Enter the Shadows: Book One of the RTS Series (First Full Draft)

Chapter One

Leala

"Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes they win."-Stephen King

Usually, students look forward to the end of the school year and the reward of three months of vacation. Things were no different now with only five minutes remaining until the final bell rang and officially released the students of Aurora High School for the school year. Excited whispers filled the room as friends told each other what they'd be doing for their summer vacations, and last-minute phone numbers and email addresses were being exchanged.

Amidst all the excitement, Leala Ariosto did not feel as eager as the rest of her friends and classmates about the end of the year. This would be her last summer vacation before she graduated, and more than anything she felt nerves. And in an attempt to calm those nerves, Leala was using the last of her notebook paper to draw. She didn't have anything in mind for this one, and just let the shapes and squiggles come together.

The ringing of the final bell startled her out of this concentrated mode. The other students had already lined up at the door and were leaving out the classroom. Leala put her things in her backpack and slung it over her shoulders.

"Have a good summer, Mr. Dayes," she addressed her math teacher, who returned the farewell with a smile. He made math actually fun this year.

Leala had already cleaned out her locker, so it was just a straight shot to the train station from here. She navigated her way passed the clusters of students all fieling out into the warm June day.

"See you later, Leala!" One of Leala's former classmates, a girl about her age named Kristie, walked passed her with a smile.

"See you." Leala waved after her, but she didn't see it.

Leala sighed, and then dug out her earbuds from her pocket and plugged them into her phone, careful not to mess with the cords too much. The left earbud wasn't playing as loud of music, suggesting that the wires were frayed. She went through a few songs on her playlist before settling on a rock version of Don't Fear the Reaper. Satisfied, she turned her music up and began navigating through the crowds of jam-packed students to reach the exit.

Not too many people wished Leala a good summer or said goodbye, so reaching the exit didn't take too long. This made her a bit sad, but it didn't slow her down.

Usually Leala would've ridden her bike to school, but thanks to a flat tire, Leala had to walk the way home. Thankfully, the journey would be shortened by the city's public transit. At least with the ride on the train Leala could get some more doodling in before she got home. And some more time to dwell on the future. But as soon as Leala stepped onto the platform of the station, the train was already pulling out of the station.

"Damn it..." Leala mumbled. The next train wouldn't be arriving for another fifteen minutes. She sat on a bench shielded from the sun by the shade from the ticket machine, and decided to people-watch.

There weren't a lot of people around the station that afternoon, just a handful of students and other residents of Raiter City. But no one Leala could have a decent conversation with. She didn't mind however, and was perfectly fine with just observing people for drawing reference. Even with the small number of people here today, there was a bit of variety and it gave Leala a good idea for what clothing looks like when people move. But amongst the sea of students and casual civilians, one person seemed to stand out a bit more.

Standing closer to the edge of the platform was a boy wearing a dark grey hoodie, his back facing her. There was just something... off about him. He seemed nervous; constantly fidgeting and looking around, as if he were waiting for someone to jump out and attack him.