I woke up earlier than I usually do. It was about eight o'clock and I was in layers of clothes.

I trudged downstairs to get some breakfast before I head out.

"Good morning Julia." My aunt Nika said from the couch in the living room. "You're up early." She added before returning her attention to the newspaper in her hands.

"I know, I was gonna try to get up early to go to the bookstore." I told her.

"The bookstore again?" My older brother Kayden asked from the kitchen. He's three years older than me, but I'm almost as tall as he is.

Yet we both look so different. I have long jet-black hair, bright blue eyes, lightly tanned skin, and a skinny five foot nine frame. Kayden on the other hand, has medium-brown hair that's always swept to the side, green eyes, olive skin, and a muscular (but not too muscular) five foot eleven frame.

"Yeah the bookstore again." I said sarcastically. "What's for breakfast?" I asked.

"Eggs and bacon for me and aunt Nika." He started. "Nothing for you." He finished.

"What? That's not fair!" I yelled.

"Well I only made enough for us, you should have told me you were gonna be up early." He said as he grabbed the two plates and headed for the table.

"Are you kidding me? You know I can't cook! And there's no cereal!" I yelled at him.

"Oh well." Kayden said. "It's time for you to learn how to cook then." He smirked.

"This isn't funny Kayden!" I don't know why, but I've been getting really mad over stupid things lately. Ever since I turned 16, so for a year now I've been getting mad very easily.

"Hey relax-" Kayden stated but I interrupted.

"No, shut up! Leave me alone!" I spat and headed down he hall towards the front door.

"Julia-" This must be serious, he never calls me my full name. He usually just calls me Jules.

"No, I don't want to hear it." I snapped as I opened the door and stepped outside into the cold winter air.

I tried to run but Kayden grabbed my wrist before I could take two steps.

"You need to seriously calm down." He said with a worried look.

"Let go of me!" I shouted and a tremor ran down my spine. I froze. "What just happened?" I asked.

"I promise I'll explain later, but please just calm down." He looked really worried. I tugged my wrist from his hand and bolted toward the trees.

I sprinted as fast as I could into the forest, knowing exactly where I was going.

Damn, I was getting really hot! I tore off my black coat and hung it on a nearby tree still keeping my pace.

But I was still hot. I took off my long sleeved shirt and tossed it to the ground not slowing my pace. I was almost to where I wanted to be.

I stopped for just a few seconds to take my sweat pants and leggings off, leaving me in an undershirt, spandex shorts and boots.

Then off course the boots got annoying. So I stopped just long enough to take my boots and socks off.

I stuffed my socks into my boots and sprinted away. I'd find everything later.

I could see the small river up ahead. At the speed I was going, I could make the six foot jump.

I waited until the last second and jumped. Everything was in slow motion. I could feel the cold air on my face and the wind blowing my hair. Then everything sped back up.

I ran straight at the waterfall. Memories flooding into my mind. Right before I hit the waterfall, I jumped up just slightly. I landed at the entrance to the most beautiful sight I've ever seen.

A cave that was about thirteen feet high, thirty feet wide and 50 feet back. White Christmas lights hung from all of the walls, a golden chandelier hung from the cave ceiling, the candles still lit.

I walked to the back of the cave where a bright white bed with a light mahogany frame that was holding see-through silk curtains, that draped over all sides of the bed.

On both sides of the bed there were seven foot book shelves made out of the same wood as the bed, filled with all the books I've ever read.

On the left side of the cave wall, a seven foot tall, nine foot wide bulletin board with every single inch of space filled with pictures of my past.

I walked to the right side of the cave to what I call my "art studio". The floor over here was covered in splashes of paint, colors varying from red to green.

On the wall my own mural. It had bright blue skies, puffy white clouds, birds soaring in the sun rays, beautiful long green grass. A red picnic blanket and light brown basket in the middle of the grassy field. The best part, drawn to scale paintings of my parents smiling at each other. One of my best paintings I have ever painted.

Over to the right of my "art studio" was an easel that held my paint, paint brushes, and a blank white canvas.

I smiled remembering my secret room. I pulled the easel the the left to reveal a curtain that blends in with the mural. I quickly pulled the curtain back and stepped into the smaller cave where all my paintings were kept.

The cave was about seven feet tall, ten feet wide, and ten feet long. The floor was a collage of floral designs I have painted over the years, and hung on the walls were all the canvas paintings I've ever painted. Some even on the ceiling, some even stacked on the floor.

On the right side of the room, a small boom box sat on the ground. I kneeled down and pressed the play button. The soft melody of my mom's very own music started to play.

I gracefully danced around the small room stepping between each of the designs on the floor. I danced until the song stopped and another one of my mom's songs started to play.

I turned and left the room leaving the music on. Just one last room left... the one room I haven't dared go in for more than nine years.

I slowly walked back to the bulletin board and take a deep breath before sliding it to the side just wide enough for me to squeeze through.

Tears filled my eyes when I saw the sleek black piano that once belonged to my mother in the middle of the dimly lit room. My fathers light brown guitar sitting on top of the piano.

But neither of those things are the reason I had tears in my eyes the real reason, was the card that sat right on the strings of the guitar.

I slowly walked to the card, picked it up, and read it silently to myself.

Dear Julia,

I promise when you're older this will make sense. So for now, keep these words to yourself, and don't tell anyone not even Kayden or Nika. Your father and I were sent on a mission by the Alpha. It is very dangerous and we don't know if we will make it back home. Just know that we will always love you, and that the Moon Goddess has different paths for everyone. If we do make it back from the mission, we will be home around five months from now. Keeps your hopes high!

xoxo ~Mommy & Daddy

To this very day I still have no clue why they were on a "mission" for the "Alpha", and I don't know who the "Moon Goddess" is.

Two weeks after my parents disappeared I was told that they got on a car accident on the way back from their vacation, and didn't make it.

I was only eight when it had happened, but I could still take care of myself. So I fled here, and didn't go back to my house until three days had gone by.

Kayden and Nika thought I had gotten lost in the forest and couldn't find my way home, they still think that. It's what I told them. I would never give away my one and only safe haven to anyone so easily.

I sighed and set the card back down on the dust covered guitar. I had no clue what time it was. I left the house around eight, ran for about an hour, and I've been here for maybe forty-five minutes at the most. So it was probably about ten, but I was tired, cold, and hungry.

I walked out of the room, slid the bulletin board back into place, and walked to the bed.

I crouched down so I could open the drawers and mini fridge under the bed. I pulled out the drawer furthest to the left which had a sweatshirt and sweatpants in them. I took them out along with clean underwear and a bra.

I set the dry clothes on the bed and walked back near the waterfall to grab my fluffy cream-colored towel. It was in a small cabinet that matched the rest of my furniture, and held all of my toiletries.

I quickly stripped, walked back over to my bed and put on the clean clothes. I brought the towel back to the cabinet, but left it on top to dry along with my wet clothes.

I sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed my eyes. Damn, I'm really tired. But also still hungry.

I knelt down and pulled out a pudding cup from the mini fridge, a spoon, and a bag of chips from the drawer to the right of the fridge.

I inhaled both snacks quickly before crawling under the covers and falling asleep.