Chapter Three; Set Yourself Free
I had a horrible nightmare about the phantoms taking over, which abruptly shook me awake at 3:00 AM. I lay in my bed, the moon almost falling behind the mountains. I groaned, grabbing my phone. I felt like something was different in the castle, but I couldn’t figure out what. I scurried out of bed, looking closer at the window. The moon was glowing, as per usual, and there weren't any lights in the town to be seen.
I made my way to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. Maybe that’ll help me clear my head. As I turned the light on and looked in my reflection, I screamed. My mother-the necklace-was gone.
***
Not soon after, I managed to wake up most of the castle. Xavier was the first to rush in.
“What happened? Are you alright?” He asked, a sword in his hand.
“M-my mother. Th-The necklace is gone.” I muttered, touching my neck. Lucy came running in, Liam behind her.
“Olivia wasn’t in her room.” Lucy said quietly.
“I knew something was off.” Xavier sighed.
“I think whatever is wrong with Olivia made her take the necklace.” I explained, rubbing my eyes.
“Why would she want it?” Liam asked. I sighed, looking at my Dad.
“My mother will do whatever it takes to get what she wants.” I started. “She might be using Olivia as a vessel.”
“A vessel? Like what the Phantom King did to me?” Xavier asked, a worried expression on his face. I sighed, nodding my head.
“Yes, but I’m not entirely sure. Don’t freak out. That’ll make this all worse.” I explained, trying to keep myself calm. If my mother somehow escaped, all of Jamaa would be doomed. I wasn’t sure, but what if Olivia took my necklace to get back at me somehow? Or my mother could’ve been plotting this. Either way, I had to get it back, no matter the cost.
“Where did she go?” Lucy whispered, her hand on Liam’s shoulder.
“I want every guard to go find my daughter. I want her AND the necklace returned safely to me. Go!” Xavier demanded, an angry energy filling his body. I didn’t blame him. If my child ended up possibly siding with a villain, I’d be pretty upset too.
“We’ll find her, Xavier. That’s my promise to you. The Alphas are already on their way.” A guard told my dad, rushing out with the rest of the guards.
“Xav-Dad?” I asked, looking at him. He looked at me, his face relaxing a bit.
“Yes, honey?” He asked. I could see how tired he was, and I knew he wouldn’t be sleeping until Olivia returned home safely.
“Was this all my fault?” I asked, sitting on the edge of my bed. I smoothed out the wrinkles in my nightgown, wishing my anxieties would go away that easily.
“Of course it isn't. Why would you think such a thing?” He asked, looking directly at me. I sighed.
“Because ever since I arrived, Olivia has had this hatred towards me. It’s almost like I completely ruined her life. She’s been so angry towards me lately especially. Maybe that dinner was just the final straw. She thought she could use my mother to get back at me, or vise versa.” I explained, realizing how bad I had screwed up. Maybe if I was nicer? If I was more normal-?
“This isn’t your fault at all, honey.” Lucy quickly shut my thoughts down. Xavier shook his head.
“Lucy is right. It’s got to be Hatchi’s doing.” He noted.
“Which never would’ve happened if I didn’t try to prove myself last year.”
“But then we wouldn’t have gotten you.” Lucy smiled, putting a hand on my shoulder. A tear rolled down my face.
“I’m going to go look for her.” I explained, standing up. Xavier shook his head.
“You’re staying here where it’s safe. You have school tomorrow.” He told me.
“But I have to find her-” I began but he held up his paw.
“Not another word, Mariah. You’re staying here. End of discussion.” Xavier finished, opening up my door.
“I’m sorry, Mariah. I want to go look for her too.” I heard Liam say before he left my room. I sighed. If it’s my doing, I should be the one looking for her.
***
By the time I got to the building, it seemed the entire school knew about Olivia’s disappearance. Andrew was acting like nothing had happened, but I could see the worried expression that he was hiding behind a smile. I knew he had fake smiles on often, as I knew the thought of his mother was always on the back of his mind.
“How are you doing?” Andrew finally asked, removing the smile from his face. I shrugged.
“I want to go out and help.” I explained, sitting my lunch tray down at the table. We were the first ones at the “soccer” table.
“I know you do, but you can’t. You’re royalty, and the future queen for that matter.” Andrew explained picking at his sandwich.
“I know, but I can fight back.” I replied, hinting at my powers. He shook his head.
“You can’t. You know you're supposed to keep it a secret.” Andrew lowered his voice.
“Yeah yeah I know. But why? Am I supposed to be hiding behind some tiara and gown and act normal? Why don’t I get to decide what’s best for me?” I asked, looking down at my plate.
“I know, I get it. But it’s for the best.” He shrugged, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“I disagree. No one should get to tell me how to live my life.” I explained, quieting down more when I saw a group of the soccer team coming over. Andrew cleared his throat.
“Hey guys!” He exclaimed, high fiving some of his friends.
“Hey, Mariah! How’s your sister? Any news?” One of the boys asked. I shrugged, checking my phone. I shook my head.
“That sucks. It’s so weird how she disappeared like that.” Another boy noted, throwing a french fry at another kid.
“Yeah, it is.” I muttered, opening my water.
“Let’s not talk about this.” Andrew spoke up, clearing his throat again.
“Good idea. So, a soccer game in a week against our rivals. Are you guys ready?” Our captain, Peter, asked us. I nodded, not really paying attention anymore. I had to find Olivia. If this is a part of my mother’s plan, she’s not going to care if she does something to Olivia. Even if I have to die for it, I will return Olivia home safely. I won’t risk even more for myself. I’ve made a mistake I need to fix, no matter what it takes.
“I-I’ll be back.” I said, running towards the main doors. Xavier’s going to kill me for this.
“Mariah wait!” I heard Andrew exclaim, running after me. I saw teachers following him. Crap. What’s my plan?
“I’m sorry. I have to do this.” I told him, opening the doors. Immediately, loud alarms went off. I covered my ears as I ran away from the school building. I almost tripped on my dress a few times, which made me even angrier than I was before.
“Mariah, you need to return back to school.” I heard Liza’s voice order. I muttered a quick no, continuing to run in the direction of Balloosh’s forests. Suddenly, I saw a light. My body instantly stopped moving.
“Princess Mariah Jamaa.” I heard Cruizer’s angry voice blare. I was so tempted to break her weak spell with my powers, but I knew Xavier would have a fit if I did.
“Running from school grounds? Causing a HUGE interruption to the school day? That’s a serious offense that has never been done before in this school’s history.” He went on, his voice shaking with anger.
“I guess it’s because all of these spoiled brats are too busy loving their lives to not go out and do something about their half sister who’s currently Mira knows where.” I explained, yelling. Get me out of here.
“I know Olivia’s disappearance must be really hard on you, but you cannot be acting out like this. I’ll be generous and give you a serious warning and a phone call home, but you’ll be facing detention if you step out of line again.” Cruizer finished, signaling for Liza to restore the spell. Finally.
“For the record, I didn’t even choose this life. If I had the say so, I would’ve gone back to my old house. Alone.” I fired off, stomping my way back to the school. Kids were staring out the doors, watching as I was escorted back into the building. I knew Xavier was going to be furious, but I didn’t care. I had to try. Olivia is in danger, and I need to go after her.
“Bound up by your worries
Trapped by your mistakes
Forced to play a role you never chose”
*
“Fly away to find your destiny
And set yourself free”
It only took about a month to get this out XD. I hope you guys enjoy! Some of you were right all the way back when I was asking for theories! I had to keep the secret though! Foreshadowing kids :o
Jam On!