The Dragon's Embrace

Chapter 1: A Look Into the Past

"Alara! Get out of bed or you'll miss the bus!" shouted a voice coming from downstairs. 

Alara groaned and covered her head with her pillow, moaning. Her blankets were then ripped off of her. "Janice!" she said with narrowed eyes. Janice stared back at her "Alara, you didn't fit into any schools for the past two years because you weren't "compatible" with the other students. I didn't foster you so you could throw you're life away, now get downstairs before I drag you!" she snapped.

"Okay, okay! I'm going!" Alara grumbled as she got out of bed. She made her way into the bathroom and wetted a wash cloth, bringing it over her face. As she washed away her sleep, she thought heavily about the outcome that today would bring. She never seemed to fit in with any crowd but of her own. Besides, she gave up fitting in long ago; too many tries and way too many fails.

As she brought the cloth down, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She glanced at the tattoo-like mark beneath her left eye, thinking of her past...

        The ground was covered in ash as a little girl trailed behind her father, avoiding the flames around her as she clutched a teddy bear in her free hand. "Daddy! Whats going on???" The little girl questioned with fear and confusion in her eyes. The father didn't answer, only looking back at her before turning his head back to his goal. He led her out the door of the burning house and pulling her close "what about mama?" she asked with tears in her eyes. Her father only stared at her with grief in his eyes "Alara my dear, know that I'll always love you..." he whispered, kissing her forehead before vanishing back into the flames...

"Don't forget to eat. There's some pancakes on the counter in the kitchen." said Janice, completely ripping Alara back into reality. "Oh, yeah, thank you..." Alara replied with a sigh. The 16 year old then got herself changed into her school clothes and threw on a royal blue hoodie before she headed downstairs, sitting in front of the plate of pancakes. 

Alara started to spread the butter and syrup over her breakfast and as she ate, she continued to think about the event that happened 11 years ago...

        The girl watched as her father disappeared back into the house. She watched in horror as the flames engulfed him. She wanted to follow him, but her feet were glued to the ground, enabling her to move... She was then swept off her feet by a neighbor and carried to safety... From that day forward, she kept silent about the first five years of her life, with only one neighbor to say otherwise... That was when she was brought to her foster parents, Janice and Kenith. Even with their kindness and welcome, she never told them what happened, including the secret that her father had entrusted with her...

Alara then stared at the empty plate of pancakes, feeling satisfaction in her stomach. She then went back upstairs, slipping on her socks and shoes. She looked back at her teddy bear that sat in front of her pillow and she smiled. 

The teenager then grabbed her backpack and headed downstairs "Ready to go?" asked Kenith who was standing at the door.

"As I'll ever be." Alara answered, shrugging. With that, Kenith walked with her, out to the bus stop. As they walked, Kenith looked at her. "At least  attempt to make some friends today." he said. 

Alara frowned and narrowed her eyes. "Please don't start this conversation again..." she mumbled. 

Kenith stared at her with hurt in his eyes, "I'm sorry, its just... I want you to have a positive influence. For the last few years, I've feared you have been in a sort of deep depression." he said with worry.

Alara sighed and smiled a little, "I'll be okay, Ken." she replied. They soon arrived at the bus stop and she looked down the street, watching as the bus came their way. When it came to a stop right in front of them, she looked back at Kenith "I'll see you after school." she said before stepping onto the bus, walking up the stairs.

She looked at the other students sitting in their seats. They all seemed to be staring out her. She frowned nervously, but before she went to find a seat, she was interrupted by the driver. "Bus pass, please." she requested. Alara gasped "Oh, right..." she said and reached into her pocket, pulling out a sheet of paper and handing it to the driver. 

The bus driver nodded, "alright." she said. Alara then looked back at the seats, trying to pick out her own place. She eventually spotted a free seat behind a girl with pale skin and short, raven black hair. She stared at Alara with suspicion, as if she knew something about her. Alara watched her nervously and she threw her hood over her head before sitting down. 

Alara looked out the window to see Ken waving goodbye to her. Alara smiled slightly and waved a little in return. Her seat shifted as the bus began to move and she sighed heavily. No turning back now... she thought to herself.

Alara then pulled out her sketch book and continued on one of her drawings. It was a magnificent beast, one with a slender body and wings, along with some spikes running down the back. She was drawing for about 2 minutes before:

"That's a nice dragon picture you got there."  the raven-haired girl said. 

Alara gasped and nearly dropped her sketchbook as she looked up at the girl who was turned around in her seat,  staring at Alara's sketch. Alara stared at the girl with surprise "You scared me..." she said. The girl chuckled, "My name's Rowan." she said. Alara let out a little smile of discomfort "Alara..." she replied.

Rowan smirked slightly "Well, I'ma let you get back to that." she said and turned around once more.

As Rowan turned around, Alara noticed a black marking on her shoulder that peeked out from her half open jacket. Alara shook her head, It can't be what I think... There aren't that many of us around for us to live so close... she thought to herself.

When they arrived at the school, Alara made her way to the front desk to receive her schedule. Alara pushed through the front doors, looking around. she then looked at the lady at the desk. "Hello, I'm here for my schedule..." she said quietly. The lady nodded "Ah yes... Alara Olson." she read. Alara nodded and was then handed the yellow sheet of paper. 

Alara looked around the campus. There weren't many students other than who were on her bus. She made her way to the cafeteria, checking to see if there were many more students in there. When she entered, she saw a couple groups of teens throughout the large room filled with tables.

Alara bit her lip, "make some friends..." she mumbled quietly. As she scanned the cafeteria, a certain raven haired girl caught her eye. It was in the corner of the large building. Sitting next to Rowan were three others. a muscular boy with dark brown hair, and a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, both with blonde hair.

Something was strange about the group. They were all staring at her with suspicion. Alara then gasped as something caught her eye. A black tattoo on the brown haired boy's left arm. Moments later, she discovered markings on the collar bones of the twins. They also had a black mark. And now that Alara could see clearly, Rowan had taken off her jacket and sure enough, she contained a black tattoo as well, on her right shoulder.

Alara then shook her head in disbelief. These four teens bared the markings of the dragons.