The Divide Between Us | Book Two of The Judgement series

Prologue

Painfilled screams tore through the silence of the night. Because of these screams, the police were called but by the time they got to the apartment, it was too late. Those who paid to live in the small, two bedroom apartment, they were either dead or on the brink of death. A dark-haired man laid face first in a pool of his own blood and a woman lay near him, her hand in his. She wasn't dead yet. There was still a chance to save her. Paramedics were wrong to trust that hope. The blue-eyed woman pointed to a panel of the wall that was uneven and whispered her final words, "Look after my daughter, please. Send her to Raven." 

Upon further investigation by police, a girl with dark hair and blue eyes was discovered behind the wooden wall panel. She was treated for psychological trauma and was held overnight by the hospital. The girl would speak to no one. It would be a miracle if she ever spoke again. Though these people, the doctors, nurses, police investigators, psychologists, all of them did not know this girl and what she was capable of. 

After a few days, it was decided to send the girl to her only family left. The mother's final sentence made sense now for, the only family member left was a woman. A woman named Raven. 

~~~~~~

"I'm glad I'm able to aid you in your time of need Cora." Raven pulled the crying girl into a gentle embrace once they met at the airport. The poor orphaned girl clung to her aunt for reassurance, for the hope that something beautiful can spring from something so tragic. Neither knows what the future holds for them but they both await it patiently, with sadness in their hearts but smiles on their faces. 

Raven held the girl by her shoulders. "Do you still enjoy performing songs for others?" The girl nodded. Her only relief from the grief that threatened to consume her was music. Though, there hadn't been a lot of for the girl to practice her preferred form of art. "Well come. I have something prepared for you."

Cora's Point of View

My luggage was received and after a short ride by car, I was ushered into the spare bedroom of my aunt's house. There was a brand new acoustic guitar was propped against the edge of the bed and a brand new outfit laid out for me. It was a simple black tank top that hugged what little figure I had, ripped black jeans and a pair of black combat boots. The main outfit itself didn't catch my eye though. It was the cloak that hung on the hook on the door. The outside of the cloak was black velvet but the cloth on the inside was a navy blue colored satin fabric. I delicately took it off of the hook and placed it on the bed. The cloak matched the outfit well so I decided to wear it since it's likely that Aunt Raven will take me somewhere. 

She was considered a strange woman, what with her knowledge and intrigue of magick but, she was a kind woman. One that would always help those she could and do her best for the ones she couldn't. I dressed quickly and strapped the guitar to my back before clipping on the cloak. I exited the room and made my way to the living room, where my aunt waited for me. 

"I know that look and yes, I am taking you somewhere. Let me help you with your hair." Aunt Raven held up a brush and I sat on the floor in front of the black leather couch, taking in my surroundings. Her house was small but felt like a home. The living room connected with the kitchen and a small hallway. The hallway had four doors, two led to bedrooms, one to a bathroom and one to the basement. My bedroom wasn't really decorated. It just held a full sized bed, a bedside table, a dresser next to the closet and a desk that sat under the window. In the living room, other than the couch, there was a television and cable set up against the far wall and in front of me, there was a coffee table, covered in candles and their dried wax. 

I felt my near black hair get loosely braided, a few stray strands framing my face, and my hood get pulled over my head. "Come. We do not want to be late." I nodded and followed my aunt out to the car, her locking the door behind us. Tonight will be a long one but, I hope it will be a fun one.