When A Dare Becomes Destiny

E BE

SOD

PTE

shed version

ss Mother scolded her

ou about going near the stre

ut I was just bore

. "That's your problem – you get bor

lways talk to me like I'm a ch

to her room, tears streaming down her face. Her two

room, singing softly. He stop

ng?" Prince asked,

remaine

y down ne

eople lay motionless, blood pooling around the

you've done, Nature. You

aking me a horrible monster? Didn't yo

er heart racing. She saw Prin

ace, and gazed into the mi

e threw the mir

ke up wit

ened?" Pri

ll gleamed green,

a d

e asked, concern etched on his f

she looked away. "It's not

ream, Nature. You were screaming, and your e

ing. "I don't know, Prince. I keep having

sion softened.

rely above a whisper. "I see things, Prince. Ter

Nature, I'm scared. Wh

ther step back. "I don't know, Prince. But I think

he stream? What does that

I've been changed, Prince. I think something

mination. "We'll figure th

hen, frantic. Everyone star

your problem?" h

,"Prince repli

shaking. "I... I don't kno

reen, and her brea

brow. "I thought it was somet

ase," Pri

Pardon, looked concer

d him. "Nothing, Pardon.

y isn't anyone taking Non

don't know how I met Nonaja

ack, hurt. "I ju

Right now, Nonaja needs alo

one green, her emotions

worried glances, un

stone, her feet dipping into the wate

ere, I find peace

d for Prince

e, before we get into

but an unseen force pul

ing's pulling m

er, grabbing for h

Hardin for help!

d. "No, don't leav

t be scared, I'm coming

s the water as she struggled

rette, relaxed, until Pri

always rush around like a

, bro, we've got trouble. Nature's stuck by

y stood up. "

printed toward N

s Nature?" Prince cried

her changed," Prince replied

lightning flashed. The s

the thunder, "We nee

he area, but N

d, and the search be

at

s not beautiful, but remnants of its former beauty linger.

person, but it's distorted and frightening. Its f

it's too late. Th

away, but its grasp is firm. It h

thing deep within my eyes.

certain what

e, turns away, and disa

questioning wha

m, where they last searched for Nature. The rain had for

changed fearful gl

d Nature lying on a tree branch near t

gently touching her to

p. Let's go hom

r tired eyes, fo

d Nature up, supporting her weary

e air, questions

d to Nature

te

and Hardin were wide awake, seated

red," Hardin whispered. "Som

nly person who can fix this is our m

e?" Hardin asked, his voice laced with

ed Hardin's. He knew Nature was their mother'

il Nature suddenly appeared, looking exhausted. She sat down besi

ed out, using her full

d the turmoil within. "What'

now, Prince. I've been having strange dreams, and m

ened that day when Mom shot at you

he stream, and something strange occurred. My

exchanged sho

e commanding attention. "What's going on her

nsure how to reveal the unsettl

hought, struggling to comprehend the bizarre events unfolding around m

ly bumped into someone, c

ss! I'm so sorry," I

led calmly. "No

e beat me to it. His gaze locked

ng?" I aske

re speaking. "You

his words sent shi

e me alone," I beg

rted, leaving me t

es like that? Why was I constant

I collapsed

truck me: I'd seen those

nected to those haunting eyes

er appeared, wearin

hin me. Nature persists, indifferent to my turmoil. She walks, fueled b

m mirrors my inner chaos. I must find solace at home, but each

alling Jace's haunting word

's D

allow this happen to

etermination. Sweating, he grabs t

stepping into the rain-soaked night. That's

eart sinks. He gently lifts her into his ca

t she's not there. 4 PM, and she's gone.

k coursing through my veins. Groggily

My heart skipped a beat – it was Jace,

ace asked, concern

ere?" I asked, s

t remembered being," Jace explained. "I went o

oduced himself, tho

e," I repl

from me, Jace?"

know," Jace said gently, "but you must, if

t come easily

t you something to eat. Then, you can d

or Jace to take me to the hospital. Despite

oor for me. As we drove, he ask

od," I

to see her, but it's nec

ppy or sad," I confessed, "cons

shoes, unsure of my identity or family, I'd be c

ed the car, and

d we entered

Hardin beside her hospi

himself, leav

I said, my vo

eyes, his gaze f

her?" he asked, his

think that?

Hardin said. "She raised you, Nature. Desp

ied. "She may have raised me, but she withheld the truth ab