The Marked

Chapter 2

She forced her wrist at Kent. "What is that? And why does it look like the pendant I gave Xander?" He backed up and stuck his head out the door. "The Mark has appeared!" he yelled. Starr's heart was beating fast. She heard pounding foot steps coming down the hallway. "Why are you telling them? What are they gonna do to me? I said tell me what this thing is!" she screamed at the man. Her anger was building up. Tears welled up behind her eyes. I'm stupid, I'm stupid! Sean was right that was a bad idea. And it's all my fault. She wished her dad was there, she wished Sean was there, she even wished Terra was there! She clamped her eyes shut, as tight as they would go. She wanted so badly to be home, to be in her bed, or helping Terra cook the food for her birthday party. She squeezed her fist tightly, she looked at the mark on her wrist and though I want to be home. I want to be sitting on the couch and opening presents. The world seemed to whisk away around her, and she caught a slight glimpse of the people who had been coming after her earlier, of the astounded look on Kent's face, and when she opened her eyes again she was sitting on the living room couch while her dad was crying right next to her.
"Dad." He looked up and relief washed over his face. He brought her in for a hug and into her shoulder he whispered," I'm so glad you're here. I thought I'd lost you. Where have you been?" She pulled away and brushed a strand of hair out from her face. She had told him everything that happened, up until when the mark appeared. "It burned so badly, and I saw it looked exactly like the Star Pendant and I asked Kent what is was and he just called out to the guard or soldiers, or whatever. I thought about you, and Sean, and Terra. I looked at the mark and thought about how I wanted so badly to be home, on the couch, opening presents. I'm not sure how but when I opened my eyes, I was here."
Barnett didn't even look that suprised when she mentioned the mark and how it looked like the Star Pendant. "Show me the mark," he said. She turned over her wrist and he looked at it. Examined it, nodded. "I'm sorry, I should have told you about this and-" She wasn't about to let him keep on going without an explanation. She got to her feet since her dad was already standing up. She realized how tall she was when he stood up. Her dad was 6'2'' and she her head stopped at his chest. She forgot about her height and remembered what she was going to say. "Why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have brought the pendant to the man! Xander or whatever? Anyways," Barnett stopped her. "Did you say Xander?" She shrugs it off and continues,"Yeah. And if you would have told me then none of this would have happened!" She was mad. She never got this mad. "Wait, Xander is not supposed to be alive. I killed him 5, maybe 4, years ago," said her dad, an unbelieving look on his face. Starr looked at him, stunned. "Woah, woah woah. You killed a man? He might be mean, but that's not reason enough to kill him!" she yelled to the top of her lungs. Their house was really close to their neighbors house and they both always kept the windows down. Her dad looked at her with a disapproving look. "Would you keep your voice down? I don't need everyone knowing I killed, well thought, I killed someone. I'm sorry, I know I should have told you about this, you would have been prepared. And wait- you just gave Xander the pendant? That pendant is powerful, and in the wrong hands it could be dangerous. There has to be some way to get it back," he pauses only for a second but Starr doesn't give him any time to continue. "Wait. Don't say anything else. First, you have to explain everything. Why a have this mark, how is it so powerful, and everything else." He sits down, and in habit, Starr does the same. "It's going to be a long story, so you'd better get comfortable. When I was sixteen I received a mark on my wrist. It wasn't a star though, my name is Barnett, meaning leader, so it was my element was an element of leadership. And often times, a lion means leadership. So, you might say I can let out my inner beast. And Terra, I've actually known her a long time. She's one of The Marked too, her element also the meaning of her name, Earth. Your mom was a Marked too. Her power wasn't very strong, but I loved her and she loved me. I was the leader of the Marked and Xander was jealous. His name meant defender of his people and he thought it was certain he was supposed to lead The Marked. But, the meaning of your name doesn't always have something to do with your Mark. And in Xander's case, it didn't. Neither did your mother's. Jealously controlled Xander, it got the best of him. One night, he snuck into the bedroom while your mother was asleep, and he killed her. I set it out as my plan then to get revenge. And I did, or atleast I thought I did. Because you told me you saw him, and I believe you. There are other Marked, they just don't live around here. Most of the time, we have special training. The training is for fighting the Changed. I'll explain to you what the Changed is later. You don't have to have training, it's up to you. Your mother would have loved it though, if you did. Your power is different, Starr. Stars are full of light, and so powerful. I'm not suprised Xander took you. You can do most anything with your power, Starr. Ok, I've told you most of it. Is there anything else you want to know?" he asked. She thought about everything he had just told her and only one thing came to mind. "What are the Changed?" she asked. He sighed, maybe hoping she wouldn't have asked that, but told her anyways. "The Changed were once Marked too. Xander captured them and experimented on them, turning them into revolting, hideous creatures. Xander wants more changed, so he's constantly trying to capture more of us. The more he has, the more power he has. And with the pendant he has even more power. Let him get enough Changed, and he'll be in control. We have to get the pendant back, Starr. And you'll have to help."
Starr stared, at what, she didn't know. This was a lot to take in, almost too much. She didn't know what to say, but the words poured out her mouth.
"Okay, I'll train. I'll help get back the pendant."

"Focus and concentrate. Come on you can do this," Barnett said to Starr. She stretched our her hand towards the door and strained for the power to come. "Ugh, nothing is happening," she groaned and put down her hand. It happened before, why isn't it working now? Barnett put his hand on her shoulder. "You're trying too hard. You need to relax. Let the energy flow out of you, not be forced out. Let's just take a break." A boy, about 18, came in the door. He was tall with brown hair, not too short but not too long. He walked over to Starr and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, love. I've heard about you. Very powerful, just needs some training. That's what I'm here for," he said with a smile and his accent was obvious. "I'm Starr." He released her hand and took a few steps back. "Oh, I know who you are. My name is Wren." Barnett walked over to Wren. "Long time no see, man," said Barnett. Wren smiled then turned to Starr. With a look of competition in his eyes he smiled and said, "I hope you're up for a long day of training."