The Void's Protector: Nova Fire

Shadows

I never wanted to move away, but it's for space... That we needed for some reason. My family and I have just moved to a small Maryland town in the middle of nowhere. Literally a small town fifty miles away from everything, only trees, and fields. I won't try to make friends because of my shyness, though being alone can have its perks. I actually think making friends this time will be extremely difficult. I mean, I've been with mine for so long and they're what I'm used to. I don't know how to make friends. They just find me. It makes me so scared and I look away, but I don't want to seem mean. It makes everything unexplainable... and complicated. In the corner of my eye, I saw my photo sticking out of my personal box. It was myself surrounded by all five of my friends. I'll really miss them. I'm still wondering why my mom made us move away so urgently.

It's December, so the trees are leafless and dead. They stretch out like weird bony hands, it's very creepy with the dry yellowish grass. Plus all the houses look the same. I still see no difference and this is the largest neighborhood I've ever been in. It's actually the only neighborhood I've seen in this ghost town. Probably the only neighborhood, small towns are weird. The place is oddly empty, doubt it's too cold to be outside for some people. The clouds covered the entire sky and it looks so dark. It seems like it might snow soon. There's no sun in sight, I can say that. We've moved in the center of the neighborhood where everyone goes, lucky me.

We bought a gray house with an attic and a garage, but no basement. We had a basement before, we went in and there was a giant spider. I put him in a glass box and called him Freddy. Everything was fun and games until my brother, Damon, killed him. He said the spider scared him and it supposedly got out its box. In the car, Damon was having a harsh conversation with Mom. College, it's really starting to get to him. I know he doesn't want to leave me and it's different for him. He's always been protecting of me and we've always been very close. I guess it's kinda hard for him to protect me when he's twelve hours away. Though I liked how protective he is, now it's starting to get a little annoying. Mom said he's my brother and that's how he is but he can loosen up just a little. It's also starting to get to the point where he was picking what friends I can and can't have. It's so annoying! Why can't he be more like our sister? My sister Nisha, is off in college and Damon, is going in a few weeks, but I'm still in high school. Why am I so behind? Maybe being an only child for once in my life deserves a try. I turned back to the window, tuning out the conversation again.

The houses passed in a foggy blur through the window. We drove up to the house and pulled into the driveway. A brown splintery fence wrapped around the house and stopped at the sidewalk. There was a creaky fence gate leading to our backyard. It was slanted and didn't stay shut, slamming as the winter wind blew. It had mulch around it, yet no flowers. No one grew anything here for a while, that's what it looks like. An old house that needs a bit of a fixer upper. Damon jumped out the car and Dad came up behind us with the moving truck. I grabbed my personal box and took the smallest room, small rooms are cozy. My room is to the left, right up against the stairs. I walked up and stepped right inside. The carpet was a dark faded blue. Nisha wouldn't like this house because of it but it's not that bad. I walked to the window and wiped off some fog. There were the backyard fence and parts of the neighbors' on both sides. Then a giant deep forest, with a small field in front. It was dark and covered with frost, making a view from a horror movie.

"Hey Adara, we're bringing up your bed," Dad called from below. I moved my box to my closet and watched him and Damon set it down.

"We'll be back with your dresser." Damon petted my head as they walked out. I dragged my bed to the right corner of the room, opposite the window. I took out my photo of my best friends and me, it'll be the first thing I put on the wall instead of my posters. Too bad we're half a state apart.

Mom wanted me to change my clothes since I was in my pajamas the entire ride. We moved in the middle of the night in a rush. I still wonder why but Mom won't tell me anything. I just put on some jeans, a green shirt, and my favorite neon green jacket. I grabbed my green headphones and walked back down, but everyone was gone! I walked outside and the car was still there, but no people. There was a small squeaking and followed it towards the backyard. I went into the kitchen and out the back door. It was an empty backyard but there was a black object near the fence. A small black cat with a white patch on her chest was stuck under it. I dug a little underneath and brushed off my hands. The kitten scampered right between my legs and started rubbing against them. I picked her up and she started purring on me. Then an odd feeling came by, a hot burning in my hands. My head started to throb and everything looked shaky and dark. There was a flash and all I could see was a flaming circle around me. It was blue fire, and so sparkly, it looked like someone threw glitter in it. One blink and the feeling was gone. I shook my head and the fire vanished as if nothing was there. That was...strange. I hope that was nothing. It was probably just a trick of my eyes, right? At least I hope.

I walked back into the house and there was still no one in sight. Outside, the garage was empty as well. I put on my headphones to some dubstep to take a walk. That fire, it scared the crap out of me. I need to calm down, besides, this kitten here needs my attention. She licked my face, her blue eyes were sparkling. That's adorable. I zipped up my jacket and the kitten shivered, so snuggled her into my arms. It was a long walk, my house already faded away. A couple more blocks and I spotted a guy about my age walking towards me from a distance. I guess he noticed me by my neon jacket and green headphones, they do brighten up everything. We were about to pass each other, then everything started to move in slow motion. His eyes caught mine and we both stopped, then he smiled. I quickly looked away when he faced me. Meeting new people is always so hard.