New World

"We're here," dad said as he pulled over the shiny new automobile next to a wooden fence bearing the Tribian mark.

Neither Avi nor I have ever seen the inside of Tribus Academy, though she may have seen it already. The old wooden gate and its accompanying fence, which was covered with ivy, were quite tall. It appeared that a lot of money had been put into the wall and gate. The fact that no one else seemed to be around added to the school's aura of mystery and, for Avi, excitement.

"Cool! This is like the movies I’ve binge-watched! Like students go to an out-of-this-world school and they discover their powers. The cliche still feels so exciting when they come into actuality!" Avi clapped her hands as we gazed at the tall gate of Tribus Academy. "Papa, can we go now?"

Dad confirmed my suspicion and stepped out of the car to help my siblings and me out. After opening the car door, he went to the trunk and placed the two medium-sized suitcases that Sir Mikael had given him inside. Weekdays will be spent in a dorm, while weekends will be spent at home.

It appeared like Avi was excellent with the plan. Learning the academy's regulations from Sir Mikael was an exciting new experience. She was too young to wish to go out on her own or seek out new experiences.

"Everything all set?" dad said hopefully. His eyes revealed a hint of concern and melancholy. This was not what he had in mind. Everything happened too fast, and we're stuck because of Trinity's hold on the world. Ultimately, we were helpless.

I hurried over to him and gave him a bear embrace when I got there. Even if it only lasted for five days, it already seemed like it would be a challenge and take a long time. A Trinity firm was currently interviewing them, and this will be the first time my mother and I will be physically separated from them. Tribus had been meeting their commitments to us, including providing us with a beautiful house, decent work for my parents, and quality education for Avi and myself. I hoped that the deal involved a tranquil life, too.

"Look after your sister. I am aware that you would, but you are aware that Avi is Avi, right? Her insatiable appetite for knowledge is unquenchable."

"I will, dad. We'll see you on Friday," I said softly. "Tell mom we will be excited for her chicken chop suey when we get home."

My father played with my hair and muddled it up. His expression changed to a grin as he motioned for Avi to approach. She had been studying us for some time now. Almost as though she had foreseen this happening all along. "Please try to act appropriately, Avi. What actions are strictly forbidden at all times?"

Avi chimed in with a response as if she had memorized the most appropriate response my parents had told her constantly, "Don't go smashing everything. I should always try to find my sister when things go awry."

Once again, our father cracked a smile. He kissed Avi and me on the head, tenderly pressing Avi's left cheek. "When Friday rolls around, I'll be there to pick you up. Act in accordingly, please?"

We embraced our fathers. I gave the suitcase one more look before I grabbed the handle. His eyes betrayed the grief and terror he’d been hiding all along. In a way, I felt this was the last time we would have a completely ordinary day together as a family. To put it simply, I was terrified. Since I was a child, my instincts have never let me down.

"Stella, let's go!" Avi was ahead of me when she called me. She was already in front of the gate and waiting for me to open it.

Dad had already left, and we were standing in front of the big gate. I held my sister’s hand. We both looked up at the Tribus seal. The two large doors that make up the gate opened spontaneously in just a few moments.

My chest was heavy. Avi's hands, which had been noisy earlier, have also become cold.

She gently shook my arm and whispered, "Sister, I think I need to pee."

The gate opened. In my mind, it ushers in a brand-new era. We entered a gated community of white, contemporary structures and lush landscaping. After walking along a long brick-paved route, we come to what looked like the main building: three squares stacked on top of each other, with the Trinity seal in the middle. There were already students present, all of whom appeared to be engaged in different activities: some were reading on a bench in the formal garden, others were playing football on the right side, and still others were chatting under the trees that bordered the brick patio on both sides.

Nobody bothered to look at us or even greet us. Maybe they were used to new students entering the academy every day.

We were a few meters towards the main building when I heard Avi again, who was right next to me. "Sister, I like it here. It's beautiful! It's spacious. Then there are handsome men!"

I rolled my eyes over her statement. "Don't be fooled by those handsome men, Avi."

"I know. They may satisfy my eyes, but they might not fulfill my heart's desire. You keep saying that. Just wait until a freaking handsome guy breaks your heart!"

My eyes widened in surprise. I was aware of Avi's abilities. I'm always on edge with her because she knows what she says. "Avoid breaking anything, Avi. You don't even know what that implies, and you're only twelve!"

The eyebrows of my sibling met. It let go of my hand voluntarily. Next, she muttered, "I may only be twelve years old, but my mind is as sharp as that of a woman a hundred years old. I understand what it's like to feel heartbroken. Men will shower you with gifts, compliments, and fond memories until they find someone better. Then leave you and drop you like a hot potato."

A chuckle from her lips as she turned her back on me and took a stride up the three flights of the main building's stairs. Sir Mikael, the object of her affection, had arrived beforehand and kindly opened the door for her. Despite Avi's heart-shaped eyes and wide grin, the man gave me a friendly smile.

That's a heartbreak soon. I whispered.

"Good morning, Stella!" he greeted, then bowed slightly.

"Good morning, Mikael!" Avi, right in front of him, greeted him without further ado.

The man turned to my flirtatious sister. He smiled and ruffled her hair. "Good morning, little princess."

There. Broken dreams and a broken heart. ‘Little princess’ in no time.

Avi's smile vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. She practically whimpered when we headed for the provost's office (or its equivalent, the principal's office). After a while, we stopped in front of a big oak-smelling wooden door labeled Dr. Renate Santi, Academy Provost.

Sir Mikael opened the door. At this moment, Dr. Santi occupies a seat at the table. Renate Santi. It was easy to notice his kind countenance and charming grin. However, what made it truly unique was its collection of old and pricey hourglasses. A variety of forms, colors, and kinds of material. It was exciting.

"Dr. Santi, the Suarez brothers are here." Sir Mikael said, standing behind the chair in front of Dr.'s office table. Santi.

The provost was gifted with something expensive when he heard our last name. He stood up from the seat and voluntarily approached Avi. "Finally! Finally!" He spoke with an undertone. Then he held my hands like a precious gem and stared intently at them.

Maybe Avi noticed the shock on my face. I didn't expect what it said. "Don't worry, sister. We're meant to be here. He's a friend."

"Interesting." the old provost said as he held my hands. "I am glad you are here, Stella. Tribus will keep you safe."

My concerns grew as I thought about it. Everything just felt so strange. For what reason did Avi always seem to be in the know? What does that mean, Dr. Santi of Tribus will keep me safe?

"What is going on, sir?" I was taken aback, so I asked, and he jerked back my hands to reveal his surprise.

He took a sip and sighed. He looked at Avi, and I then turned and sat on his seemingly expensive chair. As he leaned forward, he softly nudged my sister and me to join him. He scratched the palm of her hand against the back of her other hand.

"Stella, we know who you are. We know what you are capable of. That's why your father decided to keep you here because this is the only place that can secure your safety."

"A-am I in danger?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I couldn't deny the truth, which the provost already knows.

"Yes, and everyone, including the neighboring towns, will be in danger if we don't keep you here."

"Stella, I have already told dad about this. I have seen every connection of the strings. Yours is routed to something so dark. Four possible events might divert your path to that dark place, and this move is the best option. I can't break things, but I can bend them for you." It seemed that Avi wasn’t in her usual self. I knew that what she said was accurate. I have seen how her ability works.

All of her premonitions happened, and she couldn’t break them. We could not break things under any circumstances.