Her Identity

Seated beside her mum by the dinning for breakfast, Charlene pushed her eggs around her plate, lost in thought.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and scrambled eggs filed the air.

"Charl.. are you okay?" Mrs. Craig asked with concerned laced around her eyes.

Charlene dropped her cutleries on her plate the clattering noise breaking the silence.

"Mommy who am I" she asked her voice barely above a whisper.

Mrs. Craig stared at her daughter bewildered as though she'd just grown a horn, her coffee cup hovering mid-air. She cleared her throat.

"Where's this headed Charl?"

Charlene's gaze focused on her mum "Don't play dumb mum, you know exactly what I'm talking about"

Mrs Craig sighed "I do not know where this conversation is headed" she said and dropped her cup of coffee on the saucer and took her gaze to Charlene.

"but I do know you my daughter are Charlene Alondria Craig"

Charlene squinted her eyes "really? So what's an Amazon?"

Mrs. Craig's face went pale, losing all it's colours.

"Oh no! Don't tell me they've found her" she thought her eyes darting around the room.

"Who found me?" Charlene asked, leaning in.

"I...I didn't say that out loud." Mrs Craig stuttered her body visually trembling. "How did you hear my thought?"

Charlene shrugged "I heard you clearly"

Mrs Craig's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Well, there's nothing left to hide then...you heard my thoughts" she chuckled softly "your dad used to do that a lot."

Charlene's eyes locked onto her mother's.

"My dad..?" She asked perplexed "I'm listening"

"In ancient times, mother Nature was pleased with all of mankind.

In the warmness her heart harboured, she bestowed upon selected individuals extraordinary gifts.

She named them the Amazons and bestowed over their Leader, the Empress more wisdom.

Pride and darkness corrupted some, and their defied their leader, bluntly refusing to pledge allegiance to her, rejecting female rule.

The Empress, heartbroken and disappointed, banished the rebels from 'Almerita' their sacred haven.

These outcasts formed the Nickel clan; the sworn enemies of the Amazons.

Centuries passed and the Nickel King's malevolence grew.

He sought to eradicate the Amazons, so he exploited the darkest powers of the u universe.

King Dante of the Nickels proposed a peace meeting with the Amazons, concealing his true intentions.

Unwary, she accepted. But during the first peace meeting, war broke out. Amidst the chaos, the Nickel king placed a curse on Amazons; Every Amazon will perish on attaining 18.

The Empress discovered the curse too late, but her selfless love and compassion drove her go act.

With a heavy heart, she altered the curse, saving her people but sacrificing her only daughter."

Mrs Craig narrated, purposely leaving out certain details.

"Okay...what does this story have to do with me?" Charlene furrowed her eyebrows.

Mrs. Craig's voice trembled. "Charlene, your father was an Amazon,which means you are too, my daughter I'm sorry for keeping this from you."

She sighed "I'm sorry I kept it from you, I was scared of what would happen when you found out who you really are...I was afraid you would leave me alone"

Mrs. Craig sniffed loudly "I didn't want the to spend the rest of my life in loneliness... Please say something"

Charlene's expression shifted from confused to alarm.

"I don't want to be an Amazon...I don't want any mystical powers, I just want a normal life."

"Charl...you don't have any choice" Mrs. Craig muttered.

Charlene's voice cracked "mummy, I don't want anyone to take me away from you. I just want to be myself."

Mrs. Craig stood, opening her arms. "It's okay, princess. You'll learn to embrace the new you."

Charlene's eyes darted around the room, her breath quickening.

"You made this whole story right?" Charlene asked her voice aced with desperation.

Mrs. Craig's smile shattered. "No angel. Your dad told me before he passed away."

Charlene's gaze dropped, her hands shaking, she swiftly picked something from the table and got up, moving backward.

"Stay back, mommy. Don't come any closer" Charlene mumbled, her voice barely audible.

Mrs. Craig froze, sensing something was wrong.

"Charlene what's wrong? Talk to me" Mrs. Craig begged.

Charlene's eyes flashed with desperation.

And then in a swift motion, Charlene pulled out the knife she picked from the table earlier.

"No Charl, peas don't hurt yourself!" Mrs. Craig screamed.

But it was too late, her body crumpled, the knife stuck in her own flesh.

"I'm sorry, mummy. I had to...I love you" she whispered her voice fading, she fell to the ground.

Mrs Craig rushed to her side, holding her close.

"Charlene, no! Please don't leave me!" Mrs. Craig yelled tears streaming down her face.

****

With a deep frown on her face and a lot of thoughts running through her mind Melanie turned open the doorknob, praying inwardly she doesn't bump into Karina.

Nature seemed to be against her, because the moment the door was opened, Karina was the first person she met.

"Oh no" she cursed inwardly.

"Mystic Melanie is back huh" A smirk which slowly transformed into a snarl found it's way to her lips.

Melanie stared blankly at her step mum, with no intention of replying her, not to talk about exchanging words.

"Cat got your tongue" Karina mocked.

Melanie's eyes suddenly glazed with annoyance "Karina...I'm trying so hard to keep my cool, don't push me."

Karina scoffed "you're just too rude brat"

Melanie's eyes narrowed, her jaw and fists clenched. She walked straight towards the stairs,headed for her room.

The door creaked shut behind her, muffling Karina's mocking laughter.

Melanie walked to her window, from which she stared down at the lush green gardens which were well tended for.

"She's evil, why can't dad just see that she's after his wealth?" She whispered.

Tears prickled at the corners of her eyes when she realised her Dad can't even understand what's going wrong since he's never around.

"He might just return home one day, and find me gone" she replied wiping her tears with the back of her palm.

"What about your fate and the curse?" Her inner voice asked.

Her mind drifted to the Old Man's words "you have a crucial role to play Melanie...the stars align for you."

She sighed deeply remembering the weight of those words.

"I don't care anymore...I should just face my fears"

A soft knock on the door broke the silence.

"Lanie?" A gentle voice called.

"Dad.." She called excitement dripping from her voice "I've missed you"

She grinned rushing to hug him.

"I've missed you too Kiddo" Her father Mr. Hughes said embracing her.

As they hugged Melanie stared out through the window, her mind going lost, but her fathers whisper snapped her back to reality.

"Lanie we need to talk"

"What is it dad?" She asked as they broke the hug. "Urgency is all over your voice"

"Your mother's past...it might come for you" Mr. Hughes' eyes locked onto hers.

Suddenly the light flickered, and the room plunged into darkness.

To Be Continued...