Hexed - A Black Magic Novel

Chapter 1 - Loss

So, a good place to begin as any is my house. I was asleep, my dad was busy writing his newly made sequel, and my mom is upstairs in Her Room; meaning me, nor my dad, could go in. It was mainly a study before my mom added a lock and her very own key, then, who knows what. Anyways, my dad got a call ending in some words not suitable for this book, (and because I don't want a little kid swearing.) He hung up, trudged upstairs, and knocked on Mom's door. He then got me up and told me to leave, quickly.

Turns out we weren't as fast as the bombs, (obviously). Multiple explosions came like cannon fire. My dad decided I was the best priority and literally threw me out of the window, just before a bomb obliterated him in front of me. The force of the explosion pushed me down, but I fortunately landed in one of our decorative shrubs, thus keeping me from breaking my neck. My mother barely survived. I saw her on the floor, multiple cuts on her arms and head. I was about to grab her and take her to a hospital, (even though I was already weak from the explosions slinging me around like a rag doll,) but a hooded figure beat me to it, though they weren't trying to help like I was, because they have a gun to her head. A gunshot screamed into the sky as a bullet was driven right into her skull. I covered my mouth and bit into my pointer finger, trying to hold back tears. I saw the figure raise their gun at me, their finger inching towards the trigger. I shielded myself weakly with my arms, but didn't expect a wave of energy to come out of my hands. When I realized that they didn't fire yet, I moved my arms to see that the figure was sprawled out on their back, their body convulsing. I was shocked, then had a jolt of adrenaline and ran. The direction? Not sure about that yet.

I ran into an alleyway and, yes, I did cry my eyes out. I just witnessed the deaths of my parents, it's a natural response. So there you have it, my very first part of the sob story, but wait, it gets worse. Guess who was waiting for me in the alleyway? Some old friends who wanted to give me a pat on the back and tell me it's okay? Imagine the laughter if it actually happened. How about a group of stragglers wanting to make me into mincemeat? Bingo. Once I saw their roughed up faces, their jagged teeth and their torn clothes, I feared for my life, (like any sane person.) I wanted to leave, to disappear, to be anywhere but in the disgusting alleyway with a bunch of homeless maniacs. I closed my eyes, waiting for them to end me, and, after a few moments, opened them again to find myself utterly shocked not to be where I was almost five seconds ago. I stood next to the West Ridge Police Department, the only place with a defense system so secure that no one could enter or exit without a request to speak to the captain, also known as the ruthless yet fair Donald "Donny" Holden. He's stuck up for my family ever since an "accident" with a drunk guy nearly beating my father to death. Donny rushed him to the ER as soon as he had word of it. He's been protecting us ever since. I walked to the door and hoped he would be here, but nothing was seen or heard from inside. I decided to look for other people who could help, if they could.

-=-{:[OXO]:}-=- 

A very long time ago, there were two humans. Not the first humans, but humans nonetheless. They knew each other from a very young age to now, where they were both near adults. A love for each other blossomed the longer they spent around each other.

The only thing is, they never knew each other's names.

Before their love was born, the boy promised to tell his name if she told hers to him first. She declined.

"I do not trust you." She replied.

The boy grabbed her hand, "Then until we're older and wiser and trust is assured between us, will you then reveal your name?" He asked.

She sighed and nodded.

"Then, but only then." She added. The boy nodded in agreement.

As time went on, the boy grew desperate wanting to know who she was and why she'd keep it a secret. Only when they were early adults did she ask to speak with him. Over the years the thought faded, but not enough for him to forget. He was curious however, for this might be something much more important than a simple name. The girl sighed and opened a tiny diary to it's front page. She showed him the name written within. "Vanessa Elizabeth Santos." He muttered. The girl nodded. "And yours..?" She asked. "Durante Archer. But I'm known as Dante," He stated. She smiled, but as quickly as it appeared, it hid behind a face of grief. She turned away. He noticed and grabbed her hand. "Is everything alright?" He asked. She nodded, then opened her mouth to show a smile, a smile of hidden truths, a mask to plaster over the darkened face she truly wields.

A face that will show its true demons soon enough.