoiled at the sound of her voice, even when I knew she couldn't lay her hands on me. My breathing was heavy now and I feared what was going to happen next. I moved to sit on the bed to calm down my breathing.

"Hanna! Get out of there now or, so help me, I will break this bloody door down!" Came the bellowing voice from behind the door and I flinched at the loudness of it. She had never been quite this angry before.

Suddenly, Richard was there too and they talked for a while before he went downstairs to grab the master key. I cried to myself silently.

I paced the small length of the room, nervously. What was I going to do? Once they get their hands on me, they won't spare me. I just know it. I had to think of something and I had to think of it fast.

Slipping on my jeans and an army green oversized sweater top, I grabbed my phone and important belongings into a backpack.

I whimpered as I heard the familiar footsteps come up the stairs, but this time they were much faster. He had found the master key. I sunk helplessly to the floor. Hot tears cascaded down my face and I stared at the door in despair.

How did it get to this point?

I heard the urgency of Debra's voice as she asked him to hurry up the stairs and I whimpered anxiously, heading for the window. I had to get out of here.

The sound of keys jingling was unbelievably close now and I opened the window in a hurry. That is, until the back of my jeans pocket started glowing. I reached in and pulled out the glowing piece of paper.

The paper the old man had given me

I opened it up and saw a familiar drawing etched on top- the eye that was drawn on Sierra's body. Below were a few words that I didn't understand. I read it quietly to myself.

"Ana iza arooh Aaru" I said.

Nothing happened for a second and I felt a tad bit disappointed, but then a sharp light came from my full length mirror and I jumped back in surprise.

I listened to Debra shouting to Richard that he got the wrong key to which the fumbling of footsteps sounded down the stairs, much faster than I would have anticipated Richard to move.

I glanced cautiously at the mirror, moving closer slowly. It looked normal with the exception of the glowing of the rim. It was so bright, it looked like it was day, inside the small room.

"Richard's got the right key now and watch what I do to you!" Debra's booming voice came from outside and I jumped, cursing myself for forgetting the current situation. Sure enough, Richard was racing up the stairs towards the room.

I moved closer to the mirror. For some reason, I was pulled towards it and I went forward to touch it. That's when it happened.

My hand disappeared into the mirror and I couldn't see it anymore. I recoiled my hand back to my body at lightning speed. I repeated it with my leg quickly and the same thing happened.

I heard the sound of Richard reaching the door and, suddenly, the prospect of escape occurred to me.

Could I?

Then, came the familiar sound of the key in the lock and the dreadful click at the sound of the key turning and, without a second thought, I jumped in, seeing Debra enter the room from my peripheral vision.

                    °°°°°°°♧°°°°°°

Where am I?

I looked around at my surroundings- beautiful green luscious trees, stood tall like skyscrapers, towering over my frame. I looked down and grabbed my backpack that had fallen on the floor and slung it over my shoulder. Inside my heart was beating yet on the outside, I was too worn out to feel anything.

Suddenly, I was feeling very hot. I looked up to the sun, scorching down and melting me into a puddle. The blue skies stretching around it like a canvas.

It was never this hot at home.

Then again, I had already established that I wasn't at home anymore.

I turned behind to see where I had entered to see a small cave, it wasn't very big or deep, I could just fit half my body in, if I tried. Part of me didn't try because I didn't want to be in the room where Debra now was, fearful of what she might do to me.

I was strangely calm and a part of me felt as though I was still in bed dreaming. The other part of me was screaming in fear. Just where had I ended up and what was going on?

I tried to remember what the old man had told me before giving me the paper, but I just couldn't seem to think. I felt too tired. I finally came to the conclusion that I would go on to see if there were other people who could tell me exactly where I was. Or, in the least, find a better form of shade. The leaves on the trees were way too thin to provide any sort of protection from the sun.

My hair was making my neck hot and I moved it over, so it cascaded over one shoulder. I had long back abandoned putting it up since it was now waist-length and my arms got too tired.

Marie had often said she was jealous of my long hair and curvy yet petite figure and I had smiled at her words. It was nice to hear that someone liked something of mine. I had always been the one envying others.

The sound of footsteps in the grass stopped my train of thoughts and I snapped my body to where the sound came from.

"Who's there?" I let out, cursing at the sound of fear that was evident in my voice. My throat was strangely dry, for some reason and I drooled over the prospect of a cold glass of water.

The sound of rustling emanated again and I stopped myself from speaking. If it were an animal, it would be of no use asking such questions. I put my hands up in a defensive position, braving myself for an attack, but one never came.

The surroundings were silent again. I waited a while, with bated breath before turning to walk again with a shrug of my shoulders.

Big mistake

That was the exact moment, I was tackled to the ground at unbelievable speed. I let out a scream, but stopped to look at the perpetrator. It was wearing a sort of veil or mask over its face. It pinned me down with its much larger body and I peered over at the sharp metal that was held to my throat and I couldn't help let out another scream, kicking vigorously at its legs as I did so.

The figure recoiled at this, jumping off my body before touching the cloth that covered its face. Removing it, I stilled slightly at the surprising attractiveness of the male that stood before me. He brushed out his brown hair, dropping the mask to the floor, carelessly. He was wearing a white sort of vest, his muscled arms flexing as he moved. His body was tanned and I marvelled at the angelic glint of his hazel eyes as he looked at me, his head tilted curiously.

I moved in to ask him where I was then, but he put distance between us with his sword, the sharp end resting near my neck. His tone was melodic as he spoke, a serious look on his god-like face.

"Tell me who sent you or I'll slice your throat."