Unknown

August 5, 2013

I wake up at midnight, with the urge to walk.

The urge to explore the darkly lit street on which I live.

I get out of bed slowly, put on a baggy sweater, and grab my phone and headphones, before I pull on my boots and silently walk out of my house.

I should probably explain something first. I have a... "thing" for the dark. I was never scared of it when I was younger, and since as long as I can remember it comforts me. And tonight is no different.

But it is. The wind is howling, blowing my hair into my face and chilling me to the bone, and it's pouring rain as well, making the cold even less desirable than it already is. I haven't been walking for that long, only a hundred meters or so, when this sensation hits me... this feeling of being watched. Though I've had the same feeling before, it's never been this strong, warning me. I push my long dark hair from my face, put it in a ponytail and look around as I do so. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a blob... A well built one, taller than me from what I could see, but nontheless, still a blob. As I turn towards it, there's nothing.
"I must be going crazy," I say to myself, before I turn back, clothes drenched, to go home.
~~~
My 6 o'clock alarm rings loudly in my ears. Though the sound of sirens blaring beside me is annoying, it's been the best way to wake me up quickly when I need it. I slide out of bed, almost fall, but manage to keep my balance. Knowing that I sometimes forget to turn off my alarm, I check what day it is, and with my luck, it's Saturday. I have work in a few hours, so my alarm was a good idea.

"Jenna, are you up yet?!?! Come on, get some breakfast, I really hope you didn't forget about jogging this morning!" After having to deal with my alarm, her loud voice doesn't do anything but ensure I have a headache. Only one more year, then you're off to wherever the hell you're going... I think to myself.

"If I already have my license, why should I have to worry about staying fit?" Our Saturday morning conversations usually go like this, and it drives mom insane.

"And what about that guy you're chasing after? You'll never get him you're out of shape."

She always teases me about him, though she's wrong. We're friends, best friends to be precise, and have been for too many years to count. I love him in a way, sibling love though, and nothing more than that. I can't imagine life without Aaron; I wouldn't have someone to talk to and play video games with me after studying. No one that my mom and dad trusted enough to let me go to midnight showings and that one party I go to every year. He's always here for me and I know there's nothing romantic between us, which makes it even better.

With the thought of him placed in my head, I remember that we were planing on having a Dirk Gently marathon tonight after work. We'll be able to get though the entire series in one night! I sigh loudly.

Knowing that Emily will get mad if I take too long to get ready, I put on my runners, pick up my headphones and run out the door.
~~~
I take my own path for jogging: first turn right from my driveway, and then turn left at the park just down the street. When I'm in the park, I head towards the shady foresty area. I go there so often, it's like my other home. When I was younger, I built a fort there, and oh, the memories... Aaron and I would spend weekends there every summer, until we both got jobs and such.

Because no one ever comes by here, I unplug my headphones, put down my hair, and blast my music, starting with Sleeping With a Friend by Neon Trees (it's a good song, but not the kind of thing I would actually do). I dance around and sing along as loudly as I can, letting out energy that not many people get to see. I spin around as i do this, managing to trip on my own two feet and fall on my ass, my hair all over my face, and my left hand starts to throb a bit. Pulling myself to my feet, using a branch to help stable me, I find a spot to sit for a minute. Once I'm as comfortable as possible, I check out my hand, only to see dirt and debris, no visible damage. As I put my hair in a loose ponytail, I get up to my feet and gather my things. I carefully jog back home, and notice another form in the corner of my eye before I finally make my way out of the park.
~~~
By the time I get home, it's 7:45, and work starts at 8:30. I walk slowly upstairs to the bathroom, and turn on the shower once I'm in there. The music gets put on again, as a timer. I try to be as fast as I can, since it takes about 10 minutes to get to work, with just enough time to get myself coffee and a maple dip donut.

When I'm out of the shower, I quickly dry off and pull on one of my favorite shirts, brush my hair, and put on my most comfortable jeans. I decide to put on a bit of makeup, just some eyeshadow and mascara (I've never been a big fan of makeup, and always use it to a minimum). Once that's all done and I've brushed my teeth, I slide on my blue flats, grab my keys, and head to work.
~~~
I get to work just in time to unlock the doors: it's a small, local used bookstore, and I've been friends with the owner for over 6 years now. This was one of mine and Aaron's favorite places to go. We'd spend hours a week there, and whenever either one of us had money, this is where it was spent. Even now I spend hours reading here, and I always have music playing, which gets me to start thinking of my own music videos. It's slow, but the people who come here are always so sweet and friendly, and I'm trusted with the keys to the store, which shows that I've managed to make an impression on at least one person.

Like normally, the day is slow, but a new book did come in. A book of old ledgends and myths, which usually doesn't interest me, but today it did. It's not in good condition, the cover's a bit frail, but it didn't fall apart in my hands. The pages are thin, and I'm scared of ripping them just by turning it. I look through some of the myths inside, but only one catches my eye.

The title is faded so I don't know what it's called, but... There's a picture. A picture of a girl, maybe even my age, with deep hazel eyes, long light brown hair, a slightly athletic form but still curvy, and... She looks like me. Almost a mirror image... Just the thought of that sends shivers down my spine, and I don't like it at all.

But that doesn't stop me from reading it.

It sure hell doesn't look like english, maybe Latin? But I'm able to pick up a few words, like tenebris, magia, and mortem.

I had to close the book. There was no way to describe the sensation it gave me, it was eerie and scared me for no reason. I put it in the myth section of the store, which thankfully was out of sight from the cash register. I don't want to look at that book, I don't want to think about that book, but the image appears again and again and some of the words are stuck in my head and I can't get them out. Nothing helped either. The music didn't get my mind off of it, nor did any writing, reading, or drawing. All I could write were the words in my head and all I could draw was her. I couldn't do anything to stop it, and suddenly the bells on the door ring.

A tall guy walks in, with light blond hair and piercing blue eyes. He can't be any older than 19, but he has an aura of power when he walks in.

The most surprising thing though, is that he walks straight towards the myths section. Straight towards that dreaded book.

I flinch a bit when he brings it to the register. He looks me straight in the eye and I freeze up. Those eyes... it's like they can see right through me, I think to myself.

"How much is this?" He says, breaking the silence. His voice is deep and soothing, I could listen to it for ages.

I don't respond immediately, it's like I'm prey and if I move at all I'll be caught in his trap. He clears his throat, and I jump a bit.

"Ack, I'm sorry. It's 25 dollars. Are you interesting in mythology? Because we have a lot more books like this if you want to check them out."

"No thank you, it's fine," as he hands me the cash. We never break eye contact, and I'm not sure if I should be worried or flattered. He picks the book up, and starts heading to the door, taking his sweet time to leave. Just as he opens the door, he looks back at me and smiles a bit, and then he's finally gone.

I feel a lot calmer, but I'm not sure why. Two things are gone: him, and the book. They both give me some strange feelings, but there's no reason to try thinking about why. I mean, it's probably me being paranoid, right?
~~~
The rest of the day goes along smoothly, and at 4:30 I'm ready to close up and head home. I turn off the lights, lock up the front doors, and head to my car. As I'm walking over, I notice another car sitting in the back. Strange...

Suddenly, an arm grabs me from behind and a cloth is put over my mouth. I try to struggle, but I can't, as everything goes black.
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So, this is the first chapter of my first story. Updates will be slow. I hope you enjoy it! Don't forget to give some feedback, it's greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Michelle