An Unexpected Letter

Nyan sat on her bedroom floor, sorting through a pile of old books. The morning sunlight streamed through her window, casting long shadows across the wooden planks. She preferred quiet mornings like this, away from the noise of the outside world.

A sharp knock interrupted her peaceful sorting. Her mother's voice called from downstairs.

"Nyan! There's a letter for you!"

Nyan frowned. She never received letters. Her friends at school usually just texted or called. She padded downstairs in her bare feet, her dark hair swaying with each step.

Her mother stood by the kitchen counter, holding an envelope made of thick, cream-colored paper. The address was written in elegant script, and a deep purple wax seal decorated the back.

"It's from Darklight Academy," her mother said, her green eyes wide with surprise.

Nyan's heart skipped. She had heard whispers about Darklight Academy at school, but everyone said it was just a legend.

The Purple Seal

Nyan broke the purple wax seal with trembling fingers. The thick paper crackled as she unfolded it. Her mother leaned closer, reading over her shoulder.

"Dear Miss Nyan," the letter began in flowing script. "Congratulations on your acceptance to Darklight Academy. You have been selected based on your unique hybrid abilities."

Nyan's stomach dropped. "Hybrid abilities? What does that mean?"

Her mother's face went pale. She sat down heavily at the kitchen table, her hands shaking slightly.

"Mom?" Nyan asked, worry creeping into her voice.

"I need to tell you something," her mother whispered. "Your father... he wasn't entirely human. Neither are you."

The letter fluttered from Nyan's hands to the floor. She stared at her mother in shock.

"You're part cat, Nyan. I've been hiding it from you, hoping you'd never need to know." Her mother's green eyes filled with tears. "But the academy has found you."

Outside the kitchen window, a small sparrow landed on the sill. It tilted its head, watching them intently through the glass. Nyan noticed its unusually bright golden eyes, almost as if it understood every word they spoke.