⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻

I stare at the horizon in front of me. Robins flying around the cyan blue sky, deep green grass all around me, colourful bluebells, primroses and twinflowers all around the meadow... It truly is beautiful. If only my life at home were as good. I brush these sad thoughts away and focus on what I really came to do. I put out my canvas, oil paints and paintbrushes, made with silky smooth synthetic hair ready for being used and start to paint. I dip my paintbrush in a teal splodge of paint and trace a horizontal line on the white canvas. This feels very relaxing, and I keep adding more and more paint. The summer breeze around me gives me goosebumps, and the sound of the ocean and the waves reaching the beach is music to my ears. Here I am, Nerissa Hallie, near the edge of a big cliff in the island of Unst, letting my feelings out on a canvas. I have been coming here every day on my birthday, July 18th, for the past ten years; and it feels as nice as the first time. I am now eighteen years old, but I still live with my family, or the people who raised me. I think about what happened all those years ago. It all happened so fast:

Eight year-old me was going into town to buy some food with my mother, Isla Starla, and my father, Callum Campbell; when a group of shady-looking men approached us. My parents tried their best to guide me away from them, not making eye contact with the men, but one of them got close to me and started to tell me that they had sweets and toys for me to have. My mother put her arm on mine and whispered in my ear: "Sweetheart, always remember, don't take anything from strangers and don't let anyone who doesn't know you get too close. Your father and I both know that you're a very good girl, and we want to give you this. It will keep you safe at all times. We love you, Nerissa Hallie, always know that" With that, she gave me a kiss on the cheek, whilst the men took her elsewhere. My father also hugged me and reassured me that they would be fine. I was crying, not knowing what was going on, and then, it happened. The men took out some big guns and shot them on the spot. I screamed for them to stop, and ran towards them, hugging them full of tears. They hugged me back for about a minute. I yelled for help, but no one came to us. Then, they started to have difficulties breathing, and couldn't stop coughing. Their dying words were: "We love you, Nerissa Hallie. Keep your amulet safe. And remember; what makes you different makes you strong" Then, they let out their last breath and left me, alone, in the middle of the street. The black dressed men ran away, but I managed to see a weird-looking tattoo on their wrists. I was devastated, and wouldn't stop weeping. Then, a girl about my age came up to me and asked why I was crying. I told her what happened, and she just hugged me sympathetically. After I felt a bit better, she introduced herself.

"My name is Elise, I'm from the city of York. Nice to meet ya', even though this situation is very sad" She said whilst extending her hand as if to shake it.

"I'm Nerissa, thank you for being so kind. Will you be my friend?" I asked her and shook her hand.

"Of course! Besties!!" She answered.

I still remember that moment. Elise was so nice to me when my parents passed away, she was always there for me...

I resume with my painting, which is now more similar to the beach below me, and keep adding more colour. Eventually, I add my signature to it and wash my paintbrush with a small water bottle that I've brought with me. I get up and go far from the painting to inspect it with a different perspective. Just then, my "mother" calls for me. Oh dear, I can't be late! I check my wrist-watch and see that it's past my curfew, which is 7.00 pm. The wind blows my hair whilst I run and run home. When I arrive, my "mother" Birsha is waiting for me with a rather unpleasant look on her face.

"You're LATE!" She says and hits me with her signature flip-flop. The red rash that forms on my left arm is really painful. Honestly, she never misses just one time! I look down and walk downstairs to my special corner. It has a really small blanket, a worn-out pillow and a tiny oil lamp. This is where I sleep every day, for the past ten years of my life.

When my parents died, I was taken to an orphanage to be adopted. The first day that I spent there was miserable. I met children that had been there for years, and still hadn't found a home. They all talked about how their parents also died being shot, and how they ended up there for four, five, or even six years; with no one that wanted to adopt them. The women that lead the place led me to a bed with blankets, a bedside table and a little lamp. My friend Elise often came to visit me. One day, she brought a book for me that she thought that I would like. I read the first page that very night and, to my surprise, I really enjoyed it. It helped me travel to a faraway land, full of special magical creatures and brave heroes that go on quests to save their land. I remember wishing that I was a heroine, just like the ones in the book.

A year passed, when a young couple came in and gave me the big news: I was getting adopted! I was so excited at that moment, to finally leave this orphanage behind and start a new life. Kids at the orphanage teased me for my messy auburn hair and my freckles often, stating that they look like dirt. What a silly comparison! The only problem is that I would feel affected by the mean comments and would often cry because of them. But, the day that I got adopted, I felt over the moon! I couldn't stop smiling and thanking them. They seemed very nice, and they both asked me some simple questions on the car ride like: "What's your name?" "How old are you?" "What's your favourite colour?". I would happily answer: "My name is Nerissa Hallie, I'm nine years old. My favourite colour is deep teal"

The moment that we arrived, my jaw dropped. This house was massive! I couldn't help but shriek, it seemed so posh! Unfortunately, the moment that I entered, the couple showed their true colours.

"Nerissa, go and scrub the kitchen, I want it to be spotless! We have guests arriving to meet you in two hours, so don't look bad" Said Mrs Balcom with an evil grin on her pale skinned face.

They wanted me to be their slave! I was so annoyed that I could punch something. Instead, I calmed myself and took a deep breath. I got to work, and in one hour, the kitchen floor was so clean that you could see your reflection on it. I went upstairs to where they indicated that my bedroom was. As you can imagine, it was the blanket, pillow and oil lamp that I mentioned earlier. There also was a frilly hot pink dress and white mary janes on the blanket. I guessed that was what Mrs Balcom wanted me to wear. There was no way that I would wear that! I put on some jeans and a denim jacket on top of it and went outside to play in the grass. I was tired of being inside all day in the orphanage, and this was my chance to enjoy myself. Ever since I was little, I enjoyed outdoor activities and getting messy. I would run around the Scottish Highlands and roll in the muddy grass. I didn't care about my clothes, I just liked the sense of freedom.

Freedom. That word echoed in my head. I am legally free to explore the world, outside this prison now ! Maybe that's what I need: to explore.

I might have an idea...

⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻⁰⁻