Dark Aura (under editing)

Part 1: The village: Beyond the walls

As of right now, my father is down that stage. His rationality is slowly slipping, what are we going to do? What am I going to do? It's not like my mother will fend for me! It won't be long till he completely loses it and becomes a mindless, destructive, insane mage. That would get us all killed! I notice my mother sitting quietly in the eatery. Father is nowhere to be seen? Is he up yet? I hope not, for our sakes...

"Where has father gone?" She gazes at me with an emptiness.

"Business." She retorts simply. I say nothing more and begin preparing breakfast for myself. I sit down and begin eating, but I have little of an appetite. A bang echoes through the house. The sound emerges from my father's room, I swallow hard. I decided to skip breakfast and head out. I notice Ethan nearby, I'm actually okay with the fact that he's nearby. I walk up to him, before I can start an argument, a boy calls out from behind.

"Ethan!" His eyes are darted towards Ethan. A girl the same age as me pops out from behind him with a sly smile. Her red hair constantly sways with her movements. My she's lively, she leans over. Mimicking a water-pump's movement, as she stares up, I'm able to catch a glance of her jade colored eyes. They're like dazzling gems of emeralds, I've never seen such a color.

"Kyra and me happened to wander by the courtyard, oh my apologies dear." He darts over to me. His genuine smile is more of a mixture of a sly grin. "I'm Jasper and this is my darling sister Kyra." He makes a sort of... bow motion?

"How do you do?" Her voice is a bit sinister and creepy. I already have a strong sense of disdain towards them, but I conquer my doubts and put up a good front.

"Natalie." I retort back to Jasper is eyeing me while Kyra is giggling.

"Say Natalie were about to embark on a journey, it be our pleasure if you come along with us." Ethan adds. He turns his direction toward me, giving me his dimpled smile. Um, what?

"Oh, I don't want to intrude." I say. I have an uneasy feeling about them. Especially the green-eyed one.

"Oh, we insist." She hovers by me. "That way, we find out more about you." She giggles. Why do I feel like I'm the prey? But I don't want to go back home...

"Well, sure, why not? I'm always in the mood for an adventure." Despite my uneasiness, it doesn't compare to the fear of my father. I spot her odd smile; Jasper leads the group away from the courtyard. Ethan isn't saying much at the moment, which is somewhat odd.

"I was going to suggest the forest but- "Ethan whispers in Jasper's ear. I attempt to lean by to hear them.

"Natalie, why don't we have a ladies' chat?" She yanks me over before I can give her an answer.

"About?"

"Well, I need to know more about you."

"Well, my mom stays home while my dad he's-." She groans.

"Boring, boring..., I want to know the good stuff..." Hmm, how much are you picking at Kyra? How odd for someone to be so blunt to a stranger. Doesn't matter. She won't be able to tell my lies from truths. Maybe if I play my cards right, she'll explain to me what the boys are planning. I'm tired of having to be the one on my toes!

"I have three brothers. One ran off and eloped while the others, had an affair with a nobleman's daughter." She covers her hand over her mouth.

"One of them had an affair with a nobleman's daughter?" She stretches every phrase, I nod my head.

"Which is why she can't stand to glance at me."

"Hehehehe, not bad Natalie I'm intrigued..." I flinched, she sounded like a demon possessed child!