Three Worlds Apart

Chapter II, Kamber

Another new town, another fresh start.

This is my life. 

Running.

Hiding.

The unknown.

I don't what I am, all I know is that I cause death where ever I go. Whatever I am it's a curse. 

My name is Kamber Cecily Andrews but not for long, my parents died protecting me when I was fourteen. Ever since then where ever I go someone dies. Always girls that look similar to me.

Black hair, gray eyes, pale skin, tall and thin. I'm not pretty, not even close. A lady in a shop once called me striking.

I left that city minutes of leaving the shop. 

I haven't lived anywhere more than a few weeks since I was fourteen, two years ago. I want to stay somewhere, have a life.

This time I'm going to school, I have to. I need to know things about how the world works.

I don't know what it's like to have friends, when you're young the people you think are your friends really aren't. They always turn on you.

I watch the school for a few minutes before going inside, I follow the signs to the office.

The school really isn't very big, which is just fine with me.

"Hi," I say to the secretary, "I'm Kamber Austins, a new student." My last name is really Tenebris but every time I move I change my last name, just in case.

"Oh yes, welcome Kamber. If you'll take a seat I'll get your schedule ready." She says, so I sit down. I look around the office, it's one of the nicer ones I've been in. Clean, no weird pictures on the walls. I kind of like it.   

A boy comes in just as the second bell rings to start class. He's cute, wavy brown hair and brown eyes. He looks sad though, I wonder why. 

"Mrs.Linton?" He asks, the secretary looks up and smiles at him. "Dawson, thanks for coming. I was hoping you could show Kamber around today?" The boy-Dawson looks over at me, his eyes seem empty; like something is missing.  

"Sure." He mutters. I frown, what could have happened to make this boy appear so lost? Dawson takes a note from the secretary along with my schedule and motions for me to follow him. We leave the office and start down a hallway.

My stomach drops, standing closer to him, I can sense why he's so sad. His girlfriend died, her whole family was murdered. He must have really loved her, I wish I could love someone that much.

Dawson stops outside a door and hands me my schedule, "I'll come find you before your next class." He says and walks away. 

There was something else, he's not sure about something. Something about himself.

Could he be like me? 

Dawson true to his word comes back and takes me to my next class. I stare after him for a moment, confused.

"Don't take it personally," A girl says behind me, I turn. She's tall with blonde hair and pale blue eyes, she smiles at me.

"Dawson is going through a tough time right now," Her smile sags, "But don't worry, it's not you." She looks sad too.

"I'm Kriss by the way." She says. "Kamber." Kriss smiles, "Pretty name." I shrug. It's not really but it's rude to say so.

At the end of class Kriss invites me to have lunch with her, Dawson and Kriss's boyfriend. Since the other option is sitting alone, I agree. Who knows, maybe I'll make friends? I won't hold my breath.

Kriss texts Dawson, telling him she'll get me to lunch.

Then she shows me where my locker is and we head for the cafeteria.

Alex, Kriss's boyfriend, is friendly but they all seem to be thinking about other things.

Finally I blurt out, "Are you guys okay?" They all look up at me, I feel my face heat up. 

"Yeah, we're fine." Kriss says, "It's nothing." Alex adds, I look down at my lap. Good job Kamber, get nosy. I am such an idiot.

Suddenly Dawson slams his fist down on the table, I swear I see electricity shoot out his hands, "The 'it's' you're talking about is Amelia and she is sure as hell not nothing." Dawson growls, he jumps up and storms away.

"I'm sorry." I mutter and go to stand up. Kriss grabs my arm, "Wait." She glances at Alex who shrugs.

"Look, I can explain but you have to swear not to repeat this to anyone." Kriss looks serious so I nod, "I swear." Kriss takes a deep breath.

"Amelia was my best friend and Dawson's girlfriend. He loved her more than anyone in the world. A few weeks ago her father kidnapped her mother and younger sister, they hadn't seen him in years. Her mother was killed in the struggle, which we didn't find out until later. Amelia convinced us to go with her to find them, her father killed her sister in front of her. Then Amelia knowing we didn't have much of a chance to escape blew up the underground tunneling system where her father had been hiding. Dawson, Alex and I were the only ones to make it out. Amelia was killed." Tears have welled up in Kriss's eyes, Alex leans over and puts his arm around her.

"Dawson hasn't been the same since, Amelia was his soulmate." Alex continues, "He doesn't know what to do know that she's gone. It's like he was torn in half when she died." Alex looks like he's trying not to cry too.

"The worst part is that, we couldn't tell anyone what had happened. The whole town thinks that Amelia's family is on the run from the police, they don't know they're all dead." A single tear slides down Kriss's cheek. 

I'm frozen, "I'm sorry." I whisper. "I know what's it's like to loose someone close to you, my parents died when I was 14." Kriss and Alex look at each other.

"I'm sorry," Alex says. To their surprise, I laugh.

"What?" Kriss asks.

"Isn't it ironic how we apologies when someone dies and it isn't our fault at all?" I say. Kriss and Alex break into reluctant smiles.

Maybe it won't be so bad here.