The Light Within

Chapter 1 Stranger Danger

A loud crack of thunder shudders through the house jerking me awake from an unusual dream. I have been having weird dreams but in this one I was with a group of all ages. They all looked angel like, they were drop dead gorgeous. They all had pointed ears and a the same tattooed symbol on the palm of their hands.

My eyes blink rapidly in the darkness before adjusting to the surroundings of my bedroom. A loud groan escapes from my mouth as I stare at the red digits on the alarm clock. It read 5:53. My warm pillow meets my head once again and I peacefully sleep for another seven minutes.

The beep of the clock beeps annoyingly until I get fed up with it. The palm of my hand smashes onto the clock causing me to wince at the slight pain it has created.

"You little-" I cut myself off before something R rated spills from my mouth. I've never really been a fan of swearing either.

I groan loudly as I lazily walk towards the closet. Not even remembering that the lights are off, my foot rams into my dresser. Instant pain seeps into my right big toe. If someone would have opened the door they would have seen Godzilla on a rampage while hopping on one foot. Surprisingly Tammy hasn't awaken from all this noise I've made.

For as long as I can remember Tammy has been my adopted Mom. She has told me in the pass that there is no trace or evidence on who or where my biological parents are. I guess I was left on the side of the road as an infant. Soon or later Tammy found me and took me to the police department. In the end she got to keep me.

I trudge to my closet in search for clothes. I tug some name brand navy blue hoodie off the hanger and slip it over and yellow t shirt smothered in frogs. I know. I'm sixteen and I still wear froggy shirts. The thought gave me a childish feeling in the pit of my stomach. I hop in a pair of skinny jeans with a few frayed rips the crawl up to my legs.

I walk back to the horrid cruel dresser. While searching in the drawer for my other black and white checkered sock, I hum a tune that has been glued into my brain for a week now. When slipping my socks on another crack of thunder booms. I look the window with an unamused expression. Rain was down pouring like there's no tomorrow. Bolts of lightning flash in the distance.

Great. I'm going to have to walk to school in this.

In a quick ninja like motion I tip toed to the bathroom. I squirt a glob of toothpaste on my toothbrush. I scrub until I feel that gross morning mouth flavor has disappeared.

I glance into the mirror and see a monster with shiny teeth staring at me. Its long dark hair is quite fluffy and frizzy. The eyes a warm root beer brown, have a look that says their still tired. And its usual glowing tan skin is pale and lifeless.

I splash some ice cold water on my face hoping I won't look so tired anymore. My hand clutches its blue leopard print brush forcing it to meet the tired monsters hair. It doesn't leave til I'm satisfied.

While walking out I give the mirror another glance, and leave feeling somewhat better.

I jog down the stairs and find Tammy in a pink bathrobe sipping coffee on the couch.

"Good morning sunshine," she says in a cheery voice.

"Morning," I say with my face shoved in the refrigerator," do we have any donuts?"

Tammy walks to the pantry and grabs a bag of mini chocolate donuts. She throws it at me and I catch it gently so I don't harm a single donut. I tear the bag open and stuff three donuts in my mouth and wash it down with some coffee. Tammy looks at me in disbelief and let's out a chuckle.

"Maybe you can call Nicole and ask if she can pick you up so you don't have to walk to school in this weather."

"Good idea." I feel the corners of my mouth curl into a smile.

My fingers scramble through my bag searching for my dinosaur phone. I clutch the phone and dial Nicole's number.

"Hey its Nicole leave a message after the beep. Beep."

"Yo, Loser answer your phone." I hang up.

Tammy gives a look as if there was hope.

"Looks like I'm walking." I say flatly.

" Aw, Zoey I'm sorry that the car isn't fixed yet." She says in a sad tone.

I slide into my dark purple button up jacket and hop into a pair of black simple converse.

"It'll be fine. Bye. Love you." I say while slipping my hood on.

"Bye honey. Love you." I shut the door and walk into the world of cold wetness.

Tammy and I live in cottage like house a couple miles away from school so its take a good half hour to walk.

After a couple blocks of freezing my butt off I get the feeling I'm being followed. But when I turn around there's nothing. Whatever it is the footsteps are getting closer.

I stop in my tracks and turn around. And there I saw a muscular figure taller then me looking at the ground. From the looks it was a guy. The mysterious figures stops dead in their tracks about five feet away from me. My breathing got heavy and uneven. All I could think was 'please don't be a rapist. Please don't be a rapist.'

His head rose up and his stunning misty blue eyes looked into mine. My body shivered from the coldness and this strangers presence. My lip quivered with fear. He looked about eighteen or so. Had evenly tanned skin. But I couldn't see what his hair was like since his hood had it covered. He looked too attractive. The tattoo on his neck is what caught my attention though. It looked like a symbol of some kind on his neck.

The stranger was still staring at me as if he found what he was looking for. 'Oh gosh! He is a rapist!' my conscience was yelling at me.

"Zoey," he said with a low smooth voice,"I'm not a rapist." He walked pass me as if nothing just happened.

What just happened! So many questions raced through my mind. Who is he? How does he know my name? Why was he following me? How on earth did he know what I was thinking !?

"Wait!" I yell chasing after him. I caught up with him but he walks fast, so I'm practically jogging. "Who are you?" I say faintly. But I don't get a response. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" I speed ahead of him and stop, blocking his way.

A sigh escapes from his mouth. His eyes give me a glare.

"The name is Jason. I'm your guardian.."

Confusion was painted on my face.

"What are you talk-" his hand clasped over my mouth muffling the rest of the sentence. But I was now screaming. What is he doing?!

He steps behind me pushing me into the woods out of sight from others. I lick his hand and he pulls it away. I scream again.

"Will you just shut up!" He says as if he's annoyed.

"What do you want! Let me go! How do you know my name!?" Questions were spilling from my mouth.

He groans annoyingly and pulls something out of his pocket.

"Here, have a mint." He says as his hand held it out for me to grab.

"No." I say stubbornly.

" I will answer any question you ask." His eyebrows rise a little.

"Fine."

I pop the mint into my mouth. It tastes really sweet, like something anyone can easily get addicted to. But it starts to dissolve. My vision gets blurry and everything is spinning.

"Woooah." A giggle slips out of my mouth. I fall and everything goes black.