The End of the Road

The First Chapter: Whispering Shadows

Paige had never been afraid of the dark.

Of snakes, of monsters, yes, but never the dark. In fact, she liked to consider the dark as a part of her. Darkness made her feel safe, hidden from the rest of the world where she could finally rest. The light brought monsters, mostly in the form of drunken faces and sharp belts. The dark never betrayed her, when her father would come home, his breath reeking of alcohol, the shadows protected her from his searching hands.

In the town, kids would talk about how at night, chairs and branches in the window looked like monsters and figures standing in their room. But Paige knew what real monsters looked like and she would give anything to have those childish beliefs as well.

To say that Paige was a cowardly girl would be a lie, she was the bravest person you're ever sure to meet. That did not mean that she was stupid, for Paige was exceptionally smart, but she did enjoy taking a risk or two. Every day she walked to the store by only taking the paths that lead straight through the seedy underbelly of Fluania. Fluania was many things but 'clean' and 'respectable' were not one of them. On the outside, there were huge houses with lavishly manicured lawns and fashionable people who lived in them. But as you got to the center, shops began to advertise less 'legal' wares. Stalls popped up like fleas around every corner, eating away the land until there was barely even enough room to fit two people. Single streets became whole markets and many who ventured into its elaborate labyrinth never came out again. But that was the way it was designed, Fluania's sole purpose was to kill and slaughter everyone until there were only the monsters left. Here, you either learned to kill and care only for yourself or you died, in very, very unpleasant ways.

Paige had grown familiar with the rough tangle of streets that was her home and was not always the best at staying out of trouble, though she did have enough common sense to stay well clear of Angelica and her cronies. Angelica was the most powerful woman in Fluania and pretty much owned the entire city, she also happened to have a teeny tiny grudge against Paige for stealing a family heirloom. In Paige's defence, she had been starving and knew the necklace would fetch a tidy sum at the Nightmare Market.

"Pst, Paige, in here," a voice whispered and seconds later a hand slowly reached its way out from under the gloom.

"Pryce? What are yo-" she stopped short when she heard the sound of Angelica's unmistakable boots clipping the pavement around the corner.

Quickly she crawled under the tarp just as Angelica stalked down the row of stalls. It was hard to tell who was who around these parts (people quite enjoyed wearing masks, it made crime just a little bit easier) but unlike everyone else Angelica wanted people to know who she was. Paige had always found it weird that Angelica had bought shoes made out of real dragon scales but she had to admit that whenever she heard them a thin shiver of dread and apprehension slithered down her spine.

Paige looked up and saw the lighting bright sheen of Angelica's long white hair. Angelica liked to imagine herself as a messenger of the gods and had made it her mission to 'exterminate' the 'vermin' in Fuania. Over the past few years, she had expanded her empire over most of the upperclassmen in the city and carried out her goal with overzealous intent. Nowhere was safe from her rath and no one had ever been strong enough to take her down.

After Angelica had passed Paige turned to her twin brother and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks," she murmured. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't warned me."

Pryce grinned and crept out from under the stall. "You'd probably have tried to run but then somehow Angelica would have caught you- she has an army of goons at her disposal!- and Elva and I would have to plan a daring rescue plan to try and save you. But it would go awry and Angelica would take us all prisoner-"