The Slayers: The Black King [Book 1 of the Slayers series]

Chapter 1: A demon ruins my life

Chapter 1: A demon ruins my life

Part 1

I sat up on my bed with a yawn. Getting up, I went to replace the monthly calender hanging on the wall. Today was a new year, a new beginning. But how much difference could a fifteen year old's life differ from that of a sixteen year old? I mean, more homework and stuff only right?

After brushing and washing my face, I stepped out of my room into the living room. Only silence welcomed me. Well, that was to be expected. What was I thinking? They were gone. For two years already. Yet somewhere in my heart, I still hoped they would appear in this house and surprise me. It would be creepy, yes, but sometimes desperate people wish for desperate things. I had thought I had overcome these feelings. But still, sometimes I would feel this twinge of sadness.

I once had a very close knitted family, until five years ago the company my parents worked in suddenly flourished and my father had to travel overseas with my mother. They only came back every new year's to celebrate it with me and my grandmother, that is, until they died on their way back two years ago. Nobody knew why the incident occured; it was said that a lightning strike split the plane into two in the middle of the ocean. Nobody survived.

Walking towards the living room, I saw the picture of a happy family; a couple, an elderly woman, and a young boy with an innocent smile on his face. I used to live with my parents and my grandmother, until my parents travelled overseas. My parents gave her a lot of money every month last time, so she had quite a huge sum of money when she passed on last year, and this money was given to me, as written in her will. At least I was wise enough to use it appropriately, so it could last as long as possible. I dimly remembered, at her funeral, where a few of my relatives whom I had met for the first time came and console me. I was the one who was in the greatest shock. My family left me one by one, while the others coul still keep theirs. I had loathed them; cursed them. But as time passed, I realised what was important was to pick myself up. They led their lives, I have mine. Simple.

In school, my grades were average and I was socially awkward, so I had no friends. Well, two, actually, but what difference did that make?

It was another usual day as I walked towards the nearest bus stop, thinking about how I would celebrate my birthday. I was also thinking about my new year resolutions, until I saw a suspicious looking person staring at me at the void deck below the building. He was wearing a straw hat and blue overalls with a red shirt, like a farmer. His face was unkempt, with a small beard. When I made eye contact with him, it felt as though he could stare deep inti my soul; I felt I was vulnerable and naked in front of him. It freaked me out so much I practically ran all the way to the bus stop. I collapsed onto a bench and panted to catch my breath. I turned to check if he had followed me, and I got the shock of my life. He was sitting on the bench next to mine, staring at me with those creepy black eyes under the hat. I avoided looking at him, and suddenly found my sandals very interesting. I wiggled my toes, played with my fingers, doing everything I could to get him out of my mind. Maybe he would realise I was just a crazy person and leave me alone.

I silently wished the bus would just arrive, and quite suddenly, my bus just came zoming down the street and stopped right in front of me. I did not know I had bus summoning powers. Cool. Although it was mostly coincidental.

I boarded the bus quickly, and headed for my usual seat at the back of the bus, which was, luckily, unoccupied. The passengers on board continued with their own things, and only one or two people looked up to see who boarded the bus. When I sat down, the bus started on its route again. I took a quick glance at the bus stop to check on my stalker. He was smiling at me evilly, licking his lips with his tongue, which was long, compared to an average human. His teeth were sharp too. I did not exactly take note of his ears just now, but it seem to stick out pointedly. I decided there and then, that he was not a human, and not something good either.