Chapter 2

As we sat down for dinner, I couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness wash over me at the thought that this would be one of the last dinners I would have with Yadhira and Lillian. I knew this would be the last time we would be together for a while.

In the aftermath of the death of my parents, Yadhira and Lillian became my family; blood could not unite us. My relationship with them had grown so close that I couldn't imagine life without them. They were my rock, source of strength, and unconditional love. Leaving them felt like losing a part of myself.

"Alassandra, dear, is something wrong?" Yadhira asked.

"Uh, no," I replied, wiping away a tear.

"You haven't touched your food, dear," she said, glancing at my plate and then at me.

Initially, I glanced at Lillian, who shook her head and mouthed, "No," before returning my attention to Yadhira.

"Actually, I want to tell you something," I replied.

"Go on," Yadhira said as she put her fork down on the table and crossed her hands together. I hesitated as I gazed into Yadhira's bright green eyes momentarily.

"Talk to me. What's going on?" Yadhira smiled gently, her voice full of concern.

Despite knowing Yadhira could not read minds, she had this way of making you think she could. Though it may sound ridiculous, how she phrased certain things or looked at me made me wonder if this was possible.

I shook my head to clear my mind, took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and continued.

"Well, you know I've wanted to become a lawyer since I was a kid." I glanced at Lillian, whose gaze was now lowered. "Um, I received three letters today from three top schools."

"Well, what did they say?" Yahira asked with a slight smile on her face.

"I was denied admission to Harvard and Princeton, but I received a full scholarship from the third school," I replied.

Yadhira nodded and remained silent for a moment.

"Mom, are you alright?" Lillian asked.

"Hmm, yes, child, I-I am just processing everything. I am very happy for you, Alassandra. Congratulations," Yadhira replied.

"Thanks so much. I can't wait to get started!" I responded, a grin spreading across my face.

"What school will you be attending?" Yadhira asked as she took a sip of her red wine.

"Whimsic Law School," I said.

The moment I said the school's name, Yadhira dropped her glass and stared at me as if she had seen a ghost. She looked at me with wide eyes, and her mouth gapped open.

"Mom?" I called to her.

She slowly stood up from her chair, her face ashen white. She covered her mouth with her hand, and her eyes were filled with dread. I knew something was very wrong.

"Forgive me, girls, I suddenly don't feel too well. Excuse me," she said as she hurried out of the dining room.

I glanced at Lillian, who was just as confused as I was about what had just happened.

"What was that about?" I whispered. Lillian shook her head, her face still full of surprise.

"I have no idea." She said as she looked at me.

Her expression was a mixture of confusion and fear. Lillian and I finished our dinner in silence, then cleaned up the kitchen before heading to our room. We both had separate rooms, but as long as I can remember, we always ended up sleeping in each other's room.

"Ala," Lillian called out to me, her voice just above a whisper.

"Yeah," I replied, turning to her.

"What made you want to be a lawyer?" she asked.

I stood silent momentarily, thinking about what to say to her. I couldn't tell her the truth without breaking Yadhira's trust, but I didn't want to lie to her either.

"Umm, well. When we were kids, there was this family I knew, and they had a little girl I used to play with. Her father was a lawyer, one of the best in town, and her mom owned this flower store. Anyway, one day her parents went on vacation and the same day they left the police found them. They never made it to their destination or back to their little girl," I told her.

There was a moment of silence from Lillian.

"Wow, that's crazy. Did they ever figure out what had happened to them? Did they ever find the person who killed them?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"Sadly, no," I said, lowering my gaze as I recalled the day the two men came to our house and said my parents had died.

"Well, what happened to the little girl?" Lillian asked, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Oh, um, she moved away," I replied as I pulled the covers back on the bed when Yadhira's voice sounded from the bedroom door.

"Alassandra, my dear, can I please speak with you?" she said.

I smiled, made my way to the door, and followed her into the living room.

"Please sit with me," she said, patting the seat beside her.

I sat down next to her and looked into her eyes.

"I remember the day we first met. It was just like this. Night, fireplace, you were just a small girl," she said, pausing momentarily. "Earlier, you said you were accepted into Whimsic Law School."

"Yes," I replied.

"I promised your parents long ago to always watch over you. I fear that with you leaving, I will longer be able to protect you, so I must warn you. Out there, you will be vulnerable. Some things in this world don't always appear as they seem. You must remain vigilant and remember that people are not always what they seem to be. You must always trust your instincts and be aware of your surroundings. If ever you find yourself in a difficult situation, do not hesitate to call out for help. I will pray to the goddess for your safety daily," she said, gazing at the fireplace.

Her words took me aback. Goddess? Things were sometimes different from what they seemed. What did that mean? I thought to myself. I remained silent for a moment, unsure of what to say.

As I was about to say something, Yadhira spoke again.

"What I mean is, you are exceptional, Alassandra, in more ways than you know." She stopped, sensing my confusion.

"When you find the real truth, you will understand." She said as she stood and began to walk out of the living room before turning around and saying, "You are capable of always coming back to the light. Good night, dear child." She said, then turned and left, leaving me to ponder her words.