The Lost Woman

Chapter 1

Ivy

      I wake up covered in sweat, my sheet wrapped around my legs. The handle of my talon knife gripped tightly in my hand, ready for a fight. I look around my small loft, trying to comprehend where I am and what woke me. I listen intently, straining my ears for the slightest noise.
      "Who's there?" I say, my throat gravely from sleep. I look around again, trying to focus on the darker spots in the room for any sign of movement.
The last bits of the dream flitted away to the back of my mind. The only thing sticking to the forefront are the piercing brown eyes that have haunted me since I was 8 years old.
      I slowly untangle the sheet from around my legs, my blade still at the ready. I get up from my bed and stalk towards the light switch across the room, prepared for anything.
      Turning on the light, my back to the wall, my eyes settle on a man leaning against the wall in the corner. His form is bent over and I can hear his ragged breathing, now that I'm closer to him. My grip tightens slightly on the hilt of my blade, waiting for him to lift his head so I can see who he is.
      "Who are you?" I ask, my voice even and patient. The man still hasn't lifted his head, but I can see his spine stiffen ever so slightly. I bite the side of my bottom lip as I ponder whether to kill him or wait until I know more.
What is this man doing in my home? Is he working for someone that's after me? How did he find me? The questions  just keep piling up.
      "Who are you?" I ask again. I don't dare to step closer, in case he tries anything. The man lifts his head, but not far enough for me to see his face. "They're coming for you, Ivy. Be ready." His voice is low, almost as if he's whispering. Then he disappears.
      I blink rapidly. Did that just happen? Who was that? Who are they? No, that couldn't have been real. I must've hallucinated. I must be paranoid. I need more sleep.
      I rub my eyes with my fists and turn off the light. Heading back to bed, I grab my soft, black blanket off of the floor and curl up underneath it.

Callan

      I see her walking toward me from the edge of the tree line. Her long, black hair being blown into her face, making it hard for me to see her features. Her haunting, green eyes boring into me.
      "What's your name?" I call out to her from across the field of bright green grass. She doesn't respond. Feeling the strongest urge to reach her side, I take a step forward.
      The ground shakes, making it impossible to stay standing. I fall to my knees and try to crawl to her. She turns around and walks away. "Wait!" I call out, still trying to reach her.
      The ground opens up beneath me, and I fall. I see her form above me, her arms reaching out, as if to catch me.
      I wake up with a start. Looking around, I realize I'm in my bed, and not in a hole in the ground. Rubbing my hand over my face, I sigh. Will I ever stop dreaming about this mystery woman? What does the dream mean? Who is she? Why does she mean so much to me?
      A knock at my door brings me out of my thoughts. "Callan, wake up! You've missed breakfast and you're going to miss Leah's first day of training if you don't get off your lazy ass!" I roll my eyes at my younger sister, Amelia's, antics.
      "I'll be down in a minute. Her training doesn't start until noon and it's only 10!" I call back to her, climbing out of bed and heading to the bathroom to shower.
      The dream was all but forgotten. I take a hot shower and dress in loose, black joggers and a plain black tank top. Putting my hair into a braid, I head to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat before heading to the training yard.
      I ruffle my niece's short, unruly red curls and chuckle. "Are you ever going to tame this wild mane of yours, little flame?"
      She looks up at me with her arms crossed and bares her teeth at me playfully. "If you'd stop fucking with it, maybe it would stay tame, you brute!" I ruffle her hair again and laugh when she tries to deflect my hand.
      "Leah! Watch your mouth, young lady!" Amelia glares at her daughter, who looks down sheepishly. "Sorry mum." I snicker at Leah and bump her with my shoulder.
      "Callan, stop egging her on." Amelia puts her hands on her hips, glaring at me. I point at my chest, "Who? Me? I would never!" I say in exasperation. Leah giggles, but tries to cover it with a cough.
      I give Leah the side eye and try to hide my smile. Amelia rolls her eyes and sighs. "You two are like toddlers, always fooling around and taking nothing serious."
      With her hands still on her hips, she huffs. Leah and I both laugh at the same time. "Oh Amelia, you can't take everything seriously. You've got to have some fun." I say, while grinning.
      "Yeah mum, why so serious?" Leah giggles. Amelia shakes her head and tosses a mat at Leah. "Here, child, it's time to begin your training."