CHAPTER ONE

BLINDED BY REVENGE

CHAPTER ONE

Bellona had the same terrifying dream again. She saw her parents being pursued and then killed right in front of her. Their blood flowed on the ground as their blank eyes stared up at her.

Their killer who wore a mask pointed at her. "You are next!" he said menacingly.

Bellona woke up. Her heart was pounding very fast and she still felt the fear that she had felt in her dream.

She got up from bed and went to drink water.

She went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. She sat down at the kitchen table and slowly sipped her water. 

Since she witnessed her parents death, she has never slept peacefully. She blamed herself for their death and it kept hunting her.

Moments like this made her impatient on exerting revenge. She missed her parents badly and wanted to kill whoever murdered her parents.

***********

Flashback.

*16 years ago*

Little Bellona had just woken up from a nightmare and she quickly ran to her parents for comfort.

"Baby, why are you awake?" Bellona's mother asked on opening her room door and seeing Bellona standing there.

"I had a bad dream." she replied.

Her mother came close to her and hugged her.

"Was it the same dream?" she asked.

Bellona pulled back from her and nodded. "Oh sweetie. You don't have to be scared. They are just dreams, your father and I won't abandon you. We will always be with you." her mother told her. 

Ever since they went to the amusement park and Bellona got lost, she was scared out of her wits and since then, she kept having this dream of her parents abandoning her.

"Promise?"

"I promise. Now come on let's go to bed."

Her mother carried her and went into her bedroom.

She put her on the bed next to her father who woke up when he heard them.

He opened his eyes sleepily and looked at Bellona.

"Bad dream?" he asked.

"Yes daddy."

He put his arm around her. "Come here baby. Daddy is going to protect you from those horrible nightmares"

Bellona closed her eyes and nestled in her Father's embrace. Her father had the ability to always make her feel safe.

Her mother laid down beside them as well. She put her arm around Bellona too.

"Go to sleep sweetie. We are right here and we will always be here." she whispered to Bellona.

Cocooned in her parents embrace, Bellona fell asleep immediately.

The next day..........

Bellona and her best friend Zee were playing in the garden.

"I had the same dream last night." she whispered to him.

"You saw the same thing again?" Zee whispered back.

"Yes I did and it was so scary. Mom and dad say I shouldn't worry about it that it's just a dream but I can't help but worry."

"Bells you are just eight years old. Don't worry too much. It's just a dream. Your parents are lovely people, why would they want to abandon you?" Zee asked her.

"I don't know. The fact that I have had the same dream so many times is what terrifies me."

Zee held her hands. "Look at me. Everything is going to be okay. Nobody is going to leave you. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Look at you, you are so worried that you forgot today is my birthday." he said with a pout.

Bellona giggled at his pouting face. "I didn't forget silly. Here, you go." she brought out a wrapped box and gave it to him.

"Happy birthday Zephyr. I hope we always remain best friends." she told him.

Zee smiled and took it from her. "You called me by my full name." he pointed out.

"Well it's your birthday silly. I have to be proper about it." she replied.

"Thanks a lot Bells. Can I open it?"

"Yes, I want to see your face when you open it." Bellona replied eagerly.

Zee opened the box and saw a necklace. The pendant were the letters 'Z&B'.

"It's so beautiful Bells." he said in wonder.

"Let me help you put it on."

She took the necklace from him and helped him wear it.

"Do you know what the letters mean?" she asked him.

"No."

"it stands for our names. Zephyr and Bellona. It signifies that we will always be best friends."

"I love it. And yes, we will always be best friends." Zee told her.

Bellona held up her pinky finger. "Pinky swear?"

Zee hooked his pinky with hers. "Pinky swear."

"I have to go now Bells. My parents are taking me out to town for dinner at this fancy restaurant and I need to go get ready." Zee told her.

"What are you wearing?"

"Mom got me this fancy tuxedo."

"Look at you. Ten years old and already wearing a tuxedo. Next thing, I know, you will be getting married." Bellona said teasingly.

"I will get married to you." he told her.

"Promise?"

"I promise Bells."

"Then I will wait for you Zee." she said with a giggle.

Bellona's mother came to the garden. "Zee honey, your mom called. She wants you home now." she said with a kind smile.

"Okay. Bye Bells. Bye Mrs Hart." Zee said.

"Bye honey. Enjoy your birthday dinner." Bellona's mother replied. 

"I will." Zee replied.

"See you later Zee." Bellona told him.

"See you later Bells" Zee replied and left.

"Did he like his present?" Bellona's mother asked her.

"Of course he did." she replied. "Zee said he is going to get married to me when we grow up. Do you think it's possible, mum?

"I don't know baby, if you guys are fated to be then you'll be." Her mother said.

"I don't think so" Bellona said.

"How do you mean?" 

"Nevermind mom" Bellona shrugged.

Her mother looked at her worriedly. Bellona had always had the ability to detect when something would go wrong. Even though she wouldn't know how to pass the information, she would try to express it one way or the other.

What would happen? What did Bellona see this time? She hoped nothing wrong will happen.