Chapter 1

“Did the little freak have another bad dream?” Becca's voice slithers through the air, oozing with false concern. Her footsteps click on the wooden floor as she approaches, each tapping a mocking metronome, counting down my patience.

“Or maybe she just realized she's all alone,” Tyla chimes in, twirling a lock of her honey-blond hair around a finger, her gaze roaming over my form with an unsettling hunger.

Gabby laughs, high-pitched and jarring. “Not alone,” she purrs, leaning against the door frame, her posture deliberately relaxed to contrast with the tension she inflicts. “We're here for you, aren't we?”

Their words cut, each syllable is dipped in venom, and I feel the sting. But beneath the surface, a storm brews—a tempest of anger and defiance that I fight to keep caged. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, knuckles whitening, nails digging crescents into my palms. The powers within me whisper, tempting me to unleash them, but I hold firm. I will not show weakness, especially to them.

“Your concern is touching,” I say, my voice even betraying none of the chaos whirling inside me. “But I can take care of myself.”

“Of course you can,” Becca retorts, her tone dripping with insincerity as she takes a step closer, invading my personal space.

“Hey there, Alena,” Becca says with a smirk. “We thought we wake you up for some fun.”

Tyla and Gabby giggle behind her, their eyes roaming over my body in a way that makes my skin crawl.

“Leave me alone,” I say through gritted teeth, my fists clenching at my sides.

“Aw, don't be like that,” Gabby purrs, taking a step closer. “We just want to have some fun with you.”

“Get out,” I say, my voice low and dangerous.

But they don’t listen. Instead, they continue to taunt me, their words and actions becoming more aggressive by the second.

With my heart pounding in my chest, my breaths coming in quick gasps. I know I can fight back, but I also know that will only make things worse.

So instead, I close my eyes and focus on my Quadbrid powers, using them to remain calm and centered, even in the face of their relentless torment.

“Come on, Alena,” Tyla says with a sneer. “Don't be such a prude. You know you want this.”

“Get out!” I shout, my eyes flashing open.

And then, with a sudden burst of power, I send them flying out the door and down the hallway, their screams echoing through the empty house.

Breathing heavily, I lean against the wall, feeling both victorious and shaken by the encounter. I know it won’t be the last time they come after me, but I also know I am strong enough to stand my ground.

I wake up to the sound of my alarm, groggily reaching over to turn it off. Rubbing my eyes and sitting up in bed, my heart thudding violently against my rib cage, a staccato rhythm that jerks me from the depths of a nightmare.

I can still feel the remnants of the nightmare lingering in my mind. I shake my head, trying to clear it, and swing my legs over the side of the bed. A thin sheen of sweat clings to my forehead, as if the terror that hunted me in slumber has manifested into the physical world. Gasping for breath, my chest heaves, trying to shake off the ghostly fingers of dread that still claw at the edges of my consciousness.

My eyes, wide and alert, scan the familiar shadows of my room, seeking the phantoms that have no place in the waking world. The echo of a sinister laugh from my dream fades, leaving behind an unsettling silence. As my mind races, fragments of the dream—flashes of darkness, glimpses of fangs, the sensation of being trapped—linger like smoke in my thoughts.

I can't afford to be paralyzed by fear, not with the blood of four powerful beings coursing through my veins. With a surge of determination, I summon my Quadbrid powers, feeling them pulse within me, ready to obey my command. In one graceful motion, my body responds, a blur of speed that carries me from the tangled sheets of my bed to the other side of the room.

The world seems to slow around me as I move, testament to the supernatural agility that is my birthright. Standing here for a moment, a statue carved from moonlight and muscle, my chest still rising and plunging, but my mind is clear. My heightened senses take in every detail: the soft rustle of leaves outside my window, the distant hoot of an owl, the faint scent of pine that always lingers in the air.

“Focus, Alena,” I whisper to myself, my voice steady despite the remnants of panic that clung stubbornly in my chest. “You're stronger than your fears.”

With another deep breath, my heartbeat calms back to its normal pace. The nightmare will not control my day, nor will it undermine the strength I have honed over years with my father. Today, like any other, I will face whatever comes with the unwavering resolve.

As I get dressed for school, I can't help but feel a sense of longing as I think about my future. All around me, I hear my classmates discussing their plans for college and their dreams for the future. I have always been ambitious, but my Quadbrid status makes it hard for me to fit in and pursue my goals.

“Hey, sleepyhead, happy birthday!” Cami says, walking into my room with a smile. “Ready for another day of high school?”

“Ugh, don't remind me,” I groan, rolling my eyes. But despite my grumbling, I am grateful for Cami's presence. We have been best friends since we were kids, and Cami has always been there for me through thick and thin.

“Come on, let's grab some breakfast before we head out,” Cami says, pulling me by the arm. “I hear they have fresh cinnamon rolls today.”

“Ooh, I'm sold,” I say, grinning.

As we eat our breakfast and chat about our classes, I feel a sense of comfort wash over me. Cami is the only person who truly understands me, and our shared laughter and inside jokes always lift my spirits.

Ring… Ring… Ring…

“Hello?” I say as I put my phone on video call.

“Happy birthday, Baby Girl.” All my parents say as I see my mom and dads on the video call.

“Thanks, mom and dads.” I say with a happy sigh.

“Have a great day at school, and we will see you tonight! We are so proud of you!” Daddy Adrian says, while Daddy Levi rolls his eyes as Daddy Blake makes bunny ears behind Daddy Adrian. Causing me and Cami to giggle as Daddy Adrian smirks and smacks Daddy Blake.

“I got to get going so we are not late for school, but I will see you tonight. I love you guys!” I say before we hang up.

“Thanks for being here for me, Cami,” I say, giving my friend a hug.

“Always,” Cami says, smiling. “And hey, if those girls give you any trouble at school today, just remember that you're stronger than they are. Don't let them get to you.”

I nod, feeling a renewed sense of determination. I know I have a long road ahead of me, but with Cami by my side, I feel like anything is possible.

The cacophony of youthful chatter fills the bustling halls of Willow Creek High as I navigate through the sea of my peers. My gaze drifts over clusters of students, their animated discussions about college applications and scholarship opportunities a stark contrast to my silence. The longing in my chest tightens with each mention of a future paved in academia—a future that seems a universe away from me.

“Did you hear? I got accepted into State University!” one girl squeals, her excitement sending a ripple of congratulations through her group of friends.

“Harvard for me,” boasts a boy with a smug grin, his arm slung over his girlfriend's shoulders. “Can't wait to get out of this town.”

My eyes linger on the hopeful faces as my phone goes off.

Mom: I have your dress ready for tonight, along with Cami’s.

Me: Sweet, I will be home after school to get ready. Can you help do our hair and make-up?

Mom: Of course, sweetheart. I love you and see you in a few hours.