The Immortals

4.

2015 - KALANI POV

The marble was exquisite. Little streams of gold flowed through the stairs. The dark wood railing perfectly completed the grand staircase. Above the staircase was an immense chandelier, its gold and glass twinkled like stars. It was all beautiful to look at, but cold to the touch. Her barefeet danced up the steps two a time time, icy materials clinging to her toes. It wasn't hard, twelve steps, turn to the right, and straight on until the last door.

The house felt almost empty. Like no one had lived there in years but there was still something holding on in the shadows reluctant to let go. At the top of the stairs she turned around and took it all in. The entrance was just a small part of a grand floor plan, somewhere below was a door with a broken lock. She saw the broken vase, it was the only evidence someone else had been there.

She could see her breath in front of her but she wasn't the least bit chilly. Her excitement kept her blood pumping and warm. Her bare feet slapped against the floor. Her stride was long and relaxed. She had no arrival time. Only a destination, the second floor sitting room. The door would be unlocked and the others would be waiting. All she had to was make it up the stairs and down the hall.

The walls were blackened, out of reach of the lights. They formed a line straight down the center. The edges of the rug marked the light's territory. The corner of the rug was turned up and she stepped over it gracefully. She chewed her lip the closer she got to the door. The light coming from under the door was bright. She took a deep breath before opening it.

Hardwood from the hallway continued into the simple sitting room. A log in the fireplace shifted and sent a shower of embers up the chimney. The room was awash with stress, anxiety, and excitement. In the corner to the right a boy was huddled with his arm over his face. His clothes looked like they hadn't been washed in a while. His hands had paint and charcoal all over them. The corner made him look so small. 

Standing near the center of the room with her arms crossed a young girl moved her eyes from the boy to the door. On her neck and under her ears was dried blood. She didn't seem to notice or care about her wounds. Around her wrist a silver bracelet flashed. The young girl's eyes followed her as she crossed to the love seat. She felt like she was being tracked like prey. Her legs wanted to run but her mind screamed at her to stay. The boy looked up finally. His frosted eyes were a surprise. The pained looked on his face made her uncomfortable.

 "I could cut the tension with a knife..." She teased halfheartedly. The young girl just looked more confused. The boy didn't seem to hear her, he just stared past her to a dark spot just in front of the wall. The shadow of a figure was cast but there was nothing to block the light. The flickering fire made it hard to concentrate on just one thing.

"Weapons aren't allowed Kalani." A voice said. It came from the shadows. It wasn't hostile but it did nothing to calm the nerves of the young girl and boy. The young girl continued to radiate hostility. The boy in the corner had waves of frustration emanating from him. He kept rubbing his eyes.

"Aren't you expecting more people?" Kalani asked. The host's shadow nodded. "Other's like me?" Kalani pointed to herself. "Is he okay?" Kalani asked, seemingly the only one concerned for the boy. No one answered for him. "Are you alright?" She asked, starting to get up. "You're shaking really badly." The boy's eyes stopped her in her tracks.    

The frost melted from his eyes and his pupils moved quickly around her face. A series of scenes reflected in his pale blue eyes. Kalani felt frozen, half standing half sitting. Nothing could tear her eyes from his. He blinked a few times and the spasms in his eyes stopped. The clouds returned and he sat back resting his head against the wall.