I was rolled up in my bed. Too exhausted from today hunt to look at the time. Mum was downstairs, where she always was, staring at the fire. Maybe she was hoping our father would come back. He died when me and my sister were young. And illness that forced us to move back to our old village. I could've sworn our family was cursed. Everywhere we went there would be a devastating event that would force us out. Before it was an earthquake, then my dad's illness and now... debt. And lots of it. It's the reason I have to hunt for our family's food. The merchants usually take 5 wolves for 100 gold. The thing is... wolves are incredibly rare, and for one reason. The Shade. Long ago there was a Great War between humans and the Shade. It was so bloody, and so unrelenting that we had to settle it with a treaty. We would divide the land into separate sectors. The Shade ended with more land for the humans were greatly outnumbered in the war, and could not afford to bargain. Our king was selfish, and so are his heirs. Each one has lead this sector into more and more trouble. The worst part is we are constantly-
"Evangeline! Where is my golden earring?"
My sister screeched. She had become obsessed with fashions and crazes after our father died.
"I haven't seen it" I replied
"Well could you look for it? I can't find it anywhere" she asked. I couldn't be bothered, it was too late and I was too tired. Bleary eyed, I rose from my bed, trudging downstairs. I looked to the wall mirror. My face was gaunt and pale. If I wasn't standing upright I would probably be mistaken for a corpse. I looked closer into the mirror, it looked like... something was behind me. I glanced back, but nothing came to meet me. I shrugged it off as tiredness and looked around for my sisters earring.
"It's here" I said, picking it up from her dressing table, where it was sitting next to her pearl necklace, a gift from our father. I got a bow and arrow, I wonder why. I passed her the earring and headed for the stairs. Then something burst through the front of our house, the roof crashing with it. A creature roared so loud I could've sworn the room was shaking. Whatever it was is it had sparkling tendrils of night emanating from its back, almost taking a wing shape. Or maybe an animal? I wasn't sure. It's not like it mattered, the thing looked like it was going to kill us on the spot. My mother, sister and I cowered in the corner. I took my bow, not being able to reach my arrows, and stood in front of my remaining family.
"Which one of you did it?" It snarled, resembling a savage beast.
"Did what?" I kept my voice calm, controlled. Show no fear.
"Which one of you killed the wolf?"
Oh crap. Earlier today I.... well that didn't seem like a good idea now. The reason why I was so tired was because I was suddenly attacked by a wolf. It pinned me to the floor, and planted its teeth into my shoulder, where bandages replaced the chunk out of it. I hesitated, and the creature, still shrouded in dark. Enough so that I couldn't see, took a step forward. It sounded light, not light like a step I might take. But maybe a soldier clad in armour. Whatever it was took me by the neck and lifted me off the floor. I could feel it's claws, which felt like they were made from a material similar to one that is made for armour, dig into my neck. I felt a trickle of blood slide down and my throat was beginning to close under its mighty grip.
"You"
I was flying before I felt it. The wind whipping my hair around, and I looked down. My house was a mere ant now. I could still hear my sister screaming my name as I was taken away. I couldn't hear it, but I felt myself screaming, holding onto the thing that now resembled a man, with an iron grip. And the tears streaming down my face would, for the last time, fall in Aramore.
