The Dark Ones

The bright sunlight fills my small room. I slowly open my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the light. I can feel the cold air as i lift the cover off. The carpet feels soft under my feet as i get up and head towards the shower. "Urgh." I groan sleepily as i slip my clothes off and enter the shower.

The warm water helps to relax my aching muscles from training last night...Darren. Crap! I remember telling him i would meet him to practice again this morning.

I quickly rinse my hair and hop out to dry off. My clothes were already laid out, thanks to my Mom. She laid out black leggings, a pink tank top, and tennis shoes. I slip on everything in a flash and almost forget to brush my teeth in my hurry.

"Mom!" I yell loud enough for her to hear. "Could you please fix me something to eat for on my way!" I hear a faint 'yes dear' before i head down the stairs.

"I gotta go or I'll be late." I say as i give my mom a quick hug and take the bagel she fixed me. "Thanks Mom, love you!"

Running out the door and past my neighbors, i almost run into Anastasia. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry."

"Oh you're fine!" She giggled. Anastasia and i have been friends since last year. I can count on her to keep some of my biggest secrets and she's always fun to hang around with.

"I'm sorry, but I gotta go." I flash her an apologetic smile and take off again. The last thing i see before leaving is her waving hand.

When I reach the clearing, Darren's back is towards me. "Your late." I know he has a smile plastered on his face.

"Sorry, I overslept a bit." I giggle lightly and go to pull out my sword, but realize i forgot it. "Um hey Darren, you didn't happen to bring an extra sword did you?"

Quickly turning around, he tosses me a sword. "Always forgetting your sword." He smiles.

"Shut up." I shake my head with a smile creeping onto my face. I always forget my sword. I guess you could call it a habit.

Before i could even react, he swings his sword at me. A small scream escapes my lips as i duck, not having time to lift the sword, and lose my balance and fall. "Ugh, I wasn't ready!" He reaches his hand out and I take it as he pulls me up.

"I'm trying to help you with your reflexes. If you don't react quick enough, you will end up dead."

"No, I thought my enemy would spare me and become my best friend." I roll my eyes and laugh.

"Always the one for sarcasm." He chuckles and brings his sword up. "Ready to go again?"

I nod. "Always." I bring my sword up as well and this time i swing first. My sword connects with his. The sound travels through the clearing and into the trees.

He pushes against my sword with his, backing me up into a tree. I start to push back, but my sword slips and the tip of his sword lightly touches my throat. "I win." He grins and pulls back his sword.

"Is there anything new?" I shake my head and push him back so i could get away from the tree. "We should probably go back." I feel arms wrap around me from behind as I'm lifted. "Darren!" I squeal as he lifts me over his shoulder and carries me towards town. "Put me down!"

"NEVER!" He says in triumph with a chuckle. "You shall be my hostage Ms. Sarie."

"I told you never to call me by my last name." I whine.

His face pulls into an exaggerated pout. "Aw why not? Please?" For a moment my thoughts blur. How could anyone resist that face.

I giggle with a smile across my face. "I...ugh fine. Go ahead call me what you want."

"Ok Sarie." He grins and puts me down as we near the town.

"I need to talk to Anastasia, I'll see you later." He seemed to have stopped breathing when i mentioned her name, almost like you would do if you liked somebody. Could he? Nah.

He recovers and says, "Alright, see ya!"

I run off to go find Anastasia. First off, I need to tell her about how Darren reacted to her name. Then I just need to ask if she wants to be my practice buddy for tonight's training.

I'm really hoping he hasn't fallen in love. He could get himself killed. I can't let that happen.