The Devils' Blood

RED

 All I could see was red. 

Blood was all around me as I screamed in agony, praying to every god I knew about or had heard of, but none of them came. I could feel each cut slowly being guided down my body by the now dulled blade that the man covered in red used to open me up. “I wanted to see how quickly you could heal! But this! This ability is extraordinary, nothing like I’ve ever seen! I could make fortunes out of you!” The man in the white coat, covered in my blood, said as he drew more of my blood and put it into test tubes, like the pints he took earlier weren't enough. I could feel my blood in the tubes, buckets, the coat he wore, and all around me.

The thickness of the blood clots began to form as my body subconsciously attempted to stitch myself back together before he could cut into me once more. Sleepy. The man in the red-dyed coat had blindfolded me, more for him than me. He didn’t want to look me in the eyes as he cut up his ten-year-old daughter. But even with the blindfold, I could still see.

RED 

RED

RED 

I could see through that vast ocean of red almost as if it was a red glass-paned window. As I looked through the red, I looked at what my father did with my blood; the way he looked at it sent chills up my spine as he had just seen a path to fortune through it. My blood was everywhere in the White room. He had cut an artery at some point, and when I didn’t clot fast enough, it sprayed all over the padded room. My room. Covered in red. 

“Kathy darling,” my whole body froze as my father called my name like he hadn’t just used me as an experiment for his so-called science,

 “Kathy, I want you to learn how to heal another person. Healing yourself is working just fine, well more than fine, but I’m sure you can do more with that gift of yours.”

 I was still tied to the metal table in the middle of the White room and tried to tug out of my restraints, but it was of no use. Hurts. “Kathy, you’ve lost too much blood, and I’m going to keep it that way. I don’t want you trying to run from me. Now that wouldn’t be useful!” 

“I don’t know how I heal myself, Daddy! Please just let me go! I want to be with Mommy! I’ll be a good girl, I promise.” 

“Katherine!” Father yelled, making my blood go cold, “I will not have any useless chatter from you. You have an amazing gift, sweetie, and you just need to use it properly.” 

“I don’t know how my body just does it on its own!” I was speaking the truth, but father didn’t like that. 

After the sentence left my dry lips, he took another scalpel and ran it down my thigh, bringing the blade so deep it felt like he hit bone. I screamed and screamed, but no one could hear me in this padded room.

 “I don't care if you don’t know-how. You will learn and do it, or I’ll keep hurting you, Kathy. Now we both don’t want that, do we, Katherine?”

 “Don’t want” is a lie. My father had the same smile he wore when he beat my mother, the same smile when he put her in the hospital for “falling down the steps,” as he explained to the nurses. He’s a sick man, and he knows it. But the chance to stop being cut into tiny pieces made me have hope, hope to escape this endless cycle of pain and blood loss, and to help my mother. If I could end that? I didn’t care what I had to learn. 

“I will do it, daddy, and when I learn, you’ll stop hurting mommy?” 

“There’s my girl! My Kathy! If you learn how to heal others using your abilities, then yes! Mommys’ pain will end!” 

I don’t know what made him believable, but I was hopeful and willing to do anything to stop my mother and myself from getting hurt by my father anymore. Sad. Pain. Lonely. Mommy. Those words were the only thing that ran through my mind as I was getting chopped up. 

Soon after my body had healed, my father started running tests with my power. First, it began with the animals. He went to shelters to “rescue” animals that were abandoned or lost and would claim that they were his. He had changed my room to the basement and had chains to keep any dog or cat he brought back with him. “At least I'm out of the White room,” was the only thought I had when getting put in the cold and wet basement.  I still hadn't seen my mother since getting out of the white room, but my father said I could see her when I learned about my power. 

Father put a cat in front of me as soon as I woke up. “Kathy, I want you to heal this precious kitty cat. You like cats, don't you?”

“I do like kitties, but I don't see anything wrong with her. Daddy?” 

“Oh goodness! You’re right. There is nothing wrong with her.”

Before I could say anything else, father took out his scalpel and cut into the little black and white cat. The smell of animal blood was different from my own. Disgusting. The man had taken a part of me when he stabbed the cat. The part he took flowed away like the cats’ blood did from its body. He turned to me with a smile and said two words, “Heal it.” I was in shock. I couldn't move, and my blood froze in my body as I began to see black. A sharp flash of heat went over my cheek, and my father struck me.

“Didn’t you hear me bitch. Heal the fucking cat.” The man waved the dying cat in front of me, smearing blood on the floor beside me.

“i - i I don't-”

Another strike on the same cheek, this time splitting my lip in the process. “It’s not up to you, do you understand me? I talk, and you obey what I say. Simple. Now heal this useless cat before it bleeds to death. You don't have a cat murder on your hands, right?”

He put the nearly dead cat in my hands and just watched me as I closed my eyes and tried to stop my tears from flowing. The cat was soaked in its blood. Its’ breathing was so shallow the only way I could tell it was alive was the movement of her chest. It’s my fault. The mere minutes that passed felt like hours when all I could do was hold the cat, which had stopped breathing, in my arms tightly. My father soon noticed the cat had stopped breathing and took her out of my arms and discarded its corpse. I felt the cat's blood slowly go cold as it went to my hand, like a magnet. When the man came back in, I quickly put the blood hand on the floor, smearing it around so he wouldn’t notice. There was so much blood already: how could he? 

“We will do the same tomorrow, and I expect results this time. Do not become a failure like your mommy. No more of this. You will do as you’re told. Once more, Do you understand me?”

All I could think of was the cat that died in my arms. Her soft black and white fur was covered in sticky warm blood. Her soft whimpering and wheezing as she hung on to the last bits of life she had left. I wondered what her name was if she had an owner before she was butchered. How old was this cat? She seemed too small to be full grown. Hate flowed through me and was pointed at the man who had done it to her. I felt my blood boil as I kept thinking of the kitten who had just lost her life because I didn't know how to use my ability. 

“Another hit went across my cheek, not hot this time, just lukewarm compared to the boil I had inside. “You will answer when spoken to. God, you're just like your mother. Stupid.”

“I’m sorry, daddy.”

“No, Kathy. You will be sorry for all the poor animals that have to die because of your uselessness.” Now get on the table. We have more tests to run.”

I got back on the metal table, back to being unable to move. All my mind knew to do was obey, and from that point on, that's all I could do. No more saying no to the man I called father, or things would only get worse for the animals he stole and me. The man in red was now getting impatient; he was sick and knew he didn't have long left to live. Cancer. Fitting for something like him. He had gone through chemotherapy, but nothing seemed to work. He was given two years left to live with his family that he had already broken apart. The man was desperate for a cure, and when he found my power, he was not letting me get away. He had taken his beating too far one day, and mother was on the floor unconscious. I had laid over her to take some of the blows fathers' heavy kicks were giving. I could feel the pain of each kick and remember feeling warm. 

That's when the kicks stopped. It had been only a moment, but then another kick came to my face. One had kicked hard enough to rip open my cheek. That's when he saw my ability take place. I had healed myself from each blow he had given. Soon after discovering my abilities, the man put me into the white room. I was five at the time. The white room had nothing but a mattress and a blanket. The White room was to be mothers' room when she misbehaved but soon got pregnant with me and needed to have many hospital visits. The man was finally happy my mother wasn’t useless anymore and could have a child. She lost her usefulness when I was born a girl. However, unlike my mother, I had something valuable to him, and he would never let it escape. 

He was always too afraid to cut into me until one day in December, nine days before my birthday, something in him snapped when he came back from the doctors. The first time he strapped me onto the metal table, he began taking chunks out of me. Day by day, I could feel him getting angrier when I showed only signs of healing myself.

This is what leads us to the animals. When the man would bring more animals in front of me, I didn’t quiver at the sight of their blood anymore. I was drawn to it instead. I could feel it all around the outside of the basement and not just in my own body. I was getting stronger, and I loved it. But I hated the man who made me love it. Then after months of just being able to close minor wounds on the animals but not heal them on the inside, the man decided to move up to bigger animals. 

It was the start of an Alaskan summer when the man brought in my mother. Her screams are what woke me up.

“Mommy?”

“Oh, good! You’re awake! I have a little surprise for you.”

The man dragged my mother by her hair into the cold and wet basement as she continued to scream from the way he was ripping out her hair. The man then chained her to the wall where he had previously put the cats and dogs. The blood had dried over, leaving only brown and the dense smell of animal feces in the air. The man didn’t bother to clean up, “It would only get dirty again. No use in cleaning,” is what he said. 

“MOMMY!”

“My baby.” My mother's voice was weak and tired, barely able to muster up another word as all the screaming had left her throat raw.

“Alright, Katherine, we’re doing another test today. But this time, mommy is going to be the one getting healed today.”

“Daddy told me he wouldn’t hurt mommy if I learned how to use my powers more.”

“I know I know Kathy, but mommy was trying to run away from daddy and leave you. So daddy had to teach her a lesson.”

My mother's head was bleeding heavily, and she was losing blood fast. She had cracked her skull open, and she wasn’t going to last long, but the man knew that already. He had made sure I wouldn’t hold back if it were someone I cared about, and so he hurt her more. I could feel my mother's blood spill onto the floor as she slowly began to slump off the wall. 

“Katherine.” The man said as he held his hand toward my mother, gesturing that it was my turn to help heal her.

“I haven’t healed anyone else before, and I was only able to heal the animal's skin, but they bled from the inside. I can’t help mommy. She needs a doctor's help, daddy.”

“You know better than to tell me what you can’t do. Now show me what you can do. If you don’t do this, Katherine, your only mommy, will die, and you don't want that. Isn’t that right, Kathy?” 

I slowly nodded as tears rolled down my face. I slowly scooted towards my mother and let her head rest on my shoulder. 

“My baby, my poor baby.”

“It’s okay, mommy I’m going to help you.” 

I put my hands on her head, letting my hands see into her skull, and felt the blood running down from the small crack in her skull. I tried to focus on what my body naturally did and imagined using my blood to stitch her back together, but it wasn’t working. I couldn’t clot the blood in her head as I did with my body; I could only absorb her blood through the cuts on my hand. Unlike animal blood, my mothers' blood went inside the scratches on my hand rather than just pooling in it.

“Daddy? I can’t. Mommy is losing too much blood.”

“Oh, for fucks sake.” My father said as he ripped me from her arms. “I thought using your mother as motivation would get you somewhere, but clearly, I was wrong.” My father had thrown me hard to the left of the room and kicked my spine. The kick made a pop sound escape my spine, and I couldn’t move for a few minutes as I watched my father unchain my mother. After she was unchained, her body slumped to the floor as more blood left the back of her head.

“Things didn’t have to be this way, you know. If you knew how to use your power better, then I wouldn’t have had to hurt mommy like this. It is a shame you couldn’t have learned faster.” 

My father began kicking my mother as I screamed, still unable to move from the kick he gave me. “Please stop, daddy!” I yelled and screamed as my mother's body didn’t even twitch as she was getting beaten. I could feel the blood in her heart start to slow down in movement as her heart was failing. With one final kick to her head, all the tension in my mother's body relaxed, and her heart stopped pumping blood. My body was healed in her last moments, but I still couldn’t move. The only person who loved me had vanished, and all that remained was her blood. 

I could feel something in me snap like a string on a guitar. My blood boiled in my veins as I watched more blood pool around my mother's head. I called the blood, making it move toward me and soak into my hands. My father watched as I absorbed her blood and began to stand.

“When did you learn that? Could you do this the whole time?” As more blood climbed into my veins, my father watched in awe, and I raised a hand toward him. 

“What are you doing, Kathy? Do you think you can hurt me?” 

The cuts on my hand didn’t close as I shaped the blood into a scalpel, just like the ones he had used to cut me open again and again until my body was exhausted from the amount of blood I had lost and passed out. 

“How the hell did you do that? Kathy? Answer me, KATHRINE.”

I had no answer for him as I walked toward him. He tried to push me back away from him as I got too close, but the moment he touched my skin, he screamed, recoiling from my skin. The heat of my blood had burned him the moment he touched me. More blood came out of me and began to wrap around his neck, arms, and legs as he screamed from the heat of my blood coiling in strings around him. 

“You little bitch! Let me go now. I’m going to fucking kill you for this!” The man screamed at me, but I could hear his voice anymore. I could only hear the blood rushing in the man’s body. I took the blood scalpel and brought it to the man’s face, bringing the blade down to release the blood that was rushing through his body. Blood. I wanted it. I needed the power it gave me to hold this man down and cut him into pieces as he did to me. One cut after the other, I let more red cover the man’s face until more cuts appeared on their own all over his body, the blood pooling around my body ready to be absorbed, but I wanted nothing to do with this blood. It was dirty. Instead, I let the blood flow back into his body, playing with its movement, letting it go up and down, rushing through him as he couldn't form words, only noises, and screams as he felt what I was doing to him. 

After an hour of showing this man a fraction of what he did to me, I opened more cuts on his body, pulling the blood out painfully slowly from every pierce in his body as he slumped and twitched as he watched the blood leaving his body. I could hear a whimper come from his mouth as I pulled the last few pints left from him. The man who had taken my mother, my childhood, and my happiness was fading from this world. He would no longer exist in a world where I was. And I felt nothing as I couldn’t pull any more blood from his useless body.

I was covered in the dead man’s blood. All I could see was my mother's face as I left the basement and went into the central part of the house. I was cold and could feel anything other than tiredness. My body was malnourished and sick over the years it spent putting up with the abuse the dead man put me through, and I was tired. I went out the front door and began walking down the street. Even though it was already May and getting warm in other states, it was freezing in Alaska. I heard a scream when I passed our neighbors' house. I didn't know how long I had been walking, but it must've been a while. We lived on a plot of land where the closest neighbors were a fifteen-minute car ride away. But as soon as I saw her, I felt the ground on my face, and sleep consumed me.

“Kat? Hello? Earth to Kat??”

I blinked a few times, shaking myself out of the thoughts that had taken over. “Oh, sorry. I was thinking.”

“No, you’re fine. I was just worried. You had an awful look on your face. Would you like to tell me about what you were thinking?”

I hesitated for a moment, feeling the familiar tension rise in my chest. “I was thinking about my father, if you could even call that thing a father.”

“I see,” Amie responded softly. “I’ve read through your file and the police reports, but you’ve never really talked about him in detail before. Why were you thinking of him? Would you like to talk about the incident?”

I swallowed hard, trying to push the memories away, but they seemed to have a mind of their own. “I don’t like to talk about the incident. Not about that man anymore. I want to forget him entirely.”

“And that is completely fine,” Amie said gently, her voice full of understanding. “Remember, I only want you to talk about what you want to talk about, and if what you want to talk about is completely random, then so be it. You don’t have to push yourself, especially if those memories are painful.”

“It happened fifteen years ago,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “and I still can’t stand the color red. Also, too much white makes me sick to my stomach.” Only being able to remember what happened had always been my curse. I couldn't show the scars I had felt but I wasn't about to tell Amie that.

“Yes, but you’ve improved. I know you have.” Amie’s tone was warm, encouraging. “Just yesterday, when I brought you coffee in a red mug, you didn’t mind holding it. And you told me when you went shopping on Father’s Day, you didn’t panic when seeing little girls walking with men who looked like your father.”

“I know I have been improving over the years,” I admitted, though it wasn’t easy to say. “But I still have a long way to go before I can call myself ‘better’.”

“Kat, we all process trauma differently,” she said softly, her voice filled with patience. “Sometimes it takes longer to accept that we’re getting better, but I truly believe you are. You got through veterinary school, didn’t you? And anytime you thought the classes were too much, you came and talked to me about it. You reached out for help, and that’s a big step for anyone. You said it yourself, ‘I can be strong; it just takes me longer than it does for others,’ and I agreed with you because it’s okay to be weak, Kat. I just think you’re in denial, and you don’t consider yourself healed because you’re scared.”

“What do you mean, scared?” I asked, a frown tugging at my lips. “What do I have to be scared of?”

“You’re moving, Kat,” Amie said quietly. “Changing places, friends, and apartments can be scary when you’re not ready to leave them behind.”

“So, you figured out about the big move, huh?” I asked with a nervous laugh, trying to downplay my emotions.

“Of course I did. Are you kidding?” Amie responded with a small chuckle. “Did my aunt tell you?”

“Who else?” I sighed, a little more relaxed. “Melanie and I have been friends for thirty-nine years. It’s hard to keep her mouth shut when she’s excited about something. She’s happy for you, by the way. She’s glad you could make this decision on your own.”

“Well, I couldn’t live with her forever,” I said, my voice a little quieter. “Even though if I asked, she’d definitely let me stay there until she passed away. But I didn’t want to be a burden to her anymore. She needs to save money and spend it on her kids, not my therapy.”

“You know she only wants you to get the best care for yourself, and who else can do that for you but her best friend?” Amie said, her voice soft but firm. “Plus, you’re not a burden to her. You never were. She loves you like a daughter, don’t you know?”

“Yeah, I do,” I said, my throat tight. “I love Mel too. And I’m grateful for everything she’s done and helped me with. When she came all the way from Maine to Alaska, I thought I was seeing my mom again. But she had blue eyes, and mom had my hazel eyes. Although she was only 29 when she took me in, she made me feel normal and loved. That’s all I could’ve ever asked from her, and she gave it unconditionally. So yeah, maybe I am scared to leave her and go to a brand new state where I don’t know anyone.”

“Melanie would understand if you needed another year to stay with her,” Amie said, her voice gentle. “I’m pretty sure she’s scared to let you leave too. She’s grown so used to having you with her in the house, and your cousins would miss you too.”

“Yeah, I know,” I said, swallowing hard. “I’m going to miss everyone too, especially Jenny and Nathan; they’re like my siblings. I hate to leave them, but this is what I need. I want to be in a city where no one knows me and where people won’t walk on eggshells, afraid to make me upset when they get a paper cut. I’m doing a lot better about seeing blood. I’m not afraid to stitch up the animals at work. It makes me happy that I can help them.”

“Kat…” Amie’s voice cracked with emotion. “That’s amazing. You’re amazing. I’ve seen you grow into a beautiful, smart, and talented woman these last years. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you, Amie,” I said, my heart swelling with emotion. “Not just for the compliments, but for helping me cope with everything that happened when I was a little girl. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be where I am or doing what I do today. I still would’ve been stuck in my head.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Amie whispered, her voice full of love. “All I did was explain that you were stronger than you believed and that nothing that happened was your fault. You were strong as a child, and you are even stronger now that you’re an adult.”

“Amie, you’re more than just a therapist to me,” I said, my voice breaking. “Just like Aunt Mel is more than just an aunt. I see you both as role models, as mother figures. You both did your fair share of raising me, and so I thank you. I love you so much, Aunt Amie.”

Amie’s small, warm frame trembled slightly as she hugged me tightly. Her brown hair was soft against my cheek, and I could feel her tears as they soaked into my shirt. She had been there for me when I needed her most, just as Melanie had, and I would never be able to repay them for their love and care.

“Oh god, Amie, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you cry!” I pulled back slightly, wiping at her cheeks as my own tears started to spill. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“I’m sorry, Kat,” she whispered through her tears, her voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t mean to start crying. But knowing that I could help you over the years… it just makes me so happy. And I love you so much too. Both Mel and I do. Thanking you for coming into our lives, Kat, we wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

We both broke down in each other’s arms, tears flowing freely as we held each other tightly. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the family I had—one that loved me, supported me, and would miss me when I left. It was bittersweet, but I knew it was time to take that next step, even if I didn’t feel entirely ready. 

After a few minutes of crying and wiping away the remnants of Amie’s mascara, we finally settled into our chairs. The space was small, but it felt cozy in a way that made me feel safe. Amie had done a great job transforming her office into a sanctuary, with warm colors on the walls and cute succulents lining the shelves. The two big gray chairs, worn from years of use but still comfortable, had been a gift from Amie nine years ago when I complained about the discomfort of the original ones. I would always curl up in one, sitting with my legs tucked underneath me, letting my feet hang off the sides. Amie never minded how I sat; her focus was always on me feeling comfortable. She always made me feel cared for, just like Mel did.

Once Amie had wiped the last traces of mascara from her face, she reached for a plain envelope sitting on her desk and handed it to me.

“What’s this?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, trying to fight the tears that still threatened to fall.

“Open it, and you’ll see,” Amie said with a mischievous grin.

Curious, I tore open the envelope, pulling out what seemed like stacks of hundred-dollar bills. My heart dropped.

“Amie? I can’t take this! I don’t want to take your money!”

She waved me off, chuckling softly. “Of course you can, silly. It’s not just my money. It’s from me, Mel, and the girls at the vet’s office. We’ve been saving since you told us you wanted to become a veterinarian. We thought it’d help with college, but then you went and got that full scholarship without taking on any debt. So we kept saving until you were ready for the next step. When you’re ready to move out on your own, this will be here for you.”

I stared at the money, overwhelmed by their kindness. But before I could respond, I heard a knock on the door.

“Can we come in, Amie?” a voice called softly from the hallway.

“Yeah, come in!” Amie called, wiping her eyes and glancing toward the door.

The door opened, and in walked Mel—tall, dark-haired, and with a smile that could light up a room.

“What are you doing here, Aunt Mel? I thought you were working today,” I said, surprised.

“Well, I got off early to be with you!” Melanie’s cheerful voice filled the room, as always. She was the sun in our family, and I had always felt like a plant that had been kept in the shadows for too long until she and Amie brought me into the light.

“Is something going on today?” I asked, a little confused. “Did we make plans I don’t know about?”

“Oh my God, Kat! Don’t tell me you forgot!” Mel exclaimed, her eyes wide with exaggerated disbelief.

“Forgot what?” I asked, utterly lost.

Amie stood up and grabbed a lavender and white cake, decorated with the words Happy 25th Birthday, Kat! written in cheerful letters on top.

“It’s three weeks until your birthday!” Amie grinned, proudly holding up the cake. “We figured since you’ll be in New York after Christmas, we could just celebrate early. That way, all your presents could arrive at your apartment before you do, and you can open them on your actual birthday.”

“And maybe even before that,” Jenny piped in, “since New York is still dealing with the aftermath of the alien attack.”

“Exactly!” Amie laughed. “Who knows when you’d get your mail. We’re just glad we had your furniture sent out already along with the gifts.”

I gaped at them. “You did what now?! I told you I didn’t want you spending money on me, especially not when I saw all those Christmas presents under the tree with my name on them!”

“Yeah, well, trying to convince Aunt Amie to not buy you everything was the real challenge,” Nate said, giving Amie a playful side-eye.

“I had to stop her from buying you a whole new wardrobe,” Jenny added, crossing her arms. “You should’ve seen her cart—full of shoes and clothes.”

“Shut it, kids,” Mel said, swiping the cake from Amie’s hands and putting candles on it. “We wanted to do something special after all those years you refused to let us get you anything.”

“I didn’t refuse!” I protested. “I just didn’t want you spending money on things I didn’t need.”

“Yeah, but growing out of shoes and clothes doesn’t count as a present, Kat,” Mel shot back with a smirk.

“What about food?” I argued.

“That doesn’t count either!” Mel insisted, laughing as she set the cake down on the desk. “We’re spoiling you now, and you’re going to have to deal with it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I muttered, though I couldn’t help but smile.

There was no winning when it came to Mel and Amie and their gift-giving. They both loved shopping for others, and while I hated accepting their generosity, it was impossible not to feel the love behind every gift.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “I love you all so much. I’m going to miss you when I’m in New York, but at least I won’t have to drive Nate and Jenny to school anymore.” I said playfully knowing full well I loved driving these little gremlins.

“Hey!” Nate objected. “You loved those car rides with us. How else would you have discovered the best music?”

“Maybe the best, maybe the worst,” I teased, grinning as Nate huffed.

“Hey, at least my music was good,” he retorted.

“I’m not saying anything,” Jenny chimed in. “We always cranked the volume and Kat never once complained.”

“True,” I said, raising my hands in surrender. “But you’re both so loud, sometimes my ears were ringing for hours after.”

“Alright, alright, that’s enough,” Mel said, cutting in before the teasing could escalate. She picked up the pink Zippo lighter and lit the candles. “Let’s start this birthday celebration!”

As the room filled with the sound of Happy Birthday being sung, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming wave of gratitude. When the song ended, I blew out the candles, my heart full of wishes. And this time, I wished for something simple: that no matter where life took me, my family would always be safe and happy.

“So, what did you wish for?” Nate asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Probably that she’d grow a few more inches,” Jenny teased.

“I’m not saying a word,” I said, grinning as I turned away. “You’re not supposed to tell your wish or it won’t come true.”

The rest of the day passed with too much cake, laughter, and teasing, especially aimed at Nate, who had perfected the art of a comeback. Jenny couldn’t resist poking fun at him, but if anyone else dared to make fun of her twins, they’d quickly find themselves on the receiving end of Mel’s fiery protective streak. Together, the twins were a force, and even though I hated the thought of leaving them behind, I knew that my future in New York was something I had to face head-on.

Christmas was approaching in the blink of an eye. With only two days left before I left for New York, Mel, Nate, and Jenny made sure I had everything packed. Mel couldn’t stop checking that I had my records and the right clothes, while Amie, who had long ago mastered the art of packing, made sure everything was in order. They wanted to make sure I was prepared for everything. As for me, I was trying to keep my excitement in check, but the nerves were creeping in too.

It was finally December 30th, time for me to head to the airport. Mel had woken everyone up at five in the morning, even though it only took an hour to get to the airport from the house. My flight was scheduled to leave at nine, but Mel figured she would get all of us up to spend more time together before I wouldn’t see them for months. I didn’t mind waking up early, though; I could sleep on the plane if I wanted to.

The car ride was loud as Jenny and Nate fought over who would play which song next. The air was charged with the kind of energy that only the twins seemed capable of creating in the mornings—they were always so lively, so full of early-morning enthusiasm. It felt like the rest of us, me included, were just trying to catch up. Amie, though, was already sinking into that tired, patient silence she always wore when they got too much. I could tell she was getting more and more irritated at the twins’ antics, and apparently, so could they, because they suddenly quieted down when Amie shot them a side-eye glare from the driver’s seat.

The ride to the airport felt like hours were going by. I couldn’t wait to start my new life, but at the same time, I was more nervous than I had ever been to leave my family behind. They had raised me, cared for me, given me so much after everything I had lost. They filled the hole in my heart with love, joy, and warmth, where my father had only made me feel numbness and rage. It was hard to imagine being without them, even for just a few months.

“We’re ten minutes away, guys. Make sure when we get there to grab all of Kat’s things,” Mel said, her voice full of the urgency that always accompanied her when she was on a mission, like when she was trying to wrangle the family together.

“She didn’t even bring that much stuff,” Nate said, rolling his eyes. His irritation was obvious—he still wasn’t over the fact that Amie had turned his favorite song off.

“Well, yeah, she doesn’t even need that much. Aunt Amie and Mom had all of her new clothes and furniture shipped a few days ago. You’d know that if you would pay attention for once,” Jenny said, elbowing her brother in the side.

“It’s not like I didn’t know. I just figured she’d take more than a backpack and a tote bag,” Nate replied, poking back at his sister, making her flinch when he touched her side. She was super ticklish, and Nate loved to exploit that fact whenever he could.

“Well, I didn’t want to have to put a lot of my stuff in a taxi cab when I already have all of it at the apartment. Plus, what if someone tries to steal my stuff? Crime is apparently on the rise, or at least that’s what the online news article says,” I said, hoping to defuse their bickering.

“Why would you want to move to a place called Hell’s Kitchen? That alone makes it sound ominous,” Jenny said while reaching for my phone, clearly trying to distract herself from the fight with Nate. She glanced at the article I’d pulled up earlier.

“Its’ name isn’t ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ that’s just a nickname used by the people who grew up there, I guess. And I think it makes it sound pretty cool.”

“What she means to say is that this Hell’s Kitchen place was the only city that had rent low enough so she could rent out a bigger apartment for her vet practice and still be able to live with some cash in her pocket,” Amie said as she expertly steered us into the crowded airport parking lot, her tone matter-of-fact as always.

“Well, with all the money we saved up for Kat, you could probably get a bigger office space rented, so the animals you care for don’t have to be right behind you at all times,” Mel added, pushing us to hurry and get out of the car.

“I don’t think I’ll be spending all the money anytime soon. I want to start this practice to eventually get a better office space with my own money. Plus, with a startup like mine, I wouldn’t want to get too in-over my head. Small and cozy is nice,” I replied, trying to reassure them.

“Yeah, you say that, but just wait until you have more than one big dog, and you’re pushed up against the wall trying to treat them,” Nate joked as he grabbed my tote bag and started heading toward the airport entrance.

“I already had to do that when I was interning at the vet’s office in my senior year of high school. I don’t think I’ll be too worried about that anymore. Plus, the space is a little bigger than what the pictures had to offer,” I said, trying to calm their concerns.

“Sure they are,” Jenny said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. I could hear the hint of a smile in her voice, though.

We made our way to the front booth to check me in. Nate and Jenny quickly disappeared to the bathroom, probably because they both drank too much coffee earlier and couldn’t sit still for a second. They handed me my two bags before running off, and I got in line. The lady at the check-in counter was friendly, smiling as she weighed both bags and double-checked my flight details. It was already seven-thirty when we left Mel’s house; luckily, Amie is a fast driver, and we made it to the airport by eight-twenty, giving me plenty of time to check in and go through security. In about two hours, I’d be at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, and then after a short cab ride, I’d be in Clinton, otherwise known as Hell’s Kitchen.

A loud voice came over the speaker, cutting through the low hum of conversations and the soft shuffle of feet. “The plane from Maine to New York is now boarding. Please make sure you have all your items with you and, most importantly, your tickets. Have a wonderful flight.” The announcement echoed in the terminal, and as the P.A. system cut off, I felt a sharp spike of nerves shoot through me.

“That’s me!” I whispered to myself, my heart suddenly beating faster.

“Wait, wait, Kat! Don’t leave without giving us all a final hug goodbye! Who knows when we’ll see you next!” Mel’s voice rang out above the hum of the terminal as she stretched her arms wide, a look of exaggerated desperation on her face.

“I told you I’d be back for next Thanksgiving!” I said, walking into her arms and letting her pull me into a tight hug that made me feel like I might suffocate from the sheer force of it.

“That’s forever away! You have to come home for the twins’ birthdays too, and you have to make sure to call me, text me, email me every week! No exceptions.”

“Alright! I got it, Mel. I promise you I’ll call or text or even email you as soon as I land or when I make it to Hell’s Kitchen.”

With a final squeeze and a quick kiss on my cheek, I pulled away, giving everyone one last wave before turning toward the gate. As I walked down the hallway into the plane, the nerves didn’t fade, but they were joined by a sense of excitement. I was starting a new chapter of my life, and though I would miss Mel and Amie the most, like Mel said, “call me or even email me!”

As I settled into my seat and glanced out the window, the plane slowly began to take off, and the city beneath me shrank smaller and smaller. I felt a sense of peace settling in. I was excited to see what this new life could bring me, but more than anything, I was determined to make the most of this fresh start.

The plane ride was quiet. Everyone seemed to want to sleep before they got to New York; I assume they were all tired after waking up so early this morning. It was only an hour-long flight, but the early hour and excitement of the trip made us all ready to settle in for a nap. The hum of the engines, the muffled chatter from passengers, and the occasional rustle of plastic wrappers filled the cabin as I drifted off. New York was a busy state, but Maine was always quiet and cold, with not much to do in the winter when the snow piled up. I always used to dread the snow, especially when it reminded me of those cold, lonely nights. But then, when I had moved to Maine, everything had changed. Playing in the snow with Nate and Jenny had been one of my favorite things growing up. I remember how Aunt Mel would wrap us in warm blankets, handing us mugs of hot cocoa after we came inside, drenched from the snow. It felt like home.

But before I had gotten to Maine, snow was just another reminder of the pain. I would think back to running barefoot in the freezing cold, desperate to find someone—anyone—to help my mother when my father hurt her. My feet would freeze, and the cold numbness in my toes would be nothing compared to the terror in my heart as he always dragged me back inside, punishing me for not being quick enough, for not doing more. That was before I found out about the powers I had, and before everything spiraled into a different kind of prison.

Before I realized it, I had fallen asleep for what seemed like mere minutes, and I woke up with a jolt, the captain’s voice crackling through the overhead speakers. “Thank you for flying with us this cold winter morning! We will be landing in Queens, New York, at LaGuardia Airport. Please make sure to observe the fasten seatbelt sign and buckle up. It was a pleasure flying with you! Enjoy your stay in New York.” The announcement cut off, and I could feel a surge of anticipation mixed with nerves. I was officially beginning my life in a city that never seemed to sleep.

Once the plane had landed and taxied to the gate, I immediately sent a quick text to everyone back home to let them know I had landed safely. “On my way to Hell’s Kitchen now,” I wrote. After gathering my two bags, I made my way to baggage claim and then out to the front of the airport. As soon as I stepped outside, the first thing I noticed was the noise. The city was alive in every sense of the word—sirens wailing, horns honking, the shuffling of hurried feet on the cold pavement. The chaos was exhilarating but overwhelming at the same time. It was colder than I expected, with patches of snow gathered here and there, but it wasn’t nearly enough to stop this city from moving. The buzz of energy around me made me realize this would be my new normal, a far cry from the sleepy stillness of Maine.

I was lucky that hailing a cab in front of the airport was easy. I was grateful I didn’t have to fumble with trying to flag one down from a busy street. I knew it wouldn’t always be this simple—learning how to get a cab’s attention in the hustle of city streets would definitely be something I’d need to get used to.

I stepped into the back seat of the first cab that pulled up.

“Where to, ma’am?”

“Hi, there! I would like to go to Hell’s Kitchen, please,” I said, trying to sound as confident as I could despite the butterflies in my stomach.

“Are you new here, miss?” the driver asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror with a curious look.

“You can tell that easily?”

“Well, most people who come to New York always have that ‘first time visiting’ look on their face. You know, the excitement in their eyes.”

“Well, you’re right about that; I’m definitely excited to be here. It’s my first day, and I’m a veterinarian hoping to put my skills to use,” I said, feeling my excitement grow as I spoke about my new career.

“Well then. Welcome to New York, miss. I hope you find what you’re looking for here. I’ve been driving cabs in this city for a long time, and I’ve seen people come and go, but you got that ‘fresh start’ energy about you,” he said with a knowing smile.

“Thank you,” I said, smiling back.

The rest of the ride was quiet after our short conversation. I stared out the window, taking in the scenery. The older buildings along the way had a certain charm to them, even though they seemed weathered and worn. I knew the building I was headed to had a history, and even though it was a little smaller and older than I’d imagined, there was something comforting about it.

I’d heard the previous tenant, an elderly lady, had to move back in with her family because she was getting older. Her family wanted to take care of her, and she needed their support. It was a little bittersweet to think about, but it made me feel like I was stepping into a story—one that had a place for me.

As we got closer to my apartment, I noticed a bright new billboard looming over the building, flashing its neon lights. “No wonder the rent is cheaper than the other areas around,” I thought to myself. It was a small building, but the giant ad with its flood of lights made it seem like it had more hustle and attention than it probably deserved.

“Have a great day, ma’am,” the cab driver said, pulling up to the sidewalk in front of my building.

“Thank you, sir,” I said, taking my things and stepping out onto the cold pavement. “And if you know anyone who needs their cat or dog checked up on, here’s my card.” I handed him one of my business cards, smiling.

“Will do, ma’am. Happy New Year, and welcome to Hell’s Kitchen.”

“Thank you. Happy New Year to you too, sir,” I said, waving as the cab drove away.

I turned toward the apartment building, my new home, and took a deep breath. I had a lot to learn, but this was my fresh start. I couldn’t let the billboard or the noise bother me. As I walked through the doors, I was greeted by Mr. Wade, the landlord, who I had only spoken to through email and over the phone.

“Katherine Torres?” he asked, his voice light and polite.

“Please, just call me Kat. I don’t use the longer version,” I said, offering a small smile.

“Of course! It’s finally nice to meet you, Kat. I hope your flight went smoothly?”

“Yeah, it went pretty good. Though I was asleep until we were almost landing,” I said, a little embarrassed.

“That’s good to hear. And I’m sure you noticed the new billboard as you arrived. It went up a couple of years ago.”

“Ah, yes, I did notice that. I figured that’s why the rent is cheaper than other places around town. And if you’re worried, no, I won’t be bothered by the light,” I assured him, smiling to ease his concerns.

“That’s exactly what I was going to ask you! I’m glad we could get that sorted out,” Mr. Wade said, clearly relieved.

“Was there anything else you needed to speak to me about, Mr. Wade?” I asked, a little curious if there was anything I had missed.

“Call me John, and yes! I took the liberty of having the movers bring all of your belongings inside. I hope that’s okay with you.”

“Not at all! In fact, you’ve helped me out a lot more than you think! I was kind of dreading carrying all those boxes up the stairs,” I said, thankful for his help.

“Well, it was no trouble at all. I wouldn’t want anything to be tampered with either. Plus, I figured a small girl like you might need a hand with that,” he said, glancing at my thin frame. I knew I didn’t look like much in terms of muscle, but I wasn’t exactly small. Still, I laughed awkwardly, glancing over his shoulder at a few more boxes piled up behind him.

“Oh! Do those belong to me?” I asked, noticing some boxes stacked neatly next to the door.

“Oh yeah! These just got delivered right before you arrived. I was planning to bring them up, but I saw you getting out of the cab and wanted to greet you. Oh, and before I forget.” He pulled a small silver key from his pocket and handed it to me. “Here’s your apartment key.”

I stared at the key for a moment before taking it, trying to focus on the conversation my new landlord kept trying to push on me.

“Would you like me to help carry those up?” he asked, looking genuinely concerned.

“What?” I asked, slightly distracted.

“I asked if you wanted me to help you carry the rest of your boxes upstairs,” John clarified.

“Oh, no, thank you. There are only a couple more, and I’m sure you have other things to do,” I said with a grateful smile. “Thank you for everything.”

“It was no trouble at all, Kat. Welcome to Hell’s Kitchen. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call me!” John said with a smile as he turned to leave.

“I will! Thank you again,” I said, watching him leave.

I stood in the entryway for a moment, holding the key tightly in my hand. It was real now. This was my life. As I looked down at the two boxes on the floor I thought for just a moment I should've asked for help, but pushed the thought aside. I didn't need to bother anyone with something I could probably do myself. Struggled a bit to lift the cardboard boxes for a moment then started up the stairs. After the first few flights, I was even more grateful for John’s help with letting the movers carry my things up. As I reached the top floor, I spotted the large window at the end of the hallway. It wasn’t much of a view, but I couldn’t help but admire it. This was my new home, and I would make the most of it.

I walked down the hall to my apartment door. “6B,” it read. Across from me was another door labeled “6A.” “I’ll have to introduce myself to my neighbor when I get the chance. Maybe after New Year’s; they’re probably spending time with family.”

I slipped the key into the lock and turned it a few times. It was time to settle in.