Fairy Rings

Chapter one: strange meeting [jade]

Drip, Drip, Drip. The rain slowly drips down from the gutter pipe outside my window, as the wind howls. The clock strikes twelve and a bang comes from downstairs followed by my parents yelling. I wake up with chills running down my spine, my face wet with salty tears. A burst of cold wind chills me to the bone. "Since I'm awake I could go for a walk." Talking as if someone was there to listen. No one is ever here to listen to and take care of me. Crash!

"Huh, who's there?" my heart beat faster than ever, shadows moving around me in candlelight and a dim sunrise. A cold hand is placed on my shoulder. My heart rate increased to the point I believed I would die. "Giggle, shh, shh." "y'all are so loud," I said realizing who was there and breathing a breath of relief "When did you get here," I asked as I watched the three younger kids appear in front of me "Just got here when we heard you talking to yourself," the oldest said from behind me "ok spooky boy get out from behind me" I looked in front of me to see the group of runaways, Mimi the youngest was only 10, then was Rory who was 14 and his twin brother James. And lastly, you have Rowen 17, and Jade aka me 18, we were kind of like family.

"How're things at the orphanage? Rowen, you move out next month don't you?" I ask "Yeah I do" Rowen answers lowering his head. "I don't want Rowen to leave," Mimi says, tearing up. I pull her onto my lap into a tight hug. "Me either'" the twins say, almost in sync, clearly sad but keeping a brave face. " Hey, you'll be ok, I know you will," I say, hugging Mimi tighter than before. " The sun is almost up, we need to head back, Ms. Haggy will be up soon," Rowen says, standing up, and picking up Mimi. "See ya" I yell as I watch them sprint into the street.

I pack up my mat, and throw my bag over my shoulder, flipping up the hood of my cloak blending in with the shadows. Walking through the darkened alleyways, listening to the wind shaking the trees near the streets calmly, a few guards begin patrol for the morning. Ever since I moved out of the orphanage I have been working on and off jobs, my latest job is working at the local bar for a copper a day. It's not much but it helps. As I walked I felt eyes on me. Someone was watching me, I slowly reached into my bag, pulling out a dagger with leather on the blade. I pull the leather from the blade and place it in my bag.

Walking faster to get out of the alleys, the eyes followed me, watching my every move, slowly cornering me. Feeling trapped I moved my cloak to make the shiny dagger visible. CRASH! I heard from behind me, quickly pivoting on my foot to look for the source of the sound. To find a tiny jet-black kitten with glowing red eyes most likely a stray "Aww, poor thing you must be scared." I questioned as I leaned a hand to the kitten.

"DON'T TOUCH IT!" a woman's voice boomed out from behind me, causing me to jump as the cat disappeared right in front of my eyes. " You need to watch out for shadow creatures. If you touch them they can get into your mind. If they get into your mind they can take over your body" the woman said, walking closer to me and placing a hand on my shoulder. "Who are you?" I ask moving away from the woman. The woman flips off the hood of her cloak, her sage green eyes and matching green hair with black roots paired with her shining emerald armor and black cloak. "I'm Gara," the woman responded.