A World of Shadows

Chapter 8: Beginnings

I know it's been a long time but here's a new chapter!

Chapter song: Survival by Muse

I gazed blankly at my wardrobe bursting with new clothes which I had bought in my rather testing first day as a citizen of Anchorage. The sight and smell of my old clothes had been too nostalgic spurring my shopping spree yesterday to create a wardrobe that was far more gothic than my previous. Practically every single garment was some shade of black or grey with the exception of one white vest top, a black and white checkered shirt alongside a soft navy zip-up hoodie which I hadn't been able to resist.

For the first time in my existence I didn't know what to wear. I was determined to look human and discreet so I wouldn't attract too much attention. The previous day had also seen me acquire a rather large amount of green contacts from several different sources to cover my still unnatural eyes which had now taken the colour of honey. I placed these in carefully putting off the inevitable moment where I would choose clothes and also trying to hide the fact to myself that I was having this much trouble choosing an outfit.

In a blast of irritation I grabbed a partly quilted leather jacket, black skinny jeans and a black tank top before pulling them on in record time. Then I yanked my dark mass of hair into a slightly messy, loose pony tail and after considering my appearance fleetingly in the mirror I came to the conclusion this would be appropriately demure and gave up; leaving the array of make up on the table/bedside cabinet untouched.

Outside my rather shabby flat, which was all I my money would stretch to, winter was beginning to take a hold of the city, not that I could feel the crispness that the new season would inevitably bring to the air. On a second thought I seized the navy jacket from its hanger and slid it on under my leather garment to keep the cold at bay...or to keep up the appearance of keeping the cold at bay. I glanced down at my watch where the hand signalled that it was time to leave if I wanted to get to school on time travelling at the tortuously slow human pace. I ran across the room enjoying the speed for just a few more moments as I yanked on some ankle high, lace up boots then left the depressing one room space, that was now my only retreat, to face the city.

I strode along the route I had glanced over once and memorised yesterday watching the movements of humans at this fairly early hour. Every single one of them pulsated with energy and life (that made my throat throb a little but not to badly at the courtesy of my rushed hunt last night) which they did not value. They threw away their precious gift for relationships, drugs and stupid stunts. The former had been my downfall and it had resulted in me losing my most precious gift which I hadn't even realised I had till it was gone. All because of a blasted species who I had unwisely mixed with. Every person around glowed with vitality as their bodies never rested constantly moving, changing and renewing whilst mine remained beautifully frozen. The only signs of life were on the outside, as on the inside my body was sculpted of ice.

As I traipsed forward my cold beauty attracted a few sliding glances but I ignored this and instead fixed my mind on my, slightly ridiculous considering my situation, pressing matters of the first day at a new school. I had never been any good at fitting in and this would work to my advantage as long as I kept myself under tight bounds not too many people would approach me. This was what I needed for now despite my longing for companionship as I needed to re-accustom myself to high school life before getting mixed up in messy human emotions again. I knew just how painfully catastrophic strong emotions were when they were misplaced.

Suddenly the gates of Eagle River High schooled loomed into view, selected for its status as the smallest high school in Anchorage. The sprawling buildings still looked pretty extensive to me compared to my small town existence in Fawks although I wasn't sure about their selection of a mustard-y yellow to colour all the buildings in my line of sight.

Once I had entered the grounds I walked to the reception where I had been only a couple of nights to talk the male receptionist into a place at the school with a combination of reason and flirtation. I had signed up under the name of Ciara White. Ciara meant little dark one which seemed appropriate and white was a reference to Swan which was a name that could now destroy my entire existence. I had created myself an entire new life. I was now a girl who had got emancipated to escape her abusive parents at 17. My birthday was 22nd December which was the winter solstice and my address was the miniscule flat a couple of miles from the school where I lived completely alone. To all appearances I was just a screwed up lonely girl who had emotional issues legacy of her parents which explained the inevitable loner label that would be pinned on me almost at once. I felt a childish pull of joy that I had pulled it off and convinced the clueless reseptionist that no follow up calls were necessary because 'I would never lie to you'.

My new appearance seemed to open many doors if I played it up as shown in the flat I had acquired so easily and the place at this school. This unnerved me a little, things shouldn't be that easy...not in my experiences anyway. Pushing this uncomfortable thought aside I relaxed my stance, pulled the hair band tighter around my locks and entered one of the many sickly yellow buildings.

After collecting a schedule and map from the highly complementing receptionist, both of which were memorised in a split second and stuffed in my black messenger bag, I trailed off to Biology bumping into a few people for good measure as I made my way down the yellow, black and off-white tiled corridor.

Once I had pushed through the creme coloured door I took a seat right in the back of the class my marginal promptness allowing me a wide range of seating choice. As I surveyed the classroom my stomach twisted at the hazy memory of another fateful Biology class which had indirectly lead me to where I was today.

At that moment I became aware of footsteps approaching me and I looked up preparing my best human conversation but the sight which met my eyes made my brain blast into overdrive and panic swelled through my chest as all thoughts of human interaction were lost. A pair of eyes were examining me which were an unmistakable shade of burgundy red that the owner had apparently made no effort to hide. His menacing eyes flickered with surprise as his nostrils flared slightly before a knowing look lit those slightly sinisterly coloured eyes which held my green eyes captured.

"Hello," the unwelcome acquaintances said his gaze remaining steady as his voice confirmed my worst fears. "I believe you're sitting in my seat."

I know it's not very long but it's taking me a while to get back into the story...please let me know what you think if you want another update!