In the darkness

Sasha suddenly opened her eyes. It’s morning again… How she hated the “melody” of the alarm clock. Get up and go to school again… The girl froze and listened to the silence of the apartment. The father has already left for work. As always. He always left early and came late. But Sasha is already used to it, she’s used to everything. She got used to the fact that she grows up without a mother, that she has no other relatives except her father, and that this same father practically ignores her. - Well, it’s time to get up, — the girl grumbled and went to the kitchen. At the age of 15, she already knew how to cook, so making herself a sandwich and tea was not difficult for her. Having had breakfast, washed and dressed, Alexandra smoothed her luxurious chestnut curls and left the house. On the way, she thought about what bad things could await her at school. Test? Checking homework? Vaccinations? Yes, her childhood fear of vaccinations haunted her. It’s like I forgot something! Arriving at school, she went up to her office and sat down at her desk. Chemistry is Sasha’s least favorite subject. She often wondered “how can anyone love her?” And okay, it would be an ordinary lesson with a boring lecture, but no, today is a test! The classroom door slammed. A red-haired, freckled girl with brown eyes came in and plopped down on a chair next to Sasha. She immediately smiled. It was her best friend, Alena. So many pleasant memories were associated with this sweet girl! And Sasha couldn’t forget how they met… Lex moved to a new class, where she immediately encountered bullying from her classmates. It was then that Alena stood up for her. That day they became friends. — Did you bring our project? — the redhead suddenly asked. Sasha immediately widened her eyes. She completely forgot about the biology project! - I…I forgot, — she muttered. - What??? Now they’ll give us two marks! — Alena cried. She was an excellent student, and not passing the project, especially in biology, was her worst nightmare. The girl, almost crying, turned away from her friend. Great, Sanya, I quarreled with Alena! It was a lousy day. Alena boycotted Sasha and pretended that she did not exist. And in biology, by the way, the teacher said that the project could be done for the next lesson. Sasha walked home, frowning. Loneliness was unbearable for her. But she didn’t know how to communicate with people. Her only friend was Alena. Perhaps, of course, Alya was friends with her only out of pity. Although this was the girl’s pen, of course it was not. But Lex often had unpleasant thoughts. In moments of realizing this, Sasha was very jealous of Vika, the leader of the class — the one who never got bored. Her teachers love her and she has more than enough friends! Such thoughts also led to the loss of worry about the grade on the test. Returning home, the girl noticed the oppressive silence. But it has always been like this. Sasha got used to it. It was just a little too depressing today. And my father is gone again. But why again? He will come at 20:15, as always. But a feeling of loneliness overwhelmed the girl. Throwing her backpack into the corner, Sasha fell onto the bed. She acutely felt the need to at least talk to someone. But not the father. With one of my friends. She started looking through her contact book, and suddenly came across Lesha, her old friend. They had not communicated for a long time, since Lyosha moved to another school, but this was the only option. Quickly pressing the call button, she began to listen to the beeps. And what should I talk to him about? About the fact that I hate loneliness? About the fact that I need friends? They answered on the other end. - Hello! Why do you call? Something happened? — Lyosha tried to speak affably and carefree, but misunderstanding and excitement were evident in his voice. - Hello! Yes, I just wanted to talk. Am I not distracting you? If yes, then we’ll talk later… — Sasha got nervous. - No, no! We just haven’t talked for a long time. I thought something had happened. Why did you decide to talk to me? Do you have as few friends as before? Spit it out. — the voice began to sound understanding. It was calming. - I guessed it. I had a fight with my friend. And now I have no one to talk to. — Sasha decided to open up. Maybe Lyosha will help. - Oh… Do you want to meet? Let’s take a walk, chat… — so uncertainly. But it’s better this way. - Certainly! Will you come to my house? - Yes OK. I’ll be there in 20 minutes. Sasha pressed the reset button. What a good friend she still has! Immediately perking up, she went to get dressed. A girl in blue shorts and a T-shirt of the same color was sitting on a bench. Suddenly she raised her head and saw a handsome blue-eyed brunette in jeans and a black T-shirt. It was Alyosha. Sasha smiled and stood up to greet. The guys spent several hours in the city park, enjoying the beauty of the world around them and each other. Of course, friendly therapy had a good effect on the girl. She no longer felt so alone. But upon entering the apartment, this feeling surged again. But not like during the day. You can live. There are three hours left before my father arrives. Enough time for homework. 19:00 Sasha was sitting in the kitchen having dinner. Rice with vegetables. Trite. Not particularly nutritious, but for some reason I lost my appetite. 20:00 The girl stood at the stove and fried a steak and potatoes for her father. He should have arrived soon. 20:30 He never came. But Sasha wasn’t particularly worried. He could have been detained. Happens. 22:00 Father still hasn’t come. This was already a cause for concern. Well, maybe it was too late. 23:00 The girl was lying on the bed, but not yet asleep. Suddenly memories came flooding back. Sasha didn’t understand where she remembered some moments from; she was still very young then. Scenes flashed before my eyes… Sasha is seven months old. She is with her parents in the park. They are laughing. Mom laughs. She was so beautiful… She often called Sasha Lexa and Lexi. Since then, the girl herself often called herself that. The little girl looks at them and laughs too. Mom throws dad onto the grass and tickles him. It was summer, the clearing was strewn with flowers. Mom weaves a wreath of daisies and places it on the baby’s head. Sasha is one year old. Dark. Dad fearfully calls mom by name. Having found her lifeless body, he, crying, kneels and hugs his wife to his chest. Funeral. Everything is in black. The coffin is lowered into the ground. A few people. Flowers. Wreath of daisies. Dad is crying. But then he was still himself. Sasha is three. She is bored. The baby runs into the next room. She invites dad to go for a walk, but he sits on the bed and looks somewhere at the wall with an empty gaze. He already became… like that. I didn’t want any more memories, but they continued… Sasha is six. First of September. Everything is in white. Everyone laughs, and Sasha laughs. Only in her heart she cries. Her father didn’t come. She dressed herself, made her own ponytails, came here herself. She was already used to it then. When she came home then, her green eyes filled with tears. Sasha is thirteen. She won her first Olympics. Mathematics. The victory was difficult for her; there were many rivals. But her father did not congratulate her. He didn’t even pay attention to it. Then the girl cried a lot and screamed so much that the neighbors were probably scared. And suddenly a dark picture. It soon gave way to a white room. Sasha looked around. No windows, no doors, no bed, no sofa, no closets of any kind, in general, it doesn’t look like a traditional room. In the center there was a small table with two chairs. The girl’s mother was sitting on one of them. Sasha always wondered how she knew what she looked like if she had never seen her, only in her early childhood, and there were no photographs of her left? But this is not the most important thing. Such dreams sometimes happened when Sasha was completely alone. Then they talked all night long until the girl woke up from the alarm clock. This is what therapy is like. But mom was always so joyful and friendly, but today she’s kind of gloomy… Sasha sat down on an empty chair and looked her interlocutor in the eyes. She always knew how to determine a person’s mood by his eyes and voice. Mom’s eyes were kind of sad. Maybe something happened? But what could happen to her? - Lexi, you turn 16 tomorrow, do you remember? — Mom put her hands on Sasha’s arms. She spoke softly and insinuatingly, but her gaze remained sad. And Sasha forgot that tomorrow is her birthday. And she will already be 16 years old. Almost an adult now. - I forgot. So many things to do… A test, a project, I had a fight with Alena… - Nothing. I have a serious conversation with you. — Mom frowned again. - I’m listening to you, — Lex frowned, not understanding what her mother wanted to tell her. - Tomorrow you will go to your home world. — You noticed that you are not like everyone else… you are Ori. - What? What are you talking about? Does this mean I’m from another world? I am different? From Mars or what? What does Ori mean? I’m an ordinary girl! — Sasha was completely at a loss. Fortunately, my mother did not hesitate to answer. - No, not from Mars. But you really are from another world. It’s called Iorun. It is full of magic, but the people there are of inferior status, so to save you from death, I hid you in this world. Our people rebelled, but many of us were killed, and people like you, Ori, began to be persecuted and destroyed. Powerful magic is hidden within you, and as soon as you cross the border of our world, they will manifest themselves. You can control the power of the earth, Lex. Soon you will be able to experience it in practice. - But… but why should I return to this world? I don’t know anything about him… I don’t feel bad here either… — Sasha immediately caught herself at her word. Badly. Maybe it will be better in another world? Mom’s words were alarming. — How do I get there? What will I have to do? How will my power manifest itself? Will anyone help me? Will you be around? - You’ll wake up and you’ll already be there. — Your task is to save humanity from oppression. As for strength, you’ll soon figure it out on your own. You will find friends on the road, but I will not be able to help you in any way. I can only contact you while you are in this world. Sorry. -Who is “oppressing” him? - As I said, this world is magical. There are many fantastic creatures here. Well, for your world they are fantastic… And they are not very friendly towards people. But the most terrible creatures of our world are the rulers, the dark magicians. They have destructive power and hate people. Of course, some members of royal families are not evil at all. But anger was passed down to them for many generations. YOU can free humanity. You have enough strength. - But how do I know what exactly to do? - Some of the information you will know when you wake up, but some you will have to get yourself. - Okay… Can I still ask you a little question? - Certainly. What do you want to know? - Who is my father? — Sasha has already begun to doubt whether she has ever lived in a REAL family? - He is not your real father. He and I got married already in this world. But I loved him, and he loved me. - Who killed you? - Kosuun. He is one of the modern city rulers. Dark magician. He knew that you were my daughter, so he decided to kill us when you were still a baby. But your adoptive father saved you. He was an ordinary person, devoid of influence and power in this world. But he was in the right place at the right time. Suddenly the room began to disappear. Hum. At first it was almost unnoticeable, but gradually grew, eventually becoming simply unbearable.