The Nathaniel Chronicles: The Awakening

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I was cold. It was an odd feeling I never like or noticed before. Well yes I get cold, but nothing says cold like walking down the highway in shorts and a thin t-shirt during the winter in the pouring rain. Especially since I was being weighed down by my backpack filled with stakes, one small portable waterproof spotlight, and vervain. And for those that don't know what that is, it's a plant that vampires are extremely "allergic" to. Enough of it in their system would kill them, but small amounts weaken them. I always keep some of the seeds with me so I can plant some anywhere I go.

I felt my bracelet slide down my arm. The bracelet was a dark black. Embedded inside the leather is a rare spell that absorbs dark magic. When a vampire dies, its life force disperses into the air or into the earth. That life force is like a poison to the earth and sometimes the people around it. That's what the bracelet is for, it absorbs the dark magic of a vampire and it keeps them from trying to control me. It has a few other magical features, but those aren't important at the moment.

The rain was pelting at my face, causing me to shiver even more. I was starting to get sick of this and since no one was going to stop. I watched the road waiting. The thing about magic is that everyone can do it, but most don't have the energy required to perform it, and if you do, then you need to use it in little amounts. Too much magic and you burn out like a battery.

I focused on the road, more importantly, the water on the road. For some, magic comes naturally, like riding a bike, but for me, it takes immense concentration. Finally, when I felt the energy build up enough I muttered. "Aqua forma spicis."

I felt the energy leave me and watched the magic happen. Even in the dark, I could see the faint glow of my magic incase the water. The water did as I commanded, and three sharp spikes rose from the ground. I swayed dizzily. Doing magic was never one of my strong suits. It took a lot out of me.

I waited only a minute before a car finally drove by. There was a loud pop that coincided with the thunder perfectly. The car swerved, for a second I thought my plan might have backfired. I muttered a fast spell to stop the car and nearly collapsed. The car pulled over to the side of the road. I haven't used so much magic in years. All I wanted to do was take a nap, but I needed to focus. I had a job to do.

I hobbled to the car, just as the driver side door open, and a girl no older than seventeen walked out. "Are you okay?" I shouted over the roar of the rain.

"Who are you? What do you want?" She shouted. I could see her hand go to something at her waist. It was either a knife or pepper spray, which I don't blame her for.

"We could probably do introductions after we fix your flat. Now would you please tell me where you keep the spare so I can help?"

She looked at me trying to see if there was anything remotely threatening. Besides the fact that I was soaked, wearing the worst possible clothing for the weather right now, and was shivering at an inhuman speed, I was still kind of threatening. I had my long black hair in a ponytail. My shirt was sticking to my skin emphasizing my muscles, and a mysterious looking backpack.

"Hey, I'm just passing through, saw your car swerve off the road, and decided to help. But if you don't want my help so be it." I started to walk again. After I made it ten feet the girl called out for me.

"Wait," she called out. I turned around. "I could use some help and it looks like you could use a ride."

"Sure, now where the spare?" She gestured to the trunk where a tire case was strapped. I felt like an idiot, but in my defense I wasn't very knowledgeable about cars. We got the spare out, took the flat off, and put the spare on. When we were all done she gave me a towel to put on the seat so I wouldn't get the seat soaked.