Haven's Army

Chapter 1

I felt exhilarated as I brought down Angel after Angel. My shadow daggers flicked out and I ripped through the enemy lines. But I knew we were losing. At least ten on our side were down and Katie and James were trying their best to heal them.

Soon, I found myself back to back with Nathan, surrounded by Angels. I had to admit, he did look cool, swinging his pitch black shadow sword, left-handed as usual. He had a cut on his right cheek and he looked tired. We had been fighting for a while now.

We fought and fought. The Angels fell, but even more replaced them. I knew it was a hopeless fight. I watched as Kathryn was slashed with a sword on the arm and she staggered. Then she continued blasting fire.

Out of the blue, Nathan told me, over the roar of the fight, "Charlotte, I have something to tell you." He was breathing hard.

"Now?!" I questioned as I kicked another Angel to the ground.

"Well, I'm not sure we'll make it out of this alive." He knocked an Angel over the head with the handle of his sword and shoved him into the rest of the Angels in front of him. They continued coming.

"Spit it out." I kicked another stunned Angel in the gut and then ducked under a sword that whizzed over my head. "We don't have long."

"Well," he took a breath and slashed at another Angel.

Then he told me, "I think I like you," and I blacked out.

• • • • • • • • • •

I opened my eyes slowly. Right away, I didn't feel well. I could feel pain behind my eyes like I had strained them somehow.

"Oh thank goodness you're okay, Charlotte." It was Naomi. No, it couldn't be. Annie, then.

I sat up slowly and looked at her. "What happened?" I asked as I closed my eyes. This pain was no joke.

"Well," she looked nervous as she spoke, "all of the special ones passed out suddenly. Then, you all stood up in unison, even Kathryn who was down, wounded. It was as if something had come over you. Then...well, look around."

I surveyed the scene. It was awful. Bodies were sprawled everywhere, all Angels. I felt horrible.

"I've heard of this before." Yay, Nathan was awake. Now I could just die of embarrassment. "Ronnie told me about it. It's started by...strong emotions." He looked away when he said this. "The Founder of your island's experience and memories are put into you." He, too, was blinking the pain out of his eyes.

I realized something. "Wait, Annie, why are we still in the Capital building? We could be attacked!"

"The doors are heavily barred and we have the least hurt ones holding the doors shut."

I let out a mental sigh. "Okay good." I wondered, now, if Nathan had been telling the truth or if he had been lying to start the thing so we wouldn't all die. What if it had been a lie from the beginning, even at the dance, and all those nights, staying up, talking, just to be able to keep this ability on hand if he needed it? I was definitely hoping it wasn't that.

"We should get you some water," Annie suggested. "Oh, look! Kathryn's awake. Why don't you go talk to her?"

I scooted over to Kathryn, who was leaned up against the wall. James was bandaging her arm. I drew some warm water from the bowl he had and put my hand on Kathryn's arm. She tightened her jaw, but James spoke soothing words and she made it through the healing process without shouting. It was just a scar on her arm by then and James finished bandaging it, said thanks, and left to help someone else.