The Dream 1
It’s the nth time I’ve had the same dream, and I’m beyond frustrated. Who wouldn’t be, dreaming of a massive devil dragging you into hell, where there’s nothing but darkness and fire? .
Maybe my ancestors committed some colossal sin, and now I’m the one paying for it.
The evening light streams through my curtains as my mother barges into my room, her voice sharp and businesslike as always
Anna
Cai! You still sleeping like a pig? Cai! wake up!
Anna
We are going to your new school
Anna
And don’t do anything illegal out there. We can’t afford to switch you to another school again.
I roll my eyes, throwing myself back onto my bed.
Cairo
What do you mean, can’t afford?
Cairo
You’re literally the richest person in this district—not to mention, this is one of the wealthiest districts in the country.
She glares at me, unfazed. Mom’s a businesswoman, the kind who doesn’t just run empires—she commands them. She oversees the port, the very lifeline that connects this city to the rest of the world.
Of course, there’s the other side of her business too, the dealings with the “down world.” You know what I mean.
I’m not supposed to talk about it, but secrets don’t stay secret for long when you’re her kid.
She says, exasperated now,
Anna
This is the last time I’m warning you—no more killings.
Cairo
Come on, Ma. You’re knee-deep in this stuff. Why not let me join in?
Her face softens, but only slightly.
Anna
Because you’re thirteen, and you can’t just do things like this for fun.
I snap, crossing my arms.
Cairo
She wanted to hook up with me. I didn’t like her. She smelled like garbage.
Mom pinches the bridge of her nose.
Anna
Cai, for heaven’s sake, if you don’t like someone, just... disable them or something. I could’ve arranged for a transfer if you’d asked. But before we even get into that—what did you do to your driver?
Anna
Unbelievable. You want to drive yourself, I get it, but you’re thirteen. Thirteen, Cairo!
She throws her hands up in frustration.
Anna
“I don’t want to hear any more of your petty excuses. You already have seven murder cases under your name, not to mention the countless attempts. I can’t keep cleaning up your messes!”
Her words hang heavy in the air, but I couldn’t care less. The fire from my dream still smolders at the edges of my mind, fueling me.
Cairo
Where am I going this time? Not to Europe!
Anna
No, not to Europe, but somewhere else.
She says, her tone clipped.
I press, narrowing my eyes.
Anna
I can’t tell you. I don’t want you escaping from there.
And with that, she walks out of the room, her heels clicking against the floor like an executioner’s drumbeat.
Fine. It doesn’t matter. I’ll escape from wherever she sends me—like always. Months, maybe weeks. She should know by now I’m unstoppable.
I pull on a pair of cargo pants and head down to the basement, shirtless. I like being shirtless. No one’s opinion matters anyway.
Comes a cheery voice from the far corner.
I mutter without looking up. He’s always hovering, always trying too hard to be friendly. Mom’s right-hand man, her so-called most trusted. I tolerate him—because she does. But if they ever get married? I’m out of this house for good. I don’t need to witness their PDA on top of everything else.
Sebi
At least wash your face,
He says, still trying to sound like some kind of father figure.
Cairo
None of your business!
I yell back, glaring at him.
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