I knew that I still wasn't sure what I wanted to be. I didn’t know what career path to take or what my true calling was. I could easily enter the detective field. I had a knack for it. But would I want to deal with the rules and regulations that came with the role?
Compared to Starlight, who bent all the rules in the damn first and second edition handbook - the second one adding an additional hundred rules because Starlight went above and beyond to break them when they didn't exist - I wouldn't be given the same privileges.
I also didn't have the same perseverance as Starlight. Her passion was to protect Witchling and everyone who was a part of it by getting rid of the crime that lurked in the shadows. My resolve was nothing close to that level of commitment, and I was perfectly fine with acknowledging that.
There was the option of going back to school, but what would my focus be? Getting stronger? Learning more ancient spells and magic? I truly wasn't sure, but I knew what I worried about the most was being separated from my boyfriends.
We were the Notorious Five, but I knew we all had different paths to walk upon to satisfy our desires. Was I ready to part from them so we could strive towards our dreams?
Not really.
Shaking my head, I decided to finish reading this chapter before I finally got out of bed and showered. I was wearing a crop top and shorts, the attire rather off for winter weather, but it made putting on and taking off the bandages far easier.
Plus, I'd been running a bit on the warmer side all day today, so I needed the extra cool air.
Fuwa and Elsa were still asleep within me. I'd decided I needed a few days’ break magic-wise, and neither of them had any complaints. I was curious as to where they went in the magical world when they weren't summoned - whether they merely slept within me, or got to go on their own adventures without our knowledge.
Regardless, I knew they were safe, which was something I was grateful for.
The knock on the door seemed to grasp my attention as I read the last sentence of what I realized was the end of the book. The realization made me grit my teeth as I turned the last page to see the author page and the book series' next release.
"Oops," I whispered. "I wasn't supposed to finish."
Lifting my head, I noticed Mother at the door. She was leaning against the door frame, her tired eyes looking extra worried, which had me wondering if something was wrong.
"Hey, Mom," I quietly greeted. "Is something wrong?"
"I've been trying to get your attention for over an hour," she revealed, which made me gawk in surprise. "Your father came earlier and noticed you were into the book when he tried to get your attention, but it's already eleven," she revealed.
"Oh," I replied. "I'm not sleepy."
"I know, sweetheart." Mother gave me a slight smile as she moved from the door frame and walked over to my bed. Sitting on the edge, she gave me a long look before she continued, "I'm not trying to say you have to go to bed, Brianne. You haven't eaten anything today."
Oops. Food. I forgot that's a necessity.
"I forgot," I admitted and lowered my gaze to the book. "This book really intrigued me. It's kinda dark, but it's about wolf shifters and northern lights and stuff. I didn't think I'd get so absorbed by it, but I guess it proved my assumption wrong."
I tried to smile as I returned my gaze to hers, but I wasn't sure it reached my eyes. I was never good at acting like everything was okay when it wasn't. A face like an open book never helped anyone.
Mother slowly nodded and looked at the book cover that literally reminded me of the northern lights because of the greens, blues, and purples. The girl in the middle was pretty badass to look at, being an intriguing misty shade of blue with nude lips and flawless skin.
What caught my attention the most was the two wolves on the cover that took a good chunk of space. They stood at her sides, almost protectively, yet I knew the secrets of their loyalty to the main character.
"I'm glad the next book comes out tomorrow, but I don't really feel like lining up to get it or anything. I know I can grab it on my e-reader, but I don't really feel like reading through a device," I muttered while looking at the book yet again. "There’s something about having a book in your hands that makes reading a cherished moment in time."
"I agree," Mother admitted and reached out to lay her hand gently on top of mine. "Why don't I grab it for you tomorrow?"
I blinked and gave her a confused look. "You'll...go buy it for me? You don't have to. I mean, you're busy and have more important things to do, like help put murderers in jail and all that jazz," I defended. "Besides, the trial is coming up, right? I'm sure you and Dad have to focus. You don't need to be here, babysitting me."
"Brianne." Mother's voice was tender yet carried a firmness to it. "We're not babysitting you."
"You shouldn't have to sacrifice your valuable time for me. I'm fine being alone."
"I'd sacrifice everything in my world for you, Brianne," Mother quietly confessed, her words forcing me to meet her sad eyes as she reached out to tap my cheek. "Being here for my child who's dealing with something as traumatizing as what you and your boyfriends experienced is my duty as a parent. It's not a burden or hindrance. Your dad feels the same way. That's why we've taken a few days off."
"W...What?" I couldn't understand.
"I know we've always allowed you and Starlight to be rather independent. We always put our careers ahead when you were younger because we knew your sister would be around and you were such an independent child who was focused on learning at your own pace. However, we allowed that because we were confident you didn't need us lingering around. Even when you were bullied or treated unfairly by your peers, you gave off a strong persona that told your father and me that you'd be okay. You could get through it."
"And now?" I whispered.
Her sad smile widened as she reached out to stroke my head.
"Now that lovely wall of confidence has crumbled down and needs some time to repair. That's why Daddy and I are going to be your temporary walls until they're repaired and back up again."
That made me smile as I closed my eyes, my head hanging low as I soon realized tears were running down my cheeks.
"Mom?"
"Yes, Brianne?"
"Why...are people so cruel?" I lifted my head then, allowing more tears to spill down my flushed cheeks as I looked for the threads of sympathy in her eyes that mimicked mine. "They...they said Leia deserved what happened to her. That's not true. She didn't deserve to be abused...tortured...raped. She was just a lost girl who had her own hopes and dreams. She was forced to do what those in power over her instructed her to do. It doesn't mean she deserved that type of end. It's not fair.... Where's her justice? Why won't people see what I see? Why won't they look past the show she put on and see she was vulnerable like anyone else?"
Mother blinked back her own tears as she pulled my head forward so I could rest my forehead against her chest. I tried hard not to sob as I let the flooding thoughts out.
"Why did they do that to her, Mom? Why...why didn't anyone help her? You're telling me no one heard her screams? No one thought she deserved to live? No one saw whoever did this enter the council room? The halls were busy because of the exam....and you can't just teleport in there. So no one...no one...dared to try to save her? What kind of world do we live in that it's okay to ignore what's right? What world do we live in that everyone can turn their head when someone's in need because they're afraid of getting involved? If even one person tried to stop what happened...or even reported strange activity, maybe Leia would be alive. Why...why...is this world so fucked up?"