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1: Not In The Mood

I couldn't sleep after what my Aunt Yun-Hee had revealed to me. So I tracked my father down. I snuck out from my window when I was sure my mother was asleep. I shivered as I knocked on my father' new home door as I had arrived & it was fairly chilly out. 

He answered the door. He yawned as he looked at me. "나래아, 당신인가요?" (Is that you, Narae ah ?) I sheepishly smiled as I nodded. It wasn't long before I was sat with my father and he put a cup of tea in front of me. "I am sorry, Dad. I know you don't like me showing up..."

My father looked offended by what I said, but he grabbed my hands. "You're my daughter, Narae ah. Just because I am no longer with your mother does not mean I resent you in anyway." I thought back over what Aunt Yun-Hee insinuated. Is my mother a Shifter ? I sighed deeply as I looked into my father' eyes worriedly, "엄마가 그 이유인가요? 당신은 그녀가 무슨 짓을 했는지 알죠?" (Is Mom the reason why ?  You know what she did, don't you ?)

My father quickly pulled away from me looking worried & disappointed. However, I needed answers. As many answers as he'd give me. "You know ? Did your mother tell you ? Is that why you're here, Narae ah ?"

I ran a hand through my hair as I sat back in the chair which I was seated. "Be honest, please. Is Mom a Shifter ?" My father avoided looking at me, casting his gaze to the tabletop between us. "It is true. You mother is a Shifter..." I slammed my hand on the table in shock. "Then why did you let her keep me ?! Why let her raise me in the Drifter faith & she isn't a Drifter ?!" 

My father hushed me as to not wake his new wife & step daughters. I couldn't be angry with him given what time it currently was. "오늘 밤 여기서 자고 싶어요, 나래아? 아침에 집에 데려다 줄 수 있어요." (Want to sleep here tonight, Narae ah ? I can drop you home in the morning.) I yawned as I was so confused, but I desperately needed some sleep. "Can I ? Or will that upset your new family ?" I was soon alone in the guest room, still awake in bed. I decided to do an old Drifter ritual. 

I opened the window and held my hands together. The cool breeze helped me center my thoughts. "I have no idea if this works, but I am at my limit. Everything is a mess..." I was just letting the words flow from me. "My father tries, but I know I am a nuisance to him. My Aunt Yun-Hee worries for me, but has never stepped in against my mother before. My mother..."

I sighed once more as I felt tears fall from my eyes. "My mother still raised me as a Drifter even though she herself apparently dissociated from the Drifter faith. What does all of this mean ?" Silence. I went quiet as my mind went blank. I yawned once more before darkness took over me.

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"Wake up, Narae ah. I must take you home now." I groaned as I still left tired. I had managed to sleep, but I still felt so drained. I remained quiet as my dad took me home. My Aunt Yun-Hee was on the one to open the door with a relieved expression. 

"나래가 왔어요!" (Narae is home !), Aunt Yun-Hee yelled to my mother as she let us inside. Dad left as soon as he let my mother know I was safe & he simply returned me to her. My mother hugged me, but I couldn't make myself hug her back. Even with our lack in emotions, I didn't even feel up for mimicking being excited to be home again.

"Why are you so tense ?", my mother asked as soon as she let go of me. I glared as I responded. However, this was the last thing my mother ever thought she'd hear me say. "Why do you care ? You aren't a Drifter..." My Aunt Yun-Hee gasped as she was probably not expecting me to say anything about this to my mother. 

"W-what did you just say ?" I smirked as I made my way up the stairs. I really wanted to get some more sleep, but I enjoyed making my mom panic for a minute. "You aren't a Drifter. So why should I explain anything to you when you're a Shifter ?"

My mom yelled after me, but I couldn't care less. I got into bed letting out a deep sigh. I quickly was comfortable. The darkness took over again.