I sighed, putting my hands to my ears as I tried to block out the multiple whispers that reached my overly sensitive ears.

Why wouldn’t they leave me alone? Why did everyone believe I was crazy? All the rumors are wrong. Everything they’re saying is wrong. Mommy didn’t leave me. Daddy doesn’t want to work all the time. Why can’t they understand what I am is truth and not lie. Why?

I opened my tear-filled eyes as I turned around and ran into the forest. I could hear the lingering laughter— the mockery regarding my silent retreat.

It made me wonder why I was still living. Why was I brought into such a world if I had no one to turn to?

I was the only unicorn shifter in my existence, or so the records portrayed. Not like it mattered; no one believed me anyway.

Even with the multiple voices and pointing fingers that were aimed in my direction or the kicks and shoves I received from my multiple enemies, I knew shifting into my unicorn form wouldn’t stop the bullying. No, it would only escalate it.

I promised Daddy I would never show that side of me unless it was to defend myself and train. Only my master could see such a form, and he would train me when the time was right.

But when would the time be right? When would I be able to prove my worth to the society who sees me as nothing but a burden? Breathing alone, was hard enough for many of them, let alone my entire existence.

I continued to walk through the forest as I tried to calm down— allowing my feet to guide me aimlessly. It always ended up this way; retreating back to the only companion I had: nature itself.

I had no friends or relatives. My mom was far away; too far for a simple train ride to see her wondrous smile. My father was a gatekeeper, helping guard the gates of multiple dimensions to various worlds. Such a role was usually a birthright or achieved at a young age.

Yet, my dad was a late bloomer— becoming a gatekeeper when I was six-years-old. Now, I was alone— having to defend myself in this isolated community.

Being different didn’t mean you got treated special. All it resulted in was becoming an outcast.

No matter where I turned, shifters young and old looked and whispered. Some didn’t hesitate to point and laugh. I was the laughing stock of the town, and I would always be, unless I proved myself worthy.

I stopped in my tracks as I felt the first drop of rain fall from the sky. I looked upward; unable to stop my curiosity at the sudden change in weather.

Drip – Drop – Drip – Drop

The specks of water from the sky above began to fall one by one, till it began to pour. I stood still, allowing the cold drops of water to beat my flesh as my eyes pooled with tears.

For a shifter well known to be happy and free, I was nothing compared to such myths.

I was sad...so depressed at my circumstances that I sometimes wondered what was so great about living? My own council, who should cherish my existence, being the first unicorn shifter, discarded me entirely.

As the councilman said right in my father’s face, ‘She is nothing but a mistake.’

I tried to stop the tears from falling down my cheeks, holding back the sobs that begged to escape— to be heard by anyone willing to listen to my silent plea.

“All I want is a purpose. A meaning in this world. I hate this life. I want to be strong. To not care about what people say. I don’t want to feel such misery anymore. Can’t anyone help me?” I cried to the sky, my hands clenched as I continued to cry, unable to hold back any longer.

I was tired of being pushed and shoved— tired of being hit and abused every day, wherever I turned. I wanted to learn how to fight, to be strong to defend my own.

I didn’t care if they feared me. I was nothing to them, to begin with. I would build my own foundation, a solid barrier around myself so no one could bring me down. I’d prove to the world that I was someone to acknowledge and not cast aside like a piece of trash.

All I needed was someone to help me achieve my ultimate goal.

“Celestia.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, making a slow turn to see the familiar man I’d begged for many years to train me— my father’s best friend and master.

Magnor Rune was a legend— specializing in many arts, combat, and magic for years. His father had lived many generations and had passed down his gained knowledge to Magnor who continued to learn while teaching and training many shifters across the dimensions. He’d settled here in Versa for many years, having trained my father until he was summoned to his gatekeeper duties.

I’d begged Magnor to train me, since I could barely walk, wanting to be like my father and mother who were powerful and respected. He’d denied my request each time, using the excuse I was either too young or inexperienced to begin my training.

Since then, he’d continued to decline my request; my last one was last year. After that, I’d given up asking. I didn’t see the point and my heart couldn’t handle the rejection anymore. I dealt with my fair share and adding more would tip me over the edge— as if I wasn’t already there.

I stared at him with sad eyes; my tears continued to flow down my cheeks as the rain beat down on me. He must have used some type of spell – the water not daring to touch anywhere near his body, leaving him dry.

His silver eyes stared at me, holding much wisdom in them. He glanced at my soaked appearance, a frown forming on his once expressionless face.

I didn’t reply to his call, only turned back to face forward. No words could describe how I felt— the desolation and self-pity I’d buried in my very soul had finally resurfaced and raged for salvation. I knew Magnor could help me— save me from my hopeless outlook on life.

But again, I was tired of asking. If the strong desire I felt within myself wasn’t enough to prove my bullies and enemies wrong, that I wasn’t some weakling who’d be a nobody for the rest of her life, then I’d never achieve that level of ambition.

I opened my mouth to speak, knowing it would be in vain.

“Everyone looks at me as if I’m nothing...a nobody. A hindrance. I bet just looking at me makes them cringe in disgust. Every day is the same. Every moment I attempt to look at the better side of life— and my worth and how this too, shall pass. The day ends off far worse than the last. I’m tired...so tired of this. Why won’t anyone listen? Why do I continue on this unknown path of life if all that is left for me is pain? I go to school to be shoved and abused and all the teachers ignore me. I finish school to be pushed in the corner and suffer the onslaught of insults, followed by more kicks and punches. I limp home to an empty house...with not even one person to share my agony with.” I trembled as sobs took over me. I hung my head low, crying my eyes out.

“I miss Mama and Papa. I want to be loved...to have friends. Yet, no one wants me.”

I lifted my head to face him, glaring.

“Is that not enough of a resolution to be trained by you? Will I ever be worth your guidance? Or am I nothing to you too...” I whispered, trembling in place.

If he deemed me not ready, I would accept my reality; that I’d never be good enough for this world.

He took a step forward— followed by another. Within a few long strides, he was facing me. Whatever barrier that shielded him grew in size— stopping the rain from its hard decent against my pale skin.

I lowered my head, closing my eyes as I readied my heart for the same set of words. Instead, his hand rubbed gently against my drenched hair.

When was the last time anyone had rubbed my head? To show an ounce of affection instead of inflicting pain.

I lifted my hands to my eyes, crying harder while I sobbed. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into an embrace.

I didn’t hesitate— crying my heart out. If this was the last time I’d have someone to listen to my cries, I’d let every tear fall. I’d let go of all the pain that piled up from the years of abuse and hate. The world would feel the sadness I’d locked inside my soul.

When I shed the last set of tears and my whimpers softened, I pulled away, looking up to him for his answer. He gave me a small smile while his silver eyes softened.

“You’re ready,” he whispered.