The Rules

RED

Restlessness engulfed me as I lay on my back in bed, my gaze fixed upon the ceiling. Sleep evaded me, my mind tangled in a web of swirling thoughts and emotions. The events of the day had left me reeling, struggling to come to terms with my newfound identity as something other than fully human. The revelation of my uncle's complicated past, coupled with the narrow escape from an assassination attempt, had shaken me to the core. It was all too much to process, especially on my birthday of all days.

I tossed and turned, desperate to find some semblance of rest. The absence of Aunt May was already taking its toll on me. I missed her deeply-she had always been my rock, my confidante. Who was I going to turn to now?

My uncle, on the other hand, seemed intimidating and unapproachable. The words he had spoken before leaving echoed in my mind, haunting me with their weight.

*Flashback*

"Red, before we leave tomorrow, there are some rules you need to follow," he said, his voice laden with caution.

"What kind of rules?" I asked, leaning in closer to him. "And why do we need them?"

"Because once we reach the realm, we won't have time to establish them," he explained.

I nodded, waiting for him to lay out his so-called rules. I figured if I couldn't support them, I would simply disregard them. Simple as that.

"Go on," I urged.

"First rule: no one can know that we're related," he warned, his tone serious.

"Do you think I want anyone to know that?" I scoffed quietly.

As if.

"This isn't a joke, Red. We need to stay under the radar. Nobody can find out about our connection. Based on your records, I don't think I have to worry about that," he stated matter-of-factly.

His words stung. Ouch.

"But why?" I asked softly, confusion etching my face. Did he feel ashamed of me or something?

He must have sensed my thoughts because his expression softened, regret flickering in his eyes.

"No, I could never be ashamed of you. I need to protect you from the dangers that lie ahead. If we go there and reveal that you're my brother's long-lost daughter, I'd be counting down the days until someone tries to kill you," he said gently, a touch of sadness in his voice. I could sense his efforts to be a part of my life, and I couldn't just dismiss it.

"I understand, but..." I began, raising my head to look at him, my confusion lingering. Something still bothered me.

"How can I navigate your world without any connection to anyone?" I asked, a devilish smirk tugging at his lips. I knew he had a plan up his sleeve.

"Don't worry about that," he replied, his tone cryptic. I decided it was best not to pry.

"Secondly, you must never try to blend in. You have to remain hidden, just as you always have," he continued. Now, that's a rule I intended to break.

"Why?" I sighed, looking at him as if he thought I couldn't figure out that two plus one equals three.

"You can't draw attention to yourself. We don't want anyone to suspect anything," he explained.

"I understand, but can I at least have friends? People to talk to?" I hesitated, my voice growing softer.

"You know I didn't have any friends in high school, so it would be nice to have at least one," I added, my mind already conjuring images of boys. Speaking of which...

"Yeah, we'll have to discuss that dream of yours later," he suddenly interjected, catching me off guard. How did he know?

"What are you talking about?" I stammered, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. How did he find out? Who told him? This was beyond embarrassing.

"Your last dream in the car gave it away. It seems you have alot of those," he teased.

Tell me about it.

You don't even want to know what I think about him, even though I can't see him clearly. But my heart still flutters just at the thought of him.

"I can't unhear that," he commented, and I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me. I was certain my cheeks were turning pink.

"What's the next rule?" I hurriedly asked, attempting to change the subject.

"I haven't even answered your question yet," he smirked, and I despised it.

"What question?"

"Wow, just thinking about him seems to turn your brain into mush," he remarked.

"Well, the answer is yes, you can have friends as long as they don't know who you really are. I don't care, but no boyfriends or dating, for that matter," he stated firmly, emphasizing the dating part. But I knew I was going to break that rule. I needed my first kiss, after all.

"Thank you, I appreciate it. So, what's the next part?" I asked, eager to move on.

He seemed tense as he mentioned the next rule. It must be important. I should take it seriously.

"The last rule is that whatever you hear at the academy, you must always report it to me. It could be a warning or information that could be harmful to anyone," he said, his tone conveying a mix of fear and seriousness. I felt a knot form in my stomach as I observed his uneasiness.

"I don't understand," I confessed.

"Well, there have been rumors of a serial killer who has murdered up to ten beings in the past two weeks," he revealed, widening my eyes in shock.

Shit.

"Wait, are you telling me you want me to go there just to get killed?!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my fear and anger. I could tell he didn't appreciate my outburst.

"Look, the killer hasn't made any attempts at the school, so you should be relatively safe," he admitted, but I wasn't entirely convinced.

"Are you sure?" I couldn't believe it. I thought the danger was within the school. I'd rather die here with Aunt May than be slaughtered by a ruthless killer in a mystical world.

"Positive," he asserted, sounding sincere for once-okay, maybe twice in a row.

"So I shouldn't worry, since I won't go unnoticed at school?" I questioned, seeking reassurance.

"Ah, trust me with the plan I have for you to enter. You'll be the center of attention, dear," he smiled before making his way to the front door. However, he paused and turned to look at me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. He seemed unsure about what to say, but said it anyway.

"Um, please tell your aunt that I'm leaving and that I'm sorry," he said, a hint of pain in his gaze, though it quickly faded as he resumed his usual stern and serious demeanor.

* Flashback over*

I let out a weary sigh, the weight of the rules settling heavily upon my shoulders. It was no coincidence that Uncle J chose the dead of night to disclose the final part of his list. The timing seemed almost poetic, as if he reveled in the discomfort it would cause me. Such was my luck.

Glancing nervously around the dimly lit room, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of paranoia. I knew it was irrational, but the events of the day had left me on edge, my senses heightened to the slightest hint of danger. Sleep seemed like a distant dream in this unfamiliar place.

With a resolve born of restlessness, I rose from my bed and made my way to Aunt May's room. Softly, I knocked twice on the door, hoping to gain her attention without disturbing the peace that had eluded me.

Within moments, the door creaked open, revealing my aunt's beautiful yet sorrowful countenance. Her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, held a mixture of relief and melancholy. I knew she had been struggling with my departure, her own spirit dampened by the weight of our impending separation.

"Can I have my last sleepover with Aunt May?" I whispered, a hopeful smile tugging at the corners of my lips. In this moment, we needed no tears, only the solace of each other's presence.

"Oh, honey," she breathed, her voice laced with gratitude. It was a bittersweet acknowledgment of the precious time we had left. "But of course, dear."

With a gentle sweep of her hand, she invited me into her room. I stepped inside, feeling the warmth and familiarity wash over me. Closing the door behind me, she padded softly to the bed, her steps filled with a quiet grace.

We lay side by side, a silent understanding enveloping us. The weight of unspoken emotions hung heavy in the air, begging for release.

"What did he say before he left?" Aunt May's voice broke the silence, her tone tinged with curiosity and a hint of sadness.

I shifted slightly, searching for the right words. "He was just telling me a few rules, you know. Like, I'm not allowed to date and stuff," I replied, a soft chuckle escaping my lips. It seemed almost comical, the idea that my age would be a hindrance to my heart's desires.

She laughed, her laughter a soothing balm to my apprehension. "He does know you're nineteen, right? And that you can make your own choices, including being safe if you decide to have sex," she remarked, her words filled with a surprising candor.

"Aunt," I protested, feeling a flush of embarrassment creep up my cheeks. The topic of sex was an uncomfortable one, particularly when discussed with a family member.

But her laughter continued, undeterred by my discomfort. It was as if she reveled in pushing the boundaries of our conversation.

After a few seconds, her laughter faded, replaced by tears that trickled down her cheeks. My heart clenched at the sight, a surge of empathy coursing through me. I couldn't bear to see her in pain.

"Aunt, please don't cry," I pleaded, my voice filled with a quiet determination. "I promise I'll call you every single day. I'll even steal Uncle's phone if I have to."

Her smile, though tinged with sadness, radiated warmth and understanding. She shook her head gently, a mix of appreciation and resignation in her eyes.

"It's not just that, dear," she whispered, her voice filled with a tenderness that tugged at my heartstrings. "I'm crying because you had to endure all of this in just one day. Red, you almost died."

The weight of her words settled upon me like a heavy cloak. The realization of how close I had come to losing my life hit me with a force I couldn't deny.

"But I'm here now," I murmured, my voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and determination. "That's what matters, right?"

Aunt May's gaze softened, the lines of worry etched upon her face easing ever so slightly. "You're going to a much more dangerous world, my dear. I have every right to worry about you."

"I know," I replied, my voice carrying a quiet resolve. The gravity of the situation was not lost on me. I understood the risks that lay ahead, the unknown perils that awaited in the realm beyond.

"But I know my strong girl will fight through it," she continued, her voice laced with a mother's unwavering faith. "Just like your parents did before they died."

The mention of my parents stirred a wellspring of emotions within me. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, a reservoir of pent-up grief and longing finally finding an outlet.

"Aunt," I choked out, my voice quivering with emotion. Without hesitation, I embraced her, seeking solace in her arms. The dam holding back my tears broke, and they flowed freely, a testament to the pain and love that intertwined within me.

"It's okay, my dear," Aunt May whispered soothingly, her voice a gentle lullaby against the storm within my heart. "We need to rest now. You have a long journey ahead of you."

Reluctantly, I pulled away from her embrace, wiping my tear-stained cheeks. The room felt heavy with unspoken worries and unanswered questions, but for now, we needed respite.

"Alright," I replied, my voice laden with a mixture of uncertainty and determination. "But before we sleep, I almost forgot. There's something I should know. What did he tell you?"

A flicker of sadness crossed Aunt May's face, and I realized she was already aware of the topic that weighed on my mind.

"Nothing important," I murmured, attempting to keep my voice low so as not to betray the hurt that lingered within me. "He just wanted me to know he was leaving and that he was sorry."

Aunt May's expression hardened, a veil of hurt descending upon her features. I couldn't fully grasp the depths of her pain, but I could sense the echoes of a fractured relationship.

"If that's all, then it's no problem," she replied, her voice tinged with restrained bitterness. "We should rest now. Come on, dear."

As she tucked me in and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead, we exchanged our goodnights. I turned to face the unknown, my mind teeming with questions and uncertainties.

Would those who had attacked me before come after me again? What plans did my uncle have for me in this dangerous world?

I closed my eyes, willing the chaos in my mind to quiet. Sleep beckoned, promising temporary respite from the weight of my responsibilities. Yet, amidst the darkness, one thought lingered, a gnawing reminder of my purpose.

How would I find my parents' murderers? And if I did, would I be their next target?

With that haunting question echoing in my mind, I surrendered to the embrace of sleep, unaware of the trials that awaited me in the days to come.

~~~~~~~~

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