The Beginning: A Novel of Crossed Paths

Chapter 1: Foster Home

for giving me the encouragement needed to finally post my own stories, and not getting mad when I criticized hers.

Hello to everyone who decides to read this.

This is my first story post.  I've had this story for a while and I just wanted some feedback.  Feel free to write comments, opinions, or criticisms.  I want to improve my writing.  If you find any grammar errors, point those out too - I hate reading something when all of a sudden a grammar mistake throws off my groove.

The videos on the side are just songs that I've heard on the radio or other things that catch my eyes and ears.  They will most likely have nothing to do with the story.

Thanks for your time!

Abookats

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In a world where humans thrive, there are those who possess other-worldly abilities who mingle amid the throng.  They look exactly like humans; they smell exactly like humans; they blend in with the humans perfectly.  These beings are few in number and rarely cross paths with another of their kind, but when they do the consequences are monstrous.

Chapter 1

Foster Home

Scarlett

I have always thought that in a previous life I was a vampire.  Many people might disagree with me. Those same people might say, “Vampires don’t exist.”  Although it is true that I have no proof of the existence of vampires, I cannot find any other explanation for my appearance and abilities.  On second thought, I have not really searched for any other explanation either.

In all vampire tales, the vampires always look the same.  I fit that description.  My skin is flawless and a creamy ivory in color that, no matter how hard I try, I cannot get to tan or produce a single pimple.  You might ask why I am complaining – most teenage girls would kill to have that kind of complexion.  I guess I am not so much complaining about the pimples so much as the tan.  If you have ever gotten nasty sunburn, you would know what I mean.  Except sun block probably works for you – it does not for me.  I burn just as much with it as without it.  I do not buy sun block anymore; it’s just a waste of pocket change.

My hair is dark - not quite black, but it comes close enough - and it hangs to the middle of my back when I take it out of its almost constant ponytail.  My eyes are the same color blue as the sky, but I am told they turn blood red when I am ticked off by whatever is unfortunate enough to do so.  As I am most always annoyed, my eyes have taken on a weird violet, almost plum, color.

Before you ask, no, I do not, thank goodness, have fangs.  I also do not have the urge to drink blood.  The only other similarity in appearance is my body shape, for which any model would pay a plastic surgeon millions.  My height is short, not much more than five feet.  It is strange – I have always wondered what the world looks like to a tall person.

I have a few vampire abilities that I try not to tell anyone or let anyone find out about – something bad always occurs when that happens.  For this reason, I will not talk about them; they make me feel like more of a freak than I already am.  Maybe I need counseling, I do not know.  Anyway, you will be able to figure the special skills out; there will be more than enough clues.  Just one hint: I cannot walk through walls.  Bummer, is it not?

I currently live in a small town along a lake.  The town is nice – there are not very many people – and the lakeshore is just a short drive away, accessible by bike if need be.

I live with my foster family – the Lowells.  I have a sister – Jeanette – and a mom and dad – Laurie and Alec.  The good thing about Laurie and Alec is that they do not insist I call them mom and dad like other parents I have had at other foster homes.  Oh yes, I have had more than one.  I can thank my special abilities, inconveniences as I call them, for that.  I never stay in one place for more than a year.