My Harkwright girl

The waves crashed against the cliffs of Nova Scotia with an almost musical rhythm, but Aria Morgan knew better. After three years of studying marine biology at the remote Blackrock Research Station, she had learned to distinguish between natural ocean sounds and something more... peculiar. Tonight, there was definitely something different in the water's song.

Standing on the observation deck of the research facility, her long dark hair whipping in the salty breeze, Aria focused her night vision binoculars on the churning waters below. The full moon cast an ethereal glow across the surface, making it easier to spot any unusual movement. That's when she saw it - a flash of iridescent scales, much too large to be any known fish species.

"You're out here late again," a deep voice spoke behind her. Dr. Nathaniel Cross, the facility's new head of cryptozoology, stood in the doorway. His presence had been causing quite a stir among the female staff since his arrival last month, with his storm-gray eyes and the mysterious scar that ran from his left temple to his jaw. But Aria had noticed something else about him - the way he always seemed to appear whenever the strange occurrences happened.

"There's something out there, Dr. Cross," Aria said, not taking her eyes off the water. "Something big."

"Please, call me Nate," he said, moving to stand beside her. His proximity sent an involuntary shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold. "And I know. That's why I'm here."

Before Aria could question what he meant, a haunting melody drifted up from the waters below. It wasn't quite singing - more like an otherworldly humming that seemed to resonate in her very bones. To her surprise, she found herself taking an unconscious step toward the railing, drawn by the sound.

Nate's hand shot out, gripping her arm. "Don't listen too closely," he warned, his voice tight with concern. "They're hunting tonight."

"They?" Aria tried to shake off the melody's lingering effect. "Who are 'they'?"

Just then, a figure emerged from the waves - a woman with silvery skin and long, phosphorescent hair. Her eyes glowed with an unnatural blue light, and when she opened her mouth to continue her song, Aria saw rows of sharp, pearl-like teeth. The creature's beauty was both terrifying and mesmerizing.

"Sirens," Nate whispered, his grip on Aria's arm tightening. "Real ones. Not the sanitized versions from your fairy tales."

The siren's gaze locked onto them, and her song changed, becoming more focused, more enticing. Aria felt Nate tense beside her, and when she looked at him, she was shocked to see his eyes had taken on a silvery sheen, reflecting the moonlight like a cat's.

"We need to get inside," he said through gritted teeth, though he seemed to be fighting the urge to move closer to the railing himself. "Now."

But as they turned to leave, Aria caught sight of something in the water that made her blood run cold. Dozens of glowing eyes had appeared beneath the waves, and more figures were rising to the surface. Their songs began to intertwine, creating a symphony of supernatural beauty and terror.

"Dr. Cross... Nate," Aria's voice trembled slightly. "What's really going on at this facility?"

He finally turned to look at her fully, and in the moonlight, she could see that his scar was glowing with a faint blue light. "It's not just a research station, Aria. It's a containment facility. We monitor and protect humanity from ancient creatures that most people think are myths. And right now," he glanced back at the water where more sirens were emerging, "something has disturbed them. Something that hasn't happened in over a hundred years."

"What?" Aria asked, though part of her feared the answer.

"They're looking for their lost queen," Nate's voice was grim. "And for some reason, they think she's here."

A particularly powerful wave crashed against the cliffs, sending spray high enough to reach the observation deck. As the droplets hit Aria's skin, she felt a strange tingling sensation, and for just a moment, her reflection in the window showed her eyes glowing with the same ethereal blue light as the creatures below.

Nate saw it too. His expression shifted from concern to something more complex - fear, fascination, and what looked almost like recognition. "We need to talk," he said quietly. "About your mother. About why you were really assigned to this facility. And about why you've always felt so drawn to the sea."

The siren's song grew louder, more insistent, and Aria felt something stir within her - ancient memories that couldn't possibly be her own, yet somehow were. As she followed Nate inside, one thought kept repeating in her mind: her life as she knew it was about to change forever, and there would be no going back to the simple world of marine biology and research papers.

Behind them, the sirens continued their haunting chorus, their songs now carrying a note of triumph. They had found what they were looking for.

The facility's underground laboratory was a maze of steel and glass, illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights that made everything look clinical and cold. Aria followed Nate through a series of security checkpoints, each requiring increasingly complex biometric scans. Her mind was still reeling from the events on the observation deck, the sirens' song echoing in her memory.

        "How long have you known?" she finally asked as they entered what appeared to be his private office. Unlike the sterile corridors outside, this room was filled with artifacts that looked ancient - shells with strange markings, crystals that seemed to pulse with their own inner light, and walls covered in charts mapping underwater ley lines.

        Nate moved to a heavily secured cabinet, his fingers dancing across a complex lock. "Since the moment you arrived at Blackrock. Your bio-readings were... unique." He pulled out a thick file with her name on it. "But your mother knew long before that."

        "My mother?" Aria's voice cracked. "She died when I was three. All I have are some photos and my father's stories about her love for the ocean."

        "Your mother didn't die, Aria." Nate's voice was gentle but firm as he placed an old photograph on his desk. "She returned."

        The photograph showed a woman standing on these very cliffs, her wild dark hair streaming in the wind. She looked exactly like Aria, except for her eyes - they held that same otherworldly blue glow Aria had seen in her own reflection moments ago.

        "That's impossible," Aria whispered, but even as she spoke, memories began to surface - the way she could hold her breath for impossibly long periods, her uncanny ability to predict storms, the strange songs that sometimes filled her dreams.

        Suddenly, the lights flickered, and a low vibration ran through the building. Nate's expression turned serious. "They're testing the barriers," he said, moving to a bank of monitors showing underwater footage. Multiple figures darted past the cameras, their movements too quick and graceful to be human.

        "What barriers?" Aria asked, joining him at the monitors.

        "Electromagnetic fields designed to keep them at bay. But with their queen so close..." He glanced at her meaningfully. "They're stronger than usual."

        "I am not their queen," Aria said firmly, though something deep inside her stirred at the words.

        "No, but you're her daughter. The first successful hybrid in centuries." Nate pulled up more files on his computer. "Your mother was their queen, and when she fell in love with your father, it created a diplomatic crisis. A siren queen choosing a human was unprecedented."

        The vibrations grew stronger, and somewhere in the facility, an alarm began to sound. On the monitors, the sirens' movements became more coordinated, more purposeful.

        "They're not just testing anymore," Nate muttered. He grabbed what looked like an ancient trident from a wall display. "They're breaking through."

        Aria's head suddenly filled with voices - not speaking English, but a fluid, musical language she somehow understood. They were calling to her, telling her to come home, to take her rightful place.

        "Make it stop," she gasped, pressing her hands to her temples.

        Nate reached for her, but stopped short when he saw her eyes - they were glowing brighter now, and her skin had taken on a slight iridescent sheen. "Fight it, Aria. You're not just one of them. You're both human and siren. That's what makes you special."

        The facility shook more violently, and the lights went out completely. In the darkness, Nate's eyes glowed silver again, and Aria could finally ask the question that had been nagging at her.

        "What are you?" she whispered. "You're not entirely human either, are you?"

        Before he could answer, the reinforced windows of his office exploded inward in a shower of glass and seawater. In the opening hovered three sirens, their beauty terrible and magnificent. The one in the center spoke, her voice carrying both authority and disdain.

        "Step away from the princess, Guardian. She belongs with her people."

        Nate raised the trident, which began to glow with an electric blue light. "She belongs where she chooses to belong."

        As seawater swirled around them, Aria felt power surge through her body - raw, ancient, and demanding to be released. She had a choice to make, but first, she needed answers.

        "Tell me everything," she said, her voice carrying a new note of command that surprised even her. "About my mother, about what you are," she looked at Nate, "and about why I'm really here."

        The siren queen smiled, showing those pearl-like teeth. "Oh, little princess. You're here because a war is coming. And you," her glow intensified, "are the key to everything."

The seawater swirling around Aria's feet felt alive, responding to her emotions like an extension of her body. The three sirens remained suspended in the shattered window frame, their ethereal forms casting an otherworldly glow throughout Nate's flooded office. The lead siren - who had introduced herself as Cordelia, First General of the Deep Realm - watched her with ancient eyes that held both wisdom and cunning.

        "Your mother's choice started this war," Cordelia said, her voice carrying the rhythm of waves. "When she chose your father, she didn't just abandon her throne - she disrupted a balance that had existed for millennia. The Deep Realm has been without a true queen for twenty years, and the dark ones grow bolder each day."

        "The dark ones?" Aria asked, acutely aware of Nate's tension beside her, his grip tightening on the glowing trident.

        "The Abyssal Court," Nate answered grimly. "Think of them as your people's darker cousins. While the sirens of the Deep Realm protect the oceans, the Abyssal Court seeks to corrupt them. Without a queen's power to maintain the barriers..."

        "They're breaking free," Cordelia finished. "Even now, they gather in the deep trenches, preparing for war. Only a queen's song can reinforce the ancient seals."

        Aria felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on her like the ocean itself. "And you think I can do this? I don't even know how to control whatever... this is." She gestured to her still-glowing skin.

        "That's why I'm here," a new voice spoke from the doorway. Aria turned to see a woman she'd only known from photographs - her mother. Nerissa, former queen of the Deep Realm, stood in the threshold, looking exactly as she had twenty years ago. Her presence made the very air vibrate with power.

        "Mom?" Aria whispered, emotions warring inside her.

        Nerissa's eyes - the same otherworldly blue as Aria's now were - filled with tears. "My daughter. My beautiful, brave daughter. I'm so sorry I had to leave you, but it was the only way to keep you safe while your powers matured."

        "Safe from what?" Aria demanded, anger suddenly surging through her. The water around her feet began to churn in response.

        "From those who would use you," Nate interjected, his voice carrying an edge of bitterness. "The Guardians weren't always noble protectors, Aria. Some believed that controlling a hybrid princess would give them power over both realms."

        "Like your father did?" Nerissa's voice turned cold as she addressed Nate. "Is that why you're so close to my daughter? Following in Marcus Cross's footsteps?"

        The tension in the room sparked like electricity. Nate's silver eyes flashed dangerously. "I am not my father."

        "Enough!" Aria's voice carried a new power, making everyone in the room freeze. The water around her feet rose in spiraling columns, responding to her command. "I want the truth. All of it. No more cryptic warnings or half-answers."

        Suddenly, the facility's emergency sirens blared to life. On Nate's monitors, dark shapes appeared in the deeper waters - humanoid figures with shark-like features and glowing red eyes.

        "The Abyssal Court," Cordelia hissed. "They've found us."

        "They found her," Nerissa corrected, moving to Aria's side. "They can sense your awakening power, daughter. We're out of time."

        The facility shuddered as something massive struck it from below. Through the broken window, Aria could see dark forms rising from the depths, their movements predatory and purposeful. The water around her feet turned ice-cold.

        "You have to choose now," Nate said urgently. "But know this - whatever you decide, I'll stand with you." His eyes met hers, and in them she saw not just duty or ambition, but something deeper, something personal.

        "As touching as that is, Guardian," Cordelia interrupted, "she needs to come with us. Only in the Deep Realm can she learn to control her powers in time."

        Another impact rocked the facility. In the distance, Aria could hear screams - the research staff, she realized with horror. They were unprotected, unaware of what was really happening.

        "I won't let innocent people die," Aria declared, feeling strength flow through her. "Mom, Cordelia - help me protect the facility. Nate..." she turned to him, "teach me how to fight."

        "Always choosing both worlds," Nerissa murmured, a mix of pride and worry in her voice. "Just like your mother."

        As the Abyssal Court's forces surrounded the facility, Aria felt something click into place inside her. She was neither fully human nor fully siren, neither wholly of land nor of sea. But perhaps that's exactly what both worlds needed.

        "Well then," she said, as power coursed through her veins and the song of the sea filled her mind, "let's show these dark ones what a hybrid princess can do."

        The water around her erupted upward, turning into a swirling shield of liquid crystal, just as the first of the dark figures burst through the facility's lower levels. The war for two worlds was about to begin, and Aria stood at its center, with a Guardian at her side and the power of two realms flowing through her blood.

The next few minutes dissolved into chaos. The Abyssal Court's warriors crashed through the facility's lower levels like a dark tide, their shark-like features twisted into snarls of hunger and hatred. Aria's crystalline water shield held against the first wave, but she could feel their darkness pressing against her power, trying to corrupt it.

        "Channel your emotions through the water," Nerissa instructed, her own powers creating whirlpools that trapped several attackers. "The sea responds to authentic feeling, not just will."

        Nate moved with inhuman grace, the trident in his hands leaving trails of electric blue energy as he fought. "We need to evacuate the research staff," he called out between strikes. "They're gathering near the main lab."

        Aria closed her eyes for a moment, and suddenly she could feel every drop of water in the facility - in the pipes, in the air, in human bodies. The awareness was overwhelming. "I can feel them," she gasped. "Everyone. Everything."

        "That's your queen's sense awakening," Cordelia explained, her own song turning violent as she fought. "You're connecting to your realm."

        An explosion rocked the lower level, and through her new awareness, Aria felt something massive entering the facility. The temperature of the water dropped dramatically, and even the sirens looked concerned.

        "Thalassos," Nerissa whispered, fear evident in her voice. "The Abyssal Prince himself."

        Through the broken floor emerged a figure that seemed made of living darkness. Unlike his warriors, Prince Thalassos appeared almost human, devastatingly beautiful in a cruel way. His eyes were the color of the deepest ocean trenches, and when he smiled, his teeth gleamed like black pearls.

        "The little princess awakens," his voice was like the crushing depths given sound. "How convenient. I was afraid I'd have to wait longer to claim my bride."

        "Bride?" Aria and Nate spoke simultaneously, his voice sharp with anger, hers with shock.

        "Did they not tell you?" Thalassos moved closer, his presence making the water around him turn black. "The only way to truly end the war between our courts is through union. Your mother refused me twenty years ago. But you..." his dark eyes roamed over her face, "you're even more powerful than she was."

        Nate stepped between them, the trident glowing brighter. "She's not a prize to be claimed, Thalassos."

        The Abyssal Prince's laugh was like ice cracking. "Ah, the Guardian speaks. Tell me, son of Marcus Cross, does your protection come from duty... or jealousy?"

        Before anyone could respond, a scream echoed from the main lab. Through her water sense, Aria felt the research staff's terror as more Abyssal warriors surrounded them.

        "Choose quickly, princess," Thalassos said smoothly. "Surrender to me, and I'll spare them all. Refuse, and watch your human friends feed my warriors."

        Aria felt rage build inside her - pure, hot, and powerful. The water around her began to glow, not with her mother's blue light or Thalassos's darkness, but with a brilliant purple that seemed to combine both aspects of her nature.

        "You want an answer?" Her voice carried the crash of waves and the strength of tidepools. "Here it is."

        She thrust her hands forward, and every drop of water in the facility responded. It rose from pipes, condensed from air, pulled from the sea itself. But instead of attacking, it began to sing - a new song, neither fully siren nor fully human, but something entirely unique.

        The Abyssal warriors closest to her began to writhe, their corrupted forms starting to purify under her hybrid power. Thalassos's eyes widened in genuine surprise, then narrowed in fury.

        "Impossible," he snarled. "No one can purify the Abyssal taint!"

        "She's not no one," Nate said, pride evident in his voice. "She's both of your worlds, and neither. And that makes her stronger than either."

        Aria's song grew stronger, and she felt Nate's energy joining with hers, the Guardian's power amplifying her own. Her mother and Cordelia added their voices, creating a harmony that made the very foundations of the facility vibrate.

        But Thalassos wasn't finished. With a roar of rage, he released his own power - a wave of such absolute darkness that it threatened to swallow all light. "If I cannot have you," he growled, "then no one will!"

        The two forces met in a spectacular clash of energy. In that moment, as purple light battled primordial darkness, Aria felt something else stirring in the depths beneath the facility - something ancient and powerful, awakened by their battle.

        "The Leviathan," Nerissa breathed. "The battle... it's waking the ancient ones."

        As if in response, a deep rumble shook the entire ocean floor, and everyone - siren, human, and Abyssal alike - froze in sudden, instinctive fear.

        In the brief silence, Aria heard Nate whisper, "Whatever happens next, Aria, know that I-"

        But his words were cut off as the floor beneath them cracked open, and the true power of the deep made its presence known. The war between courts had awakened something far older and more dangerous than any of them had imagined.

        And deep in her soul, Aria knew - this was only the beginning.

Prologue

The New Girls
We stood in line, anticipation coursing through our veins, as we waited for our turn. We were the new girls, fresh faces ready to be molded into something else entirely. Soon, our names would become irrelevant, replaced by cold numbers. It was a fate most had already accepted, resigned to the reality of our situation. Survive the next three years, and we would be rewarded with enough money to navigate this twisted existence. But I didn't want to be just another number. I wanted to retain my name, my identity. Why should I have to forget who I am and what brought me here? Although, if I resisted, survival would become an even greater challenge.
Hollow Hearts Academy, our home for the next three years, loomed before us. Officially known as Watson Academy, the name held no significance within these walls. I had successfully passed the screening process, proving that I possessed something deemed "Watson worthy." However, the possibility of being dismissed still lingered, a constant reminder that not every girl admitted into this elite institution would last the night. We were merely options for the guys. We had all heard the rumors, whispered among the hopefuls. Not every girl who stepped foot inside these walls would make it to the final year. Failure meant forfeiting every penny we had earned, no matter how many times we had sold our souls for it. Our very essence would be stripped away, leaving behind nothing but empty shells. Still, I was supposed to feel lucky for being granted entrance. But there was nothing fortunate about being trapped in this cursed place. The money I would receive was not for my own sake, but for Sofia.
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Once we were dressed, we were ushered into a room for one final test before being escorted onto the stage, where a spotlight awaited us. The announcement of the chosen one would be made immediately. But I had no desire for that position. Being deemed the most "deMasonable" was a punishment in itself within these walls. The numbers were called out one by one, until all the male gazes were fixed upon me. Their eyes were cold, calculating, but somehow, they didn't terrify me as much as the others did. My palms grew sweaty, my heart pounding in my chest. All I had to do was hold it together a little longer, waiting for my number to be called. A fifty would suffice, proving that I was worth keeping around. But it wouldn't necessarily mean I had to surrender my body to maintain that privilege.
"Camila Young, zero."
Zero. The word echoed in my mind, a damning verdict before I even had a chance to begin. I had failed. I'm sorry, Sofia.

1. Blood and Water (1)

"You really need to stop worrying, Camila. I've got everything under control," my mother reassures me for what feels like the hundredth time. If only I could believe her.
"But you're exhausting yourself trying to keep everything afloat. How can you possibly manage Sofia's medical bills too? Just let me help, you don't have to shoulder this burden alone," I plead with her, fully aware that she won't listen.
"I am the parent, Camila, and it's my responsibility to take care of my daughters. You focus on your future, and let me handle the present," she says, planting a gentle kiss on my temple before slinging her bag over her shoulder and leaving our home. Each day, the bags under her eyes deepen, her shoulders slump further. If she's not careful, she'll work herself to death. And then where will Sofia and I be?
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I should turn it off. We can't afford the luxury of watching TV right now. But they're discussing Watson Academy again, and my curiosity triumphs over practicality this time."Mason Watson, do you truly believe that this year will be the one? The year your son will finally find a worthy wife and extricate himself from the academy once and for all?" The reporter's inquiry hangs in the air, as if seeking confirmation from the man concealed in the shadows, granting him an undeserved sense of privacy.
"I am not the one to answer that question, my dear. The decision will always reside with my son," Mason Watson responds, his voice laced with a hint of resignation. "I must admit, I had hoped he would have found a suitable match by now. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly support him as he embarks on this endeavor. His elder brother held out for many years before finding a woman who truly matched his worth... his equal," he adds, his words dripping with deceit. It is quite possible that Mason himself is the reason his son continues to revel in the bachelor lifestyle, unwilling to commit to just one woman when he can have a revolving door of new faces every few years.
The reporter presses further, delving into the rumors surrounding girls who attempt to leave the academy without consent. She treads on dangerous ground, and Mason's body language betrays his unease, clearly indicating his displeasure with the direction of her inquiry.
"WéaCtshon AcxacdUembyl KisF Sann besztbeYemÉed iGnqstnitfudtioAn,t" h_e fresWpxonHdsi,J hdisF ,to$ne* étjiKngke&d* wiUtóh &dyefAens$invwenesés^. "XEbvewryu wo&man wóhob *cLoOmpLlzebtdes ihetré ctZenurzec hxe)reC Rgo$esJ oén toT Ba.cvhIigevWe$ glrUeLa^t,nes$sJ.U ThKeCyv kneyv^erL mahgIaóinv lonvgf fYorL 'anNyzthiWnQg, qyeztD you tcDhooqse _toD Bfodcuxsc Zon qb(ahselesNsc rVum)oWrqs, vundloubbtedlyh Ps'p.rea)dm Bbjy myO scomvpetiitBoxrs,F ratvhOer óthza_nN Maac$kDnaowledbgéi$ng theG RoppXortHuPngities Iw póryouvéiddeÉ YtheSsPeS Gylounng wCom!en. RMocst obf BtXhemÉ Xcomje FfWrom Xnot^hOiZnvg, ^andg HI, o*fsf$eQrk &them( 'eGvieIrPytChxi^ncg,"g he lReahnXs fo*rjwKafrHdi,m NiWnPteirlobcDkiPng hbis$ fiéngecrDs Tbweneathu hisC chUign,z caCuÉsiynygi dtéhe IrepozrtzerG itóo MilnsutNinwctvisveÉlly !recsoqiRlS. II caInnmotG (heJlWpk qbnuitk wo_nddzeLr& whBat hs.hNeF seeÉs w$ith&inI Lhqis Ve_yes, the. windtowhs htoT hsihs xtrue intenQti(onÉsé.Z "NroA gdis&a^ppe,a^rSan^ceZs haFve e^vaepr HbeeTn repBoratedu, and a)nQyz qgiTrglp wCh_oR leTaRvieRs$ !bGef!ore _hlerv .requiure$d dFur'aStnion does sUoQ iohfj herL o.wyn aKcFcIo*rd. OBncreU SthZey steLpS Uo!utQsKid)e the Vs!aUn^ctuGavr^y of WatsHobnd's, I fcsa*nnRotf jcontrodl ÉwqhQavta ,mayf XbefRa$lzl tbhGem. AMyy only ÉhFope yisM that vthis wLoyrylFdd ón.urtuqresx étlhXeM briLllxiaNnckec wÉe $wirtGnegssned_ wkiQthiÉn atShem, srTa'trhieór thann shnuffiXngg ZiKt out,."Thh,e inteLrvieawd abrMu_pdtly cutAs& o&ffC, brVepl,acmed ObiyW kth)e afac*eRsv oyfU .tcwVoC repo&rt(ers whtof kmXaLkke' npo ^atbteÉmpt tOoP cLonNceYal vtheRirL dmisódaPin afQogrl $th,eN rpulfer ofb thLeÉ w)orBlidd.M ThPeir ktIruóe FopiFnioWnós aurWex etcuhpead jacroxsvs thegiré Hewxp)ressiRonws,S mas! tlhetyv sAtuqmble* throOugéhJ thóeir *sictr!i$pt,t .rKeafdingf qfromQ a sfcQrIeenH vwvith ld^artinNg e$yeysP qaónvd xfidFgeti,n'g uneasXeÉ.d De(s$p)ite$ tt&heiarw AlackF fof ab!elbieLfr inT thCePir Vosw&nA IwvoardnsK,ó thTey^ co_ntin!ue to ubtgtAer( Rthemz. WIaltZsonM truQlwyM )revigénLsu ÉoÉvYeHr mus a_ll_, hxis )wejalmthL swufrÉpavsUsiWnTg Mimqaginatigona,Z anId eDvIen tihÉe pPrResidqegnMt rdemaiDnis Jpozwerlces'sA agWaPi)nBsDt ThAima. In wisih (I .cVo'ulkd, sa&yZ dtQhatS tu*r.ni_nkgR oqffY t.hRe! sYcDreebnl sanfdi returNniJn,g tow myn taskA Qbmanvish(ed t.hBoucgGhts ofs tYhóeM Watszon tAcaWdreMm!y fHrnoPm 'my$ miFndB, b$uStb YtrWuth ifs aFn unwav,eIrcing AcoLmpanAioCn.U Besipdes,u IpÉertuGsinBg )theNihr^ wzeib)sJite gfNo*r rHe!seHadrScóhB Wpurpcoses bcoGuldnY'tn poKssiblyS UhiurLt.a LT^hyourgZh ht)heU aidheDa oHf $ap,plhyinég xto* sOu$ch Xaó FprlacHe &wRouSlddq Xnevwejr .croOsTsi smy TmYindS.p
Donning my worn-out jacket feels pointless, as it offers no protection against the biting chill in the air. Yet, can the atmosphere truly be colder than the icy grip squeezing my heart? I must find a way to help Sofia. I refuse to let her languish in a hospital that fails to provide any answers for her deteriorating health. My mother will work herself into an early grave, and I fear her resting place will be unmarked, for we cannot afford a gravestone. We will have nothing to mourn, only memories of a mother who loved us beyond measure, a love that was crushed the moment exhaustion overwhelmed her.
As I walk along the road, fixating on the cracks that fracture the pavement, it becomes glaringly apparent that we were born into a fractured world. Why do the rich continue to amass more wealth, while the rest of us are left destitute and broken?

1. Blood and Water (2)

As I stroll past, I sense the weight of people's gaze upon me. Annoyed, I swiftly pull up my hood and zip my jacket higher. It's not unfamiliar to be the subject of stares, but that doesn't mean I enjoy it. The idea of dying my hair has crossed my mind, but my mom always manages to dissuade me. Apparently, having white locks, alabaster skin, and pale blue eyes should be seen as a blessing. Easy for her to say. She doesn't face the constant reminder of mortality each day, nor does she bear the burden of being five feet tall with a petite frame that's far from healthy, and a chest that brings me nothing but back pain. I'm not even particularly large, but apparently, I've been bestowed with an ample bosom, which is why I prefer to hide beneath baggy hoodies, hoping they'll divert even more attention away from me.
On the other hand, my mother was destined to be a dancer. Her legs seem to stretch on forever, lithe and sculpted, radiating beauty. Even her perpetual weariness can't tarnish that fact. My sister takes after her completely, and while I may feel a twinge of envy, I'd never admit it aloud. Confrontation is not my forte; if I could blend into the shadows, I would. Being noticed is a nightmare. Yet, here I am, making my way to the nearest library so I can borrow a computer and delve deeper into this Watson Academy.
I know I can't apply; it would send my mother into a frenzy, and they would never choose someone like me anyway. I don't hail from noble bloodlines, and I'm deemed worthless, except in the eyes of those who love me. Sofia, on the other hand, would surely be accepted and might even secure a top spot. She'd find herself a husband and rescue our mother from a life of backbreaking labor that's slowly draining the life out of her.
ShaVkiIngV offV gt$hPeshe thoguAghCts,g TIh l)ióft Rmsy Sgazme. DTheA lkibrary loomws ahleOakdy,W xanAd it woJuNld'n'tW hurAt to CpkerusDe athue aQc)ademIy'sT website. PKekrQhawps itC Cwo!uhld pIroviOde YmOy umrom RaSngd mFey w_i'tkh& SaOnorthelr reaas$onB utyoZ mock Mthne axffYljudemnXt.I' caduótNiotuKslyx steZpl i$nSsigdge the buailld*ingN,, bmÉyr vgazzCew Pfixkedu ony ÉtjhFe fulyoso)r(,é oknflxy glanucÉiÉn_g Éurps oNccazs*ioYnalzldym toé navniig,a$tqeB xth!rioubg)hr ^thveó avast ,sSpdaAcge.a )M$y (mWothFeBr xknowPsU somPeofnke$ who woruks here, ZankdÉ cI yc(anp't Aafforud fomr Lher Wtao tfBiwnbdQ ouNt fw_ha*t I'pmO hup to IaRnd yrte$por^tU bacIk. .IDtC'Ash calÉl jTusPt$ !rseVseYa^r_céh,L aéft_er aVlMlc.A
Taking a seat at one of the tables, lined with computers, I enter my login details and anxiously wait for the system to come to life. Watching the clock tick by feels excruciating, and a slight twitch develops in my left eye. Finally, with a deep sigh, the web browser loads and I type in the address for the Watson Academy.
I half expect a glaring message to flash across the screen, proclaiming that I don't belong here. But nothing of the sort happens. Instead, I see a picture of the grand estate where the unfortunate girls will reside for three years. It may be immense, but I highly doubt the luxury is meant for their enjoyment. Everything is for the men's pleasure, even the women are merely toys to them. The website offers a few attachments and a button that my cursor hovers over—the dreaded "apply here" button. But I reassure myself that I'm not here for that. I just want to read the guidelines and rules for potential applicants. Blame it on the news, they sparked my curiosity. No wonder my mom avoids watching it now.
I take a deep breath and click on the rules and regulations section. I tell myself there won't be anything that would make me want to hit that apply button. I'm safe, or so I think.
The pag&e openÉsq xwi!tVh a^ bocld. _s'tKatdemJemntZ:i j"HS(ot, &ygoSuM wisha ,tfo) vslpe,n.dK Qthve énNexwtg nt.hre)ea yZea*rasx wwnibtjhinÉ vthe wa.llss bofk thzen ^WuaatQsonN GAcadSemm.y.". aIt c$o(nVtYisnuest, uWrTgingp me tboP cGoCnsiudeSr mzy, VrzeKaósonus *fóor) wéaDntZing t$oA jyoinH Kt!hMehir xest&eeYmeGd instCiZtutigoNn. BOuXt it's cryrptiOc, cwJiutqhholdinhgi piDnóformtaLtiNon( in Gthe name ofM yprbihvóa$cy. ThRe*yy promhisÉe tyhaAt if. ÉI'm( ycóhTo!syeFn( tpo Hbbem csons!i$dere'd,& IJ'lll bev hinv)i^tQeOdh Xtso) waJ kfaéce.-Gtgo-fa(c!eT ap*poiGnt(mheJnt uwheqre tghey^'Zl_lt asTs$ess Ém'e VfudrthZer andq diOsjcl(osej theA fulKlJ extÉeant oOf tSheF commitqmenXt trpequiredf.,
As I read those words, a mix of excitement and apprehension fills my chest. The allure of this mysterious academy beckons, but I can't help but wonder what it truly entails.If you agree to our terms in their entirety, you will undergo a series of tests to determine your suitability for this extraordinary opportunity. Your name may or may not be chosen for the final round of selection. 
Should you be fortunate enough to join our esteemed Watson family, prepare to indulge in opulent feasts fit for royalty. Lavish rooms will be assigned to you, so exquisite that you will feel no need to venture beyond their luxurious confines. And fear not, for a monthly payment of one thousand dollars shall be bestowed upon your loved ones, a small measure to compensate for any loss your absence may cause within the household. 
As for yourself, we will assign you a number, a symbol of your rank within our esteemed walls. This number shall dictate your annual earnings and the bonus you shall receive upon your graduation day. Our alumni have gone on to lead lives they never dreamt possible, with abundant job opportunities and the skills to forge their own paths in the world. Poverty shall never befall you, for it is a promise we, the Watsons, guarantee.
Btut cZaqn^ ZI ltrLulyv appl$y?N I.tr sBeeGmas pRrlepostXeDrouws,W alRmobsótR PiSnisanseQ. VYieét,K iffb IG amW Hto mbeR honestM, nthue )alllu^rge Fis undpeÉnnia_bflbex. PerhaBpws, IV s$hPouGld a)ta Uleast Upebruhse wtlhe applicpaFtBioGnÉ yfVorrm,b juPst utGo IsiatHis*fBy mSy. curioxsWitpy'.$ WKhajt lhja.rzmb ucqould !irt ódo?
The form loads, and I find myself taken aback. The questions it poses are audacious, intrusive. Does it truly matter if I am a virgin or how many kisses I have shared? What does this place expect from the chosen girls who enter its hallowed halls? I must dismiss these thoughts, erase them from my mind. I should go home, forget about this folly. Filling out the form and submitting it would be sheer madness, a decision I might regret for the rest of my days.
* * *
Two weeks have passed, though it feels like an eternity. I should visit Sofia, see how she is faring. But the sight of her, connected to tubes and wires, is too much to bear. I must find a way to help my sister, to ease the burden of her medical fees. Perhaps I can secure a job somewhere, quietly contribute without burdening our proud and stubborn mother.

1. Blood and Water (3)

"Camila, could you spare a moment?" Why does her voice sound so strained? Well, she's tired and worried, I suppose. If she didn't sound strained, I'd be even more concerned.
My head is throbbing, I need some painkillers. Hopefully, Mom will have something for me. 
Breathing heavily, I jog down the stairs. I really should exercise more. But then again, why waste the energy? I barely eat enough to justify it.
"LHXegy,B M,o_mG,"' I gYrhezetu hleir,) pylantinng ma kriwss oln( wherW mcóhepek$ begfDo,reK siZnóki$ngH inNto 'onQen Mof stph'eV dXijniunbgw ccXhpa^iCrMs.i
"Camila, you foolish girl," she turns to face me, her eyes red and her hands firmly on her hips. In one hand, she clutches a large envelope.
"That's a bit harsh, don't you think? I may not be as book smart as Sofia, but I wouldn't call myself stupid," I say, my voice trembling as tears threaten to spill. I refuse to let them fall. Mom is the only one who believes in me, hearing her call me stupid is gut-wrenching.
"You applied to be a Watson girl. There's no intelligence in a decision like that," she spits, venom dripping from her words. My vision blurs slightly.
",Yhovuó'r*eC iopeYninpg umy hmaMi!lk n.oww?a Wh(atQ gÉiyveusé AyouW the rigxht?"$ IU !demaxndR, nunablje Jt,o b(elie_vUe .I'wm) raUizsinIgp Nmyó IvoicTe, acth my onwn MmroZtvhexrk. DI'm dcekfiqn_itelAyZ goqiDngS gtKoU helAlJ for trhnis.d
"I didn't need to open it, their crest is right there on the damn envelope," she shouts, slamming her palm on the table and leaving the envelope in her wake.
"It doesn't mean they've accepted me," I weakly protest, even to my own ears.
"A rejection letter would be smaller, congratulations Camila, you get to sell yourself to fifteen guys. Your sister would be so proud."
I fthinYkG fIH'HdO npFrefert iqf shIe sTlWap)pe)dó SmeF *ord s&o,metNhDing.! pH)er .wohrldsl haurtY morXe Hthganx yanyK JpÉhysXicCa(lu bldow ^e)vmer cQou'ldA._ Smhe doeOsQn't e^vetn ZbotZher sDthayuingw tgoY hGeaSr $msyx pekxpltan^ationH.S RSKhe'dl mradthóeirL Ybef at* iwZoqrXkw ptxhiawn nliCsitJenH to bmDeT.
"Mom, please don't be like this."I had done it, all for a good reason. The money I could potentially earn from this opportunity could really help Sofia. But as I looked into her eyes, the storm brewing within them was darker than any thunderstorm I had ever witnessed.
"Don't use your sister to justify the choice you've made," she said, her voice laced with disappointment. "You think you're taking the easy way out, but you're wrong. If you get chosen, your whole life will change. I can't even bear to look at you right now." With tears streaming down her face, she hastily wiped them away, pulled on her coat, and left our home. All I could do was stand there, staring at the envelope in my hand, wondering why they would call me in for the next stage.
I carefully slipped the envelope into the side cabinet before putting on my jacket. Leaving behind the only place where I had ever felt accepted, there was someone I needed to see. Despite avoiding her, I couldn't delay it any longer. Not when I might be gone for the next three years. I still couldn't fathom making it to the final stage of selection, but I couldn't take that risk.
*W *, j*
Arriving at the hospital, I wrapped my coat even tighter around myself. People's stares made me feel as though I had thousands of bugs crawling all over my skin. But deep down, I knew it wasn't the bugs that bothered me; it was their judgmental eyes. I hated how they made me feel. Maybe Sofia was right. If I couldn't handle the scrutiny here, how would I survive inside the Academy?
"Miss Young, how wonderful to see you again," Lawrence Coleman greeted me warmly, approaching me with open arms. He was my sister's physician, and my crush on him resurfaced every time we met. I really needed to stop daydreaming about him.
"It has been a while, I know. I feel like such an awful sister," I admitted, unable to hide the grimace of shame that washed over me, causing my cheeks to flush.
"DÉon'At 'saiyG thattr aSboZut you&rs'eÉlfC,," CLaswcreknNcef qsaaid,! !higs& Zv^oice fDil.laexd' wisthI MuGndÉeyr&st!aqnhdYiTnCgÉ. "ItX fcMan't bQe easyR Pfor you wtvoP see yyoVur ^sYi^st(erc iunJ éthWis staOtle.G yWh'o cnan b!lamey you, f&org Fsptxaying OawayQ?C Ig zwAiYsLh jIM Icbould telYls óymouI athijnzgs (w*erÉe impmrOokvi,ng,v wbuGt LI won'ct* lile tto you." H(e fshif(te*dY xusncéomfÉoarótab*ly ,ocn Jhis lfeetW,u Gand o.ncae agdafin,k kI cbould$n't helpd bukt nQotsiTcep rjhursuty hÉow! mynoung Jhie_ wZaDs.lHea'sL DtVhget onKlWyN éLawgrieTnrcreN whUod doJe*sn't gsivLe a d^amnn aabtou$tZ *hZiqsV gpaptfiéents'l wealSt*hX. T)h&ef jownly coneN who xgenduihnelZy ca,resz Ta$bQou$t !my shiósterz',s webll-beUipnga. SIt *bkrDe_aykZs( xmWyr phéenart .to seeÉ tkhe' NotTh'exrs negVleYctNi^nVg rhbe)r. óAxnd. nowl,ó I Ycanj'_t ShAeZlp$ Abutp think thnast he'qs^ *fkaVlélZing yin vlkoévVeP withT herL,M jTuWst likHey )evkerywoYnIe$ elZsgeq *alwajyRsB djoesz. AIt'Csn 'a fs.hiXtztdy thBo.uJgxh^t toV haveJ daboKultÉ SocfDial. sIrt'LsC n(ot* yh)er éfaulXt. )Sshóe,'sr atlw!ay^s Mt*rui(eHd_ Ktom mmaékge gmej seeU mnyfsealf' Athe Bw)aPyu sihReP Ddoes,( vor vdihdA.C
"It's okay. I'm working on making things better for her," I say, fighting back the tears. "I just might not be around for a little while, but I couldn't leave without seeing her first."
"Well, if you're still here when I go on break, come join me for a coffee," he says, flashing me a warm smile before heading off to his next patient. He's such a nice guy.
With his warm brown hair, green eyes, and broad shoulders, he drives me crazy. It would be fine if he was like everyone else, but he's not. He genuinely cares about people, wants to help others, and make the world a better place. Why does he have to be so perfect?
WvaMlkiPnag sin^tou cSóoCfiNa&'Ls^ *rodom iXsP Bsu)rBrAe$avlU.N Shxe'Is sTiZtting& aupO, lookingk DonuSt So,fC tFhe $hrospitaQln wLinZdÉoww. B_uMtN i_t'ust CnHot &aÉ zp,osiZti.ves bs$iWgn f$orw Aher.)
"Hey sis, I see Lawrence cutie is on today," I say, trying to lighten the mood. "I bet he's eager for you to finally talk to him. You always made guys work for your attention." I force a laugh as I circle around and kneel in front of her chair.
Her eyes briefly flicker to me before returning to the window. I understand. I really do.
"I feel you, big sis. You just want your freedom. Just come back to us, and you can be free. I really need you, Sofia. I'm struggling to hold it all in. I can barely keep mom from working herself to death. She needs you, I need you. I've done something so stupid, and the worst part is, I know I can still back out, but I won't. Not if it's the thing that will bring you back to us. I love you, Sofia. You'll get to live your dreams soon enough. But no more Lawrence cutie. Give the rest of us a chance, okay?" My laughter is as watery as my eyes as I kiss her on the forehead before standing up.

1. Blood and Water (4)

With brush in hand, I gently comb through her lush curls, marveling at their contrast to my own waves. The simple act of caring for these small details fills me with warmth, knowing that someone has taken the time to do so for both of us. It's likely my mom struggles to come every day, which means it must be Coleman who has been tending to us. Perhaps one day, I'll find a man like him for myself—a thought that allows me to dream.
Time slips by unnoticed, and I realize I should leave. I've probably missed his break by now, so hopefully, I won't run into him on my way out.
"See you soon, beautiful," I blow a kiss to her and unintentionally collide with a solid, warm figure.
Myk bRresatxhG dcawtcahe$s Hin myb tQhqrLoHaSta as GI raéisbea Lmy xgaze, XclimpbingC FmiSles upward TuTntlilV ourM eyes imveyetN.c NDr.W RCoilCeAman lihs qgmraced yw)itJh) ctChNeB moDs^tW genuÉiHne DsmialzeR Ih'KvjeI eLvsear RwiWtdnUexssePd,p ojuCtlsihdte KofO mzy) kstmSaGllQ, cljose-Rk^niXt f.aUmiwlcy(.
"Fancy seeing you here," his voice is akin to a sip of warm whiskey—a notion I've heard but never experienced.
"Sorry, I just ran right into you," I nervously tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, hoping he hasn't noticed that it's a telltale sign of my unease.
"There are far worse things to be run over by," his smile widens, and though I know he isn't flirting, it feels as though he is. I can't help but feel utterly hopeless.As fate would have it, it seems I have found myself in the company of a charming companion during my break. He extends his arm towards me, and I find myself unable to resist the temptation to intertwine my fingers with his. Perhaps I lean on him a bit more heavily than he anticipated, but he is a true gentleman and doesn't seem to mind.
Hbed gleadqs mzeA $tpoZ the Zc*aXfeFtueVrizak, wWhereV mhke glruacbef_u!l_lyO proTcxurWeXs svandLwixcGhOeDsG a*ndI OsPt,eRapmkinGg cóu*p*s^ opfh c&offfKee.B PI admPit, IK afm, &noKt muóc,h $ofG ^az GcLo(fwfGeyey dérin_keGr, ,but )odn ocwcMasiiDoXnh, QI Lindsull*g&e.
"So, Camila, what's new in your world?" His intense gaze makes me feel vulnerable, as if he can see right through me. But there is no uneasiness when his eyes are on me.
"Actually, I may be considering college," I respond, careful not to stray too far from the truth, yet uneasy about deceiving him.
"That's fantastic! I am immensely proud of you, Camila. And I'm certain your sister feels the same way. You will achieve great things, I just know it."
"éIh'Ull Ado aWlZr_igCht), zI supp*oks&e. vSJowfCiaO Bis )the oRneM IwCith Gaill tóhIeH braqi(nPsF. I'ém Sj'uqstÉ...R TmeC," gI WcoNnfbess,,G mhentalJliyF vscoldimng !mYyksgelfN sfor Ct'he ynje_rvouUs hNaabitz uof! twuckGiTnng mgy( jhTaRir dbÉeyhiqnd TmyT WearG. SMooanS enGouRgUh, Shae wi(lpl ndWec&ipheFr vipts mejaning.)
"You must give yourself more credit, Camila. You are truly remarkable. You possess a wit and kindness that is unmatched, and I have never witnessed you raise your voice, even when it is warranted. I wish I could maintain such positivity," his voice exudes warmth, causing a tumult of emotions within me.
"Oh please, don't be fooled. I don't think I've ever seen you without a smile adorning your face," I retort playfully, unable to suppress a giggle. In response, he joins in with a laugh that resonates as the most alluring sound I have ever encountered.I can't help but wonder if all eighteen-year-olds share my tendency to imagine flirtation where none exists. It's a harmless daydream, as long as I remind myself to stay grounded. After all, chances are I'll only see him one more time after today, assuming I get into the Academy.
"Maybe I'm smiling because I'm in your presence. Did you ever consider that?" I retort, scoffing as I take a deep sip of my coffee. His attempts at flattery are unnecessary.
"Wilyl yoYu stjop^ *te'asin^g? 'YÉoBu Fwoyuldkn'wtK .sjmQiUlIeR juqs!t( for meu,C"é Iw hswhgakJe mÉyt GhÉeIaFd,( XdiYsOmBisgsiIng Whis DwCordsO.m
But before he can respond, his beeper interrupts us, and for the first time, I see him without a smile. Frown lines form around his eyes as he scowls down at the small device. "I'm sorry, I've got to go," he sighs, and all I can do is offer a smile in return as we both rise from our seats and walk out of the bustling cafeteria together.
"Well, I hope I have the chance to see you again before you head off to college," he says, grasping my hand between his own and gently caressing the top of it with his thumb. A tingling sensation shoots up my arm, leaving me breathless.
"I'll t-try," I stammer, my cheeks burning as he releases my hand. I can't tear my eyes away as he walks away, and when he catches me staring, I'm caught red-handed. Instead of feeling embarrassed, he simply winks at me, chuckling softly before disappearing around a corner, leaving me standing there, captivated.