BEYOND THE NIGHT

The full moon shone brightly in the sky, casting its silvery glow upon the earth like the brightest torch light. Natalie , a 21-year-old college graduate, sits quietly on the bus stop bench, waiting for a bus that will be going towards her neighborhood at a time like this.

Her large dark brown eyes squinted as a memory from her childhood flashed before her.

“Talie, you can't do that!” Her father, Mr Henry Davis squealed at her.

“But, daddy, why? Toria says it's fun”. A six-year old Natalie questioned.

“Honey, we have promised to give you everything that is best for you in this world except this.” Mrs Clarisse Davis, her mother said in a calm tone while rubbing her head lovingly.

Everything seems confusing to little Talie . No one is explaining why she can't go into the woods to play like other kids, even when her best friend Toria said it is fun and exciting.

*Honk*

The sound of the bus accompanied by its bright two sided light brought Natalie back to the present.

“Oh, the bus is finally here”.

Natalie knows that except her mini bed and soft pillow, she has nothing else waiting for her in the dorm room she shares with her childhood best friend, Victoria.

The bus ride will definitely be a long one as she couldn't afford to get one that will go directly to her neighborhood. Soon enough, tiredness from the day's activity sets in as her lashes begin to flutter, adhering to the rule of nature.

Unbeknownst to her, as she was about to get into the bus, someone standing in the dark had taken her pictures and sent them to a mysterious number.

***************

A little girl of about 6 years old with deep brown eyes and silvery white hair is seen running around a castle.

“You can't do that my lady!” Zena, her personal maid, cried out.

“But what is wrong with it? Drew also runs around with his friends. Why am I not allowed to”. The little girl replied close to tears.

Zena finally caught up with her and crouched to her level. She holds her firmly on the shoulder, and smoothes her almost disheveled hair.

“My Lady, Drew is a male while you are a female. It is unladylike to run around like this. Have you forgotten what Grand mistress said?”

On hearing about the Grand mistress, the little girl's eye widens. The Grand mistress is her paternal grandmother who always preaches about what she should do and not.

“Aurora!” came a sharp but monotone voice. An old woman in a beautiful and royal regalia is seen walking towards the direction where Zena and the little girl are.

“Zena, why is Aurora here instead of taking her classes with the governess?” queried the old lady.

“Grand Mistress, I…”

“How many times do I have to remind you that it's Grandmother to you and not Grand mistress? Besides, I was speaking to Zena and not you”.

Aurora's face dropped and she looks like one who will burst into tears soon. She also knew her grandmother would scold her soon for defying her rules.

Zena felt Aurora's mood shift when her tiny little hands squeezed hers. She knew she had to cover up for her Lady otherwise, both of them would be scolded.

“Greetings, Grand mistress. My Lady wishes to appreciate her grandmother for showing concern towards her education unlike other ladies and she decided that she will be here to show her respect for her grandmother before going to meet with the governess”. Zena explained with her head bowed and a squeeze of reassurance to Aurora.

The Grand Mistress was impressed by her granddaughter's thoughts.

“Oh! Aurora darling, the governess must have taught you this as well and I will see to it that she's given a raise. However, you still have to attend the class. Now, be a good girl and don't be late to classes”

Aurora gracefully picked up her gown and walked the way she was taught by the governess. She knows she will not dare to run in her grandmother's presence.

“Good morning Mrs Rivers”. Aurora courtesies her tutor, the governess.

Mrs Rivers is a petite woman with beautiful blue eyes and a black hair. She was appointed as Aurora's governess when the little girl celebrated her fourth birthday and although she knew Aurora can be sometimes naughty, she loves her like her own daughter, Layla.

Layla is a year older than Aurora and has been her best friend since they were little kids. The two girls would always meet whenever Aurora has her etiquette classes because Mrs Rivers lives somewhere outside the castle, in the town.

“My Lady, greetings to you too. I do hope you are fine today”. Mrs Rivers replied with a genuine smile.

“Mrs Rivers, I've told you to always refer to me as Aurora or Auri just like Layla does”. Aurora feels it's wrong for her governess to be so formal with her and she has always corrected this.

However, Mrs Rivers was not having any of these. It was part of the Grand Mistress's rule that her grandchildren be duly respected and she would not want to lose her job for something so petty.

“Alright, my Lady. Let us begin now ”

“Aurora!”. A childish male voice sounded at the entrance of the patio where they are presently.

Aurora turned on hearing that voice and smiled brightly. She could recognize that voice anywhere.

***************

“Miss. We are here already”. Natalie felt a light tap on her shoulder. It seems she really slept all through the trip. She was really tired after all.

“Oh,thank you. Here's the bill”. She handed over some notes to the driver and headed towards her house.

Her house? Toria's dorm!

It is so surprising that her normal peaceful life could change within the span of a year. Just early last year, she was living peacefully together with her parents in their little bungalow.

As an only child, she was doted upon by her parents, especially her father who would go any length just to grant her requests.

Just a year to her graduation from college, she received the worst news ever. Her parents were involved in an accident and died immediately. The house was taken over by a distant uncle whom she never met before her parents’ demise.

Left with no other option,she moved in with Victoria who has been an orphan since they were in highschool and lives in a dorm room leased out to students at a cheaper price. However, a year after graduation, it is expected that they move out to allow new students in and because of this, Natalie has been job hunting since the very day they both left college.

Today was one of those days where she had gone to an interview and was told to go while she will be reached out to which she knows is a lie. Nothing comes out of such.

Not to mention the numerous and endless dreams she always has since she lost her parents. Just now inside the bus, she saw a scene which she had seen for countless nights and couldn't still place what exactly it meant or who the characters were.

“Toria, I'm home. Where are you?” Natalie called out.

Toria has a job at a company that belongs to the business tycoon Ethan Woods. She was one of the lucky persons that was employed the last time there was a vacancy and even Talie could attest to the fact that it was a well paying job although a bit stressful. Victoria closes by 5pm and she should be at home now since it was some minutes past 8pm already.

“Toria, are you asleep already?” Natalie checked the room and even the bathroom but her friend was not in. While wondering where Toria was, Natalie picked up her phone to dial her number.

Just on the first ring, there was a loud banging on the door.