-Victoria-
I can honestly say I was content with my life. I was 18 and freshly out of high school with a clear future ahead. Granted that future had changed over the past year but a new one had risen to taken its place. You see my mother raised me alone. She told me she had left my father before he even knew she was pregnant. She worked and worked to make sure we had everything we needed. Saving every penny she could, so I could go to college and get a good career. Then I got appendicitis over the summer and the bills were expensive. Next, the car died, so another chunk gone. Finally, and most tragically, our apartment building burnt down. We had insurance but it only covered so much.
Now the future looked different. There was no money for college. My mom felt so defeated, but I told her not to worry. I would work full-time, put in loads of overtime, and save every penny just like she did. I was going to earn my way back to the future we planned together. She insisted, though, that I not start working till after summer break was over. That I needed just a little more time to be a kid. I took advantage of that. I spent every day with my friends. We went to the beach, got black out drunk every weekend, and just caused general mayhem around town. I lost my virginity to some random boy at a party, which I only partly regret. It was the best summer of my life. I told my mom all about my summer adventures at dinner the night before the first of many interviews.
"And you didn't even know this boy's name?" She laughed, looking more amused than disappointed.
"Well, I mean," I shrugged, laughing as well, "I learned from the best."
"Excuse you, young lady," She scowled, "I'll have you know I knew much more about your father than just his name."
"But what do you know?" I asked, leaning forward on the table, "And when can I know it?"
"Vic, we've been over this..." She sighed.
"I know. I know." I sat back, throwing my arms up, "You'll tell me what I need to know if I ever need to know it."
"Exactly."
"But aren't you curious about what happened after you left?" I leaned forward again.
"I already know what happened after I left," Her eyes and smile turned sad, "It's why I left."
"But-"
"Enough!" Her outburst caused some people around us to stare. She continued speaking normally, "I know you're curious, but it really doesn't matter. It's just us and that's how it will stay."
"I'm sorry, mom." I said, feeling a little guilty for upsetting my mom.
"It's ok." She replied, "I understand. I just don't want to talk about it. Instead, I want to talk about what else happened with this mystery boy at a party."
I smiled as we went back to talking about boys and the summer. We paid the check and my mom decided it would be a good idea to go get a brand-new outfit for my interviews. I knew we didn't have the money for it, but she insisted. We tried on all kinds of clothes before we finally agreed on a simple button-up with tan pants. Very basic but still nice. She even gave me some cash to go down the road to get us some ice cream. In spite of the small disagreement at the restaurant, the night really was a great one.
I collected our ice creams and waited for my mom. As I saw her leave the store, I held up her cone, so she'd see me while I licked my own. She smiled wide as she crossed the road. She didn't see the box truck coming. But I did.
Time seemed to slow in that instance. I felt something build up inside me as both cones fell from my hands. The truck was getting closer. I had to stop it. I needed to save my mom. She was the only one I had in this world. This power forced it's way out as I threw my hands in front of me with a loud scream. There was a crashing sound. The truck had stopped. Colliding with this large barricade of light. My mother dropped the bag of clothes with a scream of her own, throwing her hands up in defense before realizing the danger was being held back.
She examined the barrier with wide eyes before her head snapped to me. She looked shocked and also scared. She ran over to me and grabbed my arm, pulling me behind her and yanking me from my shock. The truck started to roll again causing panic.
"We need to leave." She said as she dragged me down a nearby alley. Our escape was interrupted by a large barrier identical to the one that appeared on the street blocked our path. "Damn it." My mom swore.
As I looked back down the alley, I noticed something odd. Everything had stopped. People in mid-step. The truck rolling down the hill. Even the birds in the sky. But beyond the barrier surrounding us, the whole world continued to move. Time seemed to freeze, affecting everyone around us. But not my mom and I.
"Mom, what's going on?" I asked, eyes wide.
"I should've seen this coming," She said, rummaging through her pockets, "But you showed no signs. I thought you were like me."
"Mom, what are you talking about?" I asked while she pulled a red gem on a gold chain out of her pocket, "Why is everyone frozen? What is that?"
"I wish I had time to explain, but I need to get out of here," She replied, "There will be people coming soon. They'll explain everything."
"Why can't you tell me?" I needed answers.
"They can't know I was here," She held up the gem, "This will get me through the barrier."
"Take me with you then." I was starting to cry, "Mom, I'm really scared."
"Oh darling," She pulled me into a tight hug, "There is no need to be scared. You can trust these people. I trust these people. They just can't find me."
"But why?" Tears were falling from my eyes.
"Hopefully, I'll tell you one day," She smiled sadly at me, cupping my cheek, "I'll get in contact as soon as I can. Once, I'm sure you're settled."
"You won't know where I am." I informed her, to which she smiled lightly.
"You're 18 and clearly magical." She said, "You'll be at Pelmora."
"What's Pelmora?"
"It's a school like-" She was cut off as we heard voices approaching, "I have to go."
"But mom..." She pulled me into one more hug, kissing the top of my head.
"Enjoy yourself. Don't worry so much. Learn all you can. Make me proud. Do good." She pulled away from me and began moving through the barrier, "Oh and don't try to lie. What you believe to be the truth will do just fine."
With that, she was gone. Disappearing up the alley. She had left me. I placed my hands against the barrier. I felt it push back against my hands. I was still trapped here waiting for these mystery people to find me.
"Hey guys! I think I found 'em!" A voice called from behind me.
I spun quickly, looking like a deer in headlights. There, at the entrance to the alley, was a man dressed in a mid-length red coat with gold accents, a white shirt with a black vest, black pants, dark red tie, and these black boots. His outfit looked like a mix of fantasy and modern clothing. He held his hands up to appear non-threatening. A woman dressed identically came around the corner and stopped next to him. Taking in my appearance, she put a kind smile on her face and slowly approached.
"Hello," She said calmly, "My name's Oxea and this is my partner Coneth. What's your name?" When I didn't respond, she stopped moving and tried to reassure me, "It's ok. You can trust us."
"Victoria." I finally said.
"Victoria...?" She asked.
"Mason."
"Not a name found in either kingdom." The man, Coneth said.
"No it's not," Oxea replied to him before addressing me, "A nice human name. Probably your father's name?"
"It's just me and my mom." I said sadly.
"Where is your mother then?" Oxea asked, "We'd love to talk to her."
"She left." Their eyes went wide with shock.
"Through the barrier?" Coneth asked.
"How?" He demanded, starting to stride towards me. I shrunk back in fear, but he was stopped by Oxea before he got too close.
"I don't know." I started to cry, "I have no idea what's going on."
"It's ok, dear," Oxea came up beside me, putting a comforting hand on my arm, "Everything is all right. We'll make sure you get your answers."
"How old are you, anyway kid?" Coneth joined his partner.
"18." I wiped my tears.
They shared a look, almost like they were communicating without speaking. Coneth nodded his head once and walked back up the alley. Oxea turned back to me with a gentle smile.
"I'm going to take you with me to get all your answers." She said, holding out her hand. "Just close your eyes and grab hold."
I thought about everything that had happened. How I was seemingly trapped here with this being my only way out. What my mom said before she left. How, even though she ran, she did trust these people. That I could trust these people. That I needed to learn and do good. Make her proud. I let out a breath and nodded my head, placing my hand into Oxea's and closing my eyes. There was light and wind. The ground seemed to disappear from beneath me before instantly coming back. Oxea dropped my hand as I tried to orientate myself.
"Open your eyes, Victoria." She said.
My eyes flew open, and I was faced with a grandiose castle made of red brick. There were stained glass windows and statues all around. A wall surrounded the courtyard we were in and students ran around in blue and red uniforms. I spun around on the spot trying to take in the new area around me causing Oxea to laugh. She came up beside me and put an arm around my shoulders.
"Welcome to the realm of Evania." She made a sweeping motion with her arm, "But more importantly, welcome to Pelmora Academy of Magic."