"Mom! Mom! Don't leave me!"

"Shut your mouth, I'm leaving for good! I've had enough of all this!"

An unkept woman flung the child off and slammed the wooden door shut.

Unable to reach the doorknob, the girl clawed at the door as she continued to scream for her mother.

... ...

I woke up to the chirp of birds.

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"Uhh...what a bad dream. I can't believe it's coming back after such a long time."

The flimsy wooden bed squeaked as I rolled off for a morning stretch.

Yesterday evening was the awards ceremony for all the talented youths in the capital. Everyone I knew went up the stage for their awards. It was hard to be happy and celebrate with them.

I'm already behind in studying, behind in progress. I'm behind in achieving anything in life. Before long, I won't even be able to afford the rent for the shabbiest inn in town.

"I'm just a useless piece o-"

"Gaauuu"

A blue ball of fur flew into my face.

"Alfie...your fur is in my mouth..."

"Gau gauuu"

"Thanks, you stopped me from telling myself that."

Alfie perched on my chest and sniffed my face.

I took a deep breath and made a resolve.

"I'll prove myself. I'm going to be a master of potions!"