LOST SHADOWS - A Broken Lie

Chapter 1

Fire was everywhere.

   
The smell of smoke filled the air of the burning laboratory as the doctor laid dying in a pool of his own blood. He let out a weak laugh. "heh... You really do hate me, don't you?" He raised his gaze to the small silhouette in front of him, who had been the cause of all this mess. The small figure turned, letting the flames of the building around them light up the features of their face, looking over their work, making sure not to miss a single detail. "You know this won't be the end," the doctor continued, spitting up blood. "You kill me, and you may never see him again!" This turned the young figure's attention back to the man. After a moment they replied, "I don't mind taking that risk." And they began to approach the doctor for the last time...

THUD!!!

Dawn blinked. Where am I? His bedroom. What happed? Nightmare, again. Why am I cold and sore? The nightmare was so real it caused him to fall out of bed, again. It had been the fourth time this month that Dawn had been haunted by the young silhouette in his dreams. Each time, he gets closer and closer to seeing their face; and each time he wakes up on his bedroom floor. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he gave a sigh. This is getting ridiculous!

Sitting up, Dawn stretches out his back and looks over his room. There wasn't much to it, between his bed and his dresser was a desk that contained the few books he owned. His room smelt of wood and old books. On the wall was an old clock and a poster of the city's top Protector, Star-Hero. The man with a 'Golden-Talent.'

It had been 10 years since Star-Hero came onto the scene. There had been plenty of Protectors before him, however, none seemed to have the same raw power and drive to stand for the people he swore to protect. He was an icon of a generation, and Dawn knew for sure, that everyone looked up to. Inspiring everyone Dawn's age, spread the dream of becoming a Protector.

The first time Star-Hero was on T.V. will always be burned into Dawn's memory. A medical building had caught on fire and the Fire Department deemed it impossible to save the few remaining and trapped persons. Then, as if out of nowhere and everywhere, a golden light covered everything. Next thing anyone knew, Star-Hero stood there, surrounded by all the missing people. After that, it seemed like there wasn't anything Star-Hero couldn't do.

Dawn stood and walked over to the desk, looking down at the book he was last reading and smiled picking it up. He inspected the cover in his hands. The title of the book, 'Talents of the Psychically Inclined', always seemed like an inside joke between him and the book. If only they knew. He chuckled to himself as he placed it back on his desk.

Dawn took a deep sigh, shaking his head. He didn't like thinking about how he had to hide his 'true-talent' from people. It was the last request of his father before his parents' divorce, and the only thing both of them agreed on. Secrets don't make friends... not that the damn class-system helps. It was true. Besides his older sister Milly, Dawn didn't really talk to anyone. He was almost 18, and his only friend was his sister. Pitiful. Frowning, he shook the thought away and looked at the clock on his wall. 8:45 am. He had over slept. Milly is going to kill me.

- - -

After quickly changing into a clean t-shirt and jeans, brushing his teeth, and washing away the sleep, he ran down the stairs to the kitchen. He was greeted by the sight of his sister with crossed arms glaring at him and the smell of burnt toast. I'm so in for it. He offered his sister a weak smile. It didn't work.

"It's 'bout time!!! I don't care if it was the killer toddler or thug dream this time! It's almost 9! We're going to be late!!" Her bright blue dyed hair bounced in the curled pigtails that she always wore. She was wearing a baby-pink sun dress. A 19 year old trying to look like a child. Dawn sighed.