Chapter 1

Alyssa's POV.

I begged my mom as I carried the tray filled with apples, hoping she would finally give in to my request to visit my grandparents. I had been asking to go ever since I found out about their town, and I was tired of being denied the opportunity.

I had heard so many wonderful stories from my parents and grandparents during our video chats, all thanks to my mom. But for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to send me to their town.

As I followed her into the parlour, I huffed in annoyance, feeling like a puppy begging for a treat. I just couldn't understand why my mom was so against the idea. It's not like I was going to spend the rest of my life there.

My dad was sitting on a rocking chair, reading the newspaper. He looked up as we entered, his glasses perched on his nose. "What are you begging for again?" he asked, his eyes locking onto mine.

I let out a sigh. "If I tell you, it's not like you're going to allow me since the love of your life doesn't want me to go," I said, referring to my mom.

She groaned in frustration. "Don't start again."

But I was determined. This was my tenth attempt, or maybe more, and I wasn't about to give up now. "I want to go visit grandpops and Nana in their town. Please, Dad, can't you convince Mom to let me go?"

He smiled at me, looking torn between his daughter's wish and his wife's protective instincts. "I'll see what I can do. But your mom has a good reason for not wanting you to go. She just wants to protect you."

My heart sank. Even my dad wasn't on my side. What kind of overprotective parents did I have?

But then I had an idea. I turned to my dad with teary eyes, hoping to tug at his heartstrings. "Please, Dad, I just want to see how your town looks like. It can't be that bad, can it?"

My mom gave me an intimidating stare, daring me to continue. But I smirked, knowing I was pushing her buttons.

Thank goodness for acting class, I thought as I let my bottom lip jut out, forcing tears to flow down my cheeks. I reminisced about the sad movie I had watched two weeks ago, and it aided in my performance. “I...just...want to see my grandparents...”

“You're seeing them, aren't you?” My mother interrupted.

I gazed at her with tear-filled eyes. “Not like that. I want to feel them, touch them, hug them, do a lot of things with them. Most of all, explore the town where you grew up,” I said, flashing a smile, but quickly wiped it off.

“I won't be able to do that if you don't let me go,” I pleaded with my dad. I walked up to him and knelt in front of him. “Dad, please let me go, please.” I lowered my head as my tears dropped to the floor, hoping he would be moved by my tears. If he wasn't, then it was no more going to their town.

I heard him sigh, and I braced myself for what he was about to say. “Okay, I'm letting you go to visit my parents, but you have to be careful. That town is not a safe place.”

My eyes lit up with happiness. I couldn't believe that after years of begging, I was finally going to Alhezia town.

“Do you really mean it?” I asked, looking up at him to be sure.

I berated myself. What if he changed his mind? What was I thinking?

“Yes, I meant it,” he replied with a smile, which I returned.

I did a little happy dance in my head. Yay! I'm going to Alhezia!

I let out a squeal of happiness as I hugged him. “Thank you, Pappie,” I said, and he laughed, patting my back. “It's no problem.”

As I pulled away, I went to hug my mom, who was frowning at my dad. I silently laughed as I hugged her. “Mom, don't worry. I'll be fine. I'm not staying there forever,” I said, reassuring her that I would come back to her.

“You better not,” she replied.

I smiled and thanked them again before going upstairs to my room.

~~

As Alyssa's mom listened to her husband's reasoning, she couldn't help but feel conflicted. On one hand, she was worried sick about her daughter's safety in a town as notorious as Alhezia. On the other hand, she knew deep down that her daughter was not one to be stopped once she set her mind to something.

"Darl, you know Alyssa can be stubborn as a mule," she sighed, still unsure about the whole situation.

Her husband chuckled, "I know, but at least this way, we'll be able to keep an eye on her. And who knows? Maybe she'll even come back with some exciting stories to tell us."

She couldn't help but smile at the thought of her daughter embarking on a grand adventure. "Just make sure she stays safe, okay?" she said, giving him a stern look.

"Of course, I'll make sure she's in good hands," he assured her, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

As they both walked out of the room, they couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Alyssa's mom knew that no matter what happened, they were all in this together. And who knows? Maybe this trip to Alhezia would be just what Alyssa needed to grow and mature as a person.

As for Alyssa, she was ecstatic. She had dreamed of visiting Alhezia for as long as she could remember. And now, thanks to her acting skills and a little bit of luck, she was finally going to see the place for herself.

But little did she know, her trip to Alhezia was about to change everything.