My dream had taken me on a journey again.

I was in the woods of Evermore.

I had just been for a run. The sharpness of my breath and sweat on my brow was answer enough. I wasn't sure why I was in the woods, just that I had to be here doing... whatever this was.

Staring down at the old, beige pages of my grandmother's book, I scanned the text across the pages. The words blurred in my haze, my mind unable to make sense of what I read. My finger ran across the sharp page, my lips mumbling words I couldn't hear.

It frustrated me. Why couldn't I make out the pages of the book?

This was definitely a dream, otherwise how would I teleport to Evermore?

My skin prickled with awareness, just as a chilly breeze ran through the trees. I looked up, watching the branches dance together, small pieces of debris floating to the ground. The goosebumps didn't waver, and a crunching of footsteps sounded behind me.

"Ailia?"

My back relaxed as Jeremy's voice floated through my ears. I turned to face him, a broad grin lifting my cheeks.

"You beat me here." He raised an eyebrow. "I'm impressed."

I had raced him, of course. That's why I was here. The dull reminder of his challenge in the back of my mind. Dreams were confusing.

Jeremy always wore a hat, his face always in shadows. His dark skin was visible today, his legs exposed to the elements.

"You're wearing shorts? It's freezing!" I commented, gesturing to the cold December weather.

He chuckled, shrugging. "I run warm."

I tutted at him, turning back to the book. "Weirdo."

"You're the weirdo reading that old book of nonsense. None of it makes any sense!"

I frowned, closing the pages with a huff. "Are we doing this or what?"

"Be my guest," He grinned, his teeth flashing dangerously.

Jeremy widened his stance, bending at the knee and placing his hands in front of his torso. It confused me until my body moved and copied his actions.

"With pleasure," I hummed, before charging.

Before I could land the hit, I was tumbling to the floor. Mud and leaves stuck to my face, finding their way into my mouth. I gasped, pushing myself upright to rid myself of the foul, mouldy greenery. Looking around, I found I was no longer stood where I once was...

Where was I?

I swear I was just with...

Wait, where was I?

Shrugging, I forced myself upright and looked around. I glimpsed my mother's house in view and continued to walk toward it.

I had just been at work and went for a walk through the woods. I must've tripped over a tree root or something, weathered from the harsh winter. There was mud strewn across everywhere. Coming to a stop by the back door, I grimaced when I looked down at myself.

I hope she wasn't here to see me.

The door creaked softly, the old wood barely hanging onto its hinges. I felt a strange sense of longing, and of disgust as I stepped into the stingy cabin, my stomach sinking as I found the bedroom door open.

That meant she was home.

I held my breath as I tip-toed toward the bathroom. But she must've heard. Before I could even press my feet onto the tiled ground, her cranky voice had my spine curling with horror.

"Where have you been?" She spat.

"Work," I muttered, staring ahead.

She scoffed. "You look at me when I am speaking to you, girl. Your father is no longer here, and I will not tolerate the lack of respect."

"Please, I just want to shower." I mumbled, exhausted of her tyranny.

Mother muttered something, and I felt my shoulders sag when her footsteps grew closer. She took my arm with barely concealed disgust, yanking me to the side. Her lips curled with repulsion, eyebrows knitting together.

"Where have you been?"

"Work," I repeated.

"Is work suddenly a mud bath?" She taunted. "Is it a new dining option?"

My jaw worked from side to side, but I kept my gaze on the space behind her shoulder. She hated eye contact, despite her need for us to look at her.

"I went for a walk and slipped in the mud. The ice has gone, and it's all slushy."

"Young girls do not go for walks in the woods. They do not get so dirty, and they do not dress in such clothes."

"These are my work clothes," I sighed. "I have a uniform."

"Yes, well, not for long." She muttered, moving away. "I expect you to clean up before I... go to bed."

My chest lit up with hope of her leaving me alone. "What are you doing?"

She scowled, turning back to me. "None of your business, girl."

My lips turned into a frown as she dismissed me, walking back to her room with a wave of her hand. Oh well, it meant I was free of her wrath for the evening.

The water of Evermore was always lukewarm, and the hit of its coldness shocked me more than I remembered. I washed quickly, rinsing my clothes in the water too before the little warmth it gave ran out. We only had a few minutes per shower before it turned too cold, and if there was ever a power cut, we had to heat it on the fire like the Victorian times.

The towels were small and scratchy, but thankfully we never ate much, so I had little to cover. I tiptoed out of the bathroom to grab some clothes from the washing rack beside the fireplace. The curtains were open, but I didn't see anyone out there that would peep long enough to see me run barely clad through the hallway.

Back in the bathroom, I dried, dressed and tied my hair back before finally finishing with a happy sigh. My muscles ached for some reason, and I wondered how hard I worked at work today. I was trying to pursue a job as a chef, because that meant more coins per day. I had worked for ten hours today, and the ache in my lower back must be a side effect.

I had worked in the cafe for the past three years, since I was twelve years old! I felt that as I neared my fifteenth birthday; so I deserved some recognition for my maturity. I was a good cook; I just needed a little guidance with the timings. Chef Louis had been teaching me when he could, but Evermore was awfully sexist. I may just have to play the pity card.

Mother was gone by now, and I didn't ponder on her whereabouts. Her bedroom door was closed, and that meant nobody was to disturb her. If it was open, she sought confrontation, or every hour you would have to take her a drink and hope she left you be.

A closed door meant I could stay up a little later.

I eyed the clock, noticing it was near eleven at night by the time I was clean and crawling into the sofa bed. Arabella was softly snoring after a long day of school and hanging out with her friends. She was in her last year of primary school. I never had the chance to go to school after I got a job; having no choice but to work the moment I became of a legal age. Our family was suffering before; Mother is too stubborn and proud to ask for help elsewhere.

My fingers smoothed my younger sister's hair from her face as I whispered a goodnight to her. She was eleven and soon would grow into a young woman. My heart ached, thinking about what may lie in store for her when she becomes of age.

Lying down, I sighed as the same broken string poked at my side. I wonder if Mother would ever buy us a new bed. Closing my eyes with a frown, I only hoped that this wouldn't be my bed for the rest of my life.

I tossed and turned all night, and it wasn't until a clatter came from the bedroom did I finally give in a sit up. The clocked blared the early hours of the morning and I sighed with annoyance.

There was another soft thump from behind the bedroom walls, followed by a creek of wood. I held my breath as my mother moved about, her footsteps heavy across the bare floor. She must've been drinking. It explained her harsh footsteps.

The familiar sound of her getting close to her door had my eyes widen, and I quickly threw myself back into bed. The door groaned softly, my mother's soft sigh filling the hallway as she shuffled into the bathroom. I stayed silent, waiting for her to shut the door. She didn't, and I cringed as the sound of her relieving herself echoed through the silent night.

She cleared her throat as she washed her hands before coming into the living area. The fridge opening and closing was next, and I was grateful I was facing Arabella rather than my mother as she poured herself a drink.

I spasmed as the dull ringing of a phone had her clattering her glass onto the countertop. She cursed, and I played off my totally did-not-shit-myself jerk by rolling over onto my back with a soft sigh. I remained facing my sister, not wanting my facial expressions to give away that I was listening. I heard her answer the phone, but she didn't speak for a moment until I remained still.

Then, her voice was a harsh whisper.

"I told you not to call me tonight!" She snapped.

I couldn't hear the other side of the call, but by her huffing, I assumed she was not happy.

Best I stay asleep.

"I don't care! I am not interested in what you offer," she hissed before being cut off. "I said I don't care! I need to get out of here. I cannot stay any longer."

Her cup clattered in the sink, the contents gurgling down the sink. I peeked an eye open, risking it, and found Arabella staring right back at me. Her brown eyes were soft, half-lidded pools of confusion, but she shook her head at me. It was slight, but I nodded gently in agreement.

"I cannot stay in the village anymore. It has been six years since he-yes, I know-but he-this was not the deal!"

I flinched when her words picked up an octave, and the conversation went quiet. Arabella's eyes widened before they softly slid shut, but her body was still tense on the bed. I swallowed thickly, wondering what had happened.

But then it happened.

A hand wrapped around my biceps and tugged me sideways. I gasped, flying from the bed. The breath whooshed from my lungs as my body connected with the floor, my head cracking into the wood. I cried out with alarm, feeling the instant ache in my skull as pain rattled down my spine. I already ached from work, now I had a wonderful bruised forming somewhere.

"How long were you listening?"

I pushed myself to sit upright and stared up at her with narrowed eyes. "You just dragged me out of bed!"

Her hand landed on my cheek, my face swinging to the side and bouncing off the arm of the sofa bed. I winced, my tongue rolling against the inside of my cheek with irritation.

"I asked you a question." Her voice was hard and steady.

"I wasn't listening to anything," I grunted. "You slammed a damn cup in the sink and woke me!"

"Watch your language, girl!" She snapped.

I raised my eyes to glare at her. "Can I please go back to the bed you dragged me out of?"

She eyed me; her face sunken and tired. "You seriously heard nothing?"

"Was there something I should hear?" I lied smoothly. "Next time be quieter."

Her lips pursed with agitation, but thankfully, she did nothing. It kind of surprised me when instead she backed off, her arms crossed over her midsection as she retreated to her room. I stared at the closed door with confusion, but happily took the moment alone to compose myself.

My hand clutched onto the side of the bed, and I hoisted myself up back onto the mattress. The bed groaned as hard as my bones throbbed, and I whimpered a cry as I forced my sore spine to relax across the sheets.

"You okay?"

I turned to my sister, running my hand down her face. "I'm okay. Sorry you had to see that."

"She just switched faces when she looked over here," Arabella whimpered.

"It's okay," I mumbled. "Just go back to sleep."

Her lower lip jutted, but she sighed and closed her eyes. I swallowed harshly as the pain never faded, a sharp headache starting across my skull that made closing my eyes easier. I never really wished for sleep, but this type of pain was so new to me I hoped I would not have to endure it much longer.

***********

sorry its a day late! I have been off my feet the last 24 hours its gone so fast and i am so tired lol