Dark Sunlight - The Shadow Series (Book 1) ONGOING

Chapter Four

The next morning, I awoke with a dizziness and sore muscles, strained from my run on the rooftops. My head throbbed in pain as I slowly slipped off the thin mattress. The room was in darkness except for a thin streak of yellow light filtering from the gap of the battered door.

I felt dirty as I stood up and walked out of the room, squinting at the bare lightbulb's light. Dirt had accumulated under my chipped nails, dried blood from Mia's wound stained my shirt, and dirt covered nearly all my body.

My small family was talking and eating at the table, Mia was sat on a chair, her bad ankle comfortably laid on a soft pink pillow. Reassured to see her feeling better, I glanced at the two girls and smiled as I saw Lily and Hazel happily throwing cereal at each other, giggling when one milk covered flake landed flat on Thad's face.

I grinned, holding back my laughter as he slowly peeled off the sloppy food off his face, making clown-like expressions for the girls who held their stomachs in laughter.

Proud of his joke, Thad turned around and saw me. I must have looked like a crazy banshee because he looked at me, wide eyed, and grinned. He leaned towards the girls and whispered something in their ear that made them turn to me and stare.

A second or two later, everyone at the kitchen table was laughing so badly, they were nearly falling off their seats. I rolled my eyes in exasperation, but couldn't stop myself from grinning too.

"Ok, ok. I'll take a shower." I said as I walked past them to the small room that served as a bathroom. I playfully shoved Thad on my way.

"Got your revenge, have you?" I mocked him.

His eyes shone as he turned to me and grinned, turning instantly into an innocent little boy. I laughed, amused, and happy by his reaction, I though would be far worst after my disobedient expedition.

I removed my clothes and let the cold water roll on my body, washing away all the dirt, blood and exhaustion of the previous days. I dried myself, brushed my hair and put clean clothes on. Finally, I felt good as new again.

When I stepped out of the room, and into the bare kitchen place, Thad and the strange Scandinavian man were sat at the table, deep in discussion. Their heads were bent and Thad was frowning, concentrating on what his interlocutor was saying. I walked past the table and stood behind Thad, arms crossed over my chest, my eyes not leaving the strange man's face.

He looked up from the old and ripped map spread down on the table and stared at me. His chipped lips curled up into a dirty grin that sent shivers down my spine. Thad saw his face, looked up at me and slowly shifted his weight, moving his broad shoulders to divert the Scandinavian's attention back to their discussion. I felt uncomfortable as he slowly glided his eyes down from my body, and onto the paper. His eyes shone with a disgusting fever.

I turned my back and quickly left the room, focusing on finding Mia and tending to her wound.

I found her curled up on the battered greyish-red sofa, cuddling with Lily and Hazel, reading them a chapter from their favourite book. The girl's two little heads bobbed up at the sound of my footsteps, their heads turning towards me.

They grinned and jumped from their nest in the blankets into my open arms. I kissed them hello and sent them to their room, while I walked towards Mia and sat on the comfortable sofa.

She playfully punched me and said:

"I won't ever forget that sly move, missy!"

We both laughed, hugging each other, grateful to see each other safe.

"I'm glad you're okay." I whispered. "I was scared stiff about you." I paused before saying, my voice dropping even further.

"I can't lose you. You're my best friend."