I was still furious as I sat on my makeup table inside my room when a gentle knock sounded on my door.
My dad stepped in quietly. He saw me staring at my reflection in the mirror, my face stiff with anger and hurt. Without saying a word, he walked toward me, picked up a comb, and began brushing my hair softly.
The room was silent except for the faint sound of the comb gliding through my strands.
When he finished, he set the comb down and said gently, "You are beautiful."
My vision blurred instantly. Tears welled up in my eyes before I could stop them. I turned around and wrapped my arms tightly around him, finally breaking down. All the sorrow I had buried inside me poured out. I cried into his chest like a child, not caring how I looked or sounded.
After what felt like forever, I pulled away.
"Thank you, Dad," I whispered.
He tucked me into bed and left the room quietly.
But sleep now felt like an enemy.
What if the strange dream comes back?
Fear crawled under my skin, so I picked up my phone and scrolled through my handle, trying to distract myself until exhaustion finally took over.
The next morning, I dressed up as usual. After breakfast with my parents and Helen, I headed to school. Luckily, Mom didn't try to force me and Helen to go together.
I guess dad had finally talked her out of it.
My friendship with Jane had grown stronger over the past few days. During one of our usual girls' talks, I admitted I had never been in a relationship. Jane had tried linking me up on blind dates, but every single one ended in disaster.
"I guess I'm not really the dating type," I told her bitterly, after meeting my tenth blind date that night I ran out of the restaurant, the guy had mocked my appearance the moment he saw me.
Tears filled my eyes as I rushed out that day.
I returned home crying, my parents immediately understood something had happened. They didn't ask questions. They let me cry alone in my room.
Hours later, my throat dry from crying, I came downstairs for water.
"My dear," Mom said softly and dad standing next to her, "don't be so down. The right man will come at the right time."
I snapped.
"When?" I demanded angrily. "When will the so-called right one come? If Dad wasn't so ugly and didn't pass it down to me, I wouldn't be like this! Helen is always the lucky one. Let's just accept the fact that I'm hideous!"
The moment the words left my mouth, I saw the pain in their eyes.
Regret hit me instantly.
Without another word, I rushed out of the house.
I wandered down the street until I noticed candlelight glowing inside old Mr. Gareth's library.
I pushed the door open and dropped onto one of the cushions.
"Did your parents upset you again, Clover?" Mr. Gareth asked gently.
He had been my father's friend for years, and we had grown close over time.
"They don't seem to understand me," I muttered, walking toward the counter.
"They love you," he said firmly.
"I know," I replied quietly. "I never said they didn't."
Trying to change the subject, I lifted my head. "I will check for an interesting book to read?"
He nodded.
After searching for a long time, I returned empty-handed.
"I think I've read your whole library, Mr. Gareth," I said, wiping dust off my gown.
I might not be academically brilliant, but I loved reading his collection.
"I have more interesting books," he said carefully. "Would you like to see them?"
After a brief hesitation, I nodded. I wasn't ready to face my parents yet.
He led me to a bookshelf and pressed a hidden button. A secret door slid open.
We stepped inside. The door closed behind us.
"These books are ancient," he said. "You may not fancy them, but take a look."
He left me alone.
I stared at the dusty shelves, unimpressed at first… until one particular book seemed to pull me toward it.
It felt as if it was calling me.
For a moment, I stood frozen, lost in its presence. Then I reached out and picked it up.
The cover was thick with dust.
I brushed off the dust covering the heavy book.
The title read:
DE EVIL.
The moment I opened it, my world shifted.
Darkness swallowed me.
"Kill her… kill her… kill her…"
The weird creatures' voices echoed violently as the red-haired woman was tied to a tree in the middle of nowhere.
My heart pounded.
I slammed the book shut and stumbled backward, breath shaky. Quickly, I placed it back exactly where I found it.
I rushed out of the secret door.
"Goodbye, Mr. Gareth," I said hastily immediately I rushed out. "I'm heading home."
I didn't wait for his reply.
The last thing I wanted was to be labeled a psycho.
When I reached home, everyone was asleep.
Relieved, I tiptoed toward the stairs.
"Clover."
I froze.
Mom stood in the kitchen doorway.
My heart skipped.
We sat in the parlor facing each other. She held my hands gently, her touch warm and patient.
"You know I and your father love's you so much," she said softly. "Your father and I will never hurt you. If anything is bothering you, you can always rely on us."
"I know, Mom," I whispered.
And I did know. That was why I couldn't tell them about the dream. Not yet. Not until I understood it myself.
And trust me on this, your right man will definitely come she assured me.
"Am sorry mom" I said throwing myself into her arms.
She gave me a faint smile and brushed my hair lovingly.
"Will you sleep with me tonight?" I asked quietly.
She looked surprised. Since childhood, I had hated sharing my bed.
But she smiled warmly and agreed.
That night, with her beside me, I slept peacefully.
Days passed.
The strange dream did not return.
I stopped going to Mr. Gareth's library. I gave up on dating. Life slowly returned to normal.
At school, Helen and I agreed to act like strangers. It was easier that way. She wouldn't be mocked for having a "weird" sister, and I wouldn't be constantly compared to her.
Everything felt calm.
Peaceful.
Too peaceful.
On a certain day, I was skipping lectures as usual when someone suddenly bumped into me in the walkway.
"Ahhsh!" I hissed, annoyed.
I looked up, ready to insult the blind idiot who couldn't see where he was going.
But the moment our eyes met, I froze.
The sight before me stole the breath from my lungs.