Hearts of Cherry

The young girl stood in the sidewall, as the drunken man crashed into the pole opposite of her. "Interesting, isn't it?" someone beside her asked. It was a young woman, not a day over twenty, but something about her seemed... off. Her black hair seemed styled in a strange way, with separated locks, curved at the end. But the one thing that tipped the girl off about the woman's inhumanity was her eyes. They were solid black, including the eyeball, except for one sliver as the pupil.

"What's interesting?" the little girl asked. The woman didn't immediately respond, and instead started to circle her. The girl felt as though the woman was examining her, and became very self-conscious. Finally, the woman bent down eye-level, and asked, "What's your name?"

"Nikki," the girl replied.

"Where are your parents?" she asked. Nikki shook her head. "I don't have any. I live with Martha and Stu. They're my foster parents, but I don't like them."

The woman nodded absent-mindfully, still examining the girl. Nikki had the strange feeling that she was looking deeper than her skin, all the way down to her soul. But how would she be able to she someone's soul?

"How old are you, Nikki?" she asked, standing up.

"Eight," she responded politely. "Who are you? Are you a social worker? Have you come to take me away from Martha and Stu?" Nikki's eyes widened. "Has someone adopted me?"

The woman laughed. The laugh seemed very bright, illuminating. "Well, I am sort of like a social worker. Nikki, would you like to leave Martha and Stu, and live with me?"

Nikki shrugged. " I guess. Who are you?"

"My name? Medusa."

Nikki knew who Medusa was (she loved to read): She was an evil demon, cursed with snake hair and eyes that could turn man to stone.

"Funny," replied Nikki, "you don't look like you have snakes for hair."

Medusa laughed again. "No, I don't have snake hair."Suddenly, someone called out her name.

"Medusa! What are you doing? We gotta go!"

Nikki turned her head, but before she could see the person's face-

BEEP! BEEP!

The all-too familiar beep of my alarm clock rang me out of my peaceful slumber. As my hand instinctively reached for the "off" button, I took note of the time: 3:25 p.m. Not bad, considering I fell asleep at five in the morning. Luckily, on days Medusa throws a party, all I have to do is look pretty.

My name is Nikki. Plain old Nikki. No last name, becauseI was abandoned as a baby. One day, as I watched a car crash, Medusa found me. Let me tell you a couple of things about Medusa:

1. She doesn't have snake hair. She just doesn't brush it that often.

2. She doesn't turn men into stone. They're already dead when she deals with them.

3. She is a heart-eater. Literally. She eats dead human's hearts and souls. Why? Because, the heart and soul, if left to their own devices, kinda "revive" themselves, and turn into a new human being, who slowly turns into a zombie. This doesn't only happen to humans' it happens to all creatures.

4. She is one of the most powerful sorcerers in the universe. And I'm her apprentice. Apparently, I have a strong and bright soul, and have the capacity to preform magical spells.

So, on that tragic day, Medusa rescued me form the foster system, and took me in. Now, I live in a separate dimension, with an elf and a faerie, both of whom eat hearts. Don't ask.

5. She loves to throw parties. When I say parties, I mean large gatherings where magicians show of their pupils, and Medusa shows off me. No dancing, no craziness, and the most intoxicating drink anyone has drunk is red wine.

That's Medusa for you.

Steadily, I got up, and surveyed my room. It was pretty, or as I like to call it "exotic". The walls were painted orange, and covered with things I got form places Medusa and I went for either training or for her lunch. I'm still human, I don't eat hearts. One wall was filled with paintings I bought from places like Tokyo, or Comic-Con. And another was a bookcase, filled with fiction books, and magic spell books.

I found my closet, and picked out a nice, floral sundress to wear, before the gala. After I changed, I left my room, and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Our house was kinda of a vacation house, next to a nice beach. The kitchen looked like an ordinary one, with your everyday appliances, and two fridges. One filled with food, and one filled with ingredients. You guessed it, magical ingredients.

Next to the counter sat a young girl, long black hair, bright blue-green eyes, and... stars for pupils? Yes, stars for pupils. This is Kalli, a faerie, wings and all. Kalli is a star faerie, specifically, which is why there are star-shaped patterns on her wings, and stars for pupils. Kalli is a morning, evening, and night person. She's happy all-day round... except on rainy days, since the Sun (a star) is being covered up.

Luckily, today was bright and sunny, so Kalli was in a bright and happy mood. She was drinking a cup of coffee when I walked in.

"Pretty late to be waking up, don't you think?" she said, smirking as I sat down.

"Pretty late to be drinking coffee, don't you think?" I snapped in response.

She smiled. "Pam's coming over tonight to get ready. You know she loves your makeup."

"It's because I got it from that Mac in New York last winter, remember?"

"Is that the time where that cute guy was hitting on me at that Christmas Party?"

I held back a chuckle. Faeries are unconditionally attractive; no matter who you are, you will fall in love with a faerie. Most faeries use this to manipulate creatures into dying, so they could eat their hearts, but not Kalli. Otherwise, I'd be dead by now.

"Where's Medusa?" I asked, looking around. "She and Rei off somewhere?"

Kalli nodded, taking a deep sip of her coffee. "Someone died up in Vermont, they went to go check it out. They're bringing me back some-"

"Okay, too much information." As I pulled out a bowl, milk and some cereal, two people walked into the room: A deep red haired, fair skinned elf, and my teacher, Medusa.

The elf was also my teacher, but mainly for sword fighting and archery. Her name is Rei. Rei and Kalli used to be Medusa's students, until they turned eighteen. When an apprentice turns eighteen, they are either allowed to stay with their master to learn more, or become their own magician, and start their own career in the world. Rei has her own potion-making business, but stays with Medusa anyway. As for Kalli.... she has an on-off relationship with her working life.

Before I could greet either of them, or even start to pour my cereal, Medusa grabbed me by the hand, and started to walk towards the front door. "Hey, I didn't even start breakfast!"I yelled, struggling to escape her grip, but to no avail.

"We have no time for breakfast!"she growled. "Uh, why didn't he tell us earlier.... planning this for weeks and he knew.... only five more hours until... Uh!"

"hat happened?"I questioned, as Medusa opened the door, revealing a field of green grass in the dark sky. I know what you're thinking, 'What happened to the beach? Wasn't it daytime? Do you live in Norway?'

Well, magicians can teleport instantly, and take other people with them. She taught me how to teleport, too. And believe me, after that, I couldn't understand how I was able to live without this power.

"Marik called me, telling me the council wanted to see your abilities tonight, by doing something that showcases your powers. I was thinking of turning the wine into blood, and having a firework finale. Does that sound alright?"

I didn't bother to resist, even though I wasn't prepared. The Council of Warlocks decides who becomes a magician, and who doesn't. If I can't please them, I can throw all my wishes out the door.

Maybe if I didn't, all f this would have been avoided.Then again, maybe it would have caused it to happen faster. Who knows?