Page 20

ISABELLA

I stand in the middle of a forest. It’s silent – so much so that I can hear my own heartbeat. My head is dizzy, and my body islight. I don’t know where I am. My mind is hazy, making it hard to focus. Something happened. It feels important, I just don’t remember.

A knock echoes in the space – as if someone wants to get in. It feels familiar and friendly, so I let it in. A tall, blonde man appears in front of me. His blue eyes are bright and kind.

“Jona.” My lips stretch into a wide smile.

“Isabella. Find where it hurts,” he says with urgency in his voice.

Blinking, I don’t understand why he is so concerned. Nothing hurts. Jona’s expression is serious, and his jaw twitches as he looks down at my abdomen. I follow his gaze. There is a hole with blood around it, dark and seeping out quickly. My eyes widen, and I turn my attention back to him. Excruciating, stabbing pain in my chest follows, making it hard to stay upright. I can barely stand upright, my insides aching.

“It hurts.” I double over and fall to the ground.

The grass under me is soft and cool when I dig my fingers into it, but it does not make the agony go away. My breathing shallow, I gasp for air. I can’t do this anymore. I want this to end.

“No. You can do it. Find your injury and heal. You remember how we practiced, don’t you?” Jona kneels next to me.

We trained and he taught me so much, but it seems like such a long time ago. Red pools around me, but I am too weak to react.

You remember, don’t you? His words echo.

I drove a blade into myself. I remember the fear I felt, but the way my father looked at me was worth it. Even though he never loved me, he lost the value of power he saw in me.

I won. I should be happy, but it feels like something is missing.

“I didn’t want my father to use me…” I whisper, watching the red spread further, the rich color lulling me to sleep.

“Victor is dead. Now, start fighting for your life!” Jona’s voice rises.

My father is dead . Relief washes over me. He’s gone.

Closing my eyes, I fight the strong urge to sleep. My eyelids heavy, I focus on the pain, willing it to fade. I imagine my wound closing and myheart beating again as blood flows through my body. He is dead – he cannot take away my happiness anymore.

It’s time to live without fear. The ache in my body slowly dissipates, and blue butterflies flutter around me, their wings delicately tickling my skin.

Freedom. It is a beautiful feeling.

Bright light assaults my eyes, making me squint. I turn my head to the side, my muscles stiff. My abdomen and chest sting, making me grunt involuntarily.

“Take it easy, Izzy. I’ve got you.” I hear Jacob’s voice, and a smile tugs at my lips.

“I couldn’t let him take my memories with you,” I whisper, and my eyes become heavy again.

“I know.” He sighs. “Sleep, baby.” His lips press against my forehead.

In the safety of his arms, I drift away into a land where monsters don’t exist. I killed them all.