Zayla

It looked like it was getting pretty late. As I opened my eyes, I figured I must have dozed off and better get back to my house. While lying there, I heard footsteps, and the leaves crunching scared me. I sat straight up and turned towards the noise, seeing a tall figure moving towards me. I jumped up, my head still throbbing, matching the pounding of my heart as my mind began to race.

The figure was getting close. I started moving slowly backward to have a clear path to run. I noticed it was a boy about my age; he looked about 5" 7 with dark hair and had a toned build like a football player. He was getting closer, and I ended up bumping into a tree. I started panicking and yelled, “HEY, stop, don’t come any closer. “The boy stopped in his tracks but didn’t come any closer, trying to look for an exit. I scanned the area around the boy, but he blocked the exit. “Are you okay? That wound looks bad. Can I look? “he asked with a gentle voice.

“No, no, “I stuttered, “stay where you are, please. I don’t know you, “I said, sounding more scared than I was. “Move to the side, and please let me pass. I need to get home, “I said in the sternest voice I could muster. He stopped and moved to the side with his hands up.

“I won’t hurt you. What’s your name? “screw that I thought I’m not giving this Adonis-looking man my name. He might be the most good-looking guy I’d ever seen, but who knows what he would try to do, so I said nothing.

“My name is Liam. Please let me help you?” he asked again. “Why, so you could murder me? No, thank you,” I said sarcastically. He laughed at me and looked at me like I was crazy." I will not murder you," he said.

I moved forward since he had moved to the side, still with his hands up. Suddenly, his phone rang. He went to reach for it out of his pocket, and I figured this was my chance. I made a mad run for it, whizzing past him.

I didn’t stop. I ran as fast as I could, running faster than I ever had

What the heck was happening to me!?!! As I ran out of the woods to the street, I stopped for a minute, trying to figure out where to catch my breath. Seeing I wasn’t too far away, I started running again, hoping that the boy would catch up to him

About five minutes later, I got to my house and ran in the front door as my family sat in the living room. I headed upstairs, slamming my door shut. I locked the door and went to the bathroom to clean my wound, but it was less significant. It looked like a medium-sized scratch now.

I was in shock. What is going on with me? I questioned. I finished cleaning the cut and put it, then took a quick bath to clean myself. When I was done, I got out, went to my closet, and put on a nightgown. My mind instantly drifted to the boy in the woods. “Liam,” I repeated softly. “Who was he? I have never seen him at school. Why did he want to help me? He was very handsome!

Boys like him never talked to girls like me. I’m glad I didn’t tell him my name; it doesn’t matter. I probably wouldn’t ever see him again. He probably goes to another school, but whoever was his girl was pretty lucky. Boys like that were always taken.

I crawled into bed. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with 21 questions from my sisters and definitely not my parents.

10 mins later, I heard a knock and the jiggling of my door knob,

“Zayla, darling, it’s Mom. Open up. I had dinner for about 20 minutes. Where have you been? Is everything okay?” she asked. “I’m fine. I’m tired, and I ate at Jens, “I lied. I didn’t enjoy lying to her, but I just couldn’t right now, not until I understood what was going on. “Okay, Zayla,” she said, sounding defeated. " Before you leave for school, we will talk in the morning." OK, I love you, “I said impatiently.

I love her, but she can sometimes be very persistent. She always keeps going until you give in and spill your guts. I giggled.

I love her pushiness. She loved her daughters and husband, but wouldn’t take no for an answer. I finally lay down to review everything that happened today, but I didn’t get Mariah. What was her problem? We used to be friends and best friends in elementary school before middle school.

She stopped talking to me and started hanging out with Holli, but I decided that would be a problem tomorrow. I felt my eyes getting very heavy and suddenly heard the familiar voice, “It will be okay, child,” but I was too far gone to wonder who it was as I fell into a dreamless sleep.

Liam

Hello? I answered the call, “Hey Liam, it’s Ron. Dinner is ready. Where are you?” Oh, um, I just went for a run. I got lost trying to find my way back,” I said. Okay, understandable, he added. He gave me the directions back to the house.

“You should be careful, and see you soon.” I tried to chase that girl after I stopped the call. I did not see any sign of her as I left the woods. She ran so fast past me while I was distracted. I hope she is okay. Why was she so scared? I have questions. Hopefully, I will get the answers if I ever see her again. I made my way back to the house, following the instructions Ron gave me.

As I made it back and walked in the front door, I smelled the most wonderful smell.

Bacon and waffles—we never had something like that back at the compound. I made my way back to the kitchen and saw both Ron and Cassie sitting at the table. “Just in time,” Cassie chirped. Grab a plate out of the cabinet and help yourself. We are having breakfast for dinner. “

“Smells delicious. We never had this back at the compound, “I said. They both looked at me, shocked.

“Well, now, you're with us, son, and we will eat like this whenever you want,” she added excitedly.

“Son?!” I repeated, stunned. My eyes are completely wide.

“Yes, Liam, we could never have kids,” she said sadly, a hint of hurt and tears in her eyes.

“Because of the council, we were supposed to be excellent warriors. It’s how Ron and I met, “she added, having a distant look in her eyes.

“As she took a deep breath, memories flooded her mind, and her voice trembled slightly. "We fell in love," she began, her gaze searching Ron's for understanding. "It was against the rules, an act of defiance in a world governed by strict laws. Just a few months later, we decided to marry in secret—a bond that was forbidden." She paused, her fingers intertwining with his, her words heavy between them.

"My father," she resumed, her voice thick with emotion, "was a general and served as an adviser to the elder of the humans on the council. When they discovered our secret, they didn't choose death for us as they could have; instead, they banished us from our home.” Tears welled in her eyes as she continued, each word a painful reminder of their lost past. “So we fled to this place, where we fought to build a life far away from their reach. But they warned us—and the threat still looms over us—that if we ever had children, those innocent lives would face instant execution.”

She looked away momentarily, her heart heavy, knowing that the council's watchful gaze forever entwined their lives.

I looked on in utter silence, not sure how to feel about what she was saying., As she went on, “We are like a foster home., They would send young boys trained like yourself, who would stay until they got their first assignments. “

“We always treated them like our sons, even helped some disappear and start over. Which we will do for you. “Cassie paused. “We trust you, “Ron stated firmly, adding to Cassie's words. “Of course, you can’t say anything when we will do the same for you if that’s what you decide. She emphasized again. “No worries. I promise I will say nothing, “I said.

Sitting back, it was appalling what Cassie had said, but I never really thought much of my future. It wasn’t something you thought of, especially growing up. I had, “don’t have to decide right now," she added. “Whatever the council wants you to do will take time; in the meantime, you are our son, so try to enjoy yourself. “

I sat back and fell silent, eating, relishing every bite. My mind instantly drifted back to the girl in the woods, wondering if she was okay and how she got that wound on her head. There was just something about her. She was exquisite and had the most stunning jade-colored eyes. Hopefully, I will see her again.

“How was the food? “Cassie’s voice brought me back, finishing up as I set my fork on the plate. “It was delicious,” I exclaimed, standing up to put my plate in the sink. “Just put it in the sink. I will have you help with chores and stuff tomorrow, “Cassie said as she got up and hugged me. I just stood there feeling uncomfortable because we could not show emotion. But I didn’t want her to feel bad, so I hugged her back. “Thank you for everything, “I said awkwardly. I sensed she felt the same, but it passed quickly. Well, good night. You have an early morning. Get some sleep. I headed upstairs, feeling very uneasy. I hope this will pass. They seem like great people.