Black Wing (Book #1)

Chapter 3

December 31st 

My breathing was ragged, leaving my mouth in icy clouds as my head filled with confusion.

I stared down at my old, tattered Asking Alexandria T-shirt and returned my bewildered gaze to the mysterious boy, who was now leaning against the graffiti covered wall and looking at me intently.

What was so cool about a messed-up T-shirt?

"The band I mean...are you a fan?"

I blinked up at him as I began to take in his equally rugged and dirty appearance.

He had jet black hair with a side swept bang going across his forehead. On the top of his head sat a navy woollen beanie. His piercing blue eyes stared straight into my own. He looked young, probably about my age, 18 that is, and he appeared to be very tall from where I was sitting. Maybe about six feet. A lot taller than my 5-foot 3 stature.

"Well?" He spoke again, and I realised he had a silver stud in the centre of his tongue as well as a silver nose ring. His black jeans were ripped in a fashionable way and he wore an oversized navy hoodie, similar to the one I was wearing at that moment.

I shrugged.
"They're not my favourite band but I like them a lot." He smiled. It was warm and goofy, and I could tell he was a naturally friendly person.

"Who is your favourite band then?" I fidgeted in where I was sitting, not sure how I felt about a stranger asking me random questions.

"I'm not sure...m-maybe Arctic Monkeys or...or something..." I muttered, looks down at my hands.

"Then you my friend," he took his cigarette and put it to his lips once again.

"Have great taste in music." I scrutinized him.

Don't talk to strangers, my mother always said.

And don't get me wrong, my mother was a wise woman.

But for some reason, there was something about this boy that made you want to talk to him anyway.

Or maybe I had been lonely for too long.

"My name's Dan." 

"Amery."

"It suits you."

I nodded at him, a gesture of thanks.

"So, Amery. It's New Year's Eve and you're outside, sitting in the snow. Alone might I add..."

I sighed. I may have taken an instant liking to Dan, but I wasn't willing to share my life story with him. I bit my lip, waiting for the inevitable questions to be fired at me, when a voice interrupted our conversation.

"Stop pestering the poor girl Dan. Leave her alone."

I jumped slightly at the sound of a deep voice coming from the shadows.

"Seriously Nikki, you can't just appear out of nowhere. You're freaking her out."

In all fairness to Nikki, whoever he is, he wasn't freaking me out that much. It's just not every day you hear random voices coming from nowhere in particular.

"I told you not to call me that in public...and maybe you should leave her alone. I'm sure she was fine before you interrupted her thoughts. Come on, we need to head back."
I looked down sadly at the thought of Dan leaving.

"I was actually enjoying Dan's company..."
"See!" Dan mocked, making me smile.

The mysterious voice came out from the shadows, walked past the wall the Dan was leaning on and stood opposite where I was sitting.

I gasped slightly at how similar they looked, and I knew instantly that they were siblings.

He had similar jet-black hair except his was longer and wasn't straight. It was a mass of unruly curls instead. He was wearing ripped black jeans, just like Dan but instead of a hoodie, he was wearing a plain black t-shirt and I wondered how on earth he wasn't freezing in what little he was wearing.

He was taller than Dan too and his skin was slightly more tanned, however there were two more obvious differences.

1. His eyes were bright green and definitely more piercing than his brother's, hypnotic even.

2. Dan wasn't watching me with close intent.

"Alright then." He whispered before taking the cigarette swiftly out of his brother's hands.

"Hey!"
"Why are you out here alone?" He asked, completely dismissing his brother's protesting.

I frowned.
"Why the sudden interest, I thought you wanted him to leave me alone."

"My brother's taken a liking to you. So, I got curious." He stood smoking the cigarette slowly and then he crouched down in front of me, his hypnotic eyes roamed my face before finally locking his gaze with mine.

"Curious? Do you find my misery intriguing?" I laughed bitterly, and he smirked slightly.

"Not quite, I just know someone that might find your situation...familiar."

"Your name isn't really Nikki, is it?" He narrowed his eyes at me and shook his head at me.

"That's none of your business." He spoke quietly, and I looked down again, not sure how to respond. I glanced up and shifted underneath his serious gaze.

"Fine, if you must know...I don't exactly h-have a real family." I sighed.
"Or a home to be honest."

I swallowed and closed my eyes, waiting for him to laugh in my face. For him to look at me in disgust. For the two of them to turn around and leave, just like everyone else.
Opening my eyes, I turned my attention to Dan. He seemed to be looking at me with...pity?
Sadness?
No.

Understanding.

I turned back to Nikki who was also staring at me with the same expression on his face. His eyes also filled with understanding.
And interest.

"Hey, bro?" Dan asked tentatively.
"Do you think we should bring her back with us?"

I froze.

Where did they want to take me?

Part of me wished they would leave me be as I had learned in the past few months to enjoy my own company.

The other part wanted to jump in excitement because I had found people that actually wanted me.

Looking up at the both of them, I gulped. I hoped it wasn't another homeless shelter.
I had caused enough trouble in those things.

Nikki nodded slightly.
"Yes, we should. I think Levi might like her."

He looked at me and nodded, a smirk on his lips.

"I'm Phoenix by the way."