The Embered Eye

Chapter One

"That glow, that's in her eyes.

Gives you visions in your mind..."

Janelle Monae
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This chapter is dedicated to SwagSammich78 from Fanfiction.Net.

Wherever you are, thank you.
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Huey stared blankly at his granddad, trying to determine why he, of all people, had to go and check on Jazmine.

"Because I said so!" Granddad shouted, turning from their living room window to yell at him. "The least you could do is go check on the girl!"

"I have soccer practice, remember?" Huey sidestepped him, snatching his duffel bag before Grandad could protest. "I'm sure she's fine. If you're so worried, why not see for yourself?"

"Because I asked you to go over there and check!" Granddad hollered, peering back at the house from their window. He turned to face Huey again, his eyes filled with worry. "Please. She's been a little too quiet, lately. Something could be wrong."

"Granddad...." Huey draped a whistle over his neck. "I'm telling you. She's fine."

He wasn't lying. He'd seen Jazmine on Caesar's Instagram story last night, dancing with friends at a crowded house party. She was probably fast asleep, recovering from a fun night out.

"So, you've seen her." Granddad kept his eyes trained ahead, his sarcasm crystal clear. "And if the authorities asked any questions, you'd be able to corroborate their story."

"Fine." Huey grumbled, mashing the button down on his car remote. "I'll swing by if it makes you feel better. Just let me put my stuff in the car."

Granddad nodded, glancing back across the street. "Thanks, boy. Stay outta trouble and be careful on that road! Don't have that loud music blasting, either! Drive like you have some sense!"

Huey nodded and put his phone on silent, using his thumb to delete yet another text message from his ex-girlfriend, Brooklyn. Deciding it was better to walk, he climbed out the car and headed to Jazmine's, not surprised when she didn't answer the door.

"Jazmine." He called her name again, a bit surprised he didn't hear anything. There was no music, no television, no activity in the kitchen, not even an echo from her squealing on the phone. Seemed odd for someone like Jazmine, who hated to sit in silence for long. "It's Huey, your neighbor. Just stopping by to make sure you're good."

He knocked again, but there was no response, just still, unnerving quiet. Maybe she'd spent the night at Cindy's, he decided.

He turned to leave, heading off to his car, when it hit him....

Cindy had made plans to surprise Jazmine with the sixteenth birthday of a lifetime. Thanks to her newfound relationship with Caesar, he knew for a fact she was on the other side of town, making sure her parents' rental property was clutter-free before the party planners, vendors, and Caesar were put to work.

"Jazmine, you in there?" Huey made his way back to the house, cupping his hands over his eyes and pressing them against the window. When he didn't hear anything after knocking a few more times, he snatched the spare key out of Tom's decoy rock and twisted the door open. "I'm coming in!"