Chapter 1 1

28 September 2004

I am Elise, dreaming of a place that can make me happy. Like a bed made of soft feathers that feels incredibly comfortable, like a fish pond filled with fish, a spacious three-story house, a large swimming pool, and a good school. But it's all just a dream that will never come true because I was born into a poor family, and I have a two-year-old sibling. Both of my parents are busy working, and my mother says I have a grandmother who is an indigo and looks like a sorceress, but I've never met my grandmother because my mother says she often travels to another world.

"Elise, your father has some good news for you!"

It's unusual for my father to come home so early, he usually returns late at night with a pile of work. It's still midday, why not today?

I descended the stairs and approached my father, who was smiling happily, holding a small piece of paper in his hand.

"What does dad have there?"

"Dad won the lottery, and look, I got the grand prize!"

"What's the grand prize?" I asked.

"Dad won a luxurious mansion with many luxurious amenities inside."

I jumped with joy, I didn't ask how my father could win this lottery because it wasn't important. What mattered to me right now was that I could fulfill my dream by having a luxurious mansion with luxurious facilities.

"This is amazing!"

I jumped with joy and went to cook dinner, afterward, I would wait for my mother to come home from work.

"Mom, dad won the lottery!"

Mom smiled, but she didn't seem excited. She just responded with a smile and joined us at the dinner table to eat.

"We'll move tomorrow."

I was surprised to see my mother looking shocked when my father said that we would move to the mansion tomorrow.

"Do we have to move so quickly?"

"Mom, aren't you happy that dad won the lottery?"

Mom just smiled. "I'm happy, but isn't it too rushed to move tomorrow?" She continued to come up with excuses.

"But sooner is better."

Mom fell silent for a moment and then continued her dinner. I went back to feeding my little sibling dinner.

"Are they keeping something from me?" I could only wonder silently because I was too afraid they would hear me and blame me.

"What's wrong, Elise?"

I just smiled and shook my head when my father asked me. He seemed to be more aware of my strangeness, looking at both of my parents.

"Is there something that confuses you, Elise?"

I just smiled and nodded, even though it was quite clear I felt something odd about my parents.

"Okay, if you don't want to say, Elise."

"I have to continue my work in my room, thank you for dinner."

I didn't understand. Since my mother started working, she seemed more distant to me and my father, not like the mother she used to be.

"Elise, you have to finish your dinner."

I smiled and nodded, then finished my dinner.

"Does Mom actually not like us moving from this house?"

I walked to my mother's room, and I could hear the voices of what sounded like an adult man talking. They sounded like they were having a conversation.

"Does she have to work in her room? Why not in the living room, where it's more comfortable?"

I went into my room and lay down, closing my eyes.

Last night, I had a very restful sleep, which left me feeling refreshed in the morning. It was the most enjoyable sleep because I had a beautiful dream. I lived in the luxurious mansion that could grant all my wishes, and anything I desired was easily obtained because of the mansion.

"Elise, let's go."

I saw my mother already in the car, from her expression, it was clear she didn't want to leave our house.

"Mom, are you tired from working overnight?"

"No."

My mother answered my question briefly, making me sit silently in my father's old car, staring out at the beautiful mountain view. Our old house was far from the city center, but the mansion we were moving to now was in the heart of the city.

"We've arrived, Elise. Let's go."

Dad carried all our belongings from the car. I looked at my mother, who was still sitting in the car, staring straight ahead as if she didn't want to leave the vehicle.