Paranormal Shadows

~ Chapter 1 ~

It was a frosty winters evening in London, England, that particular time in early December where the air was crisp and chilly and the streets were silent and deserted. Robin Shaw walked the city alone, his hands hidden deep inside his velvet coat pockets to retain some warmth. His breath formed swirls of cold mist that billowed around him with every exhalation. Across the floor, his inky shadow moved slowly and unsteadily along behind him, only changing shape in the flashy amber beam of shady street lamps. Robin murmured his thoughts subtly to himself, not able to rationalise them in such silent conditions. Whilst wandering, Robin had to time to think. Think about what had happened the night before. The events had played in his head so many times over he was not sure whether or not he could trust their accuracy or if his own perception had rewritten how the events had unfolded. However, one thing was certain... His girlfriend, Zoe Fray, was dead.
Zoe always had a habit of being in the right place at the point of disaster, and had never failed to help prevent it. But, she couldn't stop it this time. Zoe was a kind person. Perhaps that was why she was singled out as a victim. A painful shot of recollection stabbed through Robin's head, forcing its way into a wall he had built to protect himself. He saw her again. Robin found himself in the place of the murder, collapsed in a corner, unable to move but his vision so vivid. Trying with much difficulty to look away yet his eyes stayed motionless. Tears wallowing in his eyes, he watched silently as he saw his girlfriend's life weave between the cracks in the pavement and down a gutter. He stared into her eyes. He didn't see the beautiful blue pools of life he use to. He saw emptiness. The droplets of water trickled down his cheeks, burning into his skin. It was all too real. He appeared back on the street, dazed and in mental pain. "You alright, mate?" A taxi driver had pulled over on the side of the road and looked generally worried. "Yeah. I-I'm fine. Thanks." Robin stuttered. The driver raised his eyebrow, but drove on without a second thought, humming away to himself. Robin exhaled and wandered on, still partially vertiginous. Once calm, his mind wandered yet again however this time, to the grand decorations of Christmas along the streets: bright reds and golds splashed the bland city walls as paper snowflakes hung across apartment windows. Robin was taken aback to his plans for this Christmas with Zoe; they were to go out for dinner in the centre of town and watch the fireworks from their apartment window. That was where he was supposed to propose. Robin then realised he was going to spend Christmas alone. Tripping over his own feet, he ran back to his apartment, not able to see the world around him alone. He slashed open the door and slammed it shut after him. It felt wrong. It was the first time he had come back home since the tragic event that had occurred the night before. He didn't want to look at anything. It all seemed so comforting, so familiar to see frames withholding pictures of him and the one he loved, yet insulted him deep within. He lay on the grey, dusty carpet of the hallway and unintentionally, his eyes faded to black. Sleep. The next day was to be Zoe's funeral. Robin had no intention in going. His relationship with Zoe was personal to him, not something he wished to share with relatives and allies who would mean well but slander with every word of comfort. But he had to attend. For Zoe. Robin stayed silent and stoic throughout the commemoration. Relatives prayed condolences and friends patted Robin on the back in sympathy, who looked to the ground in sorrow yet disgust, leaving him alone with the coffin. He tried to walk away. He tried to forget any of this had ever happened. But he had to see. He walked over and started to open the lid of the box... Nothing. All that lay were a scattered bunch of petals and a small white note. In scribbled hand writing, the paper read:

Robin,

I never died. It was all a mistake. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before now, and it may come to you as a surprise but... I can see the most probable future. I can see what is most likely to happen in the next multiple minutes or hours. That's why I always knew where to be, like the fire in the kitchen. I knew that was going to happen... You know where to find me but I can't tell you. But I know you'll figure it out. You always do. Just remember, no matter what anyone tells you, you can change the future. It's your future.

Zoe

Robin couldn't believe it. Were his eyes deceiving him or was it really Zoe? The more he read, the less sense it made... Zoe is alive? She can see the future?
Why couldn't she tell him her location? The words swirled around in Robin's mind, causing a hurricane of dreams and nightmares, thoughts and questions that had no answer. He felt an empty pit inside his stomach, as if it were guilt. He couldn't decide what to do, where to go, how to help. Robin looked up and around him to check if anyone had watched him, when something grasped his wrist. "Come with us." A woman said, her calm yet vicious voice piercing at Robin's ear drums. "Who are you?" Robin said swiftly. "I was one of Zoe's friends. My name is Kayln." She turned her head, waving a long sheet of platinum blond hair. Kayln pointed at another man and woman behind her. "That's Jack," A tall, brown-haired boy raised his hand and waved it subtly. "And that's Rebecca. They were Zoe's friends too." Rebecca had jet-black hair and those hazel eyes that seem to stare right through you. She smiled. "Come with us." Kayln repeated, obviously becoming impatient. She glared Robin in the eyes, her black pupils showed the emptiness, emotionless feeling she was experiencing. Robin needed time to think. "Robin. We know you need time to think. Go home. If you could, we would like to meet you here tomorrow." Jack said calmly, putting his hand on Robin's shoulder. "How did you know that I was thinking that?" Robin questioned, brushing Jack's hand of his shoulder disapprovingly. "That's a special talent of mine. I can read minds. Pretty cool, right?" Jack chuckled as Kayln threw him an angry stare and frowned. Jack backed away and stood with Rebecca in the background once again. Robin trudged back, hugging himself as if he were to retch however just breathed in and out heavily. "Listen, Robin. We'll meet you here again tomorrow around 8. Please come. We need you." And with that, in one swift motion, Kayln turned on her heels and stormed away in her camouflage jeans and a white tank top. Rebecca and Jack followed her, and as they walked off, she turned around and waved, giggling. Then, she ran to catch up with the others. Robin stood for a while, stunned into complete silence, finding himself in the room alone once again. He was too shocked to say anything at all, but he just stared at the empty box. "Why?!" He finally shouted, tears welling in his eyes with anger. "Why do I have to be alone? Where are you? Why aren't you still here... with me." He whispered in despair, gazing down at the floor, watching a tear roll from his cheek onto the matted carpet. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of sorrow, he got up off of his knees and had made his decision. Robin would come tomorrow and find out what they want, that's it. They claimed to be friends of Zoe's, after all. He needed to know what was going on.

A/N: Oh, wow. You made it this far, wow. 1360 words, oops. I got a bit caught up. Please leave a comment about how you thought of this story as I'm a bit new to this kind of thing, I hope it was alright. Thank you.