Darkness in the Shadows

Chapter 1

Memories flooded her mind, transporting Alana back to a vivid scene from her past. She was in the park, surrounded by her closest friends.

Athena was on the swing beside her, her laughter filling the air as she swung back and forth. James and Shell were playfighting nearby, their playful banter echoing around them.

"Got you," Shell exclaimed, wrapping her legs around James' waist. Nat joined in, jumping on them with a playful cry of "I'll save you!" Alana watched with a smile as the playful scuffle ended, and they all collapsed on the ground, laughing and chatting.

It had been a rare occasion, a day when everyone's schedules aligned, and they could spend time together.

James and Nat had both left school to work, and Nat often travelled with her aunt while her parents were away. Lee, on the other hand, was busy running her parents' shop.

But on that day, they were all able to come together and enjoy each other's company, just like the old days. The memories were bittersweet, a reminder of the bonds they shared and the times they had spent together.

Alana smiled at the group on the ground and glanced around the park. Lee, perched on top of the bars, was engrossed in her binoculars, scanning the trees in the distance.

Alana nudged Athena and gestured towards Lee. Athena rolled her eyes and chuckled, "She's never going to see one! The odds are astronomical," she called out teasingly.

Lee looked up from her binoculars, a determined smile on her face. "I'll spot one, you'll see!" she yelled back, her enthusiasm evident.

Alana shook her head, amused by Lee's unwavering fascination with the Steller. Lee didn't desire to become a Selective herself, but she was intensely curious about their abilities and origins.

Ever since she was ten and found that book in her parents' shop, Lee had been obsessed. The book detailed the history of the Steller and their interactions with humans before the Veil. It ignited a curiosity in Lee that never wavered, fueling her desire to understand the mysteries of the Steller and their powers.

Lee had become relentless in her quest for knowledge about the Steller, asking questions that no one seemed to have answers to.

Undeterred, she began her own research, compiling a list of the names of those selected, hoping to predict who might be next so she could approach them with her inquiries. Despite Alana's warnings about the guards' reluctance to engage in conversation, Lee was determined to try.

Lee often found herself gazing towards the Veil, hoping to catch a glimpse of a Steller crossing over.

Lee would peer through the trees and houses, her curiosity driving her to seek out the mysterious beings. Lee had even visited the Veil once, only to be reprimanded by passing police officers.

Two years had passed since Jake's departure, yet Alana still felt the sting of his absence. Lee's inquiries became more intrusive after Jake was selected, probing for details about the guards and the general workings of the Steller.

Alana, still grieving, refused to discuss it, leading to tension between her and Lee.

That day, during the argument, a guard threw Alana, causing her to land heavily on a table in the living room. The impact left her with a fractured leg and three broken ribs. Alana was devastated, not only by her injuries but also by the loss of Jake's presence in the house.

She spent weeks in tears, mourning both Jake and the fractured relationship with Lee when she kept hounding her about the encounter. Alanas' anger at everyone else was growing in the process.