Amethyst Moon

Chapter one

You'd never really know when you were sucked into a black hole; that's how it felt the first time I'd moved homes and schools. It was exciting in the beginning, but eventually, it became something I'd dread. I'd left so many friends behind that at some point, I stopped bothering to make any.

Actually, I just recently moved. Again.

" Hey, are you awake yet? You've got school in 10 minutes." A soft voice rang out, the door to my bedroom creaking open. A tall woman with crows feet and a bright smile stood in the light of the doorway. 

She isn't old, just in her 40s, but the sign of laughter had already crept upon her face to tell the story of her life. I wish i could have that. Without any friends or family other than my Aunt who takes care of me, what really was I ever going to be happy about?

" Yeah, I'm up. Could've checked earlier though, 10-minute mark? Really, Auntie?" I groaned, but she only chuckled.

" Be grateful I checked at all. There's food down there, hurry up and leave." She rushed.

I pulled myself from the covers I was buried under. A shiver ran up my spine as my feet touched the cold wood floor, but I shrugged it off. My house wasn't much; a simple two-story with a small porch. It has always annoyed me that the kitchen was downstairs, but at least it kept me from binging.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I was reminded there's nothing very special about me. I've got an average build, brown hair; the most remarkable thing about me is probably my hazel eyes or the freckles that dot my cheeks and nose. I never stood out, and to be honest, that's the way I preferred to live.

I pulled on a black t-shirt and some pants, heading down the stairs. My hand ran across my stomach; it was flat, yet defined. " Not for long. Hello, food~" I smiled.
" Stop talking to your food and leave, Eli!" Auntie yelled. I gave a huff and waved her off, shutting the door behind me.

A cold breeze blew through my choppy brown hair, setting my bangs crazy. " Agh, I hate it when they do that!" I complained, flattening them against my forehead. It was only when a woman gave me an odd look that I realized talking to myself isn't exactly normal.

My steps fell into a rhythm as a tall, tinted glass building came into view. This was the new school I'd be going to for, well, probably no more than a month. I'd noticed that the time between moves has gotten shorter, perhaps I won't even stay a full month.
Either way, it didn't matter. I was almost out of schooling anyways and I'd be able to settle down on my own once I chose an alignment.

I dread the day all graduates must choose; after all, I've no idea. Sun, or Moon? Even more stressful is that the two alignments have been acting as enemies lately.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I could leave that brain twister to future Eli.

" Hey, watch out!" Someone yelled.

I looked up from the sidewalk just as a bike came crashing into me, throwing me to the ground. I gasped. My stomach hurt, but I grabbed the handlebar before it rolled downhill. A sharp pain shot through my sides; I would be bruised.

Footsteps sped towards me accompanied by panting breaths. " Oh god, are you alright? The damn bike came off its hinges." The girl furrowed her eyebrows, the scar between them becoming hidden. " Uh, yeah. I'll live. By the way, I caught your bike." I chuckled.

" Thanks, kid! I've got to go if I plan on making it to the entrance ceremony. See ya!"  She said.

" Wait! Are you in upper education? I'm 11th, we could go together." I asked. She grinned, flicking her short hair from her eyes. " I haven't seen you before, are you a transfer?" I nodded. " Let's go, then! My name's Alex, yours?" She questioned.
" Oh, it's Eli." I rubbed the back of my neck as we ran to put the bike in a spot. Once she was done we headed through the spinning doors of the building.

" Wow..." I said.
It was beautiful, to say the least. The floors were a shiny white marble, halls and stairs connected with massive columns. An oak desk sat in the middle of the entrance room.

" Whose that?" I asked.
Alec lifted an eyebrow, following my gaze to the figure that sat at the desk.

" I'm surprised you didn't ask what it is. That's the doorkeeper for the school, makes sure only authorized people are allowed in here. It'd be bad if something 'evil' breached security." She chuckled.

I swallowed. The figure was smokey as if it was a ghost. Simply black, turning its wispy body to face newcomers.  To be honest, it was quite scary.
" I can't imagine trying to fight it, what happens when something that doesn't belong enters the building?" Alex gave me a teasing look and placed her hands on my shoulders. Looking around as if someone was watching, she whispered.

" Nobody knows because it gobbles up the witnesses!" She cackled. As we approached the ominous desk, I muttered under my breath.
" Not funny..."

The air around the desk was cold, freezing even. We shiver and cast a glance at each other, waiting for the keeper to acknowledge us. But as it finally did, I had a feeling that all it saw was two shivering 'yes or no' cards- and it had to decide what to choose.
Alex cleared her throat and stepped in front of me.
" Alexandria." I can already tell she is braver than me by the way she stands, head held high as if the chilling figure before us is nothing but a bunny.

The keeper paused and turned to me, its every movement sending a whistle of wind. Alexandria nudges my side anxiously and I slip from my trance.

" Ah, Eli..." I squeak.

For a moment it would only stare at us, but this made me wonder, could it think? Does it have feelings?

" Kho...eli?" It hissed.

My eyebrows furrowed. What did it say?
Alex's eyes grew wide and she jerked the arm of my shirt. " Keepers almost never speak... Don't tell me you're some cheesy bad guy using me to infiltrate?" I couldn't respond, however, as the being reached towards the air in front of me.

The black wind twirled, a locket appearing. It was simply silver, seemingly normal. A moon was carved into the front, the inside much deeper than it appeared.The keeper drew its hand away, yet the locket stayed airborne.

" Take... don't lose." Its broken words stumbled out. They were hollow and sharp, almost as ghostly as its appearance.

" I'd do what it says. I'm as confused as you are, but I'm sure it'll be explained." Alex scratched at her eyebrow.

But as soon as my hand cautiously touched it, the ground below us rumbled. The black wind had gathered below my feet. I tried to call out for Alex but the wind seemed to break away the ground and drag me in. I hastily grabbed Alex's leg, not thinking of the consequences.

" What are you doing!" She yelled.
It was too late; we were being dragged into the hole. The last thing I saw was the Keeper's glowing yellow eyes as it stared back at me. I gripped the locket in my hand as we slipped.

A worn voice came from my head, but I couldn't comprehend it.

Reunite the amethyst with the moon.