CHAPTER 1
SURPRISE, BIRTHDAY GIRL
I roll over in bed and pry my eyes open. The sunlight is peaking in around my curtains, giving my room a dim glow. As I lay in bed I begin wondering if Dad would let me get away with staying in bed all day.
"Hell, it's my 16th birthday and I feel like crap," I think to myself as I sit up slowly. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I peak at my alarm clock and see it's only 6:30 am. With my body feeling heavy I drag myself out of bed and step onto my plush carpet.
"Jesus," I huff out and grab my night stand as the room spins. After squeezing my eyes shut and taking some deep breaths I cautiously open my eyes. Finding that the room, thankfully, is no longer moving I stumble to my bathroom.
I turn on the cold water and let it flow over my hands. After a few seconds I begin to pat my face hoping it might help my head and the nauseous feeling in my stomach.
A deep breath pushes its way through my lungs and past my lips. I glance into the mirror and back down to the sink, then I freeze. I slowly raise my eyes back to the mirror.
My lips part and whisper "What the hell." The reflection in the mirror is matching my every move, but that can't be me. It looks like me.
I see pale skin, silver hair, and fuzzy ACDC pajamas. My blue eyes, well they aren't blue. I stare at the girl in the mirror who has black eyes that are widened in shock. I blink but she doesn't change.
I slowly begin to back away from the mirror as if the reflection might attack at any moment. When I make it to the doorway I spin on my heel and dash toward the kitchen.
Running through the living room my body begins to sway and I reach the kitchen as the world is spinning again. My dad's normal chair is empty and a lone paper is sitting on the table. Then, it's dark.
I open my eyes and see tile and cherry cabinets. I realize the cold up against my cheek is our kitchen floor. I push myself onto my knees slowly while my mind races.
When I feel I can stand, without throwing up, I get off my knees with a groan. I take the few steps to the table and slide into dad's chair and grab the paper in front of me.
"I'll be back in a month. Stay at home and do NOT let anyone in. Love you, dad."
I lay the letter down on the table and drag myself to the living room and throw myself onto the couch. I sit for what feels like forever just staring into space, then I scream.
A blood curdling scream escapes from me. "What in the ever loving hell," I yell at no one. I tug at my hair and scream and curse in both my languages for what feels like eternity.
Finally, I'm quiet. I sigh and try to figure out what's happening and what I'm going to do. "Why are my eyes freaking black?" "Where did dad go,"
"I will go insane if I have to stay like this for a month with no answers!"
In that moment I decide I'm going to figure this out, even if it kills me.