18. Descendants Of Traitors

Moana

"What's wrong?" Granny Smith asked, gently, noticing I had been quiet for a long time. I tried to mask my confusion, but I couldn't help it.

"Nothing, ma'am," I stuttered, quickly trying to compose myself, "You were expecting him to stay longer, weren't you?" She asked, eyes twinkling with understanding.

I nodded sheepishly, "Yes. I thought as much," I replied in a whisper, making her chuckled slightly, "He's always been like that, dear. He comes and goes as he pleases. Don't worry about it,"

She smiled warmly and gestured towards the house, "Let's go inside. I'm cooking something special for us," 

I nodded, still feeling a bit dazed, and followed her into the house.

~•~~

I stood at the window, watching the sky lighten with the approaching dawn. Jericho appeared, his face looking deadly expressionless.

"Master," I said, trying to sound calm. He didn't respond, and rather his eyes fixed on some point beyond me.

Desperation drove me to ask, "Why are we here? Especially me?" His gaze flicked to mine, carrying his usual unreadable gaze, "It's for your safety," He said, simply after some time.

"My safety? Why would my safety be a concern? You're the one who's been trying to get rid of me," I said, yelling angrily at him.

"I don't need your protection. I've never needed anybody's protection, and especially not from someone who would desperately want me dead," I spat, trying to keep my voice steady, despite my anxiety.

His eyes snapped to mine, it was a piercing gaze that makes me more anxious and terrified.

"Your life has been in danger since the day you became mine. And you shouldn't query my authorities. You're still under my possession," He stated, coldly.

With that, he turned and left me alone. I stood there, frozen, wondering why he was so cold-hearted. What else did he want from me, apart from what he had already taken?

~•~~

I sat in my room, surrounded by Granny Smith's warm and cozy decorations. It was late at night and she had said she would be sleeping over her friend's place for the night. Suddenly, I heard a faint voice calling my name.

Moana?

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the voice. It sounded just like my late mother's calm voice.

I jumped up from the bed and followed the sound of the voice to another room. The door creaked as I pushed it open, and I stepped inside.

The room was quiet and dimly lit, but as my eyes adjusted, I saw a figure standing in the corner. My mother.

I gasped, a mix of shock and joy overwhelming me. I took a step forward, my arms outstretched.

"Mother," I exclaimed, tears of happiness streaming down my face. But as I approached her, she held up a hand, stopping me.

"Moana, don't. I'm dead, sweetie. I've been gone for a long time," She said gently, but in a strict manner. I stared at her, shocked, "But you're here. This is you," I stammered, feeling tears welling up in my eyes, due to the fact that I fear she doesn't recognize me anymore.

"Whatever is happening to you, sweetie, it's all part of a larger plan. You were meant to go through this," She explained, calmly. But, I didn't care about any plan or fate. All I cared about was being with my mother again.

"I missed you so much," I said, my voice cracking with emotion, "I missed you too, sweetie. But you have to be strong now. You have to keep going," She assured, tears also welling up in her eyes, but she was fighting it back than I am.

I shook my head, feeling a wave of despair wash over me, "I don't want to. I'm not happy in this life. I just want to be with you," I cried, my voice barely above a whisper, hoping she'd accept my pleas and let me be with her once again.

"It cannot be possible, sweetie," She declared, sadly..I stared at her, confusion etched on my face, "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice laced with skepticism.

Her expression instantly turned somber, "You belong to a descendant of traitors. After they're reborn and repented, they're given a chance to serve as a slave to someone they were fated to be with as a slave,"

I felt a shiver run down my spine, "What do you mean, a slave?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"You don't have control over your life. You were specifically made for someone, someone who hates you deeply,"

"Who?" I demanded, my voice fierce, due to the anger burning inside me. She hesitated for some time, "I don't know yet, but I know he's not far away from you. You'll know soon enough. Just remember, the only way to survive is to accept your fate and obey him,"

I recoiled in horror, feeling trapped and helpless.