“Rise and shine, it's time to get up and get ready for school,” mom softly utters as she gently massages my back to wake me up.

Reluctantly, I shift to my side and meet my mom's gaze, murmuring, “I really don't want to go to school today, mom. I'm not feeling well.”

Concern etched on her face, mom places the back of her hand on my forehead and asks, “What's the matter, sweetheart? You don't have a fever.”

Tears well up in my eyes, I confess, “My stomach is aching, and I have a bad feeling about today.”

“Honey, everything will be ok, I promise,” Mom whispers as she kisses me on the forehead. “Now get up, birthday girl. I made your favorite breakfast of blueberry and banana crepes, along with french vanilla coffee.”

Just the thought of food makes my stomach grumble, causing me to squeak before we both start laughing.

“Looks like your stomach agrees. Now up with you,” mom demands with a laugh while standing up and heading out of my room.

Groaning, I glance at the clock and realize that it's only six thirty in the morning, causing me to huff while tossing my blanket off and getting out of bed. Before stomping to the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day.

Standing beneath the warm stream of the shower, I allow the water to envelop me as the bathroom becomes filled with steam. This creates a misty atmosphere that surrounds me as I attempt to push aside the foreboding thoughts that creep into my mind.

Hastily getting dressed in my go-to attire, a cozy combination of a hoodie and jeans, I descend the stairs to the tantalizing aroma of blueberry and banana crepes wafting throughout the house. Taking a seat at the kitchen table, I pause for a moment before indulging in a bite, relishing the usual sweetness that brings me immense pleasure. However, today, even the taste of my beloved breakfast seems somehow off, leaving me with a sense of unease.

Mom watches me with concern etched on her face as I pick at my food. “Sweetheart, is everything alright? You've barely touched your breakfast,” she says softly, reaching out to touch my hand.

I force a smile, trying to hide my unease. “I'm just not that hungry, Mom. Maybe I'm more nervous about today than I thought,” I say, mustering up a small chuckle that sounds hollow even to my own ears.

Mom's brow furrows as she regards me, her eyes filled with maternal worry. “Is it because of your birthday party tonight? You know it's going to be amazing, right?” she says, trying to reassure me.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I push aside my half-eaten breakfast and stand up from the table. “I think I just need some fresh air, Mom. I'm going to go for a walk before school,” I say, forcing a smile despite the tightening grip of anxiety in my chest. Without waiting for her response, I grab my jacket before heading out the front door, the cool morning air hitting me like a welcome embrace.

As I stroll through the well-known streets of my community, everything appears to be ordinary — children eagerly waiting for the school bus, neighbors strolling their dogs, and the constant hum of passing cars.

“Hello, Savage,” a voice whispers, sending chills down my spine. “I've been waiting for you.”

Fear grips me as I take a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. “Who are you?” I choke out, my voice barely a whisper. The figure takes a step closer, the shadows seeming to swirl around them ominously.

“I am the harbinger of your destiny,” the voice replies cryptically, sending an icy shiver down my spine. “There are dark forces at play on this day of celebration, forces that seek to disrupt the balance of your world.”

I feel a wave of panic wash over me as I struggle to comprehend the stranger's words. “What do you mean? What forces?” I demand my fear, giving way to a newfound sense of determination.

The figure shifts, and for a second, I glimpse piercing eyes gleaming in the darkness. “You possess powers beyond your wildest imagination, Savage,” the figure continues, their voice low and haunting. “Powers that have been dormant within you, waiting to be awakened.”

My head spins with confusion and disbelief. Powers? Me? It all feels like a surreal nightmare unfolding before my eyes. “I…don't understand,” I stutter out, my mind reeling with a mix of fear and curiosity. The figure takes another step forward, their presence exuding a strange mix of danger and intrigue.

“You are not just an ordinary girl, Savage,” the figure intones, their voice resonating with an otherworldly quality. “You are the key to unlocking a great power that has been hidden within you since the beginning of time.”

I feel a surge of energy coursing through me, a tingling sensation that starts from my fingertips and spreads throughout my body. It's as if every nerve ending is awakening to some new awareness, some unseen potential waiting to be tapped into.

“But why me?” I whisper, feeling both small in the face of this mysterious revelation. The figure's eyes seem to bore into mine, searching for something deep within.

“You are the chosen one, Savage,” they reply solemnly.

The next moment, the mysterious figure vanishes before my eyes, leaving me in a state of utter astonishment, struggling to comprehend what had just occurred. It's as if the figure's disappearance has unlocked a hidden realm within our own, and the surrounding air holds a lingering trace of magic.

The world transforms before my very eyes, as if a veil has been lifted, revealing a vibrant tapestry of colors and a symphony of sounds that were previously concealed. It is an awe-inspiring experience that leaves me standing there, unable to find the words to describe the profound impact it has had on me.

As I stand there, my mind racing to make sense of the unexplainable, I cast my gaze around, desperately seeking any sort of explanation. Yet, to my dismay, everything appears to be ordinary and unchanged. The world continues to function as it always has, oblivious to the extraordinary event that just unfolded.

To ground myself back to reality, I resort to pinching myself, hoping for a jolt of pain that would confirm I am not trapped in a dream. However, the lack of any reaction only deepens the mystery, leaving me questioning the very fabric of my being.

The encounter with the figure has left me in a state of profound as I grapple with the implications of this surreal experience. It feels as though a door to a parallel dimension has been opened, offering a glimpse into a reality that exists alongside our own.

The world around me seems to pulsate with newfound vibrancy, as if the encounter has unlocked a hidden layer of existence. It is a moment that defies logic and challenges the boundaries of what, I thought, is possible, leaving me with a sense of wonder and an insatiable curiosity to explore the mysteries that lie beyond our everyday perception.

“Hey, Savage, are you ok?” I hear Clair ask as I turn around, and she is standing beside me, causing me to jump.

“I didn’t even hear you walk up to me.” I say to her, trying to get my pounding heart to calm down.

“You were zoned out for the last five minutes,” Clair says while looking at me oddly.

“I swear there is someone here talking to me just a minute ago.” I say, while looking around.

“Weird,” Clair says, looking around before turning back to me and smiling. “Well, let's head to school and hopefully, you will feel better. By the way, Happy Birthday Bestie, I cannot wait for the party tonight.”

“Are we still getting ready at your house?” I ask her while we walk towards the school.

“Yes, I want to do your hair and make-up, so you look even hotter when you meet your mate for the first time. Or, at least, we hope you do.” Clair says while giggling.