Eerie: Illuminating Shadows

 Dedicated to SSrockon for making the best cover I've ever seen. If you need a beautiful cover, you know the girl to ask now.

Chapter one: Genesis 

Steam uncurled from her mouth as the she panted through the cold dark alley. A paranoid instinct kept her head looking over her shoulder ,forcing her to sweep her gaze through the black shadows. The bigger steps she took, the longer the end of the alley seemed. She pulled her purple jacket closer, hugging her chest fiercely. The anxiety she refused to show, reflected from her blue eyes. Then something sent chills down her spine and froze her legs.

A howl of a wolf.

Behind her.

She broke into a run. Trembling and scared, the hunter had become the prey.

A huge shadow trailed her, snatching but missing her by an inch. Her heart pounded as she felt beings behind her. Fear refused to let her look behind. Her numb legs protested as she forced herself to run. Then, when hope raised hesitantly, yet eagerly, the alley came to an end. She had no choice but to turn around. And her blue eyes met coal-black soul less eyes. A gasp escaped from her mouth and instinctively she stepped behind, her back bumping in a hard brick wall. There was no escape. Her trembling hand reached inside her backpack and curled around her sword. Razimpta. And when she pulled it forward, the blade glistening in the moonlight, fear and anxiety morphed into experience and confidence. And when she slashed it around, so fast she couldn't even see what was happening herself, she felt at peace. 

And that's the last thing she remembered as Razimpta slipped from her hands, its blade shining with werewolf blood, and her panting body collapsed into unconsciousness. 

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We sat at De'Magnifico, the best place to eat at the busiest street of New York. The golden lamp hanging above our corner table lit our faces. Alice sat, cradling her face in her hands as she looked at every person in the restaurant. 

"So, why are we here instead of being at the academy?"

"I needed at break." She answered cautiously.

"You are a terrible lair, you know that?"

She looked at me, scowling.

"I'm not lying. I was tired, and I just needed a break." She shrugged.

"Are you sure its not because Halien kicked you out for some time because he needed some time alone with.....?" I trailed off, letting her guess.

She couldn't say anything as the waitress approached, setting a plate of French fries and spaghetti on our table and flouncing off with a smile. Alice stared at her go.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing." She frowned turning to me. "How do you know that?"

'Know what?"

She narrowed her green eyes. "About Halien and....."

I suppressed a grin and shrugging nonchalantly said, "Gossip and rumors travel fast."

Her eyes went wide. "What?!," She shrieked, her voice travelling over the noise of the restaurant. Everyone swiveled around to stare at her. Her cheeks reddened and her finger automatically twirled around hair, twisting it in a curl, her eyes lowering to her knees.  

"Okay people, there's nothing to watch. Carry on." I said loudly. Everyone resumed and the volume of the soothing noise of the restaurant returned. 

"What?" she continued, softly." Does everyone know? Halien thinks only I know. He even made me swear an oath of secrecy."

"That scared, huh?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"This isn't a light matter. He'll kill me. Literally."

"Relax." I grinned. "Only I know."

She breathed a sign of relief but that was only for a brief moment.

"Only you know? Now that's worse."

I grinned. 'Thank you."

"Its isn't a compliment." She sighed exasperatedly.

Stealing a French fry from her plate, I said. "But I'll take it as one." 

I looked up at her but instead of watching me, Alice's eyes pried the waitress, watching her every move, as if waiting for her to do something. Something unnatural. Something supernatural.  

I watched the girl. She was taking the dishes to the table in the middle of the restaurant, where a group of teenage girls were sitting, the ones whose wardrobe emphasized short and tight. The girls were saying something to her, and she seemed to be denying it, a slight frown on her face. Then, the girl sitting closest to her, smiled meanly and reached out to the plate of dessert she had in her hand ,toppling it on her white apron, making her stumble backwards, onto the floor. The girls broke into peals of laughter. 

"Stupid blondes." I muttered.

"Oh, now your dress looks perfect." The girl hissed meanly, " Its identical to your face. Both are ugly." 

It was a dumb insult, really, and nothing to get worked up on, but still the blonde had to know her limits. Alice extended an arm to restrain me, as I jerked the table to get up. Silently, she glanced back at the waitress. 

She was standing there, caramel dripping from her apron. Suddenly the air, not only around her, but around everyone turned warm. The air around the waitress whizzed around her at great speed. In the now quiet restaurant, everyone had stood up from their tables, and were now watching the girl. And as if by magic, the air circling the girl, caught fire. Screaming, there was a hullabaloo as everyone dashed towards the exit, frightened by the hypnotized fire that was swirling around her, as if she controlled it. But me and Alice, were rooted to the spot, the sight of the girl fascinating yet horrifying. Her eyes had lost their focus, and now had turned wide. She opened her mouth and a long blood curdling scream rushed out, making me and Alice crouch, blocking our ears by our hands. Out of breath, the girl, who seemed as if she was under a spell, stumbled, losing the energy that flowed around her, the fire withering out slowly. As the energy drained out, her eyes slowly shut and she fell, an unconscious heap of black and white clothes on the floor. Alice's eyes widened. 

"Oh shit." 

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