Afternoon
Amelia sat on her bed, the blue feather resting beside her and her locket still faintly glowing. The events from noon —the fairy's visit, the glowing locket, and her grandmother and her mother's story — moving in her mind.
Amelia accidentally looked down at her wrist and saw a faint flower like this mark appearing there
She looked at it a bit shocked.
Why is this happening to me? she whispered, clutching her locket. I am not someone special....my life has always been ordinary why now!..
She took a deep breath and tried to calm her mind.
She picked up the old map again, studying the shifting patterns and strange symbols. Nothing matched any city or landmark she knew, except one tiny symbol near the corner — a faintly glowing tree. Her pulse quickened. The oak tree… could it really be the gate?
Amelia exhaled and rested her chin in her hands. "I… I have to find out. I need answers."
The feather shimmered faintly, scattering tiny sparks of light across her desk, and the locket felt warm against her chest, as if agreeing with her decision.
"I'll go tomorrow," she whispered to herself. "I have to… I have to see for myself otherwise I don't think I will be able to feel peace."
The sun dipped lower, casting soft shadow from the sky an Amelia's father returned from work, his steps heavy, his expression tired.
At Dinner
She tried to ask questions indirectly.
"You've been busy," she said casually.
"Yeah today was quite busy"
"Hmm..dad did you ever notice… strange things around the garden?"she tried to ask casually.
Her father's hand tightened slightly around his fork and he stopped for a Moment but he only murmured, "Sometimes, memories feel heavier than the present. Maybe that's all it is."
Amelia's heart sank. He knows… he's hiding something important.
"By the way why are you wearing gloves now"
"Oh!..this I was just feeling cold today "
She didn't press further, instead kept her thoughts to herself.
Night
Later , as Amelia lay in bed, staring at the feather. A soft, humming warmth spread from the locket, and her wrist tingled where the faint mark had begun to appear earlier
A gentle voice whispered:
"Amelia… the mark awakens. The gate awaits."
Suddenly, her dream began. She found herself near the oak tree, near garden gate. Its some leaves glowed faintly blue, spreading to others .The bark shimmered, revealing the seal mark. Amelia reached out. The moment her fingers brushed it, warmth spread through her wrist, and the mark glowed brighter.
"Amelia," the woman said, her voice soft and melodic, "my light lives in you."
"Grandmother… is it really you?" Amelia whispered as she saw her clearly.
She smiled faintly "Yes. Soon, your destiny will call. The darkness that once threatened our world is stirring again. You must find the gate."
Before Amelia could ask more, darkness pressed in, and a cold whisper hissed:
"You cannot run from your blood…"
She gasped and awoke in her bed, the blue mark on her wrist faintly glowing. The feather shimmered beside her.
Somewhere outside, she could swear she saw her father standing near the old garden gate, silent and distant.
Amelia clutched her locket, her heart racing . I have to go to the oak tree. I have to find the truth.....even if he hides it from me.