"Dad?!" I shout in bewilderment.
He forces a smile, placing the book he was reading onto the floor as he stands up.
"Hey kid." He says, voice shaking.
"Dad what happened last nigh-"
A flash of lightning interrupts me, momentarily illuminating the otherwise pitch black room. My eyes race from object to object: Maps, fairy tales, handcuffs?
He takes a deep breath before speaking, "Sorry kid, I won't be around long enough to explain. I've taken up a new role in my job that won't allow me to stay. Your mother may be here during the daytime but-" Lightning strikes again. My eyes dart around the room: The cover of the book he was reading: A red V with horns. Posters, posters everywhere, big numbers on the bottom of them. What does that say? Domi idx? I frown, unable to make out the words.
Dad looks me directly in the eyes, face void of emotion as he speaks, "I'm not going to be around anymore. I trust you'll be able to manage on your own." He chuckles, "You were trained by the best after all."
"Dad, what are you saying?" I frown, remembering the argument, "What happened last night? Why were you and Mum shouting?!"
He smiles, wiping a tear from his eye, "I'll be living in the mainlands, if for whatever reason you don't want to live here anymore, come find me."
"What do you mean? Why can't you just stay?" I protest.
He sighs, "There's still a lot you don't know about this world. And even more about the people closest to you."
He pauses.
"I'm one of those people…"
I take a step back, "What are you talking about? You're Dad."
He crouches down onto eye level, patting my head with his warm hands as he ruffles my hair, "I believe you can become a prodigy on the same level as even…" He stands up, "Nevermind, let me not go putting ideas in your head." He chuckles, "My wife probably wouldn't like that too much."
Turning his back to me whilst placing his white jacket over his shoulder he whispers, "Oh yeah, for the love of God Aven, don't cause too much of a ruckus in Seryth."
I blink.
He's gone.
Sunlight enters the room I'm in through the crack in the curtains.
"It's morning now?" I ask myself. "Wait, I'm in Mum and Dad's bed." I turn to face the lump next to me, "Who's… Mum?!" I ask, lifting the blanket. "Hey Aven." She mumbles with a quiet smile. "Mum!" My eyes widen in surprise, "I really wanted to tell you-"
"It's okay Aven. I know." She interrupts.
"Really?" I frown, "You mean you're okay?"
"Of course I am." She replies, "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Wait…Dad!" I announce, remembering the conversation we had.
I jolt out of bed and sprint to Dad's locked room…
"It's gone? Our garden was never this big." I take a small step back, "Mum! Mum, come quick!"
Mum yawns, rubbing her eyes as she strolls over, "What is it?" She asks.
I look at her then back at the empty space, "Huh? What are you talking about? Look?! Dad's room… it's gone!"
"Your…Dad?" She places her palm on my forehead, "Aven, are you feeling okay?" I move her arm away from me, "What are you doing? He did tell me we weren't going to see him for a while…" I glance at the empty plain of grass, "But his whole room has disappeared!"
She frowns, "Aven, our house has always had two rooms. And…"
Silence.
You've never met your Dad."