Chapter 6: Winter

As I descended the creaking stairs into my parents' dimly lit study, I caught glimpses of papers scattered across the makeshift table, with equations written in my father's precise handwriting. At the same time, my mother sifted through a stack of heavily annotated books that seemed to flicker with hidden energy. It was as if the very air buzzed with anticipation—a tension that whispered promises of both excitement and danger.

"I need you to understand everything that begins today," my father said, his voice low but urgent. He placed a weathered map on the table, and my breath caught in my throat at the sight of it. Not just any map, but one that looked like it had been crafted by hands that existed beyond time—edges frayed and yellowing, yet alive with the tales of the lands it depicted.

"What is this?" I asked, my fingers itching to trace the lines that seemed to pulse with a faint light.

"This," he started, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race, "is the key to understanding where we are headed. All these years, we've been shielding you from the truth. It's time you saw the world as it really is."

As he laid the map out before me, my eyes landed on the stark differences. There were areas marked in bright colors and symbols that seemed both familiar and wildly strange. I saw that the boundaries were drawn differently than the ones I knew, outlining territories that felt alive, pulsing with promise.

"This is the far northern part of the continent," my mother added, leaning closer, her voice mixing pride and trepidation. "Here lies the boundary between our world and the supernatural one. That line you see isn't just a division; it's a barrier that protects our reality from chaos, from the shadows that constantly seek entry."

Shadows. I remembered the ominous whispers from my dreams, the sensation of being watched, and questions about what or who hid in those dark corners of existence.

"You're saying this map is telling me there's more than just the life I know?" I pressed, trying to get every bit of clarity from their worn expressions.

"Yes," my father replied, his tone steady as he tried to quiet the whirlwind swirling inside me.

"There are layers to our existence, layers that keep balance. The world you think you understand is just one part. The real world and its secrets exist next to ours, often hidden but never too far. Today, we'll start to uncover those layers."

I felt a rush of emotions swirl inside me—excitement, confusion, and a flicker of fear, like shadows trying to slip through the cracks of my understanding. "And what about my sisters? How does this… involve them?"

Their expressions darkened, and for a moment, I could see the weight of countless secrets they had borne. "We know you have connections, Winter," my mother said softly, "and your eighteenth birthday is crucial. The texts suggest a reunion, one where you'll need your powers fully awakened."

I swallowed hard, my dreams crashing over me like waves, pulling me deeper into the murky depths of my lineage—the sisters that had haunted my sleep, their laughter echoing like sirens calling me home. "So, that's why you could afford to travel all those summers? To collect pieces of this puzzle?"

My father nodded, a hint of regret in his voice. "We had to blend in. We made our fortune through mathematics, betting on the right calculus when the odds were favorable. Investing in things that seemed mundane on the surface gave us the means to secure your safety, all while living undercover as ordinary citizens."

The pieces began to fall into place, and I felt both amused and incredulous at the same time. Suddenly, their weeks spent in exotic locations didn't just seem like a whimsical luxury—they were essential to my life. I wondered how many hidden corners of the world they'd uncovered while I thought of them as simple, mundane auditors.

"There's a reason we need to stay here tonight, in this basement," my father continued, grounding me after my racing thoughts. "Every year, as your birthday nears, the balance shifts. Shadows grow bolder; they become curious. We want to protect you from what hides in the unseen. Evil is patient and sneaky, creeping closer like a thief in the night."

My heart pounded at the implications. While ignorance once protected me, it now feels like a fragile veil that could shatter under the weight of revelations. "So what can I do once I embrace my powers? How do I find my sisters?"

My mother's expression softened as she reached out to squeeze my hand. "Tonight, we'll prepare. We'll teach you to harness the magic that lies dormant within you, but remember: whatever we uncover, it may not always be simple. Entering the supernatural realm brings risks and challenges. Embrace the strength within you, but tread carefully."

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the pounding pulse of truth sink in, changing everything I thought I knew about myself. When I opened them, clarity flowed over me like the ocean I felt connected to deep inside my soul. "Alright," I said, with resolve settling in like a comforting hug. "I'm ready. Let's unveil this magic."

In the flickering desk lamp, we started our lessons. The world outside—the everyday lives people led—became a distant hum. My parents guided me through texts filled with incantations and equations that were completely foreign yet strangely familiar. My heart danced with the knowledge that each moment we spent unraveling my heritage brought me closer to that girl from my dreams, the echo of a life I was fiercely ready to reclaim.

As the clock struck midnight, the first moments of February 22nd arrived, wrapped in peaceful darkness. I lay curled on the fold-out sofa, covered with a thin blanket that seemed too small to keep out the growing chill. My mom was beside me, her gentle breathing a symbol of safety and comfort. Meanwhile, my dad was on the inflatable mattress, humorously blocking the entrance with his limbs stretched out like a starfish caught in a deep ocean.