Orchid

Xander and Shadowhunter

"Hey," he says uncomfortably. "I'm Xander." He smiles. "And this is my sis, Anastasia."

 I study him. His green eyes are bewildered, shy, and not like the overconfident dazzling eyes that belonged to him before. Actually, not him. Set's eyes.

 "Um...." I glance at the disaster area. "I better get going." It hurts my heart to say that to someone I'd liked before. He's cured now of his evilness, so why don't I seize the chance to reintroduce myself again? 

 Something inside of me wants to do that, but the other half tells me not to. This is a boy that doesn't know who I am, what I represent. My heart splinters into pieces. I have to move on.

 I swallow the lump in my throat down as Xander glances at Anastasia uneasily. "We should go and help," he says politely. "I'll see you later." The edge of ambitiousness has disappeared completely. What was the cocky model became the shy new guy. Like quiet little protective Jason. He and his sister races off to help moaning Light and Dark elves alike.

 I'm so tired I can hardly think. I stagger out into the open and blazing fire. It doesn't harm me. Just feels like a tickle to me. In the middle are two elves. One is Nira and the other is a Dark elf.

 Nira is fighting with her bow and arrows. The other elf is fighting with a sword and a shield. Every time Nira shoots, the other elf(a slim elf with a wry mouth and black midnight hair) blocks with her shield and slashes down on Nira. Nira always blocks with her bow. It's a tie. No one can hurt the other. But Nira is in obvious pain from the flames that are surrounding her--I bet she would've fled despite her spirit if she could've. Both elves are so engaged in the heat of the battle that they don't notice me.

 I extinguish the flames, knowing that Nira can escape but the other elf can too. The flames slow and disappear. Nira raises herself up in victory and turns, but the sword smotes on her back and tears open her clothes. She yowls and carries herself away, abandoning her bow and arrows. I know they're precious to her. What have I done?

 I look down at my hands. They're tannish, like they should be after my latest summer vacation at Malibu Beach. 

 But since I've laughed and splashed in the water with the same hands, I am not that person anymore.

 Not the carefree girl cutting effortlessly through the water.

 But a girl who can create a tsunami effortlessly.

 I look hard at the Dark elf, who's doing a little victory dance. Anger churns in me and without thinking, I stride over and grab her by her collar.

 She looks up at me defiantly, but cowers when she recognizes me. I take her weapon away effortlessly. Just snatching it out of her hand.

 "Yeah, serves you right." I place my finger on her throat. I haven't cut my nails in a while, so when I try, it pierces the skin and a few drops of blood roll down.

 The elf speaks in an accent that sounds fake. "I really don't care." She points at her clothes--a simple black robe with a gold viper insignia. Her sleeves are lined with gold and there are some rip marks. "We wear this to symbolize and exaggerate our loyalties. The black symbolizes death, the gold represents honor, and the viper represents loyalty. In the afterlife, I will enjoy watching you serve Lyca eventually." She bares her teeth. She must've got it done, because her canines are sharp like knives.

 "Yeah, vampire." I remember the elves saying most are Earth, so I light my nail on fire. "But I'm never going to serve her, so don't waste your hope."

 "Before I die...." She swallows. "Know my name and quake in fear. My name is Shadowhunter."

 "Then hunt the frickin' shadows." Her name is so ironic.

 "Boom-shakalaka!" She cries up to something behind me.

 I can't help but glance around and loosen my grip on her. She laughs like a child receiving candy and swipes the sword away. "Tricked ya!" She yells. 

 I give chase to her, but it's no use. She's too agile and quick for me to catch her. But Xander is there to stop her.

 "Whoa." His green eyes flash. "What do you think you're doing?"

 "She nearly killed one of my friends," I tell him.

 Xander's eyes darken. "No bitch gets away alive." His hands go around Shadowhunter's throat and he strangles her. Shadowhunter screams once, then goes still.

 I look away. Because I know if I look, I will be haunted by her hollow, empty, and vengeful eyes forever.