As Lyra's eyes fluttered open, she was met with the harsh brightness of sterile white walls. The hums and beeps of machines surrounded her, a constant reminder of her current state. She tried to sit up from the stiff hospital bed, but a wave of nausea washed over her, forcing her back down. Just then, the door creaked open, and a nurse walked. Her kind smile and sympathetic eyes providing some comfort amidst the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Oh, you're awake," the nurse said softly. "Please stay in bed we wouldn't want you to faint again." Lyra couldn't help but feel grateful for the nurse's gentle presence as she settled back into the cool sheets, longing to escape from this foreign place.

It took a moment for lyra to find her voice.

"Where are my parents?" She barely managed to ask.

The nurse hesitated, the look on her face spoke all the words Lyra needed. The events rushed back into memory the fire, her father, that shadow, and the flames that seemed to answer her pleas for help. Sobs wracked her small frame as the white walls seemed to close in and she fell asleep. The second time she awoke the room was bathed in a dim glow the lights turned down probably for her benefit. Next to her bed sat a police officer his eyes held sympathy and determination. She felt calmer in his presence.

"I know you're going through a difficult time, but you're safe now," he said in a gentle tone. It was an empty promise, but his sympathy for her was sincere. He patiently assisted her as she stood from the bed, then left the room to give her privacy. As she dressed herself, Lyra couldn't stop thinking about the fire. Did it really respond to her? Or was she losing her mind?

She quickly put on a black dress and followed the officer out to his car. The drive back to her house was a blur, and before she knew it, they had arrived. But what used to be her home was now nothing but a charred shell. Tears threatened to fall as she stood at the edge of the property, taking in the destruction. She stepped over the threshold, desperately searching for any sign of what happened. The upstairs was just as devastating as the downstairs, no signs of life remained, only destruction. In her parents' bedroom, among the wreckage, she discovered a small wooden box that had somehow survived the fire. Opening it, she found a delicate silver chain with a ruby pendant shaped like a flame inside. Next to it was an old photograph of her parents when they were much younger, standing in front of a grand mansion that she didn't recognize. They looked happy and carefree in the photo. Lastly, she found a weathered leather journal filled with strange writing and doodles. One word stood out to her in bold red ink: EMBER. Her mind raced with thoughts - why did her parents have this box? What did this word mean? And why did everything burn down?

She slowly made her way back to the officer whose name she had learned was Carl. He was a kind man and gently explained to her what was to happen next.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Your parents had a will filed. They wanted you to go stay with your grandmother if anything happened to them." he said.

Lyra was suddenly snapped back to reality. Grandmother? No one had ever mentioned that she had a grandmother.

"Hey, are you listening?" Carl questioned.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't aware I had a grandmother." She said embarrassed that she wasn't listening.

"Well you do" he chuckled "we called her and she said she would be sending someone to pick you up"

As he spoke, a sleek and expensive black car pulled up to the curb. Carl strode over and engaged in a brief conversation with the driver, meticulously inspecting his identification before returning to Lyra's side. Seeming satisfied, he announced that the car was for her. As she approached, the driver emerged from the vehicle; dressed impeccably in an all-black suit, he held the door open for her without a word.

Lyra settled into the plush leather seats, marveling at the luxurious interior of the car. A small note caught her eye, perched atop a neatly wrapped bag on the seat beside her. Opening it, she read "Lyra, I apologize for not knowing you existed. I am eagerly looking forward to meeting you. Knowing how long your journey must have been, I had my trusted chauffeur Geoffrey pick up some food for you. I hope he selected something that suits your tastes."

Inside the bag was a juicy burger and hot, crispy fries, along with a refreshing soda in the cupholder. Lyra couldn't help but smile as she bit into the delicious meal, grateful for the thoughtful gesture in such unfamiliar territory. Geoffrey didn't say a word to her on the endless drive. Her phone had been lost in the fire so she didn't know how long it had been since she got in the car.

Abruptly, the car turned down a narrow road flanked by towering trees. In front of them loomed the mansion from the photo she had discovered in the old box. It was a grand structure, its ornate architecture exuding an air of authority and power over the surrounding lands. As they drew closer, she couldn't help but notice a small crowd gathered on the steps, all dressed in elegant suits and maid uniforms. Exiting the car, she was immediately greeted by an older gentleman with a perfectly groomed grey hair and piercing blue eyes. He introduced himself as the butler, sending a shock of surprise through her mind. "A butler?" she thought incredulously, her curiosity piqued. What secrets did this mysterious mansion hold?

"Welcome to Ashwood Manor, miss Lyra" he said with a very warm smile. As soon as he said that all the maids and servants on the stairs curtsied and bowed to her.

"Your grandmother is waiting on you in the parlor but you can't go looking like that." He said sounding very displeased with her appearance. He snapped his fingers and two identical maids stepped forward.

"This is Sarah and Samantha they are your personal maids. They will escort you to your room and help you get ready." He said and disappeared back into the mansion.