4

I jolted to a shriek ringing inside my head, the sound sending aches all through me. That sharp pang, caused my body twisting, with low breaths pouring out my lips.

Eyes fluttering open to white high ceilings, the Intricate designs lined on the grey coloured walls, was the first thing my gaze registered.

Had father found me?

Did he send out a party in search of his precious daughter whom he so despised?

Was I back in the clutches of that tyrant?

No way, Serena.

The walls back in Father's house were coated in thick cream painting, laced with such cold I felt whenever I was confined within those walls. I was one to tell.

I had gotten so used to it, I just could make out the atmosphere, even in my sleep. Which now had me wondering wherever I was.

This was a different place.

The air in this environ, was filled with so much warmth which the house in Southern Dale so lacked, the peace that never was in that house, I felt it in a second out here.

My eyes struggled to fight the strong rays of sunlight, hitting through the windows, with little birds chirping around the windowsill, adding to the break of day, and only then did it hit me that I was nowhere near southern Dale.

There never were birds coming to play around at the house back in Southern Dale. Any one found, would be sent flying away, by father's thunderous voice which never seemed to take a rest.

And that reminded me how I always had the windows and curtains of my room, kept shut at all times, having myself locked in there, wanting to evade whatever noise threatened to pour in.

Upon realization, I got up with a start, eyes shifting through the space I was in. At once, I tore off the cream sheets placed over my body, getting off the enormous bed.

Feet sinking into the white carpet spread across the ground, the feel on it caused my entire body relaxing for a long peaceful moment.

Placed at a far end of the room, was a desk holding a vase.

It was empty.

Now why would anyone put an empty vase in a room? If I was somewhere else, anywhere at all, I might spare a minute, pondering on that, but that was the least of my concerns at the moment, as I tried figuring out wherever I had woken up in.

What is this place?

My eyes resumed examining the space, taking in every single detail of the room.

Distant voices calling from afar, got my figure hurrying to the window-side, gaze peering out the outlying yards.

Out there were a number of children, their voices traveling afar. Their forms ran around the area, tossing an object into the air, chasing after one another, with their voices disrupting the silence of the environment.

Everyone of them seemed happy.

Why wouldn't they? Everyone's happiest moment is at their childhood, free from worries, free from tears.

If only these kids knew what gift they had with them. How precious this moment is. Something a few of us had missed out on. Specifically, I, Serena Thawne.

The sudden creaking of the door, caused me spinning around, only to be met with a young girl, stood feet away.

Her eyes peered on at me, a piece of clothing held in one hand, the other, grabbing onto a glass of water.

A light smile, plastered on her face, did enough in adding to the beauty her face already beheld.

"Hi" She pushed her figure closer, holding out the glass of water.

In an instant, I had emptied the content of the glass, a sigh of relief escaping my lips the moment I had filled my thirst-drained soul.

"I'm Maya" her voice was low, careful, so I noticed.

"This is for you" She soon held the piece of clothing out, waiting for me to take it.

Meanwhile, my eyes shifted from the dress in her hands, to the face of the girl.

She was trying to be nice, and as Lucy had mentioned to me, if people are in anyway trying to be nice to you on their first meet, it never ended up well.

"I assure you, you're safe" She uttered, perhaps noticing the fright in my eyes.

But I only fell silent, staring on at this stranger whom I had never come across before.

"Whatever questions you have will be answered" She followed.

"First, you need to get dressed, then come downstairs to have something to eat" She uttered to me, like a mother directing her kid, but If I guessed correctly, she wouldn't be much older than twenty, at most.

"I'll leave you to yourself" She called in a soft voice, setting the dress on the bed, right before proceeding out of the room.

Upon her exit, I turned to the dress, my hands reaching for it.

It was a short cotton dress, its fabric entirely in white, with the flounce at the end covered in lace.

Picking it up at once, I turned the clothing around, examining, like I had any say in deciding to leave it unattended.

If there was any chance of me getting answers to where I was, then I had to take a step out of the room, just as the girl stated.

It was only at that, I hurried out my already distressed clothing, throwing on the white dress over my body, while my figure made way out the room.