Chapitre 1

“ Acceptes ce qui est, laisse aller ce qui était et aie confiance en ce qui sera” __Bouddha

The town of Meyscy, deep in the heart of Oklahoma, was slowly emerging from the darkness of the night, giving way to the gentle light of the sun. It was the start of a new day, one that seemed like any other, with no sign of the events that were about to unfold.

As every morning, in a perfectly ordinary house, a young girl was still fast asleep, enjoying the embrace of Morpheus. She seemed unaware of the beeping of her alarm clock, which had been going off for a good ten minutes already…

Suddenly, a crashing sound echoed through the room, drawing the attention of the other inhabitants of the house.

• “She must have broken her alarm clock again,” someone muttered. “WAKE UP OR YOU’LL BE LATE!” shouted a young woman from a room on a lower floor.

After that, no response came. The house was eerily silent, as if the noise had never occurred.

The woman who had just shouted, with a weary gesture, wiped her hands on her apron and then made her way to the stairs on her right. She was wearing a white nightgown and gray slippers. Despite her attire, it was easy to tell that she had a rather attractive physique, one that was not at all diminished by her age. Her long, curly black hair, tied in a ponytail above her head, and her chocolate-colored skin emphasized her subtle beauty without her needing to wear any makeup. She had a harmonious face, with a small, delicate nose, a beautiful mouth enhanced by plump pink lips, and small almond-shaped eyes with pupils of a stunning green flecked with gold. Despite looking fully awake, there were still traces of fatigue on her face, suggesting she had just woken up or that it hadn’t been long since she had.

After climbing the stairs, she arrived at a hallway with four doors: two on her left, one on her right, and one at the far end. She went straight to the door at the end and entered a bathroom, where she filled a large bucket with water. When she finished, she left the bathroom and made her way to the first door on her right, which had a nameplate attached to it.

The woman didn’t hesitate and entered the room, holding the bucket. The room, with its pastel blue wallpaper, was simply furnished and well-ventilated by the large window, currently covered with Belgian-colored curtains. On the right was a bed covered with a white blanket, a chair, and a nightstand, which had likely held the alarm clock just moments before. The nightstand, also in white and Belgian tones, had two drawers, and on it rested a lamp and a photo of three people. The wardrobe stood in the right corner of the room, near the window, just above a desk. Between them was a trash can, half-filled with paper. Above the bed was a shelf full of fairy tale books, brimming with fantastical stories that transported readers to parallel worlds filled with monsters and creatures straight from the imagination. On the desk lay study books, notebooks, and a laptop. Directly opposite the bed was a small vanity with a stool.

As soon as she reached the bed, she noticed the book lying open on the floor. She picked it up, closed it, and placed it on the desk. It was A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare, a book she knew was the favorite of the beautiful sleeper. She certainly didn’t want to wet it… Without further ceremony, she poured the entire contents of the bucket onto the person in the bed. The shock was harsh, as the cold water contrasted sharply with the comforting warmth of the sheets, and it didn’t take long for her to wake up. This allowed some of their neighbors to hear a high-pitched scream, worthy of the greatest horror films, coming from their house.

-“HAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!” the young girl screamed, jolting up in bed and sitting up, her pajamas soaked, breathing rapidly as if she had just run a marathon.
-“Get up! I’ve been calling you for several minutes,” the woman said calmly, with a mocking tone.
-“This is really not funny, Mom. Stop teasing me. I’m about to commit a crime,” she said, still breathing heavily as she carefully got out of bed.

It should be noted that the floor around the bed was covered in water, so she had to take care not to slip and hurt herself.

-“If you don’t hurry up, you’ll be late for school again. And don’t forget you need to drop your little brother off at school. You’d better not pull the same stunt as last time, leaving him on the bridge over the river. I won’t let that slide this time, I promise.”

As the last words of her sentence faded, the young girl found herself with her back to her mother and could feel the heavy gaze literally piercing her. Her mother still wore a slight smile, but it had become quite strange and oppressive. A small drop of sweat ran down her neck, mixing with the water that was already dripping down.

-“Hurry up!”

-“Okay, okay, okay… I’m going, I’m hurrying,” she sang, leaving her room and heading toward the bathroom with the bucket in hand, the weapon of her misfortune. She locked herself in, but was able to retrieve her school uniform, which her mother brought to her a few minutes later…

Thirty minutes later, she was finally ready for her day. Her uniform was quite simple: a high-waisted pleated skirt in red, black, and white plaid, ending just above her knees, a white shirt, a black jacket with the school’s insignia over the heart, and a checkered bow tie matching the colors of the skirt. She wore black leather moccasins and black socks that reached mid-calf. However, just like her brother, she hadn’t inherited her mother’s complexion. They both had much lighter skin, with almond-shaped turquoise blue eyes speckled with emerald glitter. They shared the same curly hair texture, which she had left loose, falling to her chest. Both of them had very delicate features, a small nose, and a small mouth. They also possessed a rather unusual appearance and beauty for the people in their town, as if they were an anomaly that didn’t belong there, which had attracted quite a bit of curiosity since they had moved in.

She joined her little brother, who was waiting downstairs in the kitchen, finishing his breakfast. On the dining table in the center of the room, several dishes were laid out: milk, fruit juices, cereal, croissants, fried eggs, and fruit, giving everyone the option to choose what they wanted to eat. Not wanting to waste too much time, and knowing she had to take her little brother to school, she didn’t make a full breakfast but just grabbed two apples before leaving the house with him, who still hadn’t said a word.

The little boy, unlike his sister, wasn’t wearing a uniform. He wore black pants, matching high-top sneakers, and a black-and-white checkered shirt. With his curly hair, glasses perched on his small nose, and his backpack, he looked like a little intellectual.

Despite the silence that followed their departure, a brief conversation—or rather a monologue—began between them as they walked. They were almost at the same pace. While one rambled on in an endless speech, the other seemed to be listening with only half an ear.

-“…we’re going to be late again because of you! It’s always your fault! If I were older, it wouldn’t be like this. But since I’m still little, you’re the one who has to be my bodyguard. Plus, with your uptight attitude and your legendary laziness, I really wonder if you’ll ever get married because I actually care about your well-being. After all, we’re family, even though sometimes I doubt it, given the difference in intelligence between us. You’re so stupid, I’m afraid it’s becoming contagious. But don’t worry, when I’m older, I’ll invent a machine just for you to help you clear your head. We have to stick together in the same family…”

-“That brat is so annoying; we should lock him up in an asylum. Just because he’s always top of his class doesn’t mean he can think he’s smarter than everyone else—let’s not get carried away! And let’s not forget he’s only in elementary school, so a little respect for me, please. There are days when I’d like to tie him to a rock and throw him off the bridge into the river just so I wouldn’t have to hear his comments anymore,” she thought to herself.

Despite their inner monologues, they were making good progress and had reached the western entrance of the city in just 15 minutes. Their neighborhood was located outside the city but very close by. It was a small, peaceful town where all the houses looked alike. The town was surrounded by a small forest and a river with a bridge they needed to cross to reach the neighboring city.

The neighboring city was the perfect depiction of a small countryside town. With its 6,000 inhabitants, it proudly showcased the beauty of its lush and diverse nature. The town was surrounded by a beautiful forest where one could see stunning waterfalls and cascades originating from the nearby mountains and flowing into lakes and rivers. The surrounding area also featured exotic caves that plunged deep into the earth. Although the town was only accessible by road, it was a popular destination for hikers and tourists seeking thrills, entertainment, or a calm and serene retreat far from the stress of modernized big cities.

The town’s infrastructure, however, had not progressed much over time. The streets were paved with stone, and the houses were all made of stone with red-tiled roofs. Despite some significant changes due to technological and scientific advancements, important buildings such as the courthouse, city hall, and the magnificent cathedral—which rose like a queen in the central square—had retained their historical beauty and architecture. However, other buildings had to be renovated and updated. Among them were the hospital, the schools (kindergarten, primary, and secondary), and the police station.

The central square, surrounded by the church, a few restaurants, and a small market, was the city’s main gathering point. A large fountain, often a playground for children, stood in the center. It was topped with four tall statues of women, each facing a different cardinal direction, corresponding to the city’s various exits.

The schools were located in the southern part of the town, a 10-minute walk from the western entrance. Each school was about 10 minutes apart from the others. The first school they had to reach was the boy’s school, so it was only natural for the young girl to drop him off there first. To do this, they had to walk through several small alleys and cross the main road.

Unfortunately, lost in her thoughts, she realized far too late that a car was speeding straight toward her. She only had time to hear her little brother yell, “Watch out!!” before the screeching of tires on the stone pavement and the violent impact—loud as thunder—filled the air.

–“What just happened??” she cried out in panic, slowly emerging from her stupor. The whole event had unfolded so quickly that she hadn’t had time to react. Motionless like a statue, she had simply remained a spectator to a horrifying scene. The overload of information her brain had received caused her to lose track of the events.

The bystanders were just as stunned by what had happened—such incidents were rare in this town. Some approached the two children to check on their condition, while others rushed to help the driver out of the car and take him to the hospital.

–“ELSY! Are you okay?” her brother shouted at the top of his lungs, approaching her with fear and trembling. He grabbed her arm and led her to the other side of the sidewalk, but only after the crowd had confirmed that both of them were unharmed.

-“Not really. I thought I saw my life flash before my eyes. But other than that, I don’t have any physical injuries. What happened, though?” she asked him.

-“That car almost hit you, but you were really lucky—it just barely missed you. I was so scared for you!” he said, as a few tears rolled down his cheeks, which had turned red.

-“You were scared for me?” she said, pulling him into a hug. “Thank you so much, little brother. And to think, I used to believe you were a machine with no feelings!”

As soon as he heard those words, he immediately pulled away from her embrace. Turning his back to her so she couldn’t see his face, he let out an exaggerated, grotesque laugh and began rambling:

-“Did you really think I’d be worried about you?! Honestly, who do you take me for?”

-“You little devil!” she exclaimed with a smile. “Even though he said that, I know he’s lying. He cares deeply about others, even if he doesn’t like to show it. Unlike me, who acts impulsively without thinking, he works quietly behind the scenes. And he wasn’t quick enough when he turned around—I had enough time to see the redness on his cheeks.”

Lost in her thoughts, she came up behind him and hugged him from behind, whispering softly into his ear:

-“Alright, now we really need to hurry. If we keep wasting time, we’ll be very late.”

-“Okay,” he replied with a shy smile.

They continued their journey to their respective schools. Elsy dropped her little brother off at his school gate and then rushed at full speed toward her high school. Unfortunately, despite her efforts, she still arrived 10 minutes late, which didn’t make much of a difference to her already well-filled record of tardies and absences.

-“Late again. Let’s just hope the math teacher isn’t here yet. Please let his son be sick or something—I really don’t feel like sitting through his class. He always gives me the worst headaches!” she muttered as she ran up the stairs.

Her classroom was on the third floor. She was in her first year of high school, and the building had three floors. The first floor was for seniors, the second for juniors, and the third for sophomores. The ground floor, meanwhile, was reserved for students’ lockers.

When she finally arrived at her classroom door, she didn’t bother knocking and barged in without warning.

-“I’M HERE!” she yelled.

-“And you, Miss Elsyara Nanori KABEL, have earned yourself a meeting with the principal and two hours of detention after school,” the teacher declared theatrically, causing the entire class to burst into laughter.

Elsy, now looking completely crestfallen and mortified, wished for nothing more than to disappear into a mouse hole, so deep was her embarrassment.

Time seemed to pass in slow motion, gradually, softly, intensifying her longing for freedom. Mathematics was not her strong suit, and the young lady waited, heavy-hearted, for the end of her ordeal. After an agonizing hour and a half, she finally heard the bell marking the end of the first class.

It was a small reprieve, but she knew the confrontation awaiting her next would be even more grueling. She had a daunting appointment with the principal, and she knew convincing him of her innocence would be no easy feat. Dragging her feet and with a lump in her stomach, she headed for the lion’s den—”the dean’s office.”

It didn’t take her long to get there. Located just opposite her classroom, the administrative building was an impressive three-story rectangular structure, housing the teachers’ lounge, the offices of various department heads, the reception hall, and other services. The lair of her tormentor was on the top floor.

Standing before the office door, she knocked three times and heard a voice inviting her in. The showdown was about to begin. She entered the room, her anxiety growing with every step. Feeling a heavy gaze upon her, she walked mechanically to the chair opposite the desk and sat down without a word, as though this scene were entirely routine for her.

-“Miss Kabel, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. If I’m not mistaken, we met just two days ago… Let me guess. Judging by the timing of your visit, you’re here because you were late again. Tell me, have you made a pact with Hypnos, or do you spend your nights in the company of Aergia?” he asked, giving her a tired look as he leaned back in his chair, resting his right hand on his forehead while tapping his desk with the other.

He had grown quite accustomed to her tardiness, and nothing about her behavior surprised him anymore, which explained his nonchalant and dismissive tone.

The principal, a brunette in his thirties, was known for his unwavering principles and his ability to remain composed in any situation. However, the current scenario revealed just how much of a burden this habitual latecomer had become, draining him completely. Being the son of the school’s former principal, he was determined to maintain the institution’s reputation, just as his father had. To achieve this, he tirelessly worked to guide wayward students back onto the right path—a daunting task when it came to Elsy. He had punished her in countless ways, yet the lessons never seemed to stick.

-“But sir, Hypnos and Aergia may be connected in Greek mythology, but I fail to see how they relate to me. How could a mere mortal like me be associated with such remarkable deities? One is the god of sleep, and the other, though his guardian, is an unflattering personification of laziness, idleness, and sloth,” she responded, adopting the tone of a teacher addressing a classroom.

-“I see you’ve mastered your Greek literature lessons well.”

-“If you recall, sir, I was nominated last year for the inter-school Greek literature competition. I must say, I excel in the subject,” she replied, her pride evident.

-“I must admit, you are indeed irreplaceable in that field for our school.”

-“Exactly!” she affirmed enthusiastically.

-“Unfortunately,” he continued, “it’s sad to say, but that’s the only subject, aside from PE and other literary courses, where you truly excel. This leads to a steep and exponential drop in your overall ranking. You make little to no effort to improve in other areas,” he said, massaging his temples. “Tell me, Miss Kabel, what was your first class this morning?”

-“Um… Math,” she muttered.

-“Exactly, as I suspected,” he said, sitting up straight and crossing his arms on the desk. “I’ve never received complaints from your literature teachers. No matter how early or late those classes are, you put in the effort to attend them, even at the expense of skipping other equally important classes, like science. On a scale of 1 to 10 for my tolerance, you’ve far surpassed the limit—you’re well beyond 20. Your mother has been called in; I’ve punished you in every conceivable way, yet you seem impervious to understanding the purpose of these corrective measures. What do you have to say for yourself today?”

As he spoke, an uneasy silence filled the room, intensifying the sweat dripping down Elsy’s neck. She had expected this to be difficult but hadn’t anticipated the principal’s level of frustration. She silently prayed for the ordeal to end so she could escape and regain her freedom.

-“It’s not entirely my fault, sir. It’s true I woke up late because I couldn’t put down my book last night, but this morning my little brother and I almost had an accident on our way here. A car nearly hit me, but thankfully, no harm was done. Without that incident, I would have been on time and not just a few minutes late.”

When she finished, she took a deep breath, meeting the principal’s gaze directly. They were now locked in a silent battle of wills.

-“If I understand correctly, it’s still your fault,” he replied.

-“But sir, I just explained that—”

She was interrupted as he raised his hand, signaling her to stop. He pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture of frustration.

-“Miss Kabel, allow me to finish. As I was saying, it’s your fault. Had you been wise enough to sleep early and wake up on time, you wouldn’t have encountered that car, which ultimately caused your tardiness. While unexpected events can happen to anyone, your case stems from negligence. I’m certain that if this had been one of your literature classes, you wouldn’t be sitting here with that resigned and martyred expression.”

He stood and walked over to a cabinet, retrieving a file. Returning to his desk, he placed the file in front of him—it appeared to be her schedule. Elsy followed his every move, her face clouded with worry.

-“I see your next class is English literature. Knowing how eager you’ll be to attend it, I won’t keep you here any longer. I’m letting you go,” he said with a sly smile.

She wanted to celebrate but stopped herself when she noticed his strange smile, sensing a trap.

-“Um… Sir, when you say you’re letting me go, you mean I can leave your office and attend my class, right?”

-“No, Miss Kabel. As I said, I’m letting you go—for the entire day. You are forbidden from entering the school grounds for the rest of the day.”

-“But sir—” she protested.

-“No buts. Until you start putting as much effort into your other subjects as you do your favorites, I’ll continue barring you from attending those classes. It’s the only way to guide you back onto the right path. You’re dismissed; please free my office of your presence.”

Despite her pleading puppy eyes, the principal stood firm. Dejected, she left the office, her spirit crushed. She had spectacularly lost the battle and had no choice but to accept the situation, lacking the strength to continue fighting.