Blood - Life & Death Book 2

Prologue

The bell above the diner's entrance chimes as we step out into the cold air. Red and blue neon lights above us illuminate Maye's round face as she glares up at me.

"It's not fair you get to go off to train soon," Maye pouts and stomps through the muddy snow ahead of me. A grin spreads across my face and I can't help but chuckle.

"You're almost nine, Maye. You'll be a Guardian in no time," I reply. A chill seeps into my jacket, making me shiver. My nose is already numb.

"Ten years is so far away! I want to go to the Hub and train with you," Maye's voice turns whiny and I roll my eyes. "Don't look at me like that, Remmi! I'm sure they'll take me earlier if they know how good I am at hand-to-hand."

"You know the deal, Maye," I say for what feels like the hundredth time. "Transform into a Guardian then you can go train."

"But-"

"Well, if you're so clever then change into a Guardian right now. If you can do that I'm sure Mom will let you come with me this weekend."

Maye stops and I pull up before I run into her. Her hands are clenched at her side, shaking. I take a peek at her screwed up face and burst out laughing.

I glance around at the empty parking lot to see if anyone else can see how ridiculous my sister looks but no one else is nearby. The neon lights from the diner's sign makes the parking lot glow.

Something shifts by the bins next to the diner. A dark shape flickers then disappears. I try to drown out Maye's chattering but I can't seem to pick up any odd noises or see anything else move.

I turn my back on the giant DINER sign and take hold of Maye's hand, tugging her towards the street. Towards home.

"Let's get you home, sis. Mom will flip if we don't get back before ten."

Maye sighs, "But I want to spend more time with you before you leave me for a whole year!"

I smile down at her, "I want to spend more time with you too. And I'm not leaving you. I need to train, just like Mom and Dad."

Maye doesn't reply, she just nods and sniffs.
I stop and kneel down in front of her, snot and tears dribbling down her face. The diner's sign shines over her shoulder.

I pull a tissue from my pocket and clean her up, a small, sad smile on my face.

"You know I'll alway comes back for you, right? I'm never going to leave you behind. You know that right?"

Maye shrugs, not meeting my eye.

"I have an idea," I grin at her. "Why don't we raid the fridge and make a fort in the lounge room and play video games all night?"

She meets my eye this time, lighting up when she sees I'm not joking. "That would be so cool!" She jumps around and starts rattling on about all the snacks we have in the house.

I try to pay attention but the diner sign catches my eye again. But this time the N and R are broken...

DIE floats bright red above the front door, with its cheery blue welcome sign.

A chill runs down my back. It grips my spine like claws made from ice and I bolt upright, shoving Maye behind me.

"Remmi? What is it?" Maye whispers.

"I don't know."

I squint into the darkness, trying to catch the slightest movement. I notice something from the corner of my eye and as I turn to the right I keep Maye behind me.

"I saw something move, Rem."

I spin around. "Where?"

There's wire fencing lining the diner's parking lot and trees beyond that. One tree bobs back and froth as if something large has leapt from one of its branches. I follow the path it could've have gone and come back to the diner's broken sign.

Sniggering fills my ears. I spin around to find myself face to face with... nothing. Just... nothing.

"Did you hear that?" Maye's voice quivers. "What is it, Remmi?" Her small hands grip my arms, her nails dig into my jacket.

"I - I don't -"

"Remmi!" Maye screeches.

"Maye?" I yell.

Something tears Maye from my hands. My shoulders and arms burn with the effort to hold onto her, to keep a grip on my little sister. On her little hands.

"No," I grunt, "Not Maye."

Maye's crying now. "Don't let go. Don't let me go." Her nails digging into my skin. Leaving deep gouges as she's torn away from me.

The tall figure flings my sister half way across the parking lot where she lands in a crumpled heap. She doesn't move.

I bolt for her.

I'm half way there.

I'm four feet from her.

Something collides into me. Forcing me to the ground. Sniggering fills my ears again and I can feel my mind unravelling. Tearing itself apart.

"Maye!" I cry. "Run!"

The thing smiles down at me. It's grin wide and... beautiful.

"Don't -" Maye coughs. It sounds wet. Like blood is pooling into her lungs. "Don't hurt my brother."

A claw gently slides into my stomach. Up under my ribs. Maye's eyes go wide, glassy.

"Don't leave me. Don't leave me. Don't leave me." She says the words over and over and over again. They slide as effortlessly through my mind as the claws through my organs.

The pain is unending. But it's nothing compared to watching the thing step away from me. Blood dripping down its arm as it stalks towards Maye. It's nothing compared to watching it lean over her, its smile as white as the moon as it slashes her throat. In one. Quick. Movement.

It's nothing compared to watching my little sister die in the middle of a parking lot. And all I see is blood.

Thank you for reading the prologue. I know a few of you have been waiting a long time for this and I'm sorry it's taken so long! I hope you've enjoyed this sneak peek to the second book :D

At this moment I can't guarantee regular updates as my life is a little crazy! But I will try my hardest :) I just couldn't keep this chapter from you guys cause I'm so excited about it!

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Happy reading!