Jayde stepped out in what seemed to be darkness, into a lushes green filled land. None of it was truly real, however.

Jayde looked around, not knowing what was going on. Where am I? Aren't I supposed to be dead? She thought to herself.

"You are dead...in a way." a familiar voice spoke, reading her mind.

She spun around and a large smile grew on her face.

"Father." she could barely say above a whisper, running to him and hugging him tightly. The wells of her eyes immediately filled with tears. "I thought I'd never see you again." She sniffled into his chest. Junsu embraced his youngest daughter back.

"Is...Is this the afterlife?" she asked, finally looking up at him.

Junsu sighed, followed by a light chuckle. "I'm not dead Jayde."

The young Sphinx furrowed her brow in confusion. "B-But mom said...that you died. That's why you never came back."

Junsu looked at her with sad eyes. "That never happened...I just came too late." he sighed, his words filled with regret.

"What do you mean by that? And if you're not dead then how are you here or how am I here?" Jayde questioned.

"It's too complicated to explain, for you to understand. So I'll just say that it's an ability that Sphinx have. But I came here for a reason." Junsu said his tone becoming firm and serious. Jayde gave him a confused look. "It's time for you to know what actually happened to you when I was gone and how you came here."

"What do you mean? I know how I ended up here. After finding out about your 'death', mom sent us down here to keep us hidden from the person that murdered you." Jayde said, only to have her father shake his head. "That's not what happened. You know your mother doesn't like you. If that was the case, then she would have sent Karina down with you." He said.

Jayde remained silent, knowing that he was right. "While you were distracted your mother erased your memory of what happened and sent Karina to tell you a lie." he explained. Jayde down cast her eyes, just the thought of her sister pained her.

"What I am about to show you isn't pleasant and may even hurt you. But I am showing you this because I love you and you need to know the truth." Junsu said holding out his hand. Jayde took it and he held her hand firmly as he re-envisioned their minds into the past.

Now the thing about Sphinx is that they don't really come from Earth. They do live on earth but in a different dimension amongst the clouds in the sky. It's not heaven, no, they just live in a higher atmosphere. The Sphinx population is extremely small, they have the smallest population out of all creation. The community is ruled by King Junsu and Queen Kaye. They don't have ultimate power over the community like your typical King and Queen. Their Job is to enforce order and law, to keep everyone in check and not abuse their powers.

Junsu took Jayde into the castle where Jayde was her younger self, playing with her elder sister.

 

Suddenly Karina starts to pull Jayde's favorite doll away from her. Jayde tries to pull back in an attempt to keep her from taking it. "Give it to me. I want it." Karina demanded.

"If you want to play with it then just ask, I'll say yes." Jayde argued.

"No! I want to keep it!" Karina said tugging even harder.

Jayde tightened her grip. "You can't have it! Appa gave it to me for my birthday." she refused.

"Give it!" Karina ordered. "No!" Jayde yelled.

"What's going on in here?" Junsu said entering the room. "Karina wants my doll and I told her that she couldn't have it." Jayde said.

Junsu looked at Karina, who let go of the precious doll.

"Is this true Karina?" he asked. The elder sibling nodded. "But that's only because you never get me pretty dolls like that for my birthday." she pouted.

"You get tons of presents for your Birthday, Jayde only gets one." Junsu told her. Karina folded her arms, pouting even more. "Sorry." she said quietly.

Jayde smiled and handed Karina the doll. "You can play with it. Just don't break it." she said.

Karina smiled brightly and took the doll, hopping to her feet. "Thank you Jayde. You are a nice sister. I don't care what Umma says about you being evil natured. You're still really nice and cool." and with that Karina skipped away.

 

 

"I remember that doll." the present Jayde spoke. Junsu nodded. "It was one of the only things that made me feel normal that I could be good like everyone else." Jayde said reminiscing. Junsu waved his hand changing the scene to where young Jayde and young Karina were now outside playing around.

 

 

Karina blew several bubbles in the air as Jayde jumped around excitedly popping as many as she could, causing both of them to giggle excessively.

"Can you shape the bubbles into animals?" Jayde clapped happily. Karina nodded. "Watch." she instructed.

The eldest sister blew a large bubble and carefully shifted her hands molding the shape of the bubble. Seconds later the bubble was shaped into a giraffe.

Jayde's eyes widened in amazement. "That's so cool!" she cheered. "Check this out." Karina said. She popped the bubble with her finger and colorful confetti and sparkles sprinkled everywhere. Jayde was beyond amazed.

"Whoa! Amazing! Hahaha!" she laughed, happily catching the sparkles with her tiny hands. "You're amazing Karina." she cheered.

Kaye stepped out the castle in search for her daughters. She frowned at the sight of them playing happily together. She was strongly against Jayde playing around with her beloved daughter Karina.

She stomped up to the two girls a frown glued to her face. "What are you two doing here?" her words were sharp.

"Hi Umma! Look what I can do." Karina said, blowing another large bubble and turned it into the shape of a dolphin. "Amazing darling." Queen Kaye clapped approvingly.

"Eomeoni~, look what happens when you pop it!" Jayde jumped.

The youngest sister popped the bubble and dead leaves and crows came out, flapping wildly, causing the queen to scream. Seconds later the ugly birds melted into black goo.

Jayde stood there her eyes watery. "Th-That wasn't s-supposed to happen. Wh-wh-why did that happen?" she asked innocently.

Kaye was infuriated as the goo burned parts of her dress. "Because you're a monster! How could you pop such a pretty thing?! Huh??" she scolded. "B-B-But wh-when Karina popped it, pretty things came out." Jayde sniffled.

"Because you're not Karina. You're evil." Kaye rolled her eyes having no pity for the child.

"Umma!" Karina spoke up. "Jayde is not a bad person." she defended. But before Katherine could respond, Jayde ran off back into the castle crying.

The little girl ran throughout the large castle all the way up to her father's study, where he was flipping through maps and letters.

“Jayde, what’s the matter?” King Junsu stopped what he was doing, seeing his daughter cry miserably. Jayde crawled onto his lap and rested her head on his stomach, soaking his shirt with her tears. “I-I’m a terrible person.” She sniffled through her tears. “What are you talking about? You’re a great person.” Junsu assured her.

But Jayde shook her head in disagreement. “I’m bad. My nature is bad. So everything I-I –touch either turns into something ugly or get d-destroyed…or even dies.” Jayde cried even harder the more she spoke.

Junsu wrapped his arms around his young child, cradling her caringly. “I-I don’t deserve t-to b-be here. You, Karina, and Umma are all good natured…I-I am b-bad. Appa~, why are you so cruel to me? Why did you allow m-me to live? Umma says that y-you have the power to take m-my life a-away. S-So why d-do you keep me alive?” Jayde bawled.

Junsu was taken aback by her words. “Jayde, I could never do that. You are too precious.” He said holding her tighter. “No I’m not. Karina is. Umma said so.” Jayde sniffled.

“You both are precious. Don’t listen to what Umma says anymore. Okay? Jayde, you’re not evil. All of that bad nature stuff is nonsense. People have the choice to do good or evil. You can fight this disadvantage of yours and be good. You are already good Jayde. You are a wonderful person. Don’t let other people’s words change who you are. Okay? Can you promise me that?” Junsu said.

Jayde looked up at him with large watery eyes. “Can you please promise me that?” He asked again.

Jayde slowly nodded.

“For me?” Junsu urged.

Jayde nodded more confidentially. “For you Appa. I promise.”

“Good. Now I have important news to tell you.” He said.

“What is it?”

“Something serious has happened between a powerful community in another dimension and a community down on land, and I need to consult with the two groups to keep things peaceful and balanced. So I am going to be gone for a couple of months.” He said.

Jayde’s eyes widened in fear. She had never been away from her father.

“Take me with you Appa!” She said, tugging his shirt.

“Jayde, you know I can’t take you. It’s too dangerous and you’re young. You don’t even know how to defend yourself.” Junsu shot down the idea. “You can protect me.” Jayde insisted, beginning to feel desperate, she didn’t want to be alone with her mother. But her father shook his head, “I don’t want to risk anything.

“Appa please.” Jayde begged.

“I know you’re scared. But you said that Karina believes you’re good right?” Junsu said.

Jayde nodded.

“She’ll stand up for you. So you should be fine.” He smiled assuring.

“But it’s not the same. I don’t feel safe without you.” Jayde whimpered. “You’ll be fine. I know you will. You’re strong, right? You even said it yourself.” Junsu told her. However, Jayde wasn’t having it, but she knew that there was no convincing him otherwise. “Appa, when are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow.” Junsu sighed painfully.

Jayde felt herself choke about to cry again. “H-How long are you going to be gone?” She fought back her tears. “I honestly don’t know. It’ll take a few months, if not more. But I promise I’ll be back in less than a year.” He forced a teasing smile. Jayde, frowned, not pleased with his answer. “Come back in 4 months.” She said.

“Jayde I-,” “Tell them you will be right back and you have to visit someone important for two days. Then you’ll come back.” Junsu told him. Junsu just looked at her in disbelief. “Promise me.” She said earnestly.

“Okay…I promise.” He smiled gently.

Jayde nodded, somewhat pleased, but that didn’t stop the tears from falling.

 

 

The present Junsu waved his hand and took the two of them to another scene of two weeks after his departure.

 

 

Karina and Jayde were playing inside together with their dolls, since it had been raining outside all day. Just then Karina grabbed Jayde’s precious doll. “Hey! Give that back!” Jayde said reaching for it, but Karina was taller and held it high. Jayde jumped in an attempt to get her doll back, but wasn’t successful.

“Karina~, it’s mine~.” She whined giving up. “But I want to keep it. I want to have it.” Karina said.

“But Appa gave it to me.” Jayde reminded. “Oh well.” Karina shrugged, throwing Jayde off a bit.

“Eomeoni!” Jayde called, but their mother didn’t respond. “Eomeoni!” Jayde called again, but received no response.

“Umma~!” She called for a final time. “What do you want?!” Kaye snapped, entering the room. “This better be important.” She growled at Jayde, intimidating her a bit.

“K-Karina took my doll and-and she won’t give it back.” Jayde said. Kaye looked at the said girl, waiting for an explanation. “I like the doll, and I want it.” Karina simply said.

“Let me see the doll.” The queen said.

Karina obeyed and handed her mother the priceless object. “I don’t have a doll like it.” Karina pouted. “This is a pretty doll. Hmm…these are very rare.” Kaye noted, observing it with much interest. “You can have it Karina. It’s all yours.” She finally smiled, handing the beautiful gift to her eldest daughter. Karina received it happily. “Thank you mother.”

Jayde just stood there in shock, not understanding what had just happened right in front of her eyes.

“Wait! But th-that’s mine. Appa gave it to me.” She protested.

Kaye looked at her in disgust. “That doll is too rare and delicate to be in your filthy hands. People like you get rag dolls made by witches.” She sneered. Jayde felt her eyes moisten. “B-But…that’s mine…”

“Would you shut up about that? It’s not yours anymore. If I ever see you with it I’ll punish you.” And with that Kaye left the room.

“Don’t worry. I’ll let you play with it, when you ask.” Karina smiled brightly, skipping away, leaving a stunned and hurt Jayde by herself.

Since then, the days have only become progressively worse for Jayde, to the point where she was kicked out of her own room to turn it into a walk-in closet for Karina. During those days the two sisters became more and more distant as Karina began to show her true colors.

Watching all of this pained Jayde, as she remembered all of it as well as the pain and misery that she had suffered with it. The feeling was fresh and real.

Jayde had waited patiently for her father to return. She had kept her promise for the past 4 months and also read the poems her father had written in the past every day. Her favorite being one called ‘Flower’. She did this religiously, keeping her promise, confident that her father would keep his. However, he never came. Instead her mother announced that he was murdered.

The news broke Jayde’s heart more than anything. At that point she truly had absolutely nothing. Karina was never truly her friend, her precious gift was taken away from her, and her father was now gone…the only person who truly believed that she was good. Jayde cried her heart out that night.

 

 

The scene disheartened Junsu. He waved his hand sadly, moving onto the final scene he had wanted to show.

 

 

It was 3 weeks after the announcement of Junsu’s “death” and Katherine sat in the throne room, seeming to have not been affected by the news.” Mother, you called for me?” Karina said entering the throne room. “Yes dear. It’s time” Kaye said sounding almost happy.

Karina looked at her mother confused, not knowing what she was talking about. “We’re going to get rid of your sister. It’s storming outside, and that’s when the gap opens.” Kaye smiled brilliantly. “Umma! That’s crazy!” Karina squeaked. She wasn’t completely against the idea, but she didn’t think her mother would go that far. “Go get Jayde and meet me at the back door.” Kaye ordered. Karina nodded and dashed out the throne room.

 

 

“No way!” Jayde said surprised, looking at her father. “They’re not actually going to…” She couldn’t finish her sentence. Junsu didn’t answer. Seeing that she wasn’t going to get answer, Jayde turned back around to watch the rest.

 

 

Little Jayde was curled in a ball, hugging herself, inside the basement, murmuring random words to the only poem she memorized. “Don’t cry…It may seem like it’s all over…take my hand…I tell you it’s okay…It’s alright…”

“Jayde.” Karina called entering the basement.

Jayde froze, terrified.

“Do you know what the weather is like outside?” Karina asked innocently. “No…why?” Jayde squeaked.

“Ah~, no wonder you’re not out. It’s amazing outside!” Karina lied. Jayde slowly looked up at her. “I don’t deserve to go outside and enjoy such weather. Let me know when it’s raining, then I’ll go out.” Jayde sniffled. Karina sighed, “Come on Jayde. You’re not a bad person and you know that.” Karina spoke gently, sounding convincingly sincere. “If it helps to know, I am glad to have you as a sister.”

Jayde hugged herself tighter as if to try to protect herself from her words. “You know Appa wouldn’t be happy if he saw you like this.” Karina said, hitting a nerve for Jayde, at the mention of their father. But Jayde knew that she was right. “He…he made me promise to not let the bad nature get to me…” Jayde spoke, barely above a whisper.

“Then keep that promise. That’s the least you can do.” Karina falsely encouraged.

Jayde sat up slowly nodding. “O-Okay…I’ll…I’ll go outside w-with you.” Jayde sniffled, wiping away her tears. Karina smiled happily. “Umma is even waiting for you.” She added.

“Really?” Jayde said, sounding surprised. “Of course! She feels bad for all she’s done to you. After Appa’s death she finally realized how much you actually mean to her.” Karina spoke in an excited tone.

Jayde cracked a small smile. “But she’s too embarrassed to show it.” The elder sister whispered. Jayde nodded in understanding. “Let’s go!” Karina cheered, pulling her baby sister out of the basement.

Jayde stood there stunned, not believing her eyes. “I don’t remember any of this.” She finally spoke, not recognizing the scene. “H-H-How could I be so naive?!” She felt tears fill the wells of her eyes in anticipation of all that was going to happen next. Junsu sighed, overwhelmed with guilt for not being there and keeping his promise. “Remember, you very young and you were going through things you shouldn’t have as a young child. You were lonely.” He reminded. Jayde didn’t respond and continued to watch the scene unfold before her eyes.

“Ah, my lovely daughter, it’s about time.” Kaye greeted her two daughters as they entered the carriage. “Hi mother.” Karina greeted back. Jayde didn’t dare look at her mother, instead she kept her eyes down casted at her lap, fiddling with her fingers uncomfortably. “H-Hello…” She whispered.

Kaye forced a warm-cold smile. “I’m glad you can join us this evening.” She said.

Jayde’s heart jumped as she slowly looked up at the Queen who smiled at her. Jayde couldn’t help but return a small smile.

Once the door closed, the carriage moved forward.

Jayde remained awkwardly silent while Karina and Kaye exchanged happy conversation. Every now and then she joined in and the two responded back happily, making Jayde feel a little warm on the inside.

When Jayde finally looked out the window, she noticed that something wasn’t right. The sky was dark and gray and large storm clouds filled the sky. Lightning struck the sky, immediately followed by thunder. The carriage shook unsteadily as it moved. She looked at her two family members who seemed to pay no mind to the outside world. Jayde began to get nervous. It was dangerous to be out during a storm considering that they lived above the clouds.

“It’s storming outside.” She finally spoke up in a wary tone. Karina and Kaye stopped talking and looked at her. “We have to go back home, or find shelter.” Jayde panicked, glancing back at the window.

The carriage suddenly came to a complete stop.

Jayde looked back at her mother in panic, looking for comfort. However, Kaye frowned. “We are going to go back home. But not you…” She spoke coldly.

Jayde’s eyes widened not understanding the words that came out of her mother’s mouth so she looked at Karina for some kind of affirmation. But she was only met with the same frown as their mother. At that moment lightning flashed and the door swung wide open.

Jayde’s heart started racing at an unbearable pace. “Take her.” Kaye ordered the guard, her cold eyes never flinching, never leaving Jayde. “W-Wait, where are you taking me?!” Jayde panicked. The guard grabbed her harshly, forcing her out the carriage.

“No! Wait! Stop! Please!” The helpless child begged, holding onto the seat as tight as she could, but her small fingers could only hold for so long. “Help me!” Jayde cried out to her sister.

Karina just looked down at her with an expressionless face, not moving an inch.

The guard finally yanked Jayde out of the carriage and slammed the door shut. Jayde screamed, trying to fight the guard, only to have a second guard jumped off the carriage and take hold of her other wrist, and like this the two guards dragged the young child towards the black gap in the cloud below them.

Jayde kicked and scream helplessly. “Stop!! No! No! No! Please!” But the guards continued to move closer to the opening. “Please!! No! Don’t!” She screamed at the top of her lungs, not knowing what else to do. Another strike of lightning struck behind them and rain began to pour. Jayde was now crying feeling the rumble of the thunder rumble beneath her small body.

Take my hand. You know I’m here with you. Say my name. “Appa!!” was the last thing she screamed before she was tossed into the black pit.

Jayde screamed as she fell fast, breaking through the lower atmosphere. She crashed into a large pile of mud, sticks, and leaves in the middle of the vast woods.

It was dark and rain poured down. Jayde could barely move, not only was her body severely wounded, the pain in her heart was unbearable.

She rolled over in pain on her side, crying. She hugged herself feeling cold and soaking wet, and alone.

 

 

The scene faded and the two returned back to the surreal world of the lushes green grass and empty blue sky. “I-I remember now.” She trembled. “I remember it all. I was tossed out. I had to survive on my own. I had to teach myself everything.” She said reflecting on her past. Junsu stood silently, allowing Jayde to take it all in.

Jayde’s heart sank. “I actually thought that Karina believed in me back then. I had really thought she was on my side….she even killed me without hesitation.” She spoke aloud. She paused, her heart clenching tightly. She turned and finally faced her father. “If…If you didn’t die. Then what happened?”

“I was held back. Something urgent had come up right as I was about to leave and had no other choice but to stay. I sent a letter specifically for you, but Kaye must’ve kept it from you and told you something else.” He explained. “I didn’t return until a few months after that.”

Jayde nodded in somewhat of an understanding. “Why did she do that?” Jayde thought aloud. “To get rid of you.” Junsu said. “But…” he continued. “I believe this turned out for the better. You ended up helping a ton of people, you’ve proven your mother wrong.” He smiled warmly.

Jayde smiled back with teary eyes and hugged her father tightly. “I’ve missed you so much.” She sniffled. “I’ve missed you too.” He breathed.

A few minute later Jayde broke the hug and looked up at her father sadly. “Too bad I’m dead.” She spoke sadly. “I won’t be able to see you again after this.”

Junsu caressed her hair gently. “You’ve grown up so much and so fast.” He spoke softly. “Appa…” Jayde brushed off. “You know there’s a meaning to that poem I wrote.” He said.

Jayde looked at him curiously. “Come take my hand. Till the end. So I can live for you again…” he recited.

 

 

 

-

 

 

A/N: Lyrics not mine. From Xia's song Flower ft. Tablo