Page 20 of Missing

I followed her lead and closed my eyes, focusing on the lingering pain in my finger. I tapped into that warm, comforting sensation that radiated from my chest and allowed it to flow down my arm and into the tiny wound. In an instant, the pain dissipated and was replaced by a pleasant numbness.

"Damn, Harper!" Melody exclaimed, her grin stretching from ear to ear. "You've got some serious talent." Her hair shimmered in the sunlight, emphasising her excitement.

"How does it feel?" she asked eagerly.

"It feels... incredible," I admitted with a genuine smile spreading across my face. For once, I felt powerful, capable, and in control of my own life. Fear and anxiety were replaced with a sense of happiness and contentment that enveloped me.

"Welcome to the world of healing, my friend," Melody said proudly. "I have a feeling you're going to do great things."

"Thank you," I whispered, still in awe of my newfound abilities. As I looked around the room at my classmates practising their own healing powers, I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging – like I was exactly where I was meant to be. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Chapter 19

Harper Hillstrom

After class, Melody and I walked through the dimly lit hallways. My feet ached from all the standing and sitting we'd done today, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement for what lay ahead.

"Hey, Harper," Melody's voice was as sweet and soft as cotton candy. "Just wanted to let you know that I have different classes tomorrow. But I'll see you at breakfast and lunch anyways, so you can give me the lowdown on how they go."

"Sounds good," I replied, tucking a stray strand of my long black hair behind my ear.

"Do you want to have dinner together?" Melody asked, "We can either go to the dining hall or order something for the room."

"I had no idea we could order food to the room!" I exclaimed in shock. "What do you feel like doing?" I asked.

"Whatever you prefer," she said with a shrug of her petite shoulders. The gesture reminded me of a dainty bird flapping its wings - delicate yet graceful.

"Let's order in," I decided, my stomach growling at the thought of food. It had been a long day and I didn't have the energy to face another sea of supernatural creatures.

"Perfect," Melody agreed with a warm smile, her short blonde hair framing her face like a halo. She seemed to radiate kindness, which was a welcome change from the people I'd known in my past.

As we continued down the hallway, I couldn't help but feel grateful for her guidance in this strange, new world. It wasn't every day that someone like me - a girl with a messed-up past and an alcoholic mother - found herself surrounded by supernaturals and their customs.

"Thanks for helping me out today, Mel," I murmured as we approached my room. The door loomed large and heavy in front of us, a symbol of the unknown that now consumed my life.

"Of course," she said, squeezing my hand gently. "That's what friends are for, right?"

"Right," I agreed, my heart swelling with appreciation. It was nice to have someone on my side for once.

"See you at dinner, Harper," Melody said before disappearing down the hall.

"See you then," I called after her, my voice echoing through the empty corridor. With a deep breath, I pushed open the door to my room and entered the sanctuary that awaited me.

As soon as I shut the door, I heard the distinct click of Melody's bedroom door closing. It was impossible not to feel envious of her knack for fitting into this world of supernatural beings so seamlessly. If only I had grown up with some sort of understanding, maybe I wouldn't feel like such a foreigner among them.

With a sigh, grabbing my old, faded pyjamas from the hook on the door, I turn towards the bathroom and make my way inside. The warm steam envelops me as I step into the shower, and I can feel my muscles start to relax. As the water cascades down my body, I can't help but think about how amazing a bath would have been, but with Melody coming back soon, I don't want to keep her waiting. Lathering up my hair with the shampoo and conditioner provided, I take a moment to appreciate the luxurious products and wonder who pays for all of this. It's a question I'll have to ask Melody when she returns.

Stepping out of the shower, I quickly towel off and get dressed before settling onto the end of the bed to wait for Melody's arrival. As I sit there, my mind wanders to my growing pile of dirty clothes and how desperately I need to do laundry. Especially since I'm running low on underwear, I might need to hand-wash the 3 I brought.

"Knock, knock," came Melody's voice from the doorway just as my thoughts began to wander too far. She stood there, freshly showered and wearing the fluffiest purple pyjamas I'd ever seen. Her wet hair clung to her cheeks, giving her an innocent, almost ethereal look. "Ready for pizza?" Melody said holding the menu in her hand.

"Definitely," I grinned, my stomach growling at the thought of food. We ticked a large pepperoni pizza, extra cheese, and some garlic knots for good measure. I watched as the menu turned into our food, I sprawled out on the floor, letting the cool carpet soothe my aching muscles. The delicious smell of melted cheese and pepperoni filled the room, making my mouth water.

"Damn, that was one hell of a day," I muttered, staring up at the ceiling.

"The first day is always the hardest," Melody agreed, lying down beside me. "But hey, you survived, right?"

"Yep," I sighed, my mind still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions and events. It felt like I had been thrown headfirst into another dimension, and I wasn't quite sure how to navigate it all yet.

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