The Morning Star

Chapter IV "Rebirth"

The door lock clicked open. Ray walked in exhausted, he turned on the lights and swung his eyes left to right knowing his mother was still at work, yet he had to make sure. The last thing he needed was being asked more questions about this day when all he wanted was a break from everything. The teen went up to his room and laid on bed, closing his eyes for a minute. Unwilling yet curious, he recapped all of the events that passed trying to find a meaning, an explanation perhaps, something that would clear the picture once and for all. After a while of thought he lets out a sigh and grabbed his phone muttering to himself while replying to Dale's text, he then turned into one of his more recent texts and started a chat to calm himself down.

"Hey."
"Oh hey Ray, you're back from school late."
"Yeah I know, the bus got stuck in traffic."
"Lol, you must have had so much fun!"
"Ha Ha, no not really, it seems that nothing can help your sense of humor Hale."
"Oh Ray, I know you missed me, admit it!"
"I surely did, you'll be gone for a few more weeks though."
"I know Hun, just stick there for me and you know I'll be back for you."
"I've had a weird dream yesterday, it involved you as well."
"Oh it did! Tell me about your little secrets then!"

Haley, Ray's girlfriend was always the cheerful one. Even though they lived miles apart, the two were real close and they tried to meet each other whenever it's possible. Haley was told about the dream, and was a bit worried that Ray was watching a little more horror movies than he should've been. Unconvinced, she still tried to calm him down, but Ray was getting frustrated with his situation, and now, after telling Haley, he knew he was all on his own.

The conversation shortly ended afterwards, and Ray was trying to pick up his pieces before starting with his homework. The motivation of enjoying the night not worrying about the homework was enough to get him started, but his head was totally giving more attention to the message he got earlier today. "Call me, what the hell am I supposed to call him or it, I don't even know what it is!" He told himself as his fingers scrolled the pen on the paper and went on with his tasks. The day went on normally, Ray finished his homework, greeted his mother once she came back, had dinner and went to bed.

Sunday, December 24th. After spending a couple of months away from his nightmares, Ray have mostly forgotten about all of it, it seemed to have never returned.

"He's still asleep though, wake him up."
"Okay Mrs. Hendricks."

The sleepy consciousness of Ray was slowly getting up, his eyes were closed but he could clearly make up the voices in the corridor, and out of the sudden a strong feeling of being jumped onto got him fully awakened.

"Haley!"
"Wakey wakey sleepy head, it's your birthday!"
"What time is it... oh gosh you must be kidding me."
"You wish I am, you thought I'd let you spend your birthday all alone! But I've got to be back for Christmas dinner though, so you won't be getting the entire day Mr., Now get your lazy ass up!"

Ray couldn't help but smile and hug the energetic morning bird he had. He got out of bed and went into the toilet, preparing himself while Haley went down to help his mother with breakfast. The couple along with the mother enjoyed the Christmas morning together, then Ray and Haley went out to meet up with a few friends to spend the afternoon. It was a cold yet sunny Christmas day, the snow wasn't expected to be falling before New Year's Eve. An enjoyable birthday surprise party the teens created by themselves. Right after everyone left, Ray and Haley were alone again heading back to Ray's home.

"So Mr. All big and mighty, you've turned 16."
"You're just a few months behind and yet you act so young, don't worry, I'm sure you'll grow white hair before I do."
"Oh no you didn't!"
"Oh yes I did, the best part is I'll make sure to remind you of it."
"Jeez you men are so confident of future things even though you got zero plans for the upcoming days."
"Well you can't tell what the future hides, can you?"

A statement Ray would surely regret short after. He set off Haley to her father's car and went back home. The teen had a small conversation with his mother on how the day went before heading up to his room. He laid on his bed and shut his eyes for a moment, gathering all the beautiful memories he had. The strange feeling of suspension got the best of him as he opened his eyes to find himself floating in the dark void. Frantically he looked all around till his eyes settled on the pair of red glowing eyes. The eyes he quickly remembered, and the eyes he'd never forget after this. "The time has come." The voice spoke in a clear accent with a confident tone. "What time?" Ray replied, his voice was a little less confident, but he thought it would be gone, just like last time. "You have reached the right age to bear your own chains, I'm here to introduce you to your new self." The darkness made it impossible to see anything but the pair of red eyes, but what Ray couldn't see, he could clearly hear and feel as the sound of metal clashing echoed through his ears before he felt the pain of being dragged from his chest. Slowly he got pulled to the eyes until he could barely see the wicked smile under the red glow. The teen screamed as high as his throat could handle before being thrown to a busy sidewalk. He found himself on the ground with lots of people walking around him, but none noticed nor paid any attention to him as he picked himself up and looked around to realize this was the road next to his school. Through the crowd, Ray saw six men standing looking back at him, and soon the sidewalk was empty, all people and cars vanished, all but the six men that stood before him. Ray didn't speak, he just stared at the men, frightened by the intimidating coldness they emitted with their poker face expression. "It's not about what you see Ray, it's about what you are." The voice echoed inside his head distracting him before he realized that each of the men had a chain linked to their chests. Ray's heart pumped faster as the adrenaline filled it, and horrified his hand touched his own chest realizing all the chains were linked to him. The first man held his chain and spoke in a soft tone. "You do not use me, but I am... here for you." The chains to his chest got pulled once more as he realized the second man held his chain and repeated with the same voice. "You do not feel me, but I can... feel your emotions." The third man grabbed his chain and almost knocked Ray down, the voice kept going on, this time from the third man. "I am you, but you... aren't me." The fourth went on "I will serve my purpose, even if you... don't want me to." The fifth grabbed his chain but kept silent. The sixth grabbed his and continued. "What I am makes no difference, what you are... defines me."