A Useless Waste of Space

Lyra

Once I escape my mother's piercing gaze, I lock myself inside my bedroom. The heavy silence does nothing to calm my racing pulse. My hands shake as I dig into the pocket of my jeans. My fingers brush against the thick parchment, and I pull Torin's letter out. The dark ink and royal seal mock me in the dim light, a physical reminder of the nightmare chasing me.

Across the room sits my small