Sinister (Lethal Fear: Book One)

2 - Birthday

I had a clear view of Dad and the two soldiers that accompanied him at the Station Gate. The Station Gate was a large thing with two arches above it. Although the gate is almost impossible to open from the outside, a force field was added for good measure. However, the force field is invisible, only revealing itself when something makes contact with it.

I could see the land beyond the gate. A large field with grass so high that it nearly towered over the front gate. For a moment, I yearned for it. Yearned for the freedom of running through that field, filling the grass cut at my bare legs and feet. I knew I'd have that freedom soon enough. Tomorrow. When I'm eighteen, I shall have that freedom.

They stopped in front of a lump near the gate. I wasn't sure what the lump was. I could barely see it and I knew I had to get closer. I moved away from the gigantic festival banner I had been hiding behind, jumping behind a pile of pink helium balloons.

They were all staring at the lump on the ground - and suddenly it moved. I tried to hold in a gasp as I took in the fact that the lump was a boy. A boy who looked to be about my age. He had short, cropped black hair. Tan skin that looked smooth and soft. He was built and had a twinkle in his brown eyes. However, his face was a tint of purple as if he were sick.

The boy grasped his stomach as he talked, moaning and grimacing. He was hurt. I needed a better look. I needed to know what they were saying. I moved slowly away from the balloons, trying to find something closer to hide behind with no luck. I was out in the open, but no one seemed to notice.

The boy stood up without little success, falling down the minute his legs straightened out. The two soldiers helped him up, supporting his weight with their shoulders. There were little words exchanged as they edged him towards - me.

They were coming right for me. I darted back behind the balloons just as Dad turned away from the agonized boy. No signs of his breakdown showed. He looked like the same strong and brave man he always appeared to be, but I knew better. Deep inside, he had his grief.

"...bring him to the hospital and report back to the base," He instructed as they passed by my hiding place. "We have a festival to prepare for."

He didn't wait up for the soldiers as they did their best to drag the injured boy inside. I stood up now as with Dad gone, I was safe - and thats when our eyes met. The boy had noticed me all along. He had craned his head to the side, looking deep into my eyes as if he were looking into my soul.

I was frightened. The breath flying out of me. I didn't see those twinkling brown eyes. I saw what I never thought I would see.

Hollow Black Eyes.

Those eyes were engraved in my mind when I went to sleep. I couldn't shake them. Instead of my very first hunting spree, I dreamed of those hollow black eyes staring me down, turning me into a pillar of black salt.

The morning of my birthday wasn't pleasant. It was hauntingly terrifying. A Sixth was in Station Three. The most safest place to be. How could Dad miss it? How could he miss those horrible and frightening black eyes?

He had seen many in his lifetime. How could he not see it? - "Happy Birthday, Alina!" Lexi screamed, diving right on top of me, pinning me to the bed. Kia joined in, hopping up and down on my legs. I tried my hardest to giggle and smile as they began to punch me - well, Kia jumped on me - eighteen times.

They then fell back on to the bed, pushing me into the middle of our trio. I had a fake smile plastered to my face, staring at the ceiling above us.

"You're officially eighteen, how does it feel now that you're eligible to drink?" Kia giggled, twirling a strand of blonde hair in her hand.

Lexi reached over to slap her lightly on the cheek. "Kia, we don't do that kind of stuff."